Fixing a Mantis Tiller that will not start - Springtime Start-up Techniques

[@ruthiejohnson9893]

I pulled my parents Mantis out of the garage after 10+ years. I’m going to give it a whirl. Thank you for the review!

[@billywest7586]

Father In-Law bought a Mantis Tiller for my wife about ten yrs ago. First season of running was all good after that, no matter what I do, just can't keep it running. Cleaning, new carbs over and again, adjusting, same results. It does look pretty in the shed though all shined up.

[@tonyedward6909]

Check spark plug, there are 3 sizes mantis is not specific and it depends on tolerance.

[@billywest7586]

@@tonyedward6909 Thanks Tony for the info will give it a try.

[@karlarobin]

Thanks .the fuel filter had fell Orff. And I spotted this through your video.

[@odzk1757]

Got mine to work immediately just be releasing pressure in the gas tank. Great vid!

[@JarthenGreenmeadow]

Hey thanks for the vid. I got my grandma's tiller started today with this.

[@MRSOLiS-ro9vk]

It seemed to work for you atleast but what about those that continue to have the issue of no start. Anywho thank you for taking the time to make the video in which it heads us sheep in the right direction.

[@davidshultz4986]

These little rollers are great I have a echo one these things are fun to work on and play in the dirt with

[@kf5435]

A fantastic tool when and if you can get it to run. Do not buy one of these unless you like to tinker with small engine repair. The new ones are are cheaply made with tines that bend and tear. I have one of the originals also and mantis doesn't carry parts. You'll get a great workout though from pulling the start endlessly.

[@Buckwsr]

Nice! I could use a good workout! Ha ha!

[@milesaway3699]

I’ve hated mine since the day I bought it. I needed a tiller and bought this piece of crap instead. Just got it out after not using it for a couple years. Can get it to run but it won’t stay running. My arm feels like it’s gonna drop off. One of my financial regrets.

[@nevinyoung9147]

I have one with this engine, I have NEVER gotten it to start with the choke on. Instead I have to hold it down full throttle with one hand and yank the cord with the other. Then it usually starts.

[@johncollins8304]

Wow, you've done it again! That third tube coming out of the fuel tank and ending up in a wee white piece of plastic flopping around -- it's a breather. NONE of the experts in all the other garden equipment have mentioned this. Maybe it's in the manuals of the few trimmers (weedwhackers) I've bought new, but I've never seen them spoken about. I shall now venture out through the rain to see if my second-hand, bought five years ago and never used is 2 or 4 stroke. ...Four. Thanks again. Will search more of your vids.

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks, John, for watching my video, and for your enthusiasm! really enjoyed hearing from you!

[@yes350yes]

Of course putting a load on the machine makes a difference also. Theres really not much to the old ones which I have and you can get the complete kit for less than $10 if you like to do that sort of thing. The hardest and most time consuming part of that project is getting the fuel tube out and new one in the tank. Make sure you get the right one for your mantis.

[@kjrchannel1480]

I have had one for 12 years and never replaced the spark plug because unlike bigger engines that run hot it isn't needed. I have rebuilt the carb twice and replaced the transmission once , the fuel lines once, and that is it. I have never heard of any ignition coil going bad.

[@chestertallant3755]

Week spar here to wont fire even with eather

[@ksman9087]

There are three tubes coming out of that gas tank. The feed tube, the vent tube and the primer tube. The problem with some of these is that the primer tube, which feeds the bulb primer, is short and unless the tank is full or you set the tank downhill toward the carb, you will be sucking air into the primer bulb.

[@Buckwsr]

The suction line should be long enough to reach the bottom of the fuel tank, and there should be a fuel filter attached to the end of it.

[@MegaRickw]

wrong,the primer tube is putting fuel back into the tank

[@mbd5422]

Mine will run fine a few times, but then, after taking a break, it won't start. Sometimes letting it rest a couple of hours will fix it. I've read that adjusting the spark plug gap may help or leaning out the mixture. Any thoughts on that?

[@artistrue1]

Nice, Is that the Mantis model #7924, that they rent out @ HD ?

[@karenpalencar4001]

What size is the spark plug?

[@robertpeters2741]

How far does the vent line go into the gas tank??

[@johncollins8304]

A minute in -- you're the first person to implicitly agree with me that a so-called 'spark plug tester' doesn't actually test the spark. Wow. And I've watched ALL the vids on the internet about repairs to garden equipment. The one thing a spark plug tester doesn't test is ...The spark plug! They should make that a question on some smart-arse tv show (Q.I., Stephen Fry sort of thing): 'What does a spark plug tester test?' It's a bit like the title of that book that destroyed the world, The Origin of Species. The elephant (ha!) in that particular chat-room, the one topic not covered is... So it's an immediate thumbs-up, and I'll enjoy the rest of the show!

[@conradb7200]

The little we could see of the air filter when you removed it, looked very dirty. It also appeared when you took the unit outdoors, and it started, you had forgotten to put the air cleaner back on it. Could the reason that it started that time be because the dirty air cleaner was not on it, and smothering it?

[@yes350yes]

On checking my mantis , first thing I did was pull the plug and it showed a lot of black carbon, so I tried to match it with plug at ace hardware, but that was pretty iffy so will order the correct plug for it. Im also starting with fresh oil and gas. In the past I have trouble adjusting the carb, wondering how much is due to wrong plug.

[@kenhilson786]

There are rare cases when both your spark tests are good yet the coil will still fail to spark when plug is installed because coil too weak to fire plug when subjected to the engine compression.

[@jhowardmarkleyjr3335]

Running fine without the dirty air filter you removed?

[@6857100]

We've had this tiller for a number of years. It is weird, we can't start it the day we want to use it. Leave it overnight and it starts right up after getting a blister from pulling the cable about 50 times the day before. What's really irritating is the position of the on/off switch. I continually hit it when I use the tiller.

[@Buckwsr]

Hmmm...I would plan to attempt to start it one day prior to actually needing it....Also, gloves.

[@matthewzamora5503]

#ThisIsMeToo lol

[@NickCageRage1]

6857100 I do the same shit all the time...

[@rogerburton4880]

Mine is the same way. I will never buy another.

[@rogerburton4880]

It says, Prime, Flip, Start. Yeah. It might start the next day, it might take 2 days.

[@scsclassics]

That vent slides into the notch in the red cover ,

[@TheDaddycatty]

installed a new carb off amazon and used my mantis twice on the third attempt to use it it would not crank. i managed to adjust the carb enough to use it a third time but it wouldn't stay running unless i had the throttle all the way down. today i went to use it and nothing. piece of crap. but like the man says you can fix it. over and over and over

[@benflammer7217]

TheDaddycatty, I’ve noticed your comments on a couple of videos I’m watching. Sounds like we both have followed the same steps and came to the same results. Let me know if you find success and what works for you and I’ll do the same. These tillers are great, once you know the tiller you own, and the settings it likes, it’s an indispensable tool. Just gotta get to that point of knowing the tiller.

[@pegpeg3939]

@@benflammer7217 I need help too. I'm a woman and never done this before. I Replaced the carburetor and it still wont start..I'm irritated. I love it when it works. It's just not cost effective to pay to get it fixed every few years when it wont start

[@l.mercer1083]

@@pegpeg3939 You should open the muffler and check the spark arrester. It's a small screen that gets clogged.

[@roymg]

Bad vent?

[@keithsage1593]

Do you answer questions? Mine locks up tight every time it starts, 30 seconds of running, thats all I get.

[@wangofree]

Tank breather should be position up in it's little slot. Replace all the gas tubing. Empty out old gas and mix new 50:1 fuel and fill the tank FULL. Finally pull the muffler and clean it out. They tend to get gunked up or spiders get in there over the fall/winter and can ball things up.

[@Buckwsr]

Good tips, thanks, Mike

[@billsnyder6945]

One thing I did not hear you mention is bad gas being a common problem in spring. Also holding the tiller up to start is a very dangerous practice, and if the idle is adjusted properly it should not be turning, but maybe you were goosing it too.

[@kenhilson786]

Maybe you could have displayed the no start at the start of the video.

[@combatengineer1258]

I got my dads old mantis after he passed. It hadnt been started in 10+ years. I went online and used ereplacement parts, got a new fuel line, filter, plug, gasket, air filter and replaced it all. Cleaned out the gas tank. Still wouldnt start Sprayed carb cleaner 3 or 4 times and she fired right up and running nicely

[@Buckwsr]

Good job getting it running! Sorry about your dad's passing.

[@beb1527]

100%. Mine never starts in the Spring. I put some Techron Concentrate in the tank and do a full pulls. About an hour later, after the Techron has done its magic, the engine starts. The prior seasons fuel in the carb turns to jelly and only carb cleaner or fuel cleaner will get the good fuel flowing again. My other engines have a fuel shutoff valve, and if I shut the valve and let the engine run until the carb is dry in the fall, I have no issues in the Spring. Haven't figured out a way to do that to the Mantis though without running the entire tank dry.

[@susanfortner2630]

Was this a vapor lock?

[@konedog55]

I’m not getting a spark at all. The tiller was working fine for me (for about 1/2 hour) and just quit while I was tilling my garden. I replaced the spark plug, grounded the plug and pulled the recoil rope - no spark. What do I do next? Do I replace the coil?

[@Buckwsr]

Get an inline spark tester to verify your conclusion. Hard to see the spark otherwise while trying to yank on the starter rope, etc....

[@mjameel779]

I am Indian sir where can i bought it from sir please tell me

[@glennfarrar3107]

Cannot find a new ign coil for mantis SV4B

[@termides]

So after all that there was nothing wrong and it started right up. What was the video about>

[@Buckwsr]

Customer brings a machine that will not start or run. Machine is returned in running condition. This video overviews the steps I took to get it running.

[@johncollins8304]

@@Buckwsr I wouldn't have bothered to respond. He and SIX other people watched it and didn't understand! Probably Biden supporters.

[@controlledchaos7808]

So in the end you don't know what fixed it.

[@wrublehammitt769]

How to make tines turn on Mantis tiller

[@applejacks971]

Is there any follow up with Mantis? I was curious if they guy had any repeat starting issues. Our's never wants to start in the spring. Its usually me forgetting which way the power button is suppose to be pressed. Only marking on it is I/O. Sooo, which is on and off? The I is on, O is off. My snowblower on the other hand, I have to drain the gas and put fresh gas in it EVERY year, Stabil doesn't even work in it.

[@Buckwsr]

Yes, those "universal" on/off symbols can be confusing. Here's what I found: "The power-on symbol (line), appearing on a button or one end of a toggle switch indicates that the control places the equipment into a fully powered state. The power-off symbol (circle) on a button or toggle, indicates that using the control will disconnect power to the device." I'd still prefer the words on and off! Regarding gas, I would definitely drain gas out of any carburetor that will sit for months at a time in storage. Tillers, for example, are only used in Spring. And snowblowers, only in winter, and only if it snow. All that time in storage with gas in the carburetor will completely gum it up.

[@ng-iq4kx]

Drain the gas from the carb and tank. It will also make the gas line hard and brittle.

[@johnmayberry243]

I'll check that breather. Cause I'll get it going and it'll quit and later on it'll restart.

[@garypoints355]

Are you Mike Leach ?

[@jacksonsinflatablechannel]

cool

[@erict7867]

For many years my mantis was Not temperamental

[@Akolgo_islam]

It sparked

[@erict7867]

Looks like it’s running to me

[@coondogtheman]

I have one of these with a weak spark. Won't even start if you put some gas directly in the cylinder. Possibly a bad magneto.

[@marlinweekley51]

Same, in fact even with good spark and gas directly in cylinder i cant get a fire! So although made no sense did replace the mag think maybe some how the kill switch was doing something weird. Anyway with new carb, new gas, new mag - doesnt even try to start let alone run. Frustrating

[@coondogtheman]

@@marlinweekley51 I disconnected the kill switch entirely and it still didn't want to start.

[@marlinweekley51]

@@coondogtheman same 😜 Iam buying a battery operated one. Ironically on the top of the pull starter it says “easy start” 😆

[@coondogtheman]

@@marlinweekley51 easy start my eye. I made something that goes on a drill and it work pretty good as a roto tiller. It's similar to those weed removal attachments sold on tv that you attach to a drill.

[@marlinweekley51]

@@coondogtheman cool. I don’t even care about this goofy thing - it’s just driving me nuts that it won’t even fire! I’ve worked on equipment and rebuilt truck motors etc and never been so frustrated. Gotta move on 😆

[@dallasglass3161]

Mine blew a main bearing, still under warranty and they refuse to honor the warranty. After all the time I spent getting to know the pull cord, this happens! I do not recommend this tiller.

[@Buckwsr]

Possibly just unfortunate bad luck in your case. The Mantis tillers I have seen have been pretty solid.

[@robertpeters2741]

Who cares what you "recommend"? Mantis is a very good tiller.

[@charlesbrown2825]

he really didnt fix anything.

[@Buckwsr]

Customer brings a machine that will not start or run. Machine is returned in running condition. I'd call that a fix. This video overviews the steps I took to get it running.

[@shelbywilson114]

Did you replace the vent just in case? How much did the customer pay for the unknown fix?

[@magzmade]

Too dark to see

[@Blacksmokezz]

My mantis wasn't working and then I changed the carb and it started up. After I used it a few more times it just stopped again out of nowhere. Now I'm stuck once again smh

[@Buckwsr]

undertakerthedeadman you can fix it! Start with the essentials....spark, fuel, compression....

[@arielphf]

Exactly my issue. I would love this thing if only I could start it.

[@2peter1v2]

Came here to get some ideas about a non starting Mantis tiller. Got a really long, stupid, and annoying snake oil salesman. I know you want to monetize, but, guess what? After a minute and a half of the snake oil salesman, I paused the video and wrote this comment. I sent it, and then moved on to something else, so I never got to see what might have helped me, and I never watched the video the snake oil salesman wanted me to watch. Sorry.

[@Buckwsr]

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

[@2peter1v2]

@@Buckwsr Ha ha, you looked it up! Still wanted to see the video, but ended up draining the tank, cleaning it, (lots of filthy sludge) and I still need to get a new spark plug. With a new plug and fresh gas, I think it'll start.