Fixing A Yard Machine Lawn Mower That Won't Start

[@UhBuddy1976]

A couple of days ago I saw a Ryobi 6500 running watts generator with a 420cc engine being sold for parts for $100. The generator looked rough with a couple of minor missing parts, an air filter box cover and recoil. Talked man down to $50 and he excepted. The frame was beat up moderately. Got generator back to house, got it started with some rope and it runs and produces power like a brand new one all outlets work and so does the electronic meter. I’m fixing it up and keeping it for myself! it’s a risky business but sometimes you can really get some good good stuff even though it may look bad. A little paint and some degreaser and it will look very good. And it’s not even quite five years old.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

wow nice find and great work getting it going again

[@leewintersiii]

Sir, you have saved my bacon and my sanity. Last evening I tried to mow before the rain, but the mower quit on me and wouldn't restart. I followed this video to clean the fuel system. Turns out it was water tainted gasoline. A thousand blessings upon you and thanks so much!

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thank you and you did a great job fixing your mower!

[@0852657luis]

I actually have this machine brought it new back in 2017. Wow you've been working on equipment i actually have as of recent.😮

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thank you and it happens sometimes

[@trimbalemrbale575]

sounds great after putting a narrow rod or wire through the fuel jet. so many mowers i have worked on just needed a wire poked through the fuel jets

[@HomeGaragechannel]

I know right

[@lewiemcneely9143]

I'm like you and when it starts for me I can say it does. If prople would do maintenance and paint the underside of their decks sometimes there's no telling how long one would work, even MTD stuff! I'd like side discharge BUT.......... Happy weekend and Blessings

[@HomeGaragechannel]

you make a great point about the painting the deck, It'll work but most will never do it.

[@lewiemcneely9143]

@@HomeGaragechannel I had to get a new deck shell for the opposed twin and painted it before it cut the first weed. Sure keeps the metal protected.

[@mjg263]

I love getting those MTD self prop mowers in, they always sell quickly. Wish I had about a dozen grass catchers for them, with a bag they’re usually gone shortly after listing.

[@MazichMusic]

The catchers for MTD are so pricey, too.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

yes that would have been nice to have

[@HomeGaragechannel]

agreed

[@wildefox1478]

Great video, I probably wouldn't really believe the seller that it ran if I bought a cheap mower to fix and flip unless they actually started it up and showed that it ran.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

Exactly!

[@alexmail123]

What type of detergent do you use to clean?

[@HomeGaragechannel]

it's the one from Harbor Freight

[@christophermarshall5765]

The end result with no or little expense is best. That one will bring you good profit.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

you got that right

[@donvoll2580]

Good day H garage Yes I will believe when I see it. Thanks

[@HomeGaragechannel]

You and me both!

[@Turningwrenches85]

I never take the word with a grain of salt especially getting told a mower didn't work and get it home and it works or get one brought to me on the curb and ended up working, I just see it as a non runner

[@HomeGaragechannel]

great advice!

[@robertmailhos8159]

Honest is the best thing when people are selling them to you

[@HomeGaragechannel]

agreed

[@robertmailhos8159]

@@HomeGaragechannel ✌️👍

[@igotakai5644]

Hi, which degreaser/cleaner do you use? Makes everything look like new!

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thanks, I'm using the one from Harbor Freight. It's the one in the gallon jug. It doesn't have a proper name

[@igotakai5644]

@@HomeGaragechannel thank you!

[@originalff1261]

I have the exact same one, it spins but after 8 or nine spins the blade gets completely hard and stiff and doesn’t move. The bolt moves with the blade. Do you what could be wrong? Thank you

[@HomeGaragechannel]

not without more information. Did you take the spark plug out before turning the engine? Is there a Gouge on the edge of the blade? When was the last time I was running? thanks

[@sanibelt]

I have a 450e series engine mower (model 08P502-0038-h1). Visually looks pretty much like the one in your video and the carb is also the same. It started surging when I started it this season and watching your videos gave me the courage to open it up and clean it, cleaned the carb fully with cleaning wire and carb cleaner but it still surges a bit, though it is better now. I looked up more info and potential causes on YT and saw some people saying a common problem with these is that the jets are too small and they recommend drilling them a size bigger. Is this something you think is safe to do and have you done it to one of these carbs before?

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thank you for watching and I appreciate your determination. Great question and my answer would be to Never drill out the jet. I would instead, just buy the $15 carb and call it a day. Otherwise, if drilling out the jet, doesn't work, you'll keep spending more time working on it, than using .

[@sanibelt]

@@HomeGaragechannel Thanks for the reply. I was also wondering, what kind of motor oil you use for your mowers? Is it SAE30, 10w40, 10w30...? I used to run SAE30, but prices have gone up a lot in the last few years here. A 5L container of SAE30 used to be 20€ now its almost 40€. I think I'll try running it with 10w40 now since it's currently the cheapest here and costs 15€ for 5L. It's part synthetic but the specification grading says its high performance and from what I've read 10w40 should be alright for mowers.

[@Earths1stgamer]

Hi im a new subscriber can you tell me what you are spraying on the mower with the spray bottle before you rinse it off? it seems to clean pretty good.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thank you , I appreciate it. It's a degreaser from Harbor Freight

[@Supernoma]

These plastic carburetors must be a great money maker for repair shops. Imagine paying $130 for a shop tune up on a mower you bought for $230 just a few years ago.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

I see your point

[@UhBuddy1976]

I see your point as well, but they are so darned easy to fix! The easiest carburetor I’ve ever seen to clean up and get running again. Never use ethanol or gas and you should never have any problems.

[@patmiller7045]

Do you recommend a mower deck treatment for minimizing grass from sticking to it?

[@HomeGaragechannel]

I do not, but you're welcome to do it, If you feel it'll help

[@Sungodv]

that's the model I have....started first pull this year

[@HomeGaragechannel]

nice!

[@mr1pearl]

The ts a win in my book 👍 So purdy 🙂

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thank you!

[@liljoeii6091]

I would think the same way you do thank you for the video

[@HomeGaragechannel]

glad to know!

[@ChuckyandHelenshow]

Nice work man keep it up

[@HomeGaragechannel]

Thanks, will do!

[@chrisjolive1]

Hi, thanks for the videos. what chemical cleaner do you use? looks very effective!

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thanks and I use the yellow gallon jug of degreaser from harbor freight

[@electroddxful]

I believe it when I see it.🙏👍🙏👍

[@HomeGaragechannel]

agreed

[@elliotcarpile1234]

I recently purchased a used toro push mower with a briggs model 104M02-0131-FI. I changed the oil and there seemed to be a lot of metal flakes and shavings in the oil. What should i do to prolong the engine life? should I flush the crankcase with gas?

[@HomeGaragechannel]

no, I'd put fresh oil in, and then do another Oil change in about 5 or 10 hours of use. Check and see what metal comes out and then decide if it'll be a regular interval or a short one before doing another oil change

[@mattwickert736]

I don't know what they did material wise on the decks, but with pretty much only MTD products on the market for a few years the decks are junk now. They rust super easily, and they have so many bolts that go through the deck into plastic. If there was ever a design to fail after 10 years, this crap is it. I get 15-20 year old machines that are in better shape than a 5 year old machine now. The decks lose their paint and rust out with like 3 blades of grass hitting them now. The only good thing, is that the front ends are interchangeable on this style deck (self propel or not) and so are the back ends. You can even swap a self propel setup onto a pusher, if you're willing to cut an opening for the belt to go through - oh yeah, and fight with getting rusted screws out....

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thanks for sharing that information, I never thought about doing that.

[@johnpinkerton9251]

I will believe it when I see it and then I am not sure

[@HomeGaragechannel]

well said

[@demcomp]

I bought a mower for $25 that the owner claimed just had a broken rope... Hah! While fixing the rope, and inspecting the mower, I found the PCV hose was rotten, and the whole PCV needed replacement (Tecumseh LV148).. thankfully I had a parts engine to steal it from. Then when I got it all together, turns out the carb leaks gasoline.. even with a new gasket. Replaced the carb... Aaannnd the bail cable seems stretched. Not 100% on it yet, but it's the likely culprit... And it's causing intermittent spark.. Blech! Then a generator I bought that the owner said wasn't running, needed a new carb, but had good compression. Ya... A stuck valve, and a rust damaged cylinder wall hahahah! Oh well... I laughed about it and made videos on my channel Not this one, different account, not plugging on someone else's channel

[@HomeGaragechannel]

yes it seems everyone has a story to tell when it comes to sell. At least you were able to find all the problems

[@HSC570]

I usually have my uncle sharpen my blades

[@HomeGaragechannel]

I wish I had an uncle that would do that for me.

[@hunter1953]

I think that most people wont take a lawnmower to a shop because of cost and what you did would probably be one hundred dollars. i would of did what you did and charge thirty dollars because eighteen ounces of oil and a hour of my time is worth that much and everyone is happy.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

in complete agreement

[@deannacousin2339]

Thanks so much! Your instructions were clear and concise with great bright video footage to further explain your instructions! Perfect!

[@HomeGaragechannel]

no problem

[@RussellBooth1977]

I never take things at face value so I check &. test things to see if they will work & not fall as well !

[@HomeGaragechannel]

great advice

[@talksick508]

Can’t stand these mowers Shoulder issues can’t stand starting them lol

[@HomeGaragechannel]

that would be a problem

[@michaelbyfield6323]

Maintenance always plays a key factor in the longevity of a lawn mower when they stopped work and it's almost always because of poor maintenance with fuel and Storage

[@HomeGaragechannel]

totally agree

[@Afilliatezero]

What chemical did you spray on before you hosed it down? Looks like it worked really good.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

I use Super Heavy Duty Degreaser from Harbor Freight

[@AlabamaThrasher]

What do you use to get the gas smell off your hands? I have tried several soaps. Love your videos very informative

[@HomeGaragechannel]

as far as I know you can't get rid of it, only mask it. I only use dish soap but I think lava soap would work better.

[@Dopest_diecast2003]

You think I should buy a mower for 50 bucks and flip it?

[@HomeGaragechannel]

yes and no, yes if you think you can make good money on it for the time you might spend on It. No, if you're not sure what the problem is, and it might take time and more money to fix it.

[@Dopest_diecast2003]

@@HomeGaragechannel It already runs. I don't have to do anything. I would just flip it. That's why I was wondering if I should.

[@procellfoxreal]

I saw something great at Home Depot yesterday. They were selling Honda mowers again! Turns out the people at Honda might have changed their minds on discontinuing their mower line.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

really? I might have to look into that

[@ramadinsookhoo6141]

Hey bro what's up? This mower looks almost brand new. Whoever purchases this mower from you will be getting a great bargain.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

I totally agree!

[@revelationhomestead1776]

Great deal

[@HomeGaragechannel]

yes it was!

[@Shawnee.Hills.Small.Engine]

Believe it when I see it. If they say it ran the last time they used it, my offer drops 50%.

[@HomeGaragechannel]

I like that idea

[@johnhouli3450]

Ty HG can you tell me how you cleaned the sponge like air filter

[@HomeGaragechannel]

sure, I sprayed the foam with a degreaser and then massaged it before rinsing it

[@snoopysrc]

Very nice

[@HomeGaragechannel]

I agree

[@marttrev4279]

Great find !

[@HomeGaragechannel]

thanks!