Fixing The Electric Start On A Craftsman Mower

[@999thenewman]

Yes, $5 difference in repair cost will break most people. Nicely done, buddy.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thanks man

[@harrygregory6227]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE why would you use metric instead of imperial

[@Turningwrenches85]

I like the way you use a drill battery for the electric start I'll have to keep that in mind myself for future reference

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thanks, it's a great way to test the starting system, without committing to buying an OEM battery.

[@NickSpires09]

Nice video and mower I’ve seen a craftsman mower same one in your video at a karm

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

Cool, thanks

[@crisprtalk6963]

Just sold a John Deere J46 with electric start and I had buyers lining up to get it!

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

yep you and me both. A lot more people like the idea than most people realize

[@caloydeleon6397]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE i respect your decision

[@kravchan]

Thank you! This was a pleasure to watch

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@RuzicaCity]

I have a similar lawn mower. Removed old battery and installed an adapter for Ryobi 18V batteries ($10 on Amazon). The battery plugs into the adapter just like in a Ryobi drill or other Ryobi 18V tools. Two wires are sticking out from the adapter which I connected to wires that used to be connected to the old battery. Installed an old Ryobi battery which lost most if its capacity and is otherwise useless to run any tools, but it can still probably last all summer long wihtout charging just to crank the motor once per week for few seconds... To charge, unplug the battery from the adapter and put it in any Ryobi 18V charger.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

nice work

[@jct300m]

I'm Old!! Battery/Self prop/Bag/ Big Cast iron block motor.....is just heavy as hell...Like a boat anchor!!! Being old, I like my 3.5 hrse briggs..20 inch cut...Side thrower..no self Prop...My mower weighs about 45 pounds total...easy to use in my situation & maneuver around...Easy to use & take care of too....I think I would go to a small rider than a push mower with that much stuff on it..if I had too for health reasons....just my opinion...Love the videos as always!!

[@WJCTechyman]

Replace that Briggs with a Honda, clone or Tecumseh engine and yes, good mower indeed. No headaches with the plastic carburetor warping or the stupid little diaphragm pumps they put in these engines. Fewer fastener quantities and sizes to replace a recoil starter rope or remove the carburetor: typically 2-3 for both Honda/clone and Tecumseh versus using half inch, 5/16 inch, 3/8 inch and 5+ total fasteners with the removal of the dipstick, vanity plastic and fuel tank on Briggs.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you do make a great point, I miss my small riding mower

[@Akotski-ys9rr]

Our pressure washer has an electric start and there’s so much maintaining that has to go into it to keep it charged when all you have to do is 2 pulls on the pull start and that engine is pretty easy to turn over

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you make a great point about it.

[@liljoeii6091]

I have one and I use it quite often thank you for the video

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

no problem

[@AveragePootis]

I absolutely love small engines with electric starts, Mcculloch made an electric start chainsaw in the 60s, its the coolest thing ever. something about a car like starting thing on a small engine is just cool. But i think they failed because of the macho need to pull start a mower, the exact same reason why electric machines are still not that popular even for people with a postage stamp yard

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I think you might be on to something and I need to find one of those chainsaws you mentioned. Sounds cool

[@stevemlejnek7073]

I have never picked up a used electric start mower that came with the charger either. To me, all the screwing around to get the electric start to work again isn't worth it in my used mower market. I typically remove the electric start components and sell the mower as a pull start.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I have done that before, but as you might have guess, I have boxes of the stuff I took off, and now I have to figure out what to do with them. thank you!

[@gillgetter3004]

I don’t buy or sell mowers or anything but interested in small engine equipment etc.. I bought one mower with electric start and it was nice especially for my wife. But I did have several problems with it and went through I think six batteries in 16 years, don’t know if that’s good or bad.

[@WJCTechyman]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE Honda's electric start are usually about the same price as some of these machines but has one key difference: A charging coil built in. It's a shame that Honda no longer makes mowers for the North American market (US and Canada).

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

wow that's real bad. Did you leave the mower in the shed or the garage during the winter?

[@andyhamilton8940]

3 in 1 oil slides right down inside the cable sheaths for mower cable and can flush dirt out the other end.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I'll have to look into that one, thanks for the suggestion

[@lewiemcneely9143]

Batteries are batteries. Whether you take them to theiir charger or run the charger lead to them, it still has to happen. It'll either be a charge or a gas can there's always a tradeoff. I had my last one with a starter working fine if the propel hadn't quit and I was too shot to fool with it any more. I got a bigger battery and a charger because it was going to be used here and even lubed up the starter. NOPE! And IF you can, get your gas in small quantities to keep it fresher. I have a bunch of generetor gas I need to use in vehicles. And I REALLY like the battery mower even more now! it's warmer and don't need to fool with the heater to keep the battery from freezing. Just unplug and MOW! Happy week, Pal!

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

very well said and thank you!

[@lewiemcneely9143]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE Always a tradeoff somewhere. Blessings 2 U!

[@albanselgjekaj7464]

Hey, could you do a tutorial on how to add a fuel filter on this mower or something similar? Thanks!

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

sure can!

[@martint766]

I use a cheap measuring cup to measure 16-20oz of oil.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

that works great too

[@DeadKoby]

Fixing stuff to re-sell has its challenges... since you want to get some profit for your work.

[@UhBuddy1976]

This is true, and this is what I do, but it is a hobby at the same time as it is my full-time gig

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

totally agree

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you got that right

[@randyyeung9285]

I have a 2012 Craftsman with the electric start and RWD. The starter motor packed it in around 2018, and the cost to replace was as I recall nearly $200 just for that stupid starter motor. I decided to strip it out and just went to the pull. But my biggest challenge at the time was just hard starting, which after several carb rebuilds I realized was due to using regular gas, which my local gas stations had gone to ethanol. At the time I still had access to premium ethanol free, so since using that just a single pull will usually start the engine. My problem lately is I notice even the premium gas is now ethanol blended, so I have to work out a new strategy to prevent ethanol damage to the mower. It might need to be combination of emptying tank each use, and the occasional use of canned fuel to clean out the carbs and components before storage.

[@WJCTechyman]

I use regular in all of my equipment, not an issue.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

wow, I've never heard of that situation before so thanks for letting us know

[@christophermarshall5765]

Good job.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

Many thanks

[@WillsSmallEngines]

verry interesting utilizing a drill battery! i made a Bluetooth speaker powered by my DeWalt drill battery.

[@WJCTechyman]

It's interesting as you can buy portable bluetooth audio systems that utilize the power tool batteries.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I like that idea!~

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I have to agree

[@davie66fly]

​@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGEIs there some sort of a voltage regulator on the mower? You mentioned 12V and 18V - how does it compensate?

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

there is no voltage regulation, and it will not compensate for the voltage difference.

[@sivucit]

HI Quick Question. I always use carb clleaner to clean the carburator , not sure when to use Ultrasonic cleaner and what it will do that CARB cleaner wont do?.. Please advise me..

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

Carb cleaner is a consumable product meaning you have to buy more to replace the old can. The ultra sonic has the ability to have the same affect as carb cleaner but using someone that won't evaporate away. Yes the machine is expensive but if it last for awhile, it'll be worth it.

[@sivucit]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE Thanks much.

[@yublybigcranetannerbolding6071]

I just got a craftsman 74094 straight shaft 26.5 cc Weedwhacker for free because the guy didn’t know how to adjust the carb with it. What are your thoughts on it because I have it run in perfect and I was wondering if you’ve ever used that particular model before?

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

no I haven't used this model before. I don't prefer to use 4 cycle trimmers because of the weight and the extra maintenance but you're happy with it, that's all that matters.

[@yublybigcranetannerbolding6071]

Anyway, love your channel man 👍

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I appreciate it

[@davie66fly]

Homemade jumpers or purchased? I ask because I'd like to do this to my mower for the same reasons you did, and I'm going to emulate what you did.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

go with homemade

[@JaxsonM22]

Hey, this is kind of an odd request, but I’m having some trouble with one of my craftsman mowers, and was wondering if there was any way I could send you a video of what it’s doing? It’s kind of hard to explain. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

Sure, but it depends how "big" the video is. The easiest way would be to upload it to KZbin, and then send me the link.

[@Dilanplayzzroblox]

I have a old quantum power 3.5hp briggs it has an electric start but it only starts with a big car battery, if i try to use a small battery it doesnt have the power to crank over the compression stroke or it just doesnt crank as fast, so it only starts with a car battery, what should i do?

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

so either the valve lash is extremely far off, making the compression stroke difficult to overcome, or the starter might be getting weak. I'd take the side cover off and check the valve clearance.

[@gajdabg]

What type of oil do you recommend for lawnmowers engines?

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I use 10w-30 automotive oil but you're welcome to make a different choice. It's worked well for me.

[@gajdabg]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE thank you!

[@extrarockersworld8271]

The victa vortex is the best mower it’s a 2 stroke 160cc engine and it has a vortex disc blade which picks up the grass efficiently

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I wish I could get my hands on one of those

[@extrarockersworld8271]

Did you see the vid

[@extrarockersworld8271]

I know of one in Tasmania if that’s near you

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

yes I did

[@gearhead366]

Would I own a mower with electric start? I already do. My Toro Recycler has it.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

very nice

[@SHOINOFF]

Liquid wrench penitrating oil is the best lube to use.

[@davie66fly]

Good for rusted items, but it's not good for lubrication...it doesn't remain on the item like regular lubricants.

[@SHOINOFF]

@@davie66fly Yeah I should have been more specific on that. Liquid ranch is good for breaking up rust But not really as like a lubricant Is for moving parts.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you for the tip

[@JCT442]

Well, if nothing else, you are very self-aware...

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I like this comment

[@owenrobertson-n6o]

What you call us fellow (Penny pinchers) I call thinking smarter (ps in Canada here they don’t have penny’s anymore so I guess it would be nickel pinching)

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

Hey I like that!

[@WJCTechyman]

The Japanese Yen is about the same value as a Canadian cent. Actually, at the time of writing this, 100 Yen is about 87 Cents Canadian. It was on par a few months ago.

[@anthonypatt179]

Can we use mixed gasoline in a mower that is like 10 years old

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I would not try it

[@anthonypatt179]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE ok bro thanks for the help 🫡

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

no problem

[@thatoneguy_with_too_many_cats]

@@anthonypatt179 by "mixed gas", do you mean 2 stroke fuel? If so, it will work but it'll foul spark plugs every so often

[@anthonypatt179]

@@thatoneguy_with_too_many_cats it's stihl mixer or 2 stroke any of those

[@Idkx2ummm]

4:06 I don’t balance my blades😅

[@Trump985]

There is no way I’d buy an electric start mower. They are easy to pull and they start in one or two pulls unless there is something wrong with them. Having to deal with a battery is crazy in my opinion. There are much better ways for a handicapped person to start a lawnmower like a crank starter or a kick starter that are simple mechanical systems that don’t need batteries and charging system or manual charging. I remember seeing a video about a simple lever that you attached to a lawnmower and attached the rope to it and it let you kick start it. I’ve seen older machines that had a crank where you wound up a spring and then hit a button to release it. We have a crank up starter on a GM Detroit diesel 6-71 genset. This thing will fire up a 671 no problem with minimum effort. We use this to start the boat from a cold and dark state as everything else is air start. No power no air compressors, so your opinions are batteries, a hydraulic starter with a hand pump, or a spring starter on one of the gensets. If the boat is cold and dark any batteries are likely to be dead, hydraulic starters are slow to pump up when the accumulator looses pressure as well as over complicated, spring starters are the best in my opinion for one of your gensets for the rare times you need to do a cold and dark startup.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you for sharing that. It's not for everyone

[@Akotski-ys9rr]

Why use a key and not a momentary switch. It’s not like you can’t start the mower without the key. All it does make you have try not to lose another key

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I know right. This was a long time ago and the key was a given. But as time went by most understood a momentary button was better.

[@jimplosay8352]

Speaking of fuel additives, do you ever use SeaFoam or Marvel Mystery Oil in your gasoline to keep the chamber clean?

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I have used both but have since moved on to a different brand. Nothing against them, but I like the stuff I'm using.

[@scrambler69-xk3kv]

My Kobalt 40volt electric start works just fine. No sparkplug, no air filter, no oil changes starts just fine every spring at the push of a button. Never going back to gas. I love it.

[@UhBuddy1976]

Respectfully. Tell me that in A few seasons. Now, with that said, if you have a small to medium yard, it should do you fine. Just be sure to keep the batteries cool while you’re mowing. Don’t mow in the hottest part of the day because lithium batteries hate heat and it destroys them. Some manufactures put a fan blade attached to the electric motor underneath the battery, Still, still monitor your battery and if it feels warm to almost hot, pull it from the mower and give it a break.You could even throw it in the refrigerator or freezer for a few minutes. 😊

[@lewiemcneely9143]

My Sweetie has Kobalt and it works fine for her!

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I'm glad you're happy with your purchase

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you make a great point

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

nothing wrong with Kobalt equipment

[@caloydeleon6397]

Why won't you want a sponsor

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

choice, I don't want to.

[@MaryFoster1799]

First viewer!

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thanks

[@matthewwearsch242]

Not for me I'd rather pull a rope and have a lighter mower weight scrubs SPEED

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

good choice

[@CuriousKL]

Just don't use WD40.

[@lewiemcneely9143]

It used to work fine on the old throttle cables with no seath but I use Kroil for the stubborn stuff now.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

what's wrong with WD40?

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I'll have to look that up

[@CuriousKL]

@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE it is technically not a lubricant when compared to the many other products out there. It is a cleaner, and it displaces moisture.

[@lewiemcneely9143]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE It always worked good for the OLD throttle cables for me.