How to Adjust Lawnmower Valves

Step by Step!
Lawnmower not starting on the 1st pull anymore?
Today I'll show you how to "Shim" valves on just about any lawnmower!
For the most part, all OHV (Overhead Valve) engines are designed the same way. The Rocker Arm will have a lock-nut and an adjusting screw, and you'll be turning that adjusting screw to set your valve clearances to the manufacturers spec.
You'll need some basic tools to complete this job; (wrenches, socket set) and some more advanced tools; (Feeler gauge set, torque wrench and possibly a crows foot wrench).
Simply follow the steps in this video and you'll be back to cutting grass in no time!
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[@philliphall5198]

He doesn’t beat around the bush, straight to the point and with the information and fix Love it 😊😊😊

[@georgemcatee5395]

This guy speaks very well. No Ahs, ya knows, and his diction is excellent. Very informative. Clear and concise about what to do and how to do it. Great lighting to see clearly. Good job.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@YDVDL]

@Young Grampz i second your reply...OUTSTANDING

[@genovevobenavidez3570]

Good video. Enjoyed watching it. I’m just starting to (try) fixing my own small engines. Just turned 79. Sounds like this will be a good hobby to have. 🙏👍🙏

[@mblack360]

Best explanation i've seen on how to adjust the valves.

[@MilesDaffin]

Really clear with no drama or fluff.

[@TomwithaDream]

Excellent step-by-step for us newbies complete with explanations of what AND WHY you are doing. I appreciate the effort and time you put in. Thanks! Even the 90deg bit!! I don't know much about small engine repair but I do know that SIN 90 = 1. So no trig changes to your torque value. Bonus!!!

[@DZ-ib1gz]

Best explanation by far

[@nemrodbaterna5806]

Finding this clear my so many questions on how to set valve lash on a single 4 stroke engine, VERY WELL EXPLAINED

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@ChubbyButcher]

Wow thanks for the help Jake very well spoken.. eliminator performance have got me through lots of issues.. very knowledgeable and accurate on repair.. fast responses and easy to understand.

[@baddad5781]

Another great video guy. I've got an 8 to 10 year old hyper tough with that 300e series engine and I believe I'll give the carb a clean and check the valves since it's never been done before because it is a bit hard to start. Thanks again

[@gregorylakics3045]

Great video. No bullshit in between explaining a bunch of simple things. One of the best videos I have seen yet. Keep them coming.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you 👍

[@hansmyrskog2535]

Great video man. You are well spoken and easy to follow. Great video quality too

[@s19910323]

Thank you for sharing this video, you help me solve one of the key problem with my mower!

[@nathanvega6281]

A very easy to understand and complete video. You are amazing and it’s quite obvious you are a pro at this. And you saved me a trip to pro power equipment and probably $500 at the very minimum.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for the kind words, and thanks for watching!

[@davidstark8894]

Great video! Very clear and to the point. Thanks for sharing these videos with us.

[@seenithere]

I liked how you stressed the point about putting the crows foot to 90 Deg to the handle, if it was put on the end it would change the torque values, Great info! Keep doing what your doing :-)

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for the kind words, and thanks for watching!

[@tonym6920]

Nice work, never heard of crows foot wrench, pretty cool. Thanks for sharing your expertise, 👍👍

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@farmher5333]

You give the most thorough instructions on each video you make. Have you considered teaching at a college and helping people with hands-on-experience? You’re Excellent instructor!

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for the kind words! No teaching at a college for me, just the KZbin videos. Thanks for watching!

[@Rattletrap2]

@@EliminatorPerformance Come on man, you are a natural for teaching at a college! I can see not wanting to do it at high school level, but college would be ok!

[@nickluzzi8767]

You have a good way of explaining and showing

[@tenebrion001]

Superb video bro. Everything is clear as day, great instruction.

[@pastorlugo121]

Outstanding video. Thank you for making me a little smarter.

[@CatsMeowington]

Thumbs-up and subbed, excellent dictation, etc. Showing how to find TDC and your use on the crows-foot wrench was worth the video for me. The only improvement would be to show taking off the parts to get to your first view of the rocker arms/valve stems. You could have fast forwarded that dissemble and mention by caption the size tool for each step. I know those steps are not the focus of the video, but if someone has this same or similar engine, knowing the tool sizes would be helpful. And, I would have liked to see the torque wrench step. Great job and have a great day!

[@waynestefinashen239]

The dowel is the smartest choice you will never scar the piston using it. I got what your saying about shimming the valves, it is an old millwrights term about using the feeler shims to set the proper clearance. Another excellent video especially showing the use of a crow foot wrench which a lot of people have never seen. Hey Don V. get a FORD!

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@scottsullivan7716]

There are actually shims aka spacers on some small engines that need to be replaced (instead of adjusting) if outta spec.

[@cl1156]

Best tutorial I’ve watched so far!!!

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@revelationakagoldeneagle8045]

Very well explained. Much appreciated 👍😎

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@treeroofgrass]

I have a tecumseh like that. Owned it for 20 years and never adjusted valve clearance till now. Both intake and exhaust were at .008. Now that it’s adjusted, ticking noise is gone and it’s a little easier to pull the rope.

[@kulinboda7621]

Very very helpful and explained nicely

[@xbullshet]

Absolutely PERFECT explanation in GREAT DETAIL> Thank You Very Much!..

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@alandust2188]

Good presentation!

[@jamessalter7699]

Very helpful and easy to follow.👍

[@stuartturnbull4112]

Thanks for another great video. More good information for a novice like me to add to my bag of tricks.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@r.8995]

brilliant informative video 👍

[@eduardocabal8984]

Many thanks on idea👌👍

[@michaelchilders6056]

Excellent video!! Thanks for your help!!👍

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@gerarddonaire699]

This guy really knows what he is doing

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@CatsMeowington]

Yes, and he speaks clearly and to the point!

[@stevevoyer827]

Excellent video as always thanks

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@87GP400]

Very well done . Thanks

[@paulmullins102]

thanks dude good tips

[@murrayminimotors1674]

Great content very helpful 👌 👏🏾 👍🏾

[@easyeric601]

Great video

[@francislang5075]

keep the good videos going

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@D_Spear]

Man what a great video!

[@kb9drh]

Thank you for using a non scratching or non scoring tool for detecting TDC. It always bothers me when I see a screw driver getting shoved in the spark plug orifice. Nice job!!!

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@reccocon3442]

Thank you! Shoot ! I'll have to buy inch/pounds torque wrench to tighten right specs.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Just use a converter online and convert into your measurements, NM or Inch lbs or ft lbs etc

[@opinion4246]

Thanks 👍 it Shure helped

[@wiremanbob8777]

Fine job

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@thehomefixer176]

My mower does not have a nut to adjust the valves, its a troy bilt TB330 it also has the plastic carb. on it.

[@kenhilson786]

Surprised at the 7 degrees btdc. I recently watched a timing video on a smallengine. Used timing light and degree wheel and piston stop. Showed spark at 26 btdc. I'm have issue with Briggs 1350 (mod 20m114) on snowblower. Cold pull start fine. After running even short time it's a real problem for pull start. Electric start will fire it up. I changed to another coil. No start. I decided to test the timing as per video and got 26 btdc too. I'm looking at valves now. Originally I think both were wide around .012. Found a spec of .004-.006 for both and that's where they are now. Now I come across Briggs manuals for 12 15 20 and 21 models that conflict. One says all 4 are .004-.006 in and .009-.011 ex. Another says those are just for 12 and 15 but 20 and 21 have ex down at .004-.006. Very frustrating. I'm going to reset my ex to .010 and see if it starts better.

[@scottsullivan7716]

I leave the feeler gauge in the gap when tightening up the lock nut. Whatcha think?

[@altonriggs2352]

Thanks.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@ciscochacho1751]

Thank you how do check for the torque for the lock nut. Were?

[@INTERNA9]

WOW!

[@donvoll2580]

Good day Boy CTC is involved again. They should sponoser you Good video Thanks

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Yes not a bad idea, thanks for watching!

[@Mike-ig2zq]

Great detailed vid as always Jake. Does anybody make push or walk behinf mowers or snowblowers with compression release on them? Or is that pretty much riding mowers only?

[@Mike-ig2zq]

*behind

[@donvoll2580]

@@Mike-ig2zq Good day. My cub cadet snowblower has compression release Thanks

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Some models, but not many, thanks for watching!

[@foxwood67]

Nicely explained does crows foot effect torque wrench reading

[@EliminatorPerformance]

No, as long as it's 90° if it gets installed at a different angle, it can increase or decrease torque

[@richardcole6566]

I have a CCR2450 snow blower can you let me know what the lashing specs are. This unit is extremely had to start. I replaced carb and spark plug .

[@jimmyhuffman6802]

These small engines had a valve set up for well over 70 year that hardly needed any maintenance outside of some minor replacement. But like anything else they got to modernized and complicate the whole set up. Maybe we need to rethink sending our kids to the great university we put so much trust in. Or keep an eye out for a good deal on a flat head engine.

[@brycelund4112]

I just spin the flywheel until one of the valves is completely open then adjust the valve that is closed. Way quicker and I don’t have to risk getting any foreign material down the cylinder. Plus I don’t have to worry about the compression release messing me up on the exhaust valve.

[@9019dd]

Yeah. He should have shown that way too.

[@glennd4808]

I've adjusted the exhaust but my intake valve won't tighten even though the bolt is tighten all the way

[@rightconditions2010]

Good videos

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@rightconditions2010]

@@EliminatorPerformance hey I wanted ask you how profitable is to have a small engine repair business , of course being as good as you? Keep with the good work.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

@@rightconditions2010 depending on what you pay yourself, it can be very profitable. I actually pay myself very little compared to what my company makes. My business makes $65/hr and I make about $20/hr. I could pay myself more, but I have little to no personal bills. My cellphone, internet, truck, insurance, fuel, 50% of gas/electricity is all paid for by the business. It takes a while to become established though, I've been working for 6 or 7yrs and it's finally paying off good.

[@rightconditions2010]

@@EliminatorPerformance man, thanks for that honest answer! You should make a video about it. Have an exelent week.

[@hp11208]

Cool

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@Crazedpanda999]

Hey I’m struggling to find my model number I’ve look in all the regular places and can’t seem to find it any ideas? I’ve also looked up the power and brand but couldn’t find the same motor

[@pedrojimenezlandero9746]

A cuanto se calibra las válvulas. Gracias.

[@waynestefinashen239]

Big item on this job is being able to torque that locking nut to 120 in. lbs. to do it properly so you for sure need that crow foot wrench. Get a B&S better idea.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Yes definitely a nice took to have!

[@henrikjonsson4340]

Hi thanks, is it also ok to adjust when the the power-stroke starts until the piston turns around again?. Both valves are closed on the way down. Or did I missed something :) ? Also I am from EU and we use mm how is it measured? I saw like ex 150mm something?? I can understand your measurements but not ours.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Yes, but I always recommend top dead center on compression stroke.

[@outlet6989]

Thanks, now I can set the valve lash. My B&S engine manual says to have the piston 1/4in. (6mm) past TDC. Your use of the wooden dowel showed me how to find TDC. Now, how do I find when the piston is 1/4in. past TDC? I have a dial gauge set, which I have never used. Would this be the way to go after I learn how to use it? When both valves are closed, would this not indicate that the piston is at TDC? This has always confused me. 👍

[@EliminatorPerformance]

I suppose you could use a tape measure with the wooden dowel, but I usually set valves right at TDC and have never had an issue. Sometimes they say 7° before TDC or 1/4" after, I don't think it makes much difference on these lawnmower engines to be honest.

[@scottkinler5220]

Ok

[@outboardfixer]

@@EliminatorPerformance They tell you to do that because the COMPRESSION RELEASE mechanism holds the EXHAUST valve open a crack at or near top dead center so the engine spins over easier. You need to go past TDC a hair to allow the valve to COMPLETELY close so you get a proper set with your feeler gauge. It does not need to to be EXACTLY 1/4 inch...just go past TDC a bit to make sure your valves are completely seated. The odd engine has that compression release on the INTAKE but usually the exhaust.....either way, go by top a hair.

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

Do you ever completely rebuild a B&S flat head aka L head engine??

[@EliminatorPerformance]

No haven't had a full rebuild in a while!

[@yoyoramos7909]

👍👍👍

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

Does ANYONE make a tool that screws INTO the spark plug hole to perfectly set the TDC or adjustment position????

[@scottsullivan7716]

Usually there are markings on the flywheel and somewhere close that matches to give u TDC.

[@liam6488]

How much should i expect to pay for a valve claerance in a repair shop

[@philliphall5198]

40 bucks

[@edwardmiranda3221]

a question if you adjusted the valves and put new packing you have to put silicone

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Some RTV silicone or a gasket is fine

[@edwardmiranda3221]

Thanks so much

[@graggcain9496]

My name is Gragg Cain I have a John Deere 5 HP motor that is about 14-15 years old. on a cold start it blows out white smoke out the muffler. then it quits. I believe the piston rings are getting weak. should I replace them or buy a new mower.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Hard to say, could be valves, could be rings, could be overfilled with oil. Time for a quality used mower, look for something fully serviced. Maybe from a small engine shop, someone who's reputable.

[@Pete.Ty1]

😊👍

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@lone_tree_01]

I adjusted mine and it ripped the cord out of my hand when I went to start it. Mowers can be so frustrating.

[@jimmyhuffman6802]

Craftsman tools has sold these so-called crows foot wrenches for decades.

[@jonasohrn]

Thanks! Very good and instructive video. Any way to give you a small donation?

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Yes, paypal.me/ELMN80R or Bitcoin: 1NYgPvcvBWuhGRewsLE4Scy1cbzwndh5hZ Thanks for the kind words, and thanks for watching!

[@theonlyalan731]

Never heard it referred to as shiming...

[@Michael-pc9yx]

Hey mate I wanted to get some advice plz what couldn't happen if I weld on my atv I did that and now it won't start would appreciate any clue thanks mate

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Blown fuse, you have to disconnect battery when welding!

[@Michael-pc9yx]

@@EliminatorPerformance yeah rookie mistake great channel mate

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks!

[@Michael-pc9yx]

Hey sorry to be a pest just thought you might like to know after a lot of testing and returned battery lol it was a dirty terminal 🤫

[@jimmyhuffman6802]

Or you could buy crowsfoot wrench at tractor supply store, or O'Reilly auto and pay 10 × what it's worth.

[@SvenTSchixe]

🇨🇦🍻🤙

[@nabihahabibullah1577]

💐✋

[@EliminatorPerformance]

Thanks for watching!

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

Technically that really ISN'T shimming because you are not adding or taking away shims, unfortunately I could NEVER get the feel to adjust my B&S OHV engine, so I just take it to the shop when it gets where it's slow to start, I actually DETEST these engines BECAUSE you have to do this, the old B&S flat L heads spoiled me because you DIDN'T have to do such.

[@EliminatorPerformance]

This is true, it's just the terminology used, thanks for watching!

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

@@EliminatorPerformance Must be a country difference, here in the states it's only used when adding or removing actual shims, LOVE your channel !

[@ericeagle7798]

Do