HOW TO TUNE UP Craftsman Lawn Tractor 12 HP Briggs & Stratton Engine

Clear instructions and video of How To Tune up the engine on Your 12HP Craftsman Lawn Tractor with Briggs engine.
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[@stephenfestus9268]

I highly recommend on the flat head Briggs lawn tractor engines to install a fuel line shut off. The fuel float valve in the carb tends to stick open, and will cause fuel to leak into the crank case through the oil breather which can ruin the engine. Also I use the fuel shut off to let the engine run dry before storage which helps to reduce the problem of E 85 ethanol fuel sitting in the carb. Good videos Donyboy73. Keep up the good work.

[@fabian1324]

glad i wasnt the only , same :)

[@georei]

You do nice work. I have the same tractor but with a 14 hp ohv briggs. I got it for free, the old owner threw a push rod and disassembled the head and never put it back together. His wife said I could have it and she had all of the parts including the replacement rods and gaskets. I put it back together, adjusted the valves to the proper settings, and it fired right up. Thanks to guys like you who post these videos, it made it a snap fixing the tractor.

[@donyboy73]

@emmielie thanks for watching!

[@donyboy73]

@snaponjohn100 usually i don sharpen as a full tune up, tractor + engine , i will do a vid of tractor maintenance and i will show how to sharpen blades

[@spresc2180]

It was nice that you cleaned the customers engine. That was NASTY dirty. Great vids. You do us weekend warriors a great service.

[@donyboy73]

@wunderman1234 check the engine mounting bolts, sometimes they get loose, check the carb

[@donyboy73]

@crazyredneck5674 thanks for watching!

[@johnbeardsley7360]

hey,just did your tuneup on my 21 year old 12 1/2 hp briggs and it has never run so well. thank you, john

[@jimksa67]

WELL DONE AND THOROUGH! I got a couple old ones - 11 hp and 12 hp 20 and 10$ may even get em runniig but no deck as of yet- had to move statrter up so it would engage thanks for the thoughtfull video - well done!

[@donyboy73]

@wheely132 u don't have to replace the plug, for what they cost it's preventive maintenance

[@donyboy73]

@Denkha94 for winter 5w30 and summer it's best to use the sae 30 or HD30 from castrol

[@donyboy73]

i will hopefully be making a video on that, sometimes the instructions are included with the new seat

[@donyboy73]

@ringbolt9 yes i have, just don't get many in. they are fairly simple

[@francispotter5300]

Thanks for your videos Doug in Ga

[@donyboy73]

@Denkha94 i have never used it in small engines

[@donyboy73]

could be the intake valve or u need to replace the needle and seat in the carb, also make sure the carb isn't set too rich

[@iMsGiz]

awesome to-the-point tutorial thanks

[@donyboy73]

@rkoduke3d not sure if the owner disabled the sensor

[@gocolts82]

Wow, that sure cleaned up nice! Wish you'd make a video on how you clean em.

[@ld73]

Great vid! You made it look ez. I have a craftsman 1500 LT and after watching this video I think I can do it.

[@donyboy73]

@boat6868 usually a dirty carb will cause this because it is starving for fuel, i would clean the carb first then go from there

[@donyboy73]

thanks for watching

[@donyboy73]

@Denkha94 either one is good

[@THEMOWERMEDIC1]

What's the labor to perform a tune-up

[@donyboy73]

good tip! thanks

[@adriangtzmb]

The service and owners manual requests that the foam prefilter be soaked in SAE30 oil and drain the excess. This provides lubrication to the piston. Great video

[@scannerman96]

I have a 92 Rally RL12R38A, am in need of a front axle... Sears made these tractors I believe the axle on this one is the same as mine. Anyone know where i can get a used one or if Donny has one? Thanks, shawn

[@Denkha94]

@donyboy73 thank you for your help I appreciate it.

[@donyboy73]

a carb kit from briggs for your specific carb, you may want to try and just clean the carb first

[@souffrontr]

Question wat type of battery r u using on that mower

[@1anthonybrowning]

Should one oik treat the prefilter? Or is that for the mowers without paper filter elements?

[@karinagodinez3129]

Also can u snow plow with it what attach ments can u use for front

[@deevan9139]

Was wondering if you knew how to replace the clutch spring on this tractor. I'm having a hard time figuring it out. Thanks.

[@CraftinmineralMc]

Dony I have a question I have a 1986 Lt11 the motor runs great but the transaxle make a terrible noise when ever you start moving, the transaxle still works fine but even when I have it in neutral and I let off the clutch the noise is made. If you have any idea what this might be, any help is appreciated, thanks.

[@Denkha94]

@donyboy73 thank you for replying. What oil should I use in the winter time? 12.5Hp Briggs and Stratton.

[@NRP1991]

one bad ass tractor you have there man!!! LOVE the lt4000!!!! you couldnt of picked a better tractor either i must say

[@DebraDKT]

Thank You I learned A lot of great information.

[@donyboy73]

you're welcome

[@kierankay100]

A clean engine is a happy engine :) nice job

[@donyboy73]

@richthecardude94 make sure the needle is not stuck

[@Mrjimmybuckets24]

I have the Craftsman II lt4000 I bought used. I found what looks like a fuel line or vacuum line that goes from the front of the engine to the back left side near the wheel. It wasn't connected to anything and the engine belt had worn through it. Do you know which line it is and where it connects to? Thanks!

[@robc8468]

I bought that same exact new Tractor 30 years ago I think I paid $800 to $900 used it for about two years with zero issues and sold it with the house I had at the time. I just bought a Craftsman T100 11.5 horse for $1300 a week ago at Lowes.

[@donyboy73]

you would have to look inside, also look at idler pulleys on the tractor where the drive belt it

[@Denkha94]

@donyboy73 Thank you so much for your information. Very Helpfull and Professional. Thanks alot.

[@overmanonfire]

very impressive work

[@tomjoad8272]

I have a similar version of this. Mine doesn't have headlights, but everything else seems pretty similar. Any idea where to source a manual?

[@trosty1973]

Hello Dony! great vid man. i have this same riding lawnmower and i had it running really well. but when i went to winterise it its idleing very rough. I can see the governor arm going back and forth when is runnig. do i need to clean the carb again you think? thank you.

[@colinsedgwick7105]

Thank you donyboy we live in the UK and there is-no belt on the mower when we got it can you help thanks again.

[@emmielie]

Tank you for this great Howto

[@specializedbiks]

Hey donyboy73 do you know if this mower in the vid is a '93 craftsman

[@ronaldcrawford7696]

do you know the part number for the pick up coil for this make of engine? I have the very same but can't get at the engine model number

[@foreverwood1963]

Good basic tune-up video

[@theguitarmanonutube]

How do you go about getting aftermarket parts? I have a much older Craftsman and need a new air filter?

[@jimmy4111]

I have one with a similar engine! Is there an oil filter on these engine? I can’t find it for some reason.. thanks!

[@LLStacheLarry]

Question how do I repair the brake system on yard-man mtd riding mower. Thank you if you can help.

[@donyboy73]

i use hd 30 from castrol it's a detergent oil, you need a detergent oil for ur engine

[@weasel884]

dony what do you think of them e3 spark plugs? so far my equipment seems to like them.

[@Moloch2689]

Hi donyboy. I like your video, pretty well explained. I posted one of my mower which will not start. I wonder if you can look at it for an idea or pointer of what to do next. Thanks

[@donyboy73]

yes mostly for those without a paper filter

[@Tristan102100]

do you have the flathead vertion of this video,if adjusting the valves is even possible?

[@carlcap14911]

Don what did you use to wash the rider with? Just soap and water? I must say it looks almost like a new machine.

[@yvantremblay4728]

finally a video on my lawn tractor. Thank you sooo much! Do you have the owner manuel on a pdf file by any chance? Part list ?

[@jimksa67]

just got a 11 hp for 120$, runs sorta lol, you should check the battery connections bro Thanks for the plug closeup- I need a ref# I have wore out 2 or three Crapsman Mowers up here in Canader lol Cheers

[@donyboy73]

@Denkha94 sae 30 or 5w30

[@bradleymiller5141]

What supplies would I need to rebuild the carburetor?

[@boat6868]

Dony, I have what appears to be this exact motor on a Dynamark Tractor. Having trouble with the motor slowing then "surging". I think it may have to do with the governor but not sure and not sure how to fixt it. The thing on the carb (I think it is shown in your vid at frame 1:04 in the upper right of the frame) moves back and forth as it surges. Any thoughts you or any of your viewers might have on what to look at to try to fix this would be appreciated. Thanks.

[@092847]

What do you use to clean the engine(ie what soap/water/preasure washer,/steam)

[@6italiansoccer6]

hey dony, my mower will run with throttle on fast, but when u drop it down to slow it will start to stop unless you bing it back up to fast. Holding out on brining it to a shop, I think it's the carb. Any suggestions or opinions?

[@brent3360]

i already put the oil in will it hurt if i run it a bit before i get hd 30?

[@CraftinmineralMc]

Hi Dony, I was wondering, do you think it is possible to add a second fuel tank on an older craftsman lawn tractor. Thd first tank is 1 gallon I believe that is mounted on ths motor but I do very large jobs so the less refueling I have to do the better. I was thinking about adding a second 1 gallon tank right behind the dash and running a fuel line to the original tank by cutting a hole and having a rubber seal (similar to a weed wacker) and permanently sealing to original gas fill hole.

[@boat6868]

Dony, Another nice vid. So when therer is a paper filter underneath the foam prefilter does not get oiled?

[@gearheads1477]

Do you know where to get parts for the engine

[@donyboy73]

www.discountonlineparts.com

[@tristanmathesonsinventory2443]

Great job

[@Denkha94]

Hi their. Can I also use the sae 20w50 synthetic oil for a 12.5 Briggs and Stratton enigne? Thank you.

[@crazyredneck5674]

Your videos are awesome man

[@Denkha94]

@donyboy73 Hi their, I wanted to ask. can I use some of the sTp oil treatment with the sae30 oil? It protects against engine wear, it's the thick stuff. thank you.

[@donyboy73]

@Fo0gie that would surely make it go faster!

[@brent3360]

i bought sae-30 non-detergent for my 12hp briggs will that be ok? i didnt know what oil to buy exactly

[@fordmustang500kr]

what brand oil should i use on mine? same model as yours

[@ct9908]

Hey i have the same tractor but with a 12.5 hp engine. My hood is crooked and i cant get it on right. Also my rear axle or maybe its the trany because the back tires cant move. Any suggestions?

[@MikeyMikeM21]

When cleaning the mower do you leave it runing?

[@OROXHD]

is there any part of the motor that dont can be washed? the electric or something at the motor?? the spark or anything else?

[@holdengr]

Hey Dony, Is there any way to cross reference out Canadian craftsman model numbers to the US ones in order to get parts? I have a model 944.603304. Cant find a source for parts for it.

[@IPCZX]

nice job you are very instructional awesome

[@austincummings4737]

hey what is the advantages over ohv to flat head and flat head to ohv

[@donyboy73]

@georei thanks, tell your friends about my videos

[@NewEnglandMoto22]

what year? I have the same one I just need the year

[@Denkha94]

@donyboy73 Hi their, do you think if I add a little bit, it will harm it or won't circulate properly? Thank you.

[@boat6868]

@donyboy73 Thanks...I will give that a try.

[@ct9908]

@donyboy73 What did you scrub your tractor with?

[@timtomlinson8817]

Have u hade any problems with the steering gear ?

[@Denkha94]

@donyboy73 Thank you very much.

[@aquariass]

What do you do when you remove a hot spark plug and the threads come out with the plug ??????

[@donyboy73]

@Smallgasengine1 WHEN I GET ONE

[@wunderman1234]

Hey I have the exact same mower except I have a 6 speed and my shifter is on the floor but same engine anyways. I have had it for about a couple of months but it has just started to run very bad it seems like the engine bogs and very slightly jolts back and forward. So I did a tune up but that has done nothing for me. Still runs horrible. The muffler was lose but I tightened it up real good and that didnt help anything but I did not think it would. What should I do?

[@pipes81111]

what do you do if the Needle and seat is brass and pressed in

[@lawrenceholman6387]

I have a craftsman lts1500 Briggs &Stratton 17.5 hp. I've clean just about everything possible but the mower will only run on high. The throttle has to be half way to start. Have you or anyone self run into this problem?

[@Tristan102100]

i have a couple flathead engines that occasionally get jammed up and don't want to start. could this be the problem?they are briggs 12.5HP and Kholer 18 HP

[@richthecardude94]

mine has a 13 horse gold ic and mines 6 speed can u do a vid on how to fix a carb the bowl was nasty i cleaned it everything seems to work but no gas gets to the bowl can u help plz?

[@TheHeadlessHorseman]

is there no oil filter on the BS 12 HP engine?

[@Denkha94]

Hi their. I am using sae30 oil. Which do you recommend the Valvoline or the Briggs and Stratton oil. The engine is a 12.5Hp Briggs and Stratton. Thank you.