Briggs and Stratton 550EX Won't Start!

[@joeyadair3608]

Teacher, Your instructions are the best! I have a Craftsman LM with a B&S M110 engine, that would not start. I had watched many other repair videos, but yours was the most detailed. Your lesson on how to disassemble and clean the emulsion tube was the secret that ended my mower troubles. Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge. Joey Adair After reassembly, one pull it started.

[@JLPicard440]

That's awesome! Honestly you made my day knowing I was able to help someone... Thank you... 😊

[@tosojo4him]

Your instructions worked! I had a flooded carburetor and the mower would not start. I was about to take it in for service, but the repair turnaround time was 7-10 days since there were 35 other lawn mowers waiting for service/repair. So I checked for a repair video and found yours, which was for the exact same model. Thank you for the detailed and easy to follow instructions. You saved me time and money (@$60-$100).

[@JLPicard440]

That's awesome! Thanks for the great comment... :-)

[@albinjohnson2344]

I tried the simple remove-and-clean of the jet mechanism shown in another KZbin video with only temporary success. You challenged me to take the whole thing apart. I did it with my 13-year-old daughter and learned a lot. And now it runs like it's brand new! Starts on the first pull, too! Thank you for a very practical demo. I learned a lot.

[@JLPicard440]

Great job! I appreciate the comment.. :-)

[@aseeker2269]

Thanks for recommending this video to me. I wasn't even aware I could go deeper.

[@JLPicard440]

I hope it will help 🙂

[@MultiTravelingman]

Hey Rudy, had water in the gas, followed your tutorial and solved the problem, thank you!

[@JLPicard440]

Great to hear! Yes I have seen water in the gas many times... It's best when storing the mower to leave the tank either completely full or completely empty. Half full and the ethanol in the gas will attract moisture and cause condensation and then there you have it.. water in the gas. Also best to use non ethanol gas if you have a local station nearby that sells it. Thanks for the comment...

[@ronlongwell7649]

Just had the exact same problem, and your video helped me splendidly. After doing what you did, the mower started on the first pull. Thanks a lot!

[@JLPicard440]

That's awesome! Thanks for the great feedback.. 🙂

[@adiefender]

exact info needed to get my mower back up and running. Thank you!!

[@JLPicard440]

Excellent! You're welcome... :-)

[@JLPicard440]

@Robert Shorthill Yep, I have seen many come in with way to much oil! I don't understand, but it does happen and quite frequently... :-)

[@ianpalmer213]

Thanks for the video Got my Husqvarna lawn mower to go after watching

[@JLPicard440]

Awesome! Glad I could help.... 😊

[@eddiemaxwell7593]

Love these new biggs mowers they're so easy to fix and sell.

[@JLPicard440]

Yes, I like briggs.. honda's are good, but a little harder to work on.

[@DANINSAND]

You are spot-on After watching your video I followed your simple instructions put it all back together it fired second pull

[@JLPicard440]

Awesome!

[@TheSwitzAutomotive]

Steve's Small Engine Saloon recommends enlarging the brass hole on the jet to allow fuel to flow more freely and reduce clogging. I am planning to give this a try as I've taken the carb apart (and cleaned it out) three times! I love the 550EX engine when it's running well, but it's a royal PIA when it's got the all-to-often carb problem.

[@JLPicard440]

Yes, you can do that.. but just by a small bit. Get some numbered drill bits so they are very tiny and find the one that it is now.. only go up by no more than a couple sizes.. for example if it's a #67 Hole... I wouldn't go past #65 or something like that.. otherwise it'll run flooded all the time.. hope that helps. Thanks for the comment.. :-)

[@TheSwitzAutomotive]

@@JLPicard440 Agreed. The one Steve recommends is basically a half millimeter.

[@dpilankar]

Thank you so much for an excellent video, helped me a lot with fixing my lawn mower :)

[@JLPicard440]

Great to hear! You're welcome!... 😊

[@eddiemaxwell7593]

I have a troy bilt self propelled mower rear wheel drive. The wheels will spin if i lift them off the ground but they won't pull weight of the mower. I checked the gears in the wheels themselves they are like new. I'm hoping the belt is slipping but it's probably the transmission knowing my luck. Was wondering if you have any advice? Maybe how to go about finding the exact problem and fixing maybe you've seen the problem before.

[@JLPicard440]

It does sound like a belt. Especially if the gears inside the wheels look good. If you have the wheels off,.. check the small metal gear coming from the mower,.. it should spin freely in one direction, but not the other. Sometimes the little pin in there that allows one way movement gets stuck... depending on which mower you have,.. it also could be the cable isn't pulling hard enough and that's allowing slippage...

[@eddiemaxwell7593]

@@JLPicard440 unfortunately it did end up being the transmission. So it's not worth fixing unless i find another of the same mower to use for parts or do a engine swap.

[@JLPicard440]

@@eddiemaxwell7593 I don't blame u.. I wouldn't fix it either.. but you can disable the transmission and just use it as a regular push mower... or you can sell it for a cheaper price that way so it's not a total loss if it still runs good

[@eddiemaxwell7593]

@@JLPicard440 yeah I'll probably sell it for like 30 bucks

[@MarilynTPrice]

I just purchased a new Brigg and Stratton self-propelled lawn mower today, and it won't start. A mechanically inclined neighbor checked the filter, poured a little gasoline in the open area of the filter (making sure that it actually drained inside), and pulled the starter string, the mower immediately started, but didn't run long. He checked the spark plug to make sure it was firing, and it was. What to do next?

[@JLPicard440]

There might be some trash in the carburetor. Did you check your gas can to make sure there's no water in it? If that gas can was sitting outside, it could develop condensation inside the can and get full of water even if it wasn't in the rain. If it's brand new I would suspect the gas source as the first culprit. If the gas is clean and fresh, then there could be some trash in the carburetor..

[@rileyvernon1580]

Good morning Take a Bath Productions. Very impressed with you keeping up with all of the replies (as recent as 11 days ago!) so thought I'd seek some help if you're willing. I've got the same engine here and am still struggling to get her to start. I've pulled the bowl off of the carb and drained the gas tank and replaced with new gas, no luck. Tried pulling the entire carb out, draining gas again, opening the carb out and cleaning/flushing all the pieces including the three tubed piece, put it all back together and still no luck. Before it stopped starting, it was surging when running. I use non ethanol gas, but the only non ethanol gas close to me is 92 octane. Maybe the high octane gas is too much for the little engine? I'm not sure what it could be.

[@JLPicard440]

Hello... I really don't think the higher octane gas is any problem. Have you checked to see if you've got compression? When you pull the rope is it easy to pull or can you feel the compression bumps? How about the spark plug? Also, there could still be a small piece of trash still in the carb. When you say drain gas, did you actually remove the gas tank and drain it completely? Looking in the bottom to see if there was any water in the fuel? I know I've asked a lot of questions! Sorry about that..

[@rileyvernon1580]

@@JLPicard440 Unsure how to check for compression, unless your pull rope question is the typical method. Pull rope still feels the exact same while pulling - can feel the bumps. Pulled the spark plug and it looks normal, but haven’t replaced it. I took the carburetor completely off and sprayed with carb cleaner and let air dry. Same for gas tank. Took off, dumped all the gas out (didn’t catch it in something to check for water, just dumped out in the weeds) and let it sit out to air dry over night. Next morning, still no luck. Gas cans are kept inside and filled less than a month ago so can’t imagine it’s been contaminated, but I guess you never know.

[@JLPicard440]

Hmmm... Ok. So if your gas cans are kept inside that's a good thing. I've seen cases where a gas can was kept outside and it will get full of water due to condensation and the ethanol fuel. A compression gauge is the best way to check for compression, but pulling the rope and feeling the bumps will tell you that you have compression, but not how much. If the rope pulls through evenly and you don't feel anything, that's when you know there's a problem. What if you try to spray a little dose of starting fluid in the carb? Can you get it to pop then?

[@rachelbeckett2571]

I have a husqvarna with the 550 ex motor on it, it runs fine and cold starts with 2- 3 pulls, but if I stop in the middle of mowing it will take 10-15 pulls for it to start. What do you think the problem could be?

[@JLPicard440]

Is it possible the auto choke mechanism isn't acting right? You'd have to take the top cover off the engine to make sure it's released all the way when the engine is hot. It's a heat actuated device bolted onto the muffler. The linkage goes from the muffler to the carb.

[@Kr0n3kLe]

Should the throttle cable be moving the lever by the carb? It seems like mines missing a spring or something because that’s not moving.

[@JLPicard440]

These don't have a throttle cable. They have a engine brake/cutoff cable that you squeeze up at the top of the handle. If the brake part isn't moving on the engine when you squeeze it, then the cable could be broken. But I can't see what you've got going on over there, so I am only guessing..

[@oldsmokeycat]

I see me taking all this apart then crying when I have extra parts after I "put it back together" 😂

[@JLPicard440]

Lol.... It's just a matter of practice... 😊. I used to take stuff apart and have parts left over too, but over time that doesn't really happen anymore.... 😊

[@houseofjax21]

Great video Thanks i could not get mine to start too.. really helpful

[@JLPicard440]

Glad it helped

[@oinkooink]

My 550EX wont start...not with starter fluid, not with a carb clean or new spark plug. The only thing I didn't do was clean the white plastic bit with 3 pipes that sits in the centre of the carb. But I was thinking that if nothing happens at all even with starter fluid, there's other issues than the carb. It's almost like there's absolutely no spark going off at all, despite there being a new spark plug. Do you know of any checks or cleanings or work I can do to look into the spark issue? Thanks if you reply.

[@JLPicard440]

HI, when you squeeze the handle and pull the starter cord slowly, can you feel compression? Do you have a spark checker so you can see the spark? If you have a harbor freight nearby they have them pretty cheap if you don't have one... I'd be interested to see if both of those items check out ok..

[@oinkooink]

@@JLPicard440 Hey. I'm in Australia. There's no handle squeezing on my mower. It's just set lever to 'run', pull the starter cord and off she goes. I watched a video just before where a guy ruled out all faults for a mower behaving just like mine and deduced that is was watery petrol/ gas. The gas had taken on water through condensation or something meaning that when he tried to use starter fluid the gas that came through was more or less instantly snuffing out any ignition due to its water content. So I'll look into that tomorrow. I'll drain the gas and fully empty and clean carb.

[@JLPicard440]

@@oinkooink Yes water in the fuel is definitely a possibility. I've seen that happen when the mower or gas can is sitting in the sun too. I don't know about Australia but here they put ethanol in the fuel and ethanol will attract water and condensate. Here we have ethanol free fuel available so I usually recommend that for power equipment like lawnmowers.

[@oinkooink]

@@JLPicard440 Checked out the carb and cleaned the tank and all that. But I'm noticing that the "run/stop" cable doesn't seem to do much. The butterfly trap door thing opening on the carb assembly at the air intake doesn't move when I set the run/stop cable to run. The cable engages...but doesn't seem to engage fully. I can move the parts that the cable is supposed to shift with my finger gently...and they will open the carb butterfly air intake thing. But the lever for the run/stop cable itself won't engage the mechanism far enough itself. If you know what I mean. hard to explain! So I think this could be an issue too. Not sure. I haven't tried to run the mower with fresh fuel yet.

[@JLPicard440]

@@oinkooink So, the butterfly on the carburetor is probably the auto choke. It should have a rod going over to a heat sensitive device on the muffler. If your engine has a primer ball on the air filter cover then there's no auto choke, but if there's no auto choke then you're probably looking at the auto choke. The run/ stop cable sounds like it's different than what we have here in the US. Is that a throttle cable? Or just run / stop as you said. I'd almost need some pictures of it since it sounds different. Do you have Facebook? I have a Take a Bath Production's page you could post pictures to or send them via messenger if you have available to you.

[@juansebastianlopez8828]

Thanks for the video. I just bought that same mower used and it was acting up, so I emptied the gas tank and unscrewed just the bottom of the carburetor out to let the fuel empty. Put fresh fuel in it, but now it won't start and it makes popping sounds. What do you think it could be?

[@JLPicard440]

You'll probably need to pull the carburetor and try to clean it. Off chance they hit something with it and knocked the flywheel out of time. Was it running good when you first got it? If so, that's unlikely what's wrong... Check the blade, if it looks like a pretzel then they hit something with it..

[@juansebastianlopez8828]

@@JLPicard440 it was running, just dying on and off, he told me gas was old, so that's why I dumped it, I did cut some grass like that, that's how I saw how it was acting. I for sure did not hit anything.

[@kronos1211]

Worked a treat, thank you very much 👍

[@JLPicard440]

You're welcome!

[@concernedparent6291]

Hello sir, can you help me? I followed everything exactly as I saw yo do it, but fuel is leaking from the carburetor into the fuel filter and all over. Please help.

[@JLPicard440]

Hello!... Usually this happens because the float needle and seat aren't seating properly. If it wasn't leaking before then maybe it's not installed quite right. Without seeing a picture I can't be sure, but that's where that problem usually comes from.

[@concernedparent6291]

@Take a Bath Productions 100 percent accurate. I kept examining it carefully until I found that the float needle was not properly installed after it fell off. I seated it right and it is now working well. Thank you for your assistance. I appreciate it. 🙏

[@JLPicard440]

Excellent! Glad I could help.. 😀

[@concernedparent6291]

@@JLPicard440 thank you.

[@michelledunn987]

Got a Troy Bilt 21 in cut 550 we changed the air filter, changed the spark plug, took the carburetor out and cleaned it, changed the oil and it still doesn't start. Do you know what it could be?

[@JLPicard440]

Did you drain the gas tank into a mason jar or something clear? it might have water in it... Also, I've seen these engines loose compression.. Squeeze the handle as if you're going to start it, and kinda slowly pull the start string, do you notice any spots where it's harder to pull? Or does it pull all the way out without much resistance?

[@Molleras]

Hi T a B Productions. I have the same B&S 550ex, The machine was stored and has never been used since the pandemic started. It doesn't start. After I disassembled and cleaned the carburetor and put a new air filter, and 4T oil, the machine started but in 2 seconds stopped. I disassembled again and clean the carburetor with a needle using such electronic's magnifier glasses to help and see more accurately. Now the machine starts perfectly OVER THE SIDEWALK and never stops. The Idle sounds stable, BUT.... when I try to use it on the grass, at the moment it has to make some " little effort " to cut the grass, it suddenly stops. I think it still has some problem of the amount of fuel to the mixture...is not enough. I'm right? Maybe I should buy a new carburetor? Best regards, Martin.

[@JLPicard440]

HI Martin.. Did you flush the fuel out of the gas tank? If that's bad fuel in there it could be clogging the carb as soon as you start it.. I actually drain out the existing fuel and flush with a water hose too... and let it dry out in the sun before putting it back on..

[@Molleras]

@@JLPicard440 Thanks sir for your quick answer!. In relation to your question I tell you that I flushed the gas tank, cleaned with isopropyl spray and also used an "air compressor" to BLOW ( I don't know if I used the correct verb in English, I mean to put "air with pressure") the mesh of the fuel filter....and let it dry. Also I cleaned the spark plug. You can let the push mower "idling" all the time you want without any issue...it remained idling as a clock... when you carry the push mower to the grass (not bushy grass of course), the minimal effort the machine stops. I bought through e-commerce a new one carburetor to check if this a problem of "no enough amount of fuel". It´ll be arriving today march 22. Regards.

[@JLPicard440]

@@Molleras When you pull through the starting cable slowly.. not fast enough to start the engine, can you feel the resistance where the compression stroke is? There may be a low compression issue. Just a thought, if you have a compression gauge that would be even better..

[@Molleras]

@@JLPicard440 thanks again. Yes I felt good resistance when I pull the cable.. yesterday April 2 I travelled to my mother's in law cottage and I checked if the problem persists...and I felt the machine like a lack of force. I changed and put directly the new carburettor...and wooow! Now it cut the grass like a bull! Its original power returned! I'm so happy not to have a internal engine issue. Best regards man!.

[@JLPicard440]

@@Molleras That's awesome! Glad you got it going again.. 😊😊

[@scottthejeepguy7499]

Thanks for the info, gonna try it.

[@JLPicard440]

You're welcome.. hope it works for ya..

[@gamerguy-hc1qd]

Iam haveing the same problem with my lawnmower I did everything right but still won’t start at all. Do you now why won’t start.

[@JLPicard440]

There can be many reasons why a mower won't start. Water in fuel, gummed up carburetor, bad spark plug, magneto bad... I'll need a little more info to help!

[@kf7816]

I have removed the carburetor 3 times to clean it, each time it is as clean as when I installed it last. the float doesn't have a hole in it, the the springs and attach rods correctly attached and adjusted(bending wise), I have swapped out the spark plug and cleaned the contacts for it, I cleaned off all rust from the contacts and wheel from pull mechanism, flushed gas tank(washed it out, checked for leaks, and let dry before putting in brand new gas), and my mower(Briggs&Stratton 550ex) is EXACTLY like the one in this video. No matter what I do I can not get this mower to stay running. I spray starting fluid in the carb, and pull the handle, and it starts, but immediately dies. I am out of options, I was hoping you could help. Any other ideas?

[@JLPicard440]

It does sound like you've done everything I would have done. I don't suppose anyone hit something in the yard and knocked the flywheel out of time? usually the blade will be a bit bent up if that happened... Possible low compression? I ran into one like that one time, that I couldn't get to run right and I tested the compression and it seemed a little low. If your compression is good and the timing is good... A new carb "Could" do the trick.. But no way to know unless you try. Is it a auto choke or a primer ball? if it's auto choke, try closing the choke half way and don't let it open and see if it keeps running...

[@Howie1383]

After following your instructions, it works lol. But now it’s idling high...just wondering how to adjust the governor.

[@JLPicard440]

There's a tab in there that the carb spring attaches to, it might have gotten bent... try looking at that, you might be able to bend it back and slow it down...

[@Howie1383]

Yup that work...and you were right, it got slightly bent when I was trying to remove the carburetor. Small tweak and it worked. Again thank you so much.

[@JLPicard440]

Great!

[@Seashea]

Mine was starting ok but hunting i think ive heard it called. It revs as itvgets hotter. Like the idke is winding up and down. Thought maybe the carb needed to be cleaned. Changed the blade, spk plug, oil, air filter, took carb apart n cleaned it. Wasn’t bad. Things still winding up n down. Any suggestions?

[@JLPicard440]

Yes you can call it hunting or surging up and down. There might still be a stubborn particle of trash in the carburetor. It's usually carb related when you have this problem. Looks like they're about $25 on Amazon for a replacement if you go that route. Ive never actually seen a surging problem on this particular engine... I would remove the gas tank and flush it with a water hose and get all the water out, then let it dry. I'd also replace the fuel line incase you recontaminate your newly cleaned or replaced carburetor.

[@mezo6453]

Excellent video

[@JLPicard440]

Thank you very much!

[@05fordgtx1]

I have this same mower the same engine in it sputters and back fires through the exhaust any ideas?

[@JLPicard440]

DId someone hit anything in the yard? It's possible the flywheel is just a little bit out of time? Usually the blade will be bent up if this happens, so that would be a easy thing to look at..

[@jasonrutherford1593]

Great video!!👍👍

[@JLPicard440]

Thank you! 👍

[@jesusdrummer21]

I was watching this. To c lean a carb. But I'm noticing something. Seems maybe valve problems....I hear that B and S assembly isn't doing a good gap with rocker arms. I watched one video new mower. No cap for spring on valve. Right out of the box new.

[@JLPicard440]

Sometimes the valves can stick if you leave it set. I've never seen one with the valve spring floating around under the valve cover! I guess that's a quality control issue. Hopefully a rare problem.. 😂

[@onewaynestreet]

This was very informative unfortunately it didn't solve my starting issue. Thanks anyway, though.

[@JLPicard440]

Aww... what's it doing? Besides won't start... Has it been sitting, I can try to help, but may need more info.

[@Samsemasaad]

Thanks very informative!

[@JLPicard440]

You're welcome!

[@jama5775]

No, What I do with a no start with this unit. I remove the filter cover air cleaner & I pull once & it’s start fast. Then I put back the filter & the cover back. It’s starts like it was new again…

[@JLPicard440]

Is the filter saturated with fuel? or oil?

[@RevolverOcelot2008]

Mine won't start out of the box so so doubt it is the carburetor

[@JLPicard440]

You're probably right, but I would take that thing right back if you just bought it! Don't try to fix it or they won't take it back

[@LACTS-be7pr]

I just installed a new carburetor and still not running.

[@JLPicard440]

That doesn't give me any details! There's lots of reasons it might not run..

[@LACTS-be7pr]

@@JLPicard440 New carburetor, my sparkplug is making a spark when removed. I change sparkplug and comes out wet with fuel, completely wet. Is that why? Ignition coil has continuity.

[@LACTS-be7pr]

@@JLPicard440 I'm thinking about a problem with the valves...

[@trumpsarmy2499]

I bought a new carb new filter and still not getting gas

[@JLPicard440]

Not getting gas? Disconnect the fuel line from the tank and see if it's coming out of there. I sometimes flush the tank out with a water hose and then dry it before I reinstall it.

[@JLPicard440]

I meant the carburetor side of the hose..

[@1Warzone1]

Ok I did everything and it turns over runs for like 3 seconds and still turns off! Now what??

[@JLPicard440]

You might have something still stuck in the carb, might have water in the gas, might have a bad spark plug, there's several things it could be..

[@1Warzone1]

I hit something so I thought it was the key up top and it looked ok but I changed it anyway. Took the gas tank off and cleaned it dried it and filled it with new gas. Also took the carb off and completely cleaned it as well also took the little white part out as well cleaned it as well. Dumped the oil and measured the recommended amount and when I pull the string it turns over but will not stay on

[@1Warzone1]

Also changed plug and filter

[@JLPicard440]

@@1Warzone1 Can u feel the compression when you pull engine over slowly? I've seen these things have no compression (or very little) then their junk..

[@tonyhannon1812]

Thanks man!!!!

[@JLPicard440]

Happy to help

[@MShrader211]

Didn't work for me... still won't even fire, not even a single "pop" or "puff" of exhaust. I hate this little engine! :-|

[@JLPicard440]

What have you tried so far?

[@MShrader211]

@@JLPicard440 Too much! LOL! When I last had it running about 4 weeks ago, I ran an entire tank of fresh fuel thru it mowing around the yard then when it ran out and I refilled it it would not start nor even fire... I found there was 0 compression (clearly it hadn't been like that when it was running or else it wouldn't have run)! The intake valve was stuck partially open for some reason I discovered. I got that valve freed up with some carb cleaner and a little working it back-n-forth till it would spring back closed completely. But, even with restored compression it still would not start nor fire! I put fuel directly on the air filter, still no joy. I changed the spark plug; no joy. I changed the ignition coil; no joy; today I completely disassembled the carb as per your video and made sure every orifice was clear then re-assembled, other than realizing I'm missing a spring (I'm not sure it was ever there now, and it should not affect a cold start anyway apparently) it still will not fire. I've even disconnected the spark-kill wire from the ignition coil and made sure the brake is not applied to the flywheel, it makes no difference though not so much as a puff will this thing do. I've carefully watched the valves moving as I turned the mower blade in circles and both valves are working, I'm a little confused as to whether they are working in the correct sequence however. It seems to be "puffing" air thru the valve guides on the compression stroke (with the cover off, I can feel the air puff out). The valves are closing fully, but maybe not at the right time? If it's out of time I have no idea how that could have happened though! I certainly didn't hit any objects in my yard with it, and the blade is in like-new condition. I had borrowed this mower from a friend, it hadn't had fresh fuel in it in years so I'm guessing that some gunk must have gotten the intake valve stuck open... but why doesn't it fire at all now? That's what's got me totally perplexed here! If the mower was rusty or corroded or beat up or showed any signs of abuse or misuse I'd just tell my friend it needs to be junked but dang the thing looks like it's brand new. So I keep pulling it back out of my storage and trying to figure it out.... in vain apparently! LOL!

[@JLPicard440]

Wow.. I'm not sure what to say! Have you checked the gas tank to make sure it doesn't have water in it? Did you actually screw on a compression gauge? If it's out of time it should affect the compression, unless it's just by one tooth. I'm pretty sure those things have a plastic cam in there, they could go bad on their own.. especially if a valve got stuck open, maybe it wiped the cam when it did that?

[@terentiusantonius1960]

TU🫡💥

[@JLPicard440]

Thank you!

[@odyssey814]

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[@JLPicard440]

Thank you.