MTD Powermore Engine Won't Start Pops Out Intake Diagnose & Repair Process - Can We Get It Running?

[@richardzenzola652]

Another great video. Always wait for the next video

[@IndRepair]

I appreciate that! Thanks for watching!

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

It still amazes me that anyone can use an engine and not know enough to check the oil. I’ve checked oil level on every machine I’ve ever owned every single time before starting. This goes all the way back to my first mower, a Toro, when I was 12. I’m now 77.

[@IndRepair]

I agree 100% these kids are 14-16 if I had to guess so very well may learn a valuable lesson they were never taught

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

@@IndRepair I didn’t realize they were really that young. That explains it completely. I give them credit for trying to work and earn money. Sounds like they need a knowledgeable friend to provide some guidance.

[@IndRepair]

Yeah, worst thing was they said they didn't have enough money right now so they said they would come pick it up. I told them just hold off and leave it until you have some cash but was going to surprise them with it fixed and take care of it for them. Can't win them all as they say

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

@@IndRepair You read my mind! Good going, buddy! Sometimes it’s just time to pay it forward.

[@IndRepair]

@@Rein_Ciarfella I do much as I can with certain situations

[@ridingmowerking]

Great find on this engine. One more thing to check on this fabulous Chinese engine. If your theory is correct about a sticking valve, then that would mean that the rocker arm is weaker than the pushrod. Sounds about right in this day and age.

[@IndRepair]

It's definitely the reality of the situation with these and most engines anymore. Make them cheap so they run just long enough to be out of warranty and they have to go buy a new one. Better yet, just have five warranty centers across the US so you dont have to cove 90% of the warranty claims anyway. It sure is something!

[@liljoeii6091]

I had a power mower motor in my Troy-Bilt coil when and I didn't think it was worth putting the buying another coil I had an old Briggs & Stratton single cylinder does very well thank you for the video

[@IndRepair]

Glad to help! Thanks for watching!

[@philliphall5198]

I really like the head gasket, nice improvement over America made material and style 😊😊😊

[@IndRepair]

HA!

[@breannaoliver6316]

​@@IndRepair hola amigo ,pienso que Este fin 2024, llegaras alos 25k subscriptores.!!!

[@IndRepair]

@@breannaoliver6316 Hey there! That would be awesome!

[@outlet6989]

You should charge the customer for your labor at the least. He probably won't pay you and will tell you to keep the mower in exchange. It's a shame the owner wasn't in your shop when you worked on his mower. His reaction when you told him his failure to check the oil level ruined his mower. That would have been priceless.

[@IndRepair]

I understand that much but just never have with things like this. It was going to be a freebie for the kids in this case but if something doesn't work out I never charge. May loose a couple dollars but gain a customer for life also and I feel it is the right way to do it for me anyway. Has sure brought us a very solid customer base over the years

[@outlet6989]

@@IndRepair@IndRepair, Thank you for your reply. You said, "Gain a customer for life." This new or regular customer might think, "If he couldn't fix my mower, why would I take another one to him to have fixed?" I like to think a coin always has two sides. Did this customer later return and give you more business? If so, you were right.

[@IndRepair]

@@outlet6989 It was a week and a half ago so no telling yet but I would say most do

[@outlet6989]

@@IndRepair WOW!!! A video producer who replies in five minutes. I'm so happy I subscribed to your channel. May you and your family have a Happy Thanksgiving Day.

[@IndRepair]

Lol it was a little long but I sure try to respond soon as I can!

[@philliphall5198]

If you own one 420 CC best to just order a rocker arm, they are really bad about cracking rocker but overall a good engine, if you keep it full of oil 😢😢😢

[@IndRepair]

Yeah, seems to burn off quite a bit!

[@motorcoachtech7615]

Not necessarily on a Powermore, but I have also seen rocker stud pull out of head

[@Big_Johns]

Hey Spinner 🙂👋

[@IndRepair]

Definitely seen it quite a bit but these broken rockers just seem all too common on this engine

[@motorcoachtech7615]

@@Big_Johns Hey John 👋

[@garysgarage3669]

Maybe you could put a scope down the spark plug hole and let us see what the cylinder looks like??

[@steveriggenbach90]

We’ve all had hard lessons. Maybe not this type. Good of you to help. Friend gave me a self propelled push mower. Wanted to flip it. All the wheels have to be replaced. Cost more than what I can sell it for. Would you hold looking for wheels or scrap?

[@IndRepair]

Definitely learn them one way or the other! I don't have enough money to learn them the hard way haha!! I will normally hold onto good engines and wait for a deck if it is something nice may even be worth waiting for some good wheels. I have a hard time tossing stuff but have to at points otherwise you end up not able to find anything anyway

[@philliphall5198]

I got a deal on one and that’s what was wrong with it, rocket arm broke and stuck valve Pulled head and valve job, then service, was low on oil but not out Still running ok now 😮

[@IndRepair]

Definitely see a lot of valve issues when they get ran low on oil but what do you expect from bottom of the barrel?

[@philliphall5198]

I’ve had 5 come in with the cracked rocker arm, think it’s weak material I keep several extra rockers now 😢

[@IndRepair]

Super strange that it is the issue, I have seen it but I really wonder why this is the only engine we see this same issue on so often?

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

@@IndRepair I have the answer for that. Mfr sourced or used rockers designed for an engine with less horsepower or size of cylinders. Not designed for that engine. I’ll bet if you could get a list of all serial numbers of those that failed and manufacturing dates you’d see it’s more than a coincidence. I wonder if there was ever a service bulletin or recall.

[@IndRepair]

@@Rein_Ciarfella I bet you are spot on with this

[@gatorgotme]

Are these engines ever able to be rebuilt anymore? I know it may be cost prohibitive to get a mechanic to rebuild one but would it be for yourself?(If it were your machine)

[@IndRepair]

You can rebuild it but most machine shops to bore/sleeve them are going to be almost the price of a new one by the time you are done anyway. Anything under a commercial, specialty or 26hp plus engine is usually the case and not worth the rebuild. If you did all the work yourself you would save some cash but not a whole heck of a lot

[@elijames3041]

I had one of those before

[@IndRepair]

Seems to be a lot of this on these engine!

[@bertgrau3934]

Would it be possible to use a Briggs, or Kohler rocker arm ?

[@IndRepair]

None of the others I have seen will line up but it look very similar to the ones they use on smaller mtd branded powermore engines

[@bertgrau3934]

@@IndRepair Thank you sir. Was just curious

[@IndRepair]

I understand there

[@IndRepair]

I will check and see if they are the same as the smaller Powermores

[@rickbroerman9267]

How do you charge the customer when it turns out like that?

[@IndRepair]

We just chalk it up as a loss and move on. Never have we charged if something was estimated and didn't go right. Many others would but never have felt right about it. Most would say a simple compression or leakdown test to begin with would have made the problem produce itself

[@bertgrau3934]

If the rest of the mower is in good shape. I would go for a V twin engine. Would be an up grade in power, and probably durability. Just my opinion. Cheaper than a new mower, just an engine. If the rest of the mower is junk then by all means, go for a new, or another one.

[@IndRepair]

Great point there! I definitely agree a much better option!

[@Big_Johns]

Can't win them all brother, good try though. 👍👍

[@IndRepair]

I hear that one! Appreciate that! I just wanted to help out the young fellas get back working but maybe next time

[@Big_Johns]

True, we’ve gotta help the kids who are willing to work. Those are getting scarce now days.

[@IndRepair]

I see less and less of them!!

[@UhBuddy1976]

Any engine will be ruined when ran low on oil. 😊

[@IndRepair]

You would be amazed how many I see with no oil on the dipstick come in each year with a different issue and continue to run for years afterwards

[@robertsevert]

Why don't you use a torque wrench?

[@IndRepair]

I use a torque wrench often but nothing in this video requires it to be used. There is a torque spec for everything, definitely. I have been doing these types of repairs over 20 years and think I do a pretty good job of gauging tightness. If every wondering if you should torque something or not by all means do this. The most important places are heads, sumps, and other enclosure pieces that have a gasket, high torque, movement, heat or compression

[@RobertYonng]

Compression test first

[@IndRepair]

For sure! I didn't have to high hope but long as it ran a freebie for some youngsters is what I was aiming for. Didn't think for half a second had virtually 0. 15 seconds for testing would have saved me a lot of time definitely

[@robcole332]

At least you tried. Feel bad for the kids. That’s a junk engine in my opinion

[@IndRepair]

Definitely not the best out there but they seem to do pretty well until they are abused

[@keithkilps8250]

To bad u couldn't save it for the kids.

[@IndRepair]

Yeah I was hoping it would work out ok and just smoke a little or something. Sometimes you get lucky only reason I didn't do the leakdown test to begin with I rarely see them free but with that little compression