Stop Your Engine Surging! (Easy DIY Tutorial!)

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

If this video helped you, please consider clicking on the THANKS button above to support my channel 🙌

[@FlattardsArePathetic]

1, check the governor vane hinge and spring

[@jackworsley2562]

Cheers for making the video Very professional 😃and very helpful You remind me of Tom Ingram 😋 from British Touring cars, for some reason

[@treecycle4631]

I thought you were working on a new mower until you took the cowling off. You have very good knowledge of carby internals of where the fuel and air should go.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

It’s beautiful isn’t it! Thanks for the kind words, it’s much appreciated!

[@waynestefinashen239]

Tom one of your best videos very informative and well put together. These carbs are a pain but good for business here in Canada. The jets are so small just a small piece of debris that gets through the fuel tank screen is enough to make it run poorly, hunt or not start at all. Those jets are only held in with O rings and if you ever get one that is flooding ie: low rpm and black smoke the jet has loosened off and fuel is bypassing the O ring. I know this for a fact when i kept using carb cleaner with the straw and was actually pushing the jet back in place without knowing it. Customer would use the machine for a lawn cutting and sometimes into the second cutting and it would flood out again. Not until i ran it in the ultrasonic cleaner did i find the jet falling out and realised the problem. Reinstalled the jet with some SealAll glue around the OD only pushed back in a voila good to go and still running smooth. It was cheaper than replacing the module which runs around $20 Cdn.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks for sharing Wayne! Yep, if anything leaks by some seal all is a great solution!

[@gregbakke8296]

Very good no nonsense information. Hats off to you. I repaired small engines as a side line many years ago and always learn something from you. Thank you, from the Midwest USA.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Awesome! We always learn something new every day! Good to hear you enjoyed it.

[@almclean4835]

Another educational video from teacher Tom 🍎🍎

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks Al :)

[@HobbyMotorDK]

Really nice video - great graphics and close-ups 👍👍

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks Claus mate! Hope you’re well 👍

[@frankodonnell4993]

Thank you for taking the time to record this video. It gave me the confidence to go in and repair the carb myself.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Excellent! Glad it helped :)

[@steveriggenbach90]

Great info and easy to follow.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thank you!

[@danielg2946]

Thank you, this was very helpful. I did my surging Biggs and Stratton engine, very similar plastic carb, and the actual jet piece that you can pull apart were the pilot jet is was full of tiny pieces of grass.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Awesome! Good job :)

[@Something2ShowYou]

5:52 "we'll gently pry" OMG!! was I the only one that thought he broke it? 😂

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

LOL! 😂 👍🏻

[@RonaldPhillips-zm5kk]

Excellent. Having tried many other suggestions to stop surging with no avail, the drilling out of the pilot Jet cured the issue on my B&S mower engine.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Glad it helped! :)

[@jacklarson6281]

great tutorial, your way of teaching is excellent.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thank you!

[@alphamale068]

So helpful - thanks very much for taking the time to create this content!

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

You’re very welcome! Thanks for the kind words :)

[@TheAl6244]

Cheers, I have the same mower with the same problem and now I just fixed it with your help. New Zealand 🇳🇿

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Awesome mate!

[@tonymac7706]

Bravo 👏 the best video by far, very clear and excellent footage,told in layman's terms..thank you

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@ctb2814]

Best small carb educational vid ever.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thank you!

[@rcbustanut2057]

I have a Honda mower, it was surging & kinda struggling when going over tall grass. I took apart the carb & used the seafoam intake cleaner that comes with the red straw to sprayed the crap out of it & used the straw to put pressure through all those fine holes you pointed out. Put it back together and & added a bit of the seafoam you add to the gas tank as well. Problem solved, put new blades as well & that puppy is purring nice & now I can go over tall grass without stalling. And that was my 1st "taking a carb apart" job lol, glad I didn't wreck it! 😂

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Haha glad to hear you fixed it! Good work mate :)

[@jgoverton13]

Excellent editing, concise, knowledgeable presentation. Really enjoy your channel. Thanks. !

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thank you!

[@BoyanYordanov-yv5df]

Thanks to your video our mower finally stopped surging. The pilot jet was totally blocked, so I just cleaned it with 0,35 mm. In our case, the pilot jet was behind ball bearing (06:02). I drilled 1,2 mm hole just behind the ball bearing in order to get it out and then filled it with part of an “O” ring 1,5 mm. Thank you

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

You’re welcome :) glad it helped!!

[@neilpatrickhairless]

Something to be extra mindful of when taking apart the E series carbs is making sure to keep track of the super tiny rubber tip that goes on the needle valve. If it ever pops off (doesn't take much for it to pop off) you'll likely never see it again. Your needle valve will not work properly without that tip so you might as well replace the entire carb because a replacement needle valve is only a few bucks cheaper than the entire carburetor

[@neilpatrickhairless]

By the way, this applies to the ones with plastic needle valves - not sure if the metal ones like the one in this video have a tip that can pop off as easily but I would be cautious and handle the needle valve over a container or something that could catch the tip if it did pop off.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks for sharing. I’m not sure what part you’re referring to it’s been a while since I took one apart lol

[@s1283]

Sounds like they are referring to the fuel unless needle and seat valve

[@JosephIrizarry-er1uf]

Great video and well explained! Thanks so much

[@Supertech-86]

Thanks, had the same unit of the Yard Machines variety, the .035 drill to jet worked, adjusted valves too .. still had a little erratic running so I filled the tank and put a splash of water remover (methanol) in the tank and it smoothed right out.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Awesome mate!!

[@jonathantanner4493]

Excellent video... I've also found that surging on e series engines can be caused by slightly damaged or incorrect governor springs.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

You’re absolutely correct! I haven’t experienced it but I did test it after someone else mentioned it :)

[@mr1pearl]

Very helpful Tom thanks !

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks Bill!

[@diggervank]

Thanks for the video, drilled pilot jet out a little bigger carb was clean,put it back together was better but still some surging, tightened up the governor now running great

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Awesome! Good job :)

[@cecilkoselke7878]

You seem to be my kind of man. Liking what you do. Just subscribed. I live 20 minutes from Taryl.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks ! Ha that’s awesome, I love Taryl!

[@Micheal-Ireland]

Brilliant host! Great camerawork and editing!

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thank you! :)

[@lukaszbebnowski7633]

Great video, thank you for making and sharing. One thing that shocked me though, is to see that even lawn mower manufacturers are now using cheap plastic parts to build. Disgraceful when you think about it. Plastic parts are cheaper to make, break down faster/or more often and the lawnmowers cost same if not more than the mowers made back in the day using non plastic parts.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

You’re welcome :) yes they do, it’s all about a price point sadly!!

[@jamesthreats5800]

I'm gonna drill the bajesus out that air mixture orifice cause that surging has been driving me nuts. Thanks

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Lol! Go slow :)

[@rcclassiccrawlers4368]

What also works well to increase jet size are welding torch tip cleaners. I’ve used that method hundreds of times to improve carb performance.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Nice! :)

[@neilbeni7744]

What an awesome explanation with clear footage.. Thanks Champ!😊

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@youngpunkspillingbeeronmys8822]

Great video. Went through it with you step by step. Mower was surging constantly and cutting off at times. Runs like it's brand new now. I tested it after every step so it took slightly longer than the video but still less than an hour.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Glad it helped! :)

[@barryewalt3250]

Always good info in your videos Tom

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks Barry!

[@henrytupper6959]

Very good tutorial. My Honda gen carb was surging on a new Amazon carb. Did not have micro drills and did not want to alter carb so sent it back. Rebuilt my old carb which cost more than the new carb.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thank you :) glad it helped you build yours! It’s worth saving your original carb for exactly this reason, because they work and do so 100x better than the junk that is online :) well done for fixing your own 👍

[@Mihacappy]

Randomly came across this. Decided to watch out of boredom - ended up finding out why stale fuel is bad. Pushmower no longer surges while cold, thank you

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

I love that so much 🤣👍🏻 glad it was helpful!!

[@Snikers0MtZ]

Have been chasing a problem almost 1month with my briggs stratton 500e lawnmower. It would start perfectly run for like 2-3mins and starting to surge then dies. Priming to restart, waiting 5mins at rest it would start again perfectly and same problem 2-3mins and starts to surge. The problem was the same fuel tank like in this video after removing fuel hose the fuel was only dripping not flowing like it should. (Had to use many times compressed air to push out through the pipe all gunks or something that you couldn't see inside a tank, I think it was gunked up under the metal filter inside) after that refilled the fuel tank and finally saw fuel flowing perfectly. The second problem was with 3x carbs one chinese, one oem, and old oem that came with my lawnmower. They have differences even though it fits and looks same the problem was with outside plastic 2x carbs had a hole in it and wouldnt prime by pushing red knob 3x times, but my old oem one carb had the same outer plastic without a hole that why priming with it I could see good flow of fuel inside a carb. Just making a comment maybe it will help for someone too in the future

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks for sharing 👍🏻

[@tinkeringtaylor3053]

You've done again Tom , made a very good video and explained it well 👍👍(did you see the crack in the breather pipe )

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Hey Nev! A crack in the PCV tube? No I didn’t? Have you got a time stamp for me to see what you’re referring to?

[@tinkeringtaylor3053]

@@VintageEngineRepairs 3:35 Tom just on the top of pipe 👍👍

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Ah na that’s not a crack mate, it’s just where dust has been scraped off the tube from the cowling :)

[@tinkeringtaylor3053]

@@VintageEngineRepairs yes i have been having a closer look

[@Rickie-x2]

Excellent video, plus I have the micro bits coming in today so to drill that jet out a little. Thnx.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Awesome! :)

[@raymondsmith6504]

Excellent video

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks Raymond!

[@billmann2991]

Great Video Brother! 👍🏻😎

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks!

[@dennispratt3344]

Best video iv'e seen on lawnmowers credit to you thank.s

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@beerggls]

Be mindful when removing these carbs from the intake tube that you don’t lose the black o-ring. They can come loose when pulling carburetor off the tube, or stay on the intake tube. There is a white o-ring too. Upon reinstallation, seat the black o-ring into the carburetor first, then the white one, then push back onto lightly lubricated intake tube. Don’t forget to connect your governor linkage pushrod and spring first. If you have a autochoke (common on Toro Recycler), there will be a second pushrod linkage on the choke control arm, which can be tricky trying not to bend and deform the pushrod. Mind that the plastic pusher foot on the autochoke pushrod connection piece atop the carburetor is positioned on the correct side of the choke control arm where the foot makes contact, so as when the exhaust heats the autochoke actuator and actuates the pushrod, the foot pushes the choke linkage to the open position. It is possible to assemble with the foot on the opposite side of the choke arm. A heat gun is a good way to test an autochoke bi-metal actuator for proper operation.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks for watching and commenting 👍👍

[@paulcarter2907]

Very clear and concise..Thank you. Subbed & Liked

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

You’re welcome :) thanks!

[@sanibelt]

Mower started surging so I did a deep clean and fully cleaned every bit following the video and it started first try but still surges. Looks like I'll have to buy a micro drill set and make the jet bigger.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Yep, you may have to :) do spray some brake cleaner around between the carb and intake manifold, a leak there can cause lean surging ;)

[@Jim-ie6uf]

Excellent video!😀😀

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thank you!!

[@stevenkmckendallsr1169]

Where and what is the (stiff) "diaphragm" that you refer to in your checklist as shown at the 1:36 min. mark, as I don't see this as being otherwise specifically shown &/or visually identified, anywhere else in the video? Thanks, in advance.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Most lawnmowers don’t have them. 2 stroke victas do :)

[@stevenkmckendallsr1169]

​@@VintageEngineRepairs Okay. Good to know . . . which leads me to another question, which is, Is the mower in this video a 2-stroke Victa mower, or a 4-stroke, and what's the difference between a 2-stroke vs a 4-stroke . . . is it that a 2-stroke requires an oil to gas mixture in the furl tank, because there’s no oil inlet, as opposed to a 4-stroke, which has a fuel tank for the gas, and a separate inlet for the oil - where the two are not mixed directly together, into the gas tank? Based on the aforementioned, I'm assuming this it's a 4-stroke in this video (and not a 2-stroke) , as the oil inlet appears to be visible at the lower left corner of the engine, at the 0:56 min. mark - while you also state at the 2:08 min. mark thereof, that someone (may have) accidentally put a 2-stroke mix into the fuel tank of such? But if I'm wrong in my understanding and the mower in this video is a 2-stroke, then I would again, if there’s any way that you could specifically identify the "diaphragm" w/in the context of such, as already previously referenced? And finally, at the 3:27 min. mark, you reference the "PVC tube". What does “PVC” stand for? I sincerely apologize for my ignorance in these regards, and for my query in these respects being so long winded, which is unfortunately due to the fact that I have a disability w/processing information, and so this is how I learn. That being said, thank you so much, once again, and also again, in advance, for your patience and understanding, as well as for your clarifications and help.

[@stevenkmckendallsr1169]

Ummm, hello?

[@rejinc]

You are a pro, nice work great video,

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks for the kind words:)

[@billypitts6368]

I sure helped to fix mine! THANKS!!!!!!

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Yay that’s great! You’re welcome :)

[@MyDogRunner]

What a great explanation! Thank you.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

You’re welcome :)

[@doglegjake6788]

Thanks for sharing a great video !

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

You’re welcome!

[@RBrady-r4t]

Thanks for the great video. Super-easy-to-understand.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

You’re welcome :)

[@williamwaters4506]

You did a great job.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thank you!

[@clintstevenson1214]

Excellent video. Would you place that plastic carb in your ultrasonic cleaner? I also wonder if drilling out the jet was necessary even though I think they set them on the small side for cleaner air. Loved the "check list" too. Thanks Tom!

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

I recommend drilling them out. :)

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Sorry I missed your first part - yes you can ultrasonic clean them!

[@Big_Johns]

Nice job Kangaroo Tom, always so informative and helpful.... kinda like when we're playing WT. 🤣👍

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

LOL!! Thanks mate🤣 I need to play another game with you all soon, I’ll probably be as good as I was before I left - an asset to the other team 🤦‍♂️

[@Big_Johns]

Just know we miss you being there, you’d always make it so much more enjoyable even when you were killing your own teammates. 🤣👍🏼🤣

[@darrenpierce9903]

Great video!

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks :)

[@stevej00]

Nice video. Well done. Very clear.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thank you :)

[@pauliekruger7639]

Mr. Tom thank you and well done! One question, why brake cleaner and not carb cleaner? OK 2 questions, was there no link for the baby drill bits?

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Hey Paul, my apologies! I have used this set extensively for the last 4 years. amzn.to/4czLtDK It's been great. My one tip, if the drill bit slips in the pin vice, tighten the head up in a vice holding the other end of the pin vice with pliers! Also, doesn't hurt to buy 2 sets, the drill bits are TINY and when you're learning how gentle you need to be you'll likely snap a few - i have 2 sets :P

[@BrucesShop]

A classic carb clean Tom

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

That’s right Bruce!

[@mikeward2922]

Any suggestions for a surging Briggs and Stratton 17hp OHV with a newly replaced crank case gasket, head gasket, new intake gasket, new air filter, valves cleaned and lapped, verified spark, 100 PSI compression? She starts right up, but it surges and has some smoke coming out the exhaust. The engine internally is super clean, cross-hatching on cylinder walls, compression relief still solid. I'm at a bit of a loss on the surge issue and smoke. Valve gaps checked and rechecked. .004" intake and .006" exhaust, set about 1/4" past TDC on exhaust stroke.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Hey, I would suggest it’s likely two seperate symptoms - surging and smoking. Surging: blocked fuel filter, faulty fuel pump, damaged lines, blocked carb jets, improperly tuned carburetor, leaking intake manifold, leaking head gasket. Incorrectly set governor (too fast) causes surging too. The smoke could be: overfilled crankcase, blocked pcv valve, worn bore, leaking valve seals, incorrectly fitted or sealing head gasket. Double check your work and the above points :) a leak down test will be useful in this instance!

[@mikeward2922]

@@VintageEngineRepairs Believe it or not - the governor spring was just a bit over stretched. I tightened it up today, and the surging stopped and I really have not noticed much smoke. Runs very smoothly now.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Perfect :) yep! They can do :)

[@loboloco866]

Whow you are outstanding 👏 👌 thanks a lot.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thank you :) glad you enjoyed it!

[@rebeccamills9067]

Great video, very clear to follow. My mower was surging and running for a minute or two then cutting out, I have replaced the carburettor and air filter and it is still surging and cutting out but will run for maybe 4 or 5 minutes now before cutting out. It also requires priming every time to start. There is new fuel in it and no water in the fuel tank. Does this give you any clue as to what the problem may be please? Thanks in advance

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Hey, what is the flow like through the fuel line? It may be as simple as a partially blocked fuel filter inside the tank.

[@rebeccamills9067]

@@VintageEngineRepairs thank you for the reply, the filter at the bottom of the tank looks clear and I can't see any splits in the fuel line. I think I might have to order some micro drills and have a go at increasing the bore of the air jet.

[@catseatcheese]

Hi Tom, I appreciate the vid. My 3 y.o. Cub Cadet snow blower sat dormant last winter and I forgot about the gas. It fouled the carb, so I drained it and cleaned the carb, making sure every hole, passage etc was squeaky clean. It started on the first pull, but it surges when it never did before. This is a puzzler for me. Any suggestions?

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Hey, surging when not under load is a restriction of the idle fuel passage or too much air. Double check any o-rings that can fail too :)

[@BlazerGuy1983]

I have a lawn boy 10632 with 5.5 brigs and auto choke. Was surging then stopped starting all together. This was after already cleaning carb. Installed a new carb today.. runs good but when you move the mower back and forth it starts surging then if let sit it clears up.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Sounds like fuel delivery, was the new carburetor OEM? Open the L screw if it has one :)

[@BlazerGuy1983]

There is no adjustments. It is a Chinese Amazon knock off. I may open up the new carb. There could be debris from manufacturing inside it.

[@bluelightguy1]

For a plastic carburetor they are a great design

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Yes! They’re ok :)

[@diggervank]

Watched you drill fuel supply on metering block ,mine is plastic on that side opposite is brass?

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Be careful what you drill, without knowing the exact model I recommend you double / triple check it’s the pilot jet :)

[@diggervank]

​@@VintageEngineRepairsyour excellent video is very similar but mine is a 550 140cc Edger , confirmed pilot jet ,drilled it out,but cleaning the air drilling inside is not spraying into the metering area where pilot jet is

[@Papparratzi]

Both of my snow blowers were surging. I added Lucas Top End fuel treatment and it cleared both

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Nice :)

[@JohnnyRover5557]

You mentioned moving the clip across the Barb of the carburetor near the end of your video. What does that mean?

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

On some carburetors the long needle has a number of slots. On one of those slots is a clip. The clip position determines how high the needle is in relation to the main jet and therefore how much fuel can be released for a given throttle position. The lower the clip, the higher it sits out of the main jet and the richer the fuel supply.

[@JohnnyRover5557]

Thank you for the quick reply and great video Tom.Very interesting. What is the model of the mower you were working on? I would like to do more research.

[@t008mx]

could you do a video on testing with a mityvac pump on lawn mowers ,do people do that , for carb and fuel lines , just wondering

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

You can do, yes!

[@t008mx]

thank you so much @@VintageEngineRepairs

[@nyacoustics8373]

I'm working in a honda lawn mower that surges up and down and noticed several things mentioned from your video. I cleaned he carb really good with carb cleaner but the issue still persist. It will start with one pull but not smoothly. it surges up and down still has uneven idle. Things that are red flags to me is the Honda carb is missing several gaskets for instance the one by the air intake and the one by the manifold. They both rotted and deteriorated. Next i notice there appears to be some grime or dirt at the bottom of the tank. I haven't cleaned out and blew out the fuel line. The mower has fresh gas, new plug, new filter. From what i know the prior owner stored it outdoors and looks like it was only covered sometimes not all the time and was exposed to rain and snow in the northeast in the states. any recommendations what to do next to get the mower running smoothly again?

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Yep, clean likes, filter, carb, replace the gaskets and try again :)

[@gordon-1]

While I greatly appreciate the detail and effort of this video, if the gaskets need replacing or the rubber tip of the float valve plug has deteriorated (as mine had), a rebuild kit containing these items (Briggs & Stratton 594636) costs at least $37, whereas a replacement carb with two air cleaner gaskeys costs only $9 on eBay (mine was the two control rod version). If you DO buy a replacement carb, be sure to blow into the gas inlet to ensure flow. I installed one without doing this and the valve was stuck closed. Upon comparison with my old carb, I found that the float valve seat was insufficiently recessed. A 3/16" Allen wrench socket wrench adapter was inserted into the float valve tube and a large Vice Grips used to press the valve seat to the proper depth. Fortunately the valve plug rubber tip was undamaged by the manufacture's assembly abuse. O&BTW, if the bowl is installed 180° out of the correct position, surging will also occur. :/ UPDATE: The surging was caused by a too large ID carb/engine O-ring allowing unregulated air into the engine. Why bother manufacturing something this complex, yet screwing up these minor details?

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Sure :) you do what ever works best for you!

[@macknumber9]

Is it possible to have a float height that is too low (swollen needle) not allowing enough fuel in causing a lean condition which results in surging?

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

What a fantastic question! I had a friend have a swollen inlet-needle, it ran fine but just leaked. I haven’t experienced either symptoms, but I wouldn’t rule it out!

[@vanstromi7810]

What causes this with a brand new carburetor? Can’t be the filter I don’t think. The gas leaks out when removing the gas line. Throttle just won’t stop surging. Throttle spring has good motion. It’s a craftsman m230 b&s 7.25 163 ohv.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Very likely the jet is too small, or an air leak :) when it’s running you can spray some brake cleaner around the area where the carb fits to the engine, intake and cylinder head gasket areas. See if this changes the rpm. If not, you may need to drill the jet bigger.

[@LandyAndy62]

You need to check the priming bulb too - they perish and can let air in even when they don’t show any fuel leakage. Top tip for all these machines that are only used seasonally - ONLY USE PREMIUM GRADE FUEL. Many of the E5 Petrol’s are just Petrol - there is no ethanol in many of these premium fuels (UK law states it must be marked and sold as E5 if it has less that 5% ethanol - which of course pure petrol is!) Ethanol causes the petrol to spoil within a few months and destroys many of the plastic fuel lines, seals etc. Nitrile and butile rubbers (O rings) are mostly OK, but plastic fuel line especially will just rot if ethanol is present (yes, I am talking to you Stihl). You do not need to buy the over-priced ‘petrol substitute’, just straight petrol is fine, but do drain it out if you’re laying up the machine for months.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Yep use non ethanol is a huge problem solver for many! Thanks for watching 👍👍

[@RobinMoerland]

Ok i now got new area's to check mine is surging off and on. Let's see if i can improve the engine.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Good luck :)

[@RobinMoerland]

@@VintageEngineRepairs aaaand I have destroyed the low jet of the main jet. Instantly ordered a new one.

[@grahamwatson6570]

I love my surging hayter harrier , it really annoys everyone, the carb just needs cleaning but it works and really annoying for others 🤣🤣

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

LOL!! That’s funny 😂

[@user-wj5hr3zd5e]

Good video but my mower is still surging. New carburettor, new gaskets, new air filter,. clear fuel filter and hose, enlarged the jet thingy. No diaphragm. Can't find the fuel tank vent but still surges with the cap off. Was fine last year but foolishly left petrol in the tank over winter. Can it be something inside the engine?

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

It may be a gasket leak around the intake?

[@user-wj5hr3zd5e]

@@VintageEngineRepairs thanks for the reply but they're new. I'm so baffled. I'm thinking could the inside of the fuel hose narrowed a little, even though I can still see light through it with a bit of manipulation

[@arfurdaley6399]

Great Video 👏👏👏

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thank you!

[@victormasambuka8366]

If you have a small drill bit can you use a needle

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

I don’t think it will be the right size, but possibly?

[@Utuber-x44]

I wonder if it would be quicker and easier to replace the carb if it were suspected of problems.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

It’s not been my experience, replacing them typically means doing so with Chinese copies which don’t work well if at all. You’re throwing money away in my opinion. Rebuild the genuine one whenever possible!

[@Utuber-x44]

@@VintageEngineRepairs thank you for the response. Do you think lawn mowers will go fuel injection like generators and chain saws or they will be banned first for “cLiMatE cHaNGe 🤡” before then

[@mikespain8655]

I had one this spring that kept surging despite trying 3 different carburetors. Plastic carb and same basic model Briggs. After I reluctantly sent it out surging, it occurred to me that the plastic intake tube may have been cracked. Have you ever replaced a cracked plastic intake?

[@mikespain8655]

That is after cleaning carbs and drilling the pilot jet. One carburetor was brand new.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

They do crack yes as the plastic becomes brittle with age.

[@HORIZON8026]

I had luck by drilling out the lower main jet because the mower likes to mostly run off the pilot jet it's very starved underload by that smaller main jet down bottom I gained and extra pony in the cut when I went up a size with that main jet ran way better it probably could.go up a couple sizes on these carbs possibly you may need to up both got the micro drill bits off amazon just don't break them off in a pilot jet. I did that to one I can't say if I was forceful or the drill bit wasn't very good to begin with their so tiny

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Yes unless it surges under load, it’s pilot jet :) the drill bits are so easy to snap aren’t they!

[@dragonlotion1789]

Mine only does it for the first 5 minutes and the surging is much slower and longer, like a longer wave length is the best way I could describe it.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

👍👍

[@gregmccarter2176]

Add some injection cleaner..

[@marlinsmith9552]

Great video thanks Brother!!👍

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks! You’re welcome :)

[@philliphoward7455]

What about a lawn tractor that only surges when running by itself? Add an attachment i.e. a load and the surging goes away.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

When there is no load it will be running on the pilot circuit. If it surges then, it’s not getting enough fuel through the circuit. Either it’s blocked or needs to be drilled.

[@brianhind6149]

It is not at all unusual for mowers, generators, weed whackers & the like are put out with the trash. They are absolute crap. It would not surprise me to find plastic pistons soon ! Great video my friend.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

It’s a shame the way things are going isn’t it! Thanks for the kind words!

[@kentmerrill8925]

Good video

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks!

[@stanwilson8089]

Informative,many thanks

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

You’re welcome.

[@henrygonzalez1201]

Good Job!

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks!

[@kan815k]

I have same carb on my lawnmower, issue is that after using the machine about 30 minutes, petrol pouring out from air intake of carb. I have replaced the carb same model and type but same problem, petrol pouring out from air intake.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

You sure it’s petrol not oil? If it is, it could be spit back from a valve not sealing or a carb needle not seating. It could also be blow by causing pressure in the crank spitting oil into the AF?

[@kan815k]

Definitely petrol. What is AF?

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

@@kan815k air filter

[@kan815k]

​@VintageEngineRepairs it is strange that after changing carb to a NEW one and only petrol gashing out - no oil.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

@@kan815k have you pressure tested the needle? New doesn’t mean it works - it means “never ever worked”!

[@williamcannon2825]

I fixed the surging in my snowblower by using 90 octane , non-ethanol gas!

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Interesting! Your fuel I the USA is poor quality, I’d use the freshest stuff I could and non ethanol whoever possible!

[@davidwyby]

Ever had a go-round with a surging honda generator?

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Hey, surging is the same on a generator as it would be a water pump or a lawn mower like this. If you follow these steps you’ll solve your issue.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Hey, what do you mean go-around?

[@davidwyby]

@@VintageEngineRepairs trouble

[@dfields9511]

Yah the 125cc Briggs have more problems with surging then 140cc and bigger. If a cleaning doesn’t fix some ppl enlarge the main jet with a micro drill bit by one size as a last resort.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

It’s really not the main you should touch it’s the pilot 👍

[@tommcgrt66]

thanks tom

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

You’re welcome

[@greenreviews3391]

This is assuming your exhaust is not cloged and no dirt dobber has made your muffler a nice little home...

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Hmm that wouldn’t cause surging, but yes, always check!

[@greenreviews3391]

@VintageEngineRepairs oh yes it will if it is not fully open to let the exhaust out it will surge and die under a load I just had one come to my shop like a week ago and that was their problem.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

@@greenreviews3391 interesting I have never had one surge with a blocked muffler, I have had them struggle to go much above a slow idle though. Thanks for sharing!

[@greenreviews3391]

@VintageEngineRepairs me either.. I felt exhaust coming out so I didn't think to check it so I bought a new carb was only $23 put it on and changed nothing.. which led me back to air or gas issue. Started out removing variables. Started with sir filter and made my way to remove the exhaust and bam pur like a kitten found a nest in the exhaust. Wasn't fully closed but enough to cause problems after cleaning and reassemble.. ran good it was a 6.5 kholer engine on a wood splitter

[@gregtarasinski5516]

Incorrect governor tension should of been on list

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thanks for sharing! I haven’t come across it before but It’s logical that If the engine is over speeding it’s demanding more fuel which stock settings may not offer and then surge. Thanks :)

[@cyrusdatvirus7499]

Just a quick Question.. As you started off with the 0.35mm drill bit to begin, what size drill bit did you use for the final drilling of the jet before assembling the carb back together? Many thanks.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

I honestly can’t remember as it’s been nearly a year since I made the video, but I would guess it was 0.45 I went to :)

[@davidgibbings6085]

Great vid sir , i work on more stuff like toro and ventrac , iseki machines but the guys in other bay’s work on those type mowers , they look annoying to work on , one thing is the flat head engines seem to have less problems than over head valve newer stuff , to much to go wrong and cheaper made , even som of the Honda engines (certain models) are having issues with decompression cams failing on new machines ,,old stuff is better but law of omissions stopped the flat heads production sadly .. 👍🙂

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Absolutely :) I’ll take a flat head for reliability every time haha

[@garygarza9074]

Thanks governor.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

You’re welcome

[@bb-pw3cr]

kinetic sae 30 w/zinc or mos2 liquid moly and the engine won't wear out -essential

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@choppergirl]

9:00 - You see those drops coming back out. You don't know how close you came to being permanently blinded by highly penetrating solvent. I had some of the tiniest droplets of carb cleaner hit my eye doing that, and within seconds... like less than 20... I had gone blind. It took me 4 years to line up surgery to fix them. Either wear safety glasses, or better... throw away all pressurized carb cleaners and solvents in your shop and never ever buy them again. It's not worth it. They are the most dangerous things in your shop. What did the world look like being blind? It looked like always looking through a frosted car window on a winter day. You could see out, sort of, but you really couldn't see anything at all... and you dare not drive like that or you'd run into something in no short order Everything blurred together and was very bright. I couldn't count the fingers on my hand, or see the items on a grocery shelf.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

That’s terrible, sorry to hear it, I have had carb cleaner in my eyes many times, it burns for a few seconds and then goes, but we don’t have chlorine in ours out here like you do in the states! It amazes me that you guys have that in cans like it safe…

[@choppergirl]

​@@VintageEngineRepairs I don't think it's any chlorine, I've been in heavily chlorinated pools... I think it's the Acetone, Toluene, and Methanol. Your eyes are very permeable; acetone will go through the smallest cracks and strip the paint of things. H280 - Contains gas under pressure; may explode if heated H301+H311 - Toxic if swallowed or in contact with skin H315 - Causes skin irritation H319 - Causes serious eye irritation H336 - May cause drowsiness or dizziness H361 - Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child H370 - Causes damage to organs H373 - May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure

[@charleschapman2428]

I've found a very common cause is a filthy air cleaner.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Hey, interesting, thanks for sharing :)