Solving a Stihl BR340 Mystery: Fuel Leaks and Starting Woes!

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Great video Stella, thank you for the shoutout too! I really like how you keep track of every service / repair that comes your way to be able to refer back to!

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

It honestly helps to show my customer those recommended fixes that they turned down the last time. Not very sophisticated, but it works, LOL

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

@Peter D My system is not quite that sophisticated 😹. But I do compile a spreadsheet at the end of a season, mostly for tax reporting, based on my little index card system. I only transfer name, machine type, dollar amount for parts, and total repair. I leave all the other data on the index cards. I can search the spread sheets later for name to pinpoint year and details ( that I manage to write down). Thanks for watching.

[@KensSmallEngineRepair]

Nice work Stella. Gotta hand it to Tom, he IS the 2-stroke Master!!

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

For sure!! Tom is the Master. Thanks for watching.

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

You’re too kind Kenny!

[@dwantaylor704]

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your amazing work ethic, and attention to detail. You are appreciated!

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@LewisMowersandBoats]

Nice show very informative 👏 😊

[@badbob]

I also have the BR 340. Just a few days ago it started flooding when I use choke to start it when cold. Never did that in 20 years. My air filter was also wet with gas. I changed air filter but now if I use choke on a cold start it floods out. If I don’t use choke at all on a cold start, it starts on one pull and runs fine. That is not normal at all. I think I will rebuild the carb. Thanks for video and all the part numbers. .

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

I just worked on a BR420, similar story. It started and ran OKish, never serviced in +20 years, and compression was 125psi. Fresh carb kit, fuel filter, spark plug and boot. Runs like a champ now. A carb rebuild kit, specifically a fresh metering diaphragm and needle will probably fix the majority of your problems. Thanks for watching.

[@onefixitman]

I own a BR 340. Bought used in 2008 for 100$. Cleaned the spark arrester and it started up great. Always used non ethanol fuel and synthetic mix. In 2023 I rebuilt the carburetor and replaced the fuel filter. Still runs great for a residential unit.

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

Great little blowers!

[@almclean4835]

Good job Stella. That’s one of the best things about the small engine community, the willingness to share knowledge

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

Couldn't agree more!

[@RattyFlyer]

This is the first time I've seen a carburetor pressure tested that's pretty cool

[@chatrkat]

Great service tips on those blowers and that Walbro carb. I have a BR420, same machine but larger displacement. Since those don’t have purge bulbs, a good diaphragm is key to proper starting. I like your vacuum/ pressure tester. 👍🏻

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

Thanks! I appreciate you watching. Cheers!

[@chatrkat]

I was thinking the exact same thing, I own a BR420 as well. Fortunately mine always starts easily. I guess life did exist before the purge bulb. 😆

[@martinburgess4814]

Great video Stella.I had the same problem on that modle a few months ago but I also replaced the cap and vent.All the best to you all.Keep up the great content

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

Cheers Martin! Thank you for watching.

[@8xlaxx]

I have a BR320 & 340, they're the best machines and so easy to work on.

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

I agree, less fiddly than the newer 4-mix machines.

[@nashguy207]

Great video Stella. I am still enjoying my screw drivers. I had a BR400 for years the only thing I never liked about it you had to be really careful starting it it would flood very easy. Kept it around for almost 30 years finally gave it away last year it was still running.

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

Thanks Bob ! They guy that owns this says he uses it twice a week or more. Very good little machine, despite the lack of maintenance.

[@robertreynolds2690]

My blower is doing the exact thing. I just ordered rebuild kit. Thanks for this tutorial.

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

Glad to help. Cheers!

[@Big_Johns]

Nice informative step by step video with troubleshooting Stella, that spark arrestor was pretty chunky. I make that same "Oops" often with the airbox cover. 🤣 Tom sure is an A-Ok guy. 👍

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

No Sassy Madam for him. LOL

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thank you John!

[@Big_Johns]

🤣🤣 you two!!! 👍🏼

[@andersforrad]

Great video Stella - calm, informative and easy to follow - nice! Cheers! 👍😃

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

Thank you! 😃

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

How to easily reassemble the metering side of a 2-stroke carburetor. After watching experts on KZbin do this and struggle at times with the tiny parts, and then struggle myself, I’ve finally invented the best method! Take the cap off your tube of silicone or dielectric grease. I use large tweezers for this when necessary. First insert one end of the spring into the tube to get the bottom end of the spring coated with a little grease. Then insert that end into the spring cavity in the carb. The grease will hold it there. Then dip the axle pin halfway into the grease and insert it into the lever. Next dip the top end of the needle into the tube and install it on the lever fork. All parts should now stay in place while you lower the assembly into place and hold it down with one finger while installing the screw. If you do this carefully you should be able to avoid getting that pesky slippery grease on your fingers most of the way through the operation, but it’s a good idea to have a clean paper towel on hand anyway to clean fingers so you can still hold onto things. Once fuel is flowing through the carb it washes away the grease with no issues whatsoever. This method has totally changed the game for me and sped up the rebuilding process by at least a couple minutes. Since I rebuild every carb that comes through the shop this will help my productivity greatly over time, not to mention my attitude and inclination to rebuild. 👍🔧

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

Great idea! I do that with clutch springs on antique scooter clutch springs, never thought of that here. Cheers!

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

@@TheLawnmowerLady How about a great video with my method? It would sure help a lot of newbies who struggle with this one step!

[@davidcruz2328]

Your skills are jaw dropping

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

I hope that's a good thing :) Thanks for watching. Cheers!

[@Turningwrenches85]

Good job finding the leak there stella 👍 🔧

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

I honestly might have thrown in the towel if it weren't for Tom pushing me to look further. Cheers!

[@Turningwrenches85]

@@TheLawnmowerLady cheers

[@JungleBobRepair]

Awesome Stella!

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@garyclifton2180]

Very entertaining Stella and love the skinny extension bars x

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

So glad I got those, quicker than the T-handles I had. Thanks for watching. Cheers!

[@petefroud5308]

Good job Miss Steller.

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

Cheers Mr Pete!

[@jimbrewer2893]

Good video. Step by step troubleshooting. Good outcome.

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

Thanks 👍

[@danielrobert7181]

Hi Stella ! Thanks for a very thorough and detailed video. If I may, that 7 pounds difference in compression readings is not significant. It could very well result from standard tester variance and/or taking readings in different weather conditions. Regards !

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

Thats true, I agree. Thanks for watching. Cheers!

[@robertporch8895]

Mines leaking oil just siting. I bet it's the back flow valve, tank vent. Also not running smooth and having a hard time starting. All this happened suddenly. I think I'll rebuild the carburetor and do everything you did. This blower is 25 years old and never had any rebuild. I'll bet it solves my problem like yours did.

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

Good luck, report back your progress.

[@chatrkat]

Good tips for future reference, thank you for the Walbro part # Stella. I own the big brother to that same blower a BR420. The machine is a beast, it will push a bowling ball!

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

I appreciate that. My next video is a spa day for a BR420c. Stay tuned. Cheers!

[@chatrkat]

@@TheLawnmowerLady that is excellent, I look forward.

[@chrisandberitingermany7341]

nice repair Stella and explainations, regards from Christian in Germany

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

I appreciate you watching. Cheers! or I guess I should say Prost!

[@shoptalkwithbrett6572]

good video Stella. Looks a lot like my old BR400 blower. That thing is a beast despite its age

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

As with most things in life, if you don't use it, you lose it. The guy that owns this prolly uses it twice a week, awesome little workhorse, despite the lack of regular maintenance. Thanks for watching. Cheers!

[@shoptalkwithbrett6572]

@@TheLawnmowerLady cheers to you as well. You know, it slipped my mind until after I made the comment but my br400 is on my channel. I did a walk around and demo. By the way, I got that metric all-thread you showed in your Honda GCV videos and that really saves me a world of frustration as far as getting all those gaskets and shields in place for reassembly. Thanks again for the helpful tip.

[@johnrhodes7487]

Great job, Stella. 🇬🇧

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

I appreciate you watching. Cheers!

[@tinkeringtaylor3053]

Excellent video Stella, great information, Tom is a top guy on the 2 strokes 👍

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

Couldn't agree more!

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Thank you nev!

[@RattyFlyer]

I like to use my dollar tree screw drivers when doing carb work :)

[@henrymurawskibigdogrepair]

Stella great work lady

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

Thank you Mr Hank. Cheers!

[@RattyFlyer]

Thats a neat tool

[@Pete.Ty1]

👍👍👍 Very informative.Thank you.

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

Glad it was helpful!

[@RattyFlyer]

Its a happy motor again :)

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

It is!

[@robbieevans6536]

I have that same blower and I need a new vent. but the ones that say they fit the BR 340 don't have a line going to the carb...It's a completely different vent.

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

Usually the tank is vented. Are you talking about the purge/return line?

[@ashleyrhoades5807]

I gotta br 320 it starts and runs great at full bore but dies out when idling

[@tonywampler217]

Very very good

[@mikethomforde7326]

Can you show how to adjust carburetor for BR400?

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

I don't own the majority of the equipment I repair. However I do have a friend @VintageEngineRepairs who specializes in 2-stroke repairs and tuning. He should have several tutorials on how to do that. Hope this helps. Cheers!

[@americanguy1317]

Hey Stella this was your newest post so I thought I would see if you could help me, I have a 1998 Murray Model 20406X8A with Briggs and Stratton L head engine. I have seen you clean the carb and adjust the governor on an engine like this. My question is( Can you tell me where I can get a replacement carb for it? It has the old style bolt on the bottom carb. I have searched everywhere and I cannot find one. Please Help.

[@robertmailhos8159]

Being the air filter is soaked in gas can cause it to be flooded which means it is getting too much gas fumes and not enough air

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

Flooded for sure!

[@francislang5075]

nice job

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@joelmollenkopf3767]

Excellent

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@CompetentSalesUSA]

Thank you

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

Welcome!

[@RattyFlyer]

So I found after I unscrew a brass carburetor jet they like to just hang out in the hole and not drop out. The threads of the jet cling to the threads for the carb bowl nut. Do you have any tricks for getting them out?

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

If you're talking about Honda carbs, I usually insert a pick into the pick up hole on the side, and guide the threads of the main jet out on the pick.

[@rileymulvihilll1120]

So I’ve got the same blower, and just replaced the carb completely, cleaned spark arestor screen, and it still will not start, it has spark, fresh fuel, and brand new carb/ fuel lines, what do you think it could be?

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

Maybe it's flooded? Is the spark plug wet?

[@yifrank4136]

Great video, that is exactly happen on my br340 now, I am wondering the cost of parts, I live in Canada here the parts is very expensive compare to the US, can you let me know the cost for all the parts you brought , thank you very much

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

I think the carb rebuild kit was $12, air filter/prefilter $20, and fuel filter $9. Thanks for watching!

[@patrickdankwa5732]

My own is not working how would I do it

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

Start with the basics: Fuel (clogged filter, crusty carb, cracked fuel lines), spark (clean plug, good spark) and air (clean filter, unobstructed spark arrester).

[@mdrasshid85]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

I appreciate you watching!

[@RaysLaughsAndLyrics]

Stomella wins the day A soggy filter was the clue. Pressure made a play. Carb must you now renew. Tom was much help To complete this here repair Dwn Under he did yelp. Stella did kindly make aware. Wind machine now runs. Like the very day it was new Enough with verse an' puns. I bid you Gd' Day.. I bid Adieu. Have a great day ' Golden Eyes' .. Mow Happy👍

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

Your prose puts a smile on my face everytime. Thanks!

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

If this video helped you, please consider clicking on the THANK$ button above 🙌 Watch this video next to see how I made that pressure tester from a brake bleed kit: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpO2k6idiq2HrqM

[@johnobiro5202]

Great job. 🔧👍🇬🇧

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

I do appreciate you watching. Cheers!