This Is Why Basic Maintenance Is Important Even On A Honda Mower

[@jeffsnodgrass9747]

It's easy and quick to check the oil level prior to each use, which is what I do. I have a Craftsman rider that leaks oil, so I have to add oil before each use. Since I have to check and add oil to the Craftsman, I also check the oil level in my Lawn Boy prior to each use. I am going to tear into the Crafts man soon and find and repair the oil leak.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

nice, and yes the makes sense

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

I hate to say it, but some people just don't get it. They're not bad people or stupid people, their brains work different than yours and mine I guess. They are perfectly capable and understand the need to check the oil in their car, but can't transpose that to their lawn and garden equipment. Thanks for the video!

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

well said and thank you

[@Rig02]

It’s ok I don’t check either

[@mikespain8655]

Many people never check the oil, in anything.

[@liljoeii6091]

I checked my oil every time before I start that thing Thank you for the video

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

No problem

[@ChrisPBacon-XtraM3TY]

I've been using the same lawnmower since 1993 and it hasn't let me down yet. I just check the oil level before every mow, use fuel stabilized gas and run the engine until it runs out of gas after every mow. I change the oil and air filter at the start of a new mowing season and replace the spark plug or sharpen the blade when needed. If you're willing to take a little time to take care of your stuff, it will take care of you.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

wow very nice job!

[@tnrodgers]

I change it at the end of the season, but check it monthly. It literally takes less than 30 seconds to check….electric batteries with different voltages, shapes by brands, planned insolence, no thanks. Great work.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

nice choice, I need to be better at it myself and thank you!

[@gearhead366]

I have a riding mower that developed a leak in the carb, and dumped a decent amount of gas in the crankcase. It started knocking, but I didn't notice it at first. I noticed it once I finished mowing, headed to the garage, and took off my hearing protection. Once I found out what had happened, I feared that I had destroyed the engine. But once I replaced the thinned-out oil with fresh oil, the engine ran fine. That was a wakeup call. Now I check the oil before every use. The dipsticks on my mowers come out with a half twist. Before cranking, I can just pull the dipstick, and don't even need to wipe it clean to check it. It's a 5 second, at most, process. As for gas vs batteries... my push mower is over 10 yrs old, and it still runs as well as it did new. My riding mower (the one mentioned above) is about 20 yrs old, and still runs fine. I just bought a "new" riding mower (bigger & faster than the one above). It's only 6 yrs old, which, to me, is pretty new. I doubt ANY battery powered mower will be in service after 5 yrs, let alone 10 or 20. I bought the "new" mower for a few reasons. One, I didn't want to be forced to go battery powered when my 20+ yr old mower finally gave up. And two, I wanted something that would mow faster, and work better on hills. Three, I wanted a ROPS. Four, I wanted a suspension seat. I'm over 60. I expect my "new" mower to be the last mower I will ever need.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

wow glad you were able to save it, and thank you for sharing that with us

[@jct300m]

I check my oil after each use just out of habit. Prob add alittle after every 3rd use..3.5 Briggs from 1993..Old Girl but still runs good!!

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

very nice!

[@covishen]

I check the oil before every use. As long as it takes to mow my lawn, I change the oil approximately every 6 weeks in the summer. In the winter I don't change it, it doesn't run that long to clear snow, but it's still checked before every use.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

yes sir

[@biking2cruze]

It’s rather heartbreaking to see these machines in such disrepair, seeing you working on these machines is very soothing to me! Compared to battery operated machines, these will bring years if not decades of trouble free service when properly tended to. I still have a 3hp mower engine on my Snapper and that thing has never given me any issues! I’m a bit paranoid about caring for lawn equipment so if the oil is low I add more but when the oil is black (I think viscosity has tanked and bad for the engine) and not honey colored I change out the oil and put fresh oil in every season.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you I appreciate that !

[@Triad3DStudio]

Hi! Would you be able to show the cleaner you're using in the videos? Thank you in advance!

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

it wouldn't be a video entire devoted to it, but I can try to include it a bit better.

[@Triad3DStudio]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE That's what I was looking for, was a bit difficult to see in your videos but showing it within your videos at times would be great! I'm really liking the format of the videos as well, thanks for sharing!

[@kevincolonel3070]

Check my oil before each use, change it at the end of the season. I also clean the air filter several times each season and keep my blades very sharp.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

excellent work!

[@BADD400]

I would say check oil at the beginning of the season and end same with air filter. Very good video.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

now that's my kind of routine, Thank you!

[@sticustom]

Once a year if engine is staying clean. If it looked like that I’d be checking more often AND finding the leak. As someone said the valve cover seal it gone or the cover is loose.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

nothing wrong with that

[@tinkerscorner54]

I check the oil just before pulling the mower out of the shed each mowing. It's at a convenient height and only takes a moment. Then I change it in the fall after the last mow, as well as sharpen & balance the blades, check all the bolts and so forth. That way, all I have to do in the spring is "Gas-N-Go" after a short "Rat Check". (I haven't seen any yet.)

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

nice!

[@hickorystx]

Hello and thanks for another quality video. Good care is the key to longevity!!! Check oil before each use is what I do. Change the oil each season with synthetic oil. Keep my equipment clean and sheltered. Thanks again!!!

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you for sharing

[@rogermurph101]

When I got married, I had my first weed trimmer for 15 years. Minimal maintenance, never worried about leaving fuel in it. Then I got divorced and wound up in an apartment for three years. Then in 2014 I bought a house and had to get all new lawn equipment. Left the fuel in the trimmer over the winter, and it wouldn’t run the following spring. Bought a new trimmer, and by the next spring, it wouldn’t run either. I didn’t know about ethanol damage at that time, so the following spring I switched over to a battery powered trimmer, blower and edger. All was good for two seasons, then had diminished capacity in all of my batteries for the third season. Gave that stuff to my son in law and daughter who had just bought a house and went back to gas. That electric crap was all dead midway through its fourth season. I’m in my fifth season now with the gas stuff I bought to replace the electric. I use stabilizer and run the tanks empty in the fall. It all still runs like new and starts on the second pull every spring. No thanks on that electric junk.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

very nice story and thank you for sharing

[@Jayden-vo2vd]

Can you make a video on a Briggs & Stratton classic engine

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I can but I'd need to find one.

[@deebee3901]

In Australia, the mowing season is about 11 months of the year. Because of that, I check my oil in my Honda mower about 4 times during the 11 months. I'd say the bearings are gone on that mower, possible the crankshaft as well.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

very nice

[@georgeparker7108]

I check the oil , cables, wheels and the blade every time I wish to use my mower. My old mower lasted for 35 years, which I had to replace when the decking got holes in it.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

wow very nice!

[@crisprtalk6963]

You got lots of friends.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

not really

[@claudiolazzara5729]

New small engine. Start up ,I let run,an hour or two. Oil change. My 3rd after a few grass cutting. At the end of the season. Power wash. Empty fuel, carb, and fog the piston. In Canada, it's the season for the snow blowing.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

Thanks for sharing

[@Jayden-vo2vd]

Is it okay to use gasket maker on your valve cover on your Honda mower or willet road really would you replace the gasket for using a new one

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

that's fine but you have to clean all the oil from the bottom edge first

[@edrodrigues5623]

Can't help it and not that it's bad but I change it every time I go to cut the grass. Looking forward to the next video.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you !

[@Fordguy.351]

I check the oil before I even run my mowers (I have multiple) for the day always done it since my dad taught me when I was seven.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

nice

[@kirbyyasha]

So here is my mowing regiment. I pull my mower out of the tool shed. Open the gas cap, I never add a full tank, but maybe about 3/4. Hard to tell, but never to the top. Then, I whip out a clean paper towel, pull the dipstick out, and then wipe it, put it back in according to how the manufacturer says to do it, the Honda, it says do not screw the dipstick back in, so yaknow, they built it, so they should know, right? The Briggs Quantum, I also pull it out, wipe it, and put it back in, but I don't twist it back in, but pull it out, and then I observe how much oil I have. The funny thing is, I never ever have to add oil during a season to any of my equipment. Each Spring I change the oil. But hey, it only took me about 30 seconds to change my oil, I suppose to some people, that's way too much time they are losing in their lives. My Craftsman may be falling apart, but that engine runs like a new engine still. 1 gentle pull and it'll start right up. I think the problem is, so many people rely on the ol' "Maintenance Required" light on their vehicles to get them serviced. Mowers don't have that so people just never even check.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

wow great routine!

[@christophermarshall5765]

I check the oil in my mower before every use. It will be changed again in the next couple of weeks. Yes, it cost me only $200 AU, but I still want it to last.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

well good point, time invested is money saved.

[@MrRmh3481]

Check your oil before every start or each time you fill the unit with gas.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

great advice!

[@jesterr7133]

I recently got three mowers from a local scrapper. They all came from the same location. All three of them had no oil in them, and one didn't even have an air filter in it. Two of them are Briggs and are running well, but the third has a rod knock. Good ole Powermores, smh.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

glad you got something good out of them.

[@nicklutz61]

Add gas, check oil, if good, start mower. Simple, easy, no brainer.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

well put

[@AveragePootis]

I just check the oil every time i check the fuel. Its so easy on the quantums where the dipstick is on top lf the engine

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

yes sir it is.

[@AveragePootis]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE In case you care, it's a 2003 Klippo Excellent, which was pretty much a Swedish analog for Toro from what i have figured (As in its red and has a thick cast aluminium hull)

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

nice!

[@ethanmiller3935]

If it is a motor that I know leaks or uses oil, I check it either every mow, or every other, depending on the severity. If it is a motor that doesn't leak or smoke, I might check it once every month or two. I will typically change the oil every year, no matter the hours on it because fresh oil is better than used oil of the same oil.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

excellent routine, that's plenty in my book.

[@kencurtis228]

Thank You Sharing

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

You are so welcome

[@trevorbenes219]

I think you should check the oil before every use

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

me too.

[@jackhuddleston6830]

What is the mixture of cleaner you are using? Thanks. Great job on the Videos.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I use it at full concentration but you have to be extremely careful with it.

[@jackhuddleston6830]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE thanks.

[@jesterr7133]

Actually, I beg to differ, lol. A dirty mowing deck can cause one not to start. That one that I got out of the trash a few weeks ago is still running perfect, and all I did to it was clean the underside of the deck. The engine wouldn't even turn before I cleaned it. That's why the mower was thrown out. I haven't even touched the carb, and it starts on the first pull every time.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

wow that deck must have had 10lbs of dirt under it.

[@charlestucker5903]

Good day! What is it that you spray on the outside and underside of the mower and spray off? I'm sure it must be some kind of cleaner but what?

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thanks, it's a degreaser from Harbor Freight.

[@billsmith1770]

5:12 from the movement of that flywheel i'd suspect a broken crank , or flywheel loose/damaged . looks like flywheel is tilting , not just moving back and forth .

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

interesting idea.

[@lewiemcneely9143]

I check mine in the hand mower every time I use it and the rider several times a season. Usually on the rider when I can smell oil it's time for a change and I act accordingly. And if people think a battery job is just mow and go continually, don't charge the battery and see how much you get done. Go Juice is always Go Juice and if it pours out of a can or comes through a cord ends up being the same thing and trying to do a good job with making a place look nice with a mower blade with an edge like a fence post is a joke in itself. Pay me now or pay me later. ALWAYS maintenance. Blessings!

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

nice method!

[@lewiemcneely9143]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE I don't believe in running out of oil. Gas is bad enough but oil is a different story.

[@KennyBaltz]

Just like my dad and papa, I check my oil every day that I use it. Oil is cheap, an engine or new machine is expensive! 🇺🇸

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

very nice

[@diggerman190]

Like every other machine or equipment the oil must be checked every time that is going to be used, cars and trucks once a week

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

yes you are correct

[@nicolaassnoek9902]

Check before every mow

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

excellent

[@jesusdrummer21]

I check oil at least 10 times between spring and fall.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

wow, nice!

[@berkeleygang1834]

Doesn't the owner's manual say to check the oil before starting the mower? That's what I do. YMMV. It's easier to check the oil level than the gas level IMHO.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

yes you are correct.

[@rickthelian2215]

I frequently check the oil not every mow but every few😊

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

me too!

[@rickthelian2215]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE unless I’m using my Victa 2 strokes😀😀😀

[@ramadinsookhoo6141]

Hey bro what's up? I've seen many people not talking care of their equipment and expecting it to be performing like brand new. At the end of the day whether they take care of their equipment isn't my concern but I'm not lending them my equipment neither.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

you and me both, than you again

[@65csx83]

Did you send this video's link to the appropriate person? The rule of thumb for checking the oil level on a mower is every time gas is added.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

it won't help them.. I've tried and failed multiple times.

[@TecumsehRulesbcserk]

An electric mower simply won’t meet my needs. You saw what I was dealing with in my latest video in Bear Lake. I am cutting that thing monthly now with our walk behind mower so it doesn’t overgrow and we don’t have to lug a giant brush cutter up there with us. An electric mower would die within five passes of cutting down that brush. And since its an empty lot there are no places to charge the battery.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

yes for you, it simply wouldn't work unless they came out with something heavy duty

[@MUUKOW3]

The old Honda upper bearing knock. They lose thoe lose the upper bearing from low or no oil change.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

yes you are correct, however what's happening downstairs is alway very worrying, you'll see what I mean in the next one.

[@MUUKOW3]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE Those GC engines were made for the mass market and were cheap . The Briggs Quatumn was actually a better engine in the same market but the "Honda" name puts it top in the eye of the low information consumer. That whole mower is no better than an AYP HOP product or MTD product.

[@gmanning4881]

i used to work for a really smart mechanical engineer who never checked the oil in his outback and blew the engine!

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

it happens and I've know a couple like that

[@BlockGod_1832]

when you where spinning the engine with the drill it seemed to be wobbling a lot more 11:32

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

yes I noticed that too.

[@jameshedrick605]

I check my oil before i start it

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

nice!

[@harrygregory6227]

it does not show the link tothe first video you made on this mower

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thanks I'll take a look, are you using an Ad blocker?

[@harrygregory6227]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE not sure

[@GeometryWars]

Classic Honda valve cover leaking

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

actually this turns out to the be camshaft O ring.

[@goosecreeksouth9327]

Every time I use it first thing check oil

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

nice

[@williamsnow1531]

I check my oil every time I use my lawn mower.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

good choice

[@joshmanis9860]

the owner of a honda mower i got recently snapped the carburetor bolt off in the head while trying to drain water out of the gas

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

ouch that's going to be tough to remove

[@joshmanis9860]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE if I can’t get it out I’ll have to helicoil it

[@joelmollenkopf3767]

Interesting

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you

[@easttexasnomad5981]

I change my oil annually.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

very good routine.

[@richardboggs9428]

I check my oil before I start the engine

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

nice!

[@999thenewman]

0:19 story of your life :)

[@Chairman750]

I check the oil in my push mower more frequently in the summer, and I check the oil in my riding mower before each use.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

nice

[@matthijsverweijmeren6114]

Sad to see that people not even check on oil😢 on such a quite expensive machine

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I know right so simple and yet overlooked

[@robertmailhos8159]

It's sounding like the connection rod is fixing to let go so The engine is in the state of blowing up

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I know right!

[@robertmailhos8159]

@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE that is a sound that is definitely telling you that it's about to let go inside the engine

[@antman3525]

Agree on what you said. 60/70 years on petrol mowers means most would be reasonable efficient. Electric needs a few more years to get closer to a tried and trusted petrol mower. And then there's value for dollar, lacking in electric presently

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

agreed! and well said!

[@Jayden-vo2vd]

I check it every use or at least every two uses and change your spark plug and air filter every year to

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

nice!

[@loading5100]

i think electric is good for home owners

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

yes I agree.

[@marcslafter5814]

never going to change to battery not this lifetime

[@christophermarshall5765]

Me either. Heavy grass like I have in my yard will drain a battery mower very fast. I have a battery line trimmer, but I use it only in the front yard, where I can't mow, & using the big petrol powered unit isn't feasible.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

yep you are correct.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

thank you!

[@peachsncream5808]

4:04 Wow that’s brilliant - this mower has a built in lawn clipping shaker 🥳 no more pesky buildup underneath the deck 😁 . Yep that’s me - a glass half full kinda guy , said NO ONE EVER 😂🤣😴😴😴

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

LOL!!

[@martint766]

Sorry parts mower only.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I see why

[@mikespain8655]

A 10 minute video takes you 10 hours to produce? Surprised that engine compression is that high with zero oil on dipstick. It should have seized or blown the connecting rod. I have seen three engines destroyed this year so far due to no oil. First thing to check is always oil.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

I know right, 3-4 hours to fix and film. 1-2 hours to pre-edit, 4-5 hours to script, and a couple to read, and final edit.

[@riceburner4747]

Yep, 2-3x's a year. Has anyone given u a mower CLEAN? 🤔😂🤣🙄

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

LOL!!! To be honest, one has, but It was a viewer who knew I like to clean them, so they did it for me.

[@AlessandroGenTLe]

There's no engine, regardless how good it is, that survives with no oil. These people are the same that destroys Toyota car engine because "what's maintenance??". What a waste of oxygen...

[@rustyrepairs2565]

Unless there is visible evidence of an oil leak, checking the oil once a month should be sufficient.

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

agreed

[@peachsncream5808]

Wow 10 to 12 hours To produce one of these vids . Dam Brother ….🥇🫂🥇 my appreciation and respect Just maxed out . I never imagined you were using so much of your Free time To share your knowledge with us . Between work and Other commitments it sounds like you have 🤯 Much appreciated . Crazy Ozzie out 👣🦘👍

[@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE]

yes my filming technique, editing, script writing, and Voice overs, take up more time than any of the repair work I do.