Toro Recycler Will Not Start

Helping a friend out with his Toro Recycler lawn mower. He stored it away for the Winter and come spring time it will not start. It is now late in the season and want to get this mower running for him.
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[@cameronerickson7869]

I do small engine mechanics for people in my town, whenever i fixed a mower, the customer would want to try it out. Most customers cut my front lawn for free hahahaha, they get carried away on testing their mower and mow my whole front lawn 👍

[@jcondon1]

That is a nice perk.

[@gradyhernandez4699]

I fix toros mostly

[@chillywilliedfw9093]

Winning

[@gradyhernandez4699]

@@chillywilliedfw9093 I'm.looking for toro and troy bilt mowers that need some work

[@chillywilliedfw9093]

@@gradyhernandez4699 For sure. I'm in Austin now you in the metroplex?

[@wildefox1478]

Nice work on that lawn mower James, an easy and simple fix!

[@ericvaughn1126]

A short on a Tuesday! We'll take it and glad it was a nice easy fix in this one, Jim.

[@chrisfielding9165]

I'm enjoying your videos Jim. They're very informative. I didn't realize that you could "wrench" like this. Great to see you and the gang as always this past weekend. I just subscribed, so we keep that algorithm going.

[@press2701]

Well done, nice vid. I like the calm, smooth pace. And appreciate the brevity, and even the quiet too!

[@user-fm6vm7gm5n]

Thank you so much for this video. I was able to get the mower started myself. Woo hoo!

[@Nelsonfasc]

I love the TORO sticker on the engine: “Guaranteed to start” 😂 It will start, but the question is when

[@dlchapman4311]

Ikr

[@gradyhernandez4699]

For it to start,have to have a clean & clear jet ( or jets- depending on model) I have To with kohler engine..6.5 hp. Starts quick model 23070 toro I used it this evening

[@gradyhernandez4699]

@@dlchapman4311 toro

[@SeattlePioneer]

@@gradyhernandez4699 Hay! TORO!! (Flapping my cape!)

[@gradyhernandez4699]

@@SeattlePioneer I work on these mowers

[@betamaxrules]

My neighbor was throwing away this exact same mower! It ran, but sputtered. Same thing, cleaned the carb and it started right up. Really great machine with tons of power.

[@lvl3592]

Yup the one I just bought won't start cleaning the carb and plug fired right up

[@dinkmartini3236]

thanks for sharing your knowledge. you make the world a better place.

[@chasboland]

Your how to video saved the day and money for me. TY!

[@stevemunro8559]

As a time served mechanic, I enjoy your calm methodical approach. Keep up the great videos. Best wishes from the U.K.

[@parttimepreppers9907]

Wow.... our wouldn't start did what you showed and even got the same little white Glob you got, now runs fine!!!Thanks much!😊

[@telsidapaez811]

Great camera angle and lighting. I enjoyed this video and learned a lot . Thank you!

[@kerrygleeson4409]

Thanks for sharing James 👍

[@mi_cheap_guns2925]

Thanks to you and others on here for the videos! I fixed a Troy Bilt and a Toro this year just by replacing the carburetor with new inexpensive carbs off of Amazon. Easy fix and a lot cheaper than buying a new mower! Even if I only get another year out of it, that’s a good return on a 15 dollar carburetor!

[@Hanson3]

I have a B&S Quantum engine GTS5 5.5hp on my 21" Toro 20463 model, Yr. 1995. Still running Strong!

[@stephenbridges2791]

Your friend must have disconnected that spring. It's hard to see how that would have come off, otherwise. Back when I worked, I straightened up many a friend's "mechanic job". Well done, sir.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Nice troubleshooting video @James Condon

[@edhall8911]

Getting ready to work on one exactly like this. Thanks

[@MatthewJennings-sb6fv]

Thanks for posting this- it helped me out with my toro and saved a bunch more time

[@jjblakeman]

Awesome! Thanks-you mine was sputtering like it wasn't getting enough gas. Took the bowl off and lots of fine grit. cleaned that and the jet and it runs like a top!

[@cliff.frankenberger]

James, love the way you explain exactly what you are thinking when you troubleshot. I noticed you are missing the third mounting bolt for the air box housing. You can clearly see the hole when you are putting it back on. I personally have two Quantum engines, one with the auto-choke system and one with the primer and they have slightly different mounting brackets behind the air box where that third bolt should thread in to. The two bolts that secure the air box to the carb housing will hold the air box securely, and that missing bolt is more important for a primer system as it helps to keep a good seal from the bulb to the carb. IMO, in your case (auto-choke) it is not needed, but the obvious issue is that hole is on the back side of the housing and will draw debris directly into the carb. Not sure if it’s a miss at the factory, or maybe your friend dissembled it and didn’t replace the mounting bracket that should be behind that empty hole (might explain the disconnected governor spring), or perhaps Briggs makes an air box housing with just two mounting bolts and the air box on that engine is not the original? Either way that empty hole should be sealed somehow.

[@watermanone7567]

NIce fix, lots of carbs get that jelly from ethanol gas. Thanks for a great video.

[@butler386]

Great video even though it required not a lot of repair. Should be a fantastic mower for someone. Thanks for the video.

[@amyholcomb6484]

Great content. I just got a used Toro and am checking out some maintenance ideas. Appreciate your time and info!

[@Rev-D1963]

It's amazing how little it takes to keep an engine from running. Good catches on the problems James, and thanks again for sharing your videos with us. God bless. Rev. D.

[@ccroson7935]

Wow that’s a beautiful lawnmower I wish I could afford to buy one of those

[@gradyhernandez4699]

I like Troy Bilt mowers Too. I fixed one of these " Curbside Find"! 🎵🎵Self propelled too !

[@lvl3592]

Just purchased it it's brand new I love it ,self propelled and dam nice 👌 275$ great price too

[@johncourtneidge]

As always, excellent! Thank-you!

[@waynescott9218]

Thanks for the video, I am working on a similar Toro Recycler that has not run in 8 years. Hope it is as simple as it looks.

[@rayshutsa6690]

That was an easy fix. Water is an enemy to gas. Thank you very much for the video. 😀❤🇨🇦

[@gradyhernandez4699]

Yes some put a plastic bag on gas tank and secure it with the gas cap ( when not in use logically) to prevent water in gas tank. Make sense (?)🎵🎵

[@alecsimages1]

When you know you know, good video James, only trouble now is I think its Thursday.

[@garrysgarage4753]

Thank for this video I'm working on a Troy built tb280es with this issue no spring.

[@brucehampton1545]

Great video. My neighbor has this mower and it will not start.I hope this will work for him. Thank u

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Don't take much to stop fuel and water is one of them good find on the water in the carb bowl and the clogged jet @James Condon

[@marathoner43]

Thank you for posting this James. I had the same problem on mine. It would start on starting fluid then die. I took the main jet out of the carb and and hit it with carb cleaner, put it back in and it's running like a champ.

[@jcondon1]

Glad to hear

[@johnwalterc]

before I took the mower apart I would have checked the safety gas cut off cable. Second I would have used the primer and increased the number of "pumps" to see if that will help start it . My 20 year old Toro requires 6 to 8 pumps t start it. My plugs usually last 3 or 4 seasons. Love me some WD40 as a starting fluid by way of removing the spark plug and shooting it into the cylinder. Very nice vid you have increased my understanding of Toro.

[@Big_Johns]

Good job James 👍🏼👍🏼

[@mjg263]

Nice mower and a great job! I wonder if he’s got bad gas in the storage tank or if something else happened to the one you brought to him. I sold a nice Toro mower to a guy last year after giving it a full service. When he got it home he started mowing his lawn then it ran out of gas, after he filled it back up it never ran again. I thought, “oh, obviously bad gas”. Nope…the ignition coil went open. I never saw it coming LOL!

[@cottonhw]

Hi, Thanks for the Great information and Demo of how to solve the problem. I had a friend that gave me the same mower and the carburator filter plug was clogged.

[@brucemoore4092]

I have a TORO recycler and it stopped running after 1 year !!! It was the cheap plastic carburetor !!!! Some say re-build - but for $25, I bought a replacement and BOOM it's working !!!

[@repairitdontwreckit4257]

As much as I enjoy the longer videos this was fun to watch. It showed people how important it is to check the basics which is important in any diagnostic jo

[@YukonHawk1]

Nice to mix things up a bit with a great Wednesday surprise. You must have hit the Staples 'Easy" button for this one. 👍👍👍😂😂😂 . Nice job.

[@jcondon1]

Maybe I should fix mowers more often.

[@YukonHawk1]

@@jcondon1 Maybe.👍👍 I think in one of your past vids you may have worked on one or two.

[@TylerEllingson-jj5rq]

Thanks for this video!

[@melvis2017]

Thanks for the great job very good explanations and good tips and tricks .appreciate 🇩🇰🙏👍

[@robnotman]

Thanks for your video. My mower sat for four years and after watching your video, I was able to fix it.😊

[@jcondon1]

Glad I could help!

[@johnmc6979]

Great video. I used your info last year to take mine apart, clean and it ran well. This year,after a few uses it was hard to start so I did the same thing. BUT on my carb bowl there is a washer/O ring at the top. Your mower did not seem to have this. Putting the bowl back on without having the washer slip off is murder. Is there a secret to getting the washer to stay in place or do I even need it at all. Great video especially pinching the fuel line with vice grips. Please answer as soon as you can since the only guy I can find to repair this for me wants $160. That is a lot for a pensioner. Thanks again and I look forward to hearing from you.

[@jaymondcharlie8875]

Thank you , very well explained

[@jameswordenjr.7628]

One of the very best things that I learned to do to prevent a carbureator from clogging up, is to use 1/4 a cup of 100% Acetone and place into the equipment's gas tank, and then fill it up with gas. The Acetone cleans the Carbureator while you are mowing. I do this twice a season and found that it works very well, and with no damage to the internal parts. It also grrs rid of excess engine carbon. I learned this from a man who has repaired small engines for over 45 years.

[@deangentles4966]

Hi James short class today mate a nice easy fix mower in good nic too

[@jcondon1]

Thanks Dean. Easy ones are always welcome. Got a lot of hard ones in the works.

[@jerrysorrell7775]

I had this exact same engine that wouldn’t start yesterday. I cleaned the carb which already looked clean and it started right up. Doesn’t take much to clog up that carb.

[@HobbyMotorDK]

Nice mower James - and that Quantum - well B&S should bring it back 😃

[@jcondon1]

I agree. I liked them a lot. Easy to work on.

[@jr7003]

Wow! Excellent!

[@time2cclear]

yeahhhhhhhhhhhh !! when someone tries to explain things to me i never seem to understand them . i am a dummy . But thanks to youtube videos i can see exactly the entire process . thank you for making this video . God Bless you . signed , the Dummy 😁😁🤪

[@codyramos3200]

Bought 1 just like this for 20$ ... would only run for a second and die. .. I bought It from a buddy of mine . He destroyed the carb trying to get mower running amongst losing the linkages for governor. Ended up just swapping the kohler out with a honda gcv160 that I had . Has to be my favorite self propelled mower I've ever used since the john deer 14sb I had a lifetime ago.

[@kennethmccubbin608]

Thanks. Very helpful.

[@jamesrochester787]

Acronym I was taught when gasoline engine won’t start: FAST. Fuel, Air, Spark, Timing. This one fuel due to clogged jet. I noticed no O ring on bowl. I guess if float, needle, seat working should not be an issue but don’t most carburetors have an O ring between bowl and body of carb? Nice job on these videos. Thanks

[@Suncast45]

Cheaper products every year. My son bought a house to flip recently. A 2019 Toro Recycler was in the garage. Looks like it was never used. Starts then stops. So yeah, I'll take the carb off and clean the tubes and bowl ! That top shroud cover has 2 screws and under the Front a hook that holds it in place. You have to remove the screws at the back then gently push bac and tilt up on the front to get it off. I learned that from another KZbinr! Thanks for the info!

[@John-cb6wn]

Well done

[@flacoface]

Excellent video! I replaced the carburetor & bowl assembly and spark plug, still nothing. Your video showed me other options before I discard the mower. Thanks.

[@SeattlePioneer]

In the repair biz, we call that "Easter Egging." Just replacing parts and hoping that will solve the problem. The alternative is to learn to accurately diagnose the problem and identify any specific parts that might be needed. Were you able to repair your mower?

[@rickthelian2215]

Easy fix, in good condition for it’s age

[@kpdvw]

Lucky you an easy fix....!

[@gravelyman]

Nice job. Good video!!!

[@jcondon1]

Thanks

[@davidbohner2061]

Like the way you check every possible cause of non start including spark plug gap👍🏻

[@Clearanceman2]

I got troubles. One muffler bolt on my 2004 super recycler stripped out so I tried to drill it and the whole corner of the aluminum on the jug broke away. The only thing I can think to do is clean it well, buy JB weld for high temps, fill it in and let it dry well, then carefully drill a hole in the right place and tap it for a helicoil. It's either that or change the jug. Got the High temp JB weld on order for tomorrow. Going to give it a try. I think it might work. I got the right size helicoil. Wish these had the kind of muffler that screws in the muffler hole.

[@twofeathers6540]

great show so thank you have fun

[@joebrock9784]

That bolt is only part of the main jet there's also a jet up the center of the carburetor just like your generators that screws out with a screwdriver that has many many little tiny holes in it sometimes they'll run by cleaning that and putting it back together sometimes you have to pull the jet out like you do on your generator carburetors

[@ebfromwyoming4118]

nice job

[@jcondon1]

Thanks!

[@PoppinWheeliez]

nice for a change.

[@MrHugawa]

that didn't even test your skill...lol, may have tested mine though... thanks for the video!

[@jcondon1]

It was an easy one for sure.

[@nelsonsantos770]

Mine is similar. new carburetor, new ignition coil or armature, fresh gas, new spark plug and still doesn't want to run! I also add fuel additive - seafoam and stabilizer to the fuel.

[@MrCarl312]

You should always check the spark plug. The spark tester only cares about a ground. The spark plug could be shorted. Which can be checked with an ohm metter. Spark plug should read infinity.

[@markae0]

In the video he measured the spark gap, assuming there is no short

[@mrodriguez5259]

Magnific

[@GeirAndersenRepairs]

Weird how the governor spring was disconnected like that. I don't see much Toros over here, maybe one during a season. In all my years with small engines, I've seen one Toro Recycler. I've heard very good things about them though.

[@jcondon1]

They are a good mower fir the price.

[@MRDavisFamily]

Hi James - love the channel. Looking for some advice. Have this exact mower. This spring as part of my maintenance I removed and cleaned the carb, changed the oil, new air filter - all the usual stuff. Since then the engine is doing 2 things - it is surging and it won't restart after running for awhile. I have checked and done the following: purchased after-market carb and replaced; emptied cleaned the gas tank and line; used new fuel; replaced the spark plug. I think my restart problem is the automatic choke; the spring looks very worn. I have a new one coming in a few days but I am not sure if that will also fix my surging issue. The carb has no adjustments that I can see and the new carb is behaving exactly like the old carb - so I probably cleaned the old one just fine (thanks to you). Any thoughts on what I should look for next for the surging?

[@michaelhuey4187]

Nice change of pace video, James👍

[@jcondon1]

Thanks 👍

[@thepoopsoup]

After a carburetor cleaning I always put a couple of tablespoon full of gumout in the fuel tank.

[@EPHONIC]

Thanks for a great video. My Toro makes a slight ticking rattle sound repetitively with the engine running. Do you know if that is normal? Yours made a slight similar noise when you tested at 12:10 in your video.

[@jackgarcia3301]

The right way of tipping a lawnmower over is from the front end also when working on your blade detach the spark plug boot you don't want it to start

[@MikeJones-jr5hb]

What I've noticed on these style of gas caps on these engines, debris gathers underneath cap. I have two of them & my son had one & he give it to me because of clogged carb. I wipe off the under side of cap before screwing it back on to keep debris from falling in the gas tank. I don't know if the tank has a screen in it or not but if it does it's not doing it's job very well. Since I've been cleaning off the underside of cap when fueling, about 3yrs now, I've had no more issues.

[@scottelliott3074]

Thank you

[@allrock1238]

If there is a vent in the fuel tank cap, and it becomes plugged as mower draws fuel it will form a vacuum over the fuel in the tank and cut off the flow of fuel making the motor quit after a few mins of run time (restarting after it sits for a while) ,, (if the vent is restricted but not totally plugged it can also make the motor surge as it lowers fuel flow to the carburetor bowl mimicking a dirty carburetor jet) .. I have seen this issue trick more then a few people trying to diagnose this problem.. The runs a few min's and quits. or runs well for a few min's then starts to surge like its starving of fuel are symptoms to check for a bad vent in the cap,, if the problem goes away with the cap temporary removed address the plugged or restricted gas cap vent.

[@bosshogg6]

Same. I actually switched tanks to one with another style cap because I just kept having problems with debris in the carb, even though I cleaned out the tank a few times.

[@scottelliott3074]

@@allrock1238 0

[@lionbolt2136]

So I have the same exact mower. But to get it to run, I had to take the top spring on the carb off. I can't explain why that is since the top spring is essential.

[@ogrebeast64]

The carby is the very first thing I check, especially if it's a Tecumseh engine.

[@evilredBoris]

I am willing to call james one of the big small engine repair youtube channels. Like steves small engine saloon or donyboy or kens small enginr.

[@autumn1231]

Just bought a toro from HD 3 weeks ago. Would not start yesterday. Returning the POS tomorrow. My 16 yr old Honda still starts first pull but the axle broke.

[@johnhouli3450]

Ty James looks like you didn’t add the third bolt in the air box

[@MrStickman666]

simple stuff sometimes lol. And most people throw it to the trash!

[@martynbuzzing3327]

I thought these recyclers are more of a mulching machine and should be used on shorter grass to mulch rather than pick up? Good fix 👍

[@izaacsilva9148]

That gooey stuff is from the ethanol from sitting

[@refridgedude1841]

What would cause an extreme lean condition on a troy built similar to this? Carb has been cleaned...and even replaced. Engine will not run at all without the choke on full. Runs great with the choke. Soon as I leave the choke open a tiny bit it starts misfiring and wants to die. Seems like a fuel issue but both the original carb and a brand new one act the same. I did find they had the oil way overfilled...I corrected that bit wondering if it damaged something. They also had hit something and bent the blade... but replaced that and replaced the upper flywheel key anyway even though it wasn't sheared. Just seems odd...it runs perfectly and smoothly with choke on full but leans out and wants to die when opening it. Carb gaskets look fine as well... thought maybe a vacuum leak between the head and Carb but they seem fine too. Kind of stumped.

[@tazzybass]

I have the same mower

[@jameshedrick6839]

Another easy fix

[@joel383]

A snort of ether is faster than spark tester, checking bowl etc.

[@timtweet8149]

Wher do you go to searching for engine specs? I have been looking at mostly b&s for engine, but its difficult to find things like torque or valve gaps. I know if its engines go to the oem but if its mower parts or accessories it the manufacturer. Ive trued parts tree once.

[@coleallen8657]

My daughter has one of those , says guarantee start and no oil change required 😅 Funny stuff , I change the oil so it probably voided warrente.

[@jcondon1]

lol, definitely change the oil.

[@JasonJayJJ1]

I just fixed a Toro Super Recycler, 2013 model, the same way you did this lawnmower in the video, but I still need to use starter fluid or carb cleaner in the carb throat cavity to start it up after it's been sitting for over a day or so. It starts up every time and runs normally after spraying in the carb throat and I can stop and start it as many times as I want once it has started that first time with the starter fluid. I have no idea why it constantly needs starter fluid in the throat after it's been sitting for over a day? Any ideas?

[@RustyNail5856]

sometimes it is just a easy fix. when some people just will trow it to the curb.

[@Joe-xu8sk]

Just curious is. the bowl washer/ gasket a standard size of most TORO mowers

[@Hugo_Overthere]

The likely culprit here is those gas cans with the stupid valved filler necks. The necks collect debris while sitting. Then when you invert the can to fill the mower it dumps the debris into the fuel tank. People need to replace the filler necks with plain screw-on caps, and use funnels with screen filters.

[@SeattlePioneer]

That sounds like an excellent idea. I think the military is always draining and filtering unused fuel after an exercise. You suppose there's a reason for that other than keeping people busy?

[@michaelgonzales7655]

Take off the filter cover and filter put carb cleaner in the carb hole if it starts then dies it's a gas issue and carb but you do have spark. Dump the gas and unscrew the carb bolt like he did and put fresh gas. If it does the same thing starts and dies you have to give it a carb cleaning and a lawnmower mechanic has to do that.

[@philliphall5198]

I hardly ever use my mowers because I’m testing the customer mower and if I have time I mow it All Lololo 😊