Toro Timemaster 3 Year Tune-Up

[@stevepequigney875]

This video really got me out of a hole - my Timemaster starting running rough after a gas fill when I thought I saw debris go into the tank. I emptied the tank, used a shop vac to suck out remains, put on new fuel filter, air filter, check fuel lines, completely cleaned the carb. Final solution was replacing the two springs. If I'd seen this video first I likely would have spent a lot less time since it would have given me a clue why it revved up and down. Will replace spark plug and oil at end of season. Very thankful!!! Thanks also to Steven Meltz for parts clarification.

[@danroot84]

Great video. Valuable even a few years later. The only suggestion I have is to replace drive and blade belts during this 3-year as well. Already have the time invested so why not. Thank you!!

[@pondjc]

For my Timemaster's engine #121S02-0130-F1 I was instructed to order the following by Briggs& Stratton: 796926 governor spring 692135 brake spring 799179 choke return spring I'm changing all the springs because I can see them "bouncing" when running causing a rough idle and smoking for a while at startup. Pulling the level forward and holding it essentially bypasses the spring and revs the engine. Hold the lever steady and the idle is steady too. Definitely think new springs will do the trick. Thank you for the video!

[@cripplerX]

thank you for the video, took mine apart and wasn't able to find where the tinny left bracket spring went. you video was the only source of where the springs went

[@emeraldlandscapemaintenanc8711]

Very helpful information Thank you!!!! Just a suggestion place a fuel valve for future changes of fuel filter.

[@johnkinnane547]

G'day and greetings from Tasmania Australia 🇦🇺, thank you for videoing this annual servicing especially showing the hour meter which I didn't know you could get, great idea I have purchased the same one so thank you. Regards John

[@slotslidershoslotcars]

Great video. Love my Toro Time master ! If you are honest with yourself and do the maintenance shown here on time ,this mower will run great for many many years.

[@busterblastereast]

Excellent video! The governor spring on mine got detached and bent by a cypress tree branch. I could not figure out where it reattached until I watched your video. I’m going to replace the other spring too and I already built a wire mesh cover for the carb area so it doesn’t happen again. Thanks!

[@thersten]

great job. closeups of the spring connections would have been nice.

[@msilv8335]

Excellent and comprehensive tutorial. I’ve saved this for reference. Thanks for the effort!

[@diyard3001]

What symptoms were you seeing that indicated you needed new springs? My Timemaster has a surging idle problem after running for a while, but not when the blades are engaged.

[@swimbait1]

The only thing I would add is the belt cover. Remove it and you will see it’s completely full of grass. I clean mine out once every couple months.

[@johnslawncaretips4103]

Make sure check the gap on the spark plug just to sure before putting in the gap on the timemaster .30

[@roynaraine5580]

Thank you very much, that confirms my suspicion.

[@timcallahan1055]

@On The Workbench - If I missed it, I'm sorry. Did you happen to capture what Engine Model your Briggs & Stratton is? As they did change some throughout production years. Thanks in advance

[@OnTheWorkbench]

The mower is model #20200, electric start.

[@JDT859]

did you check your idle RPM after changing out springs? what should your idle RPM be for this motor? Thanks!

[@robertrich4756]

I need to see where the engine side of the governor spring connects but your hands are in the way. Is there a hole or hook or something

[@roynaraine5580]

I am having problems finding OEM fuel filter for my Toro timemaster. The ones I found said it works with fuel pump. The question I have is, does the Timemaster have a fuel pump or is the fuel gravity fed?

[@OnTheWorkbench]

It is gravity fed. The engine is a Briggs and Stratton so the inine fuel filter should be easy to find, though it will not say Toro or Timemaster.

[@roynaraine5580]

I noticed that when I mowed with my timemaster, I would have to keep the motor running whenever I take a break or else the motor won't restart if I shut it off. Sometimes I would have to wait an hour or longer to try restarting it. What do you think is the problem? Thanks

[@kenmows4u338]

@@roynaraine5580 Vapor Lock possibly, I've had the same issue in exstream heat with mine, take the air filter off for 10 minutes and the gas will dry then should start

[@stevewichmann1699]

I appreciate the video. However I can't really see exactly where the governor springs attach because your hands were in the way. Can you tell/show more specifically where they attach, please?

[@mrpcakes]

well this is interesting 15:16 mine has been hanging off for at least a year and never knew what that was for .

[@tyranusmaul]

When I pull the lever back (to get the blades spinning) on my Timemaster it shuts off. Sometimes I can get it to start for a few seconds but once I start to engage the self-propelled handle it shuts off or if I lift the front end off the ground it shuts off. Has anybody experienced these same issues?

[@timcallahan1055]

I'm dealing with that now. I'm going to try to replace the springs and clean the jet & carb bowl.

[@OnTheWorkbench]

I agree with Tim on the springs and cleaning the carb bowl. A loose spring can shut down your mower quickly under load.

[@MRSOMTHINBASIC]

👍 now i gotta get mine done lol

[@Bowlerwithcamera]

Couple questions if you have time. My time master has been having trouble getting through even a light cutting. I’m not sure what the function of a governor spring is but do you think that a worn spring would be a potential cause? Second I hit a low branch with my mower and am having a nightmare of a time finding the part number of the intake housing (the shaft that my air filter slides over has snapped off). How can I find the correct part number? It’s the part that you took off at about the 6 minute mark.

[@OnTheWorkbench]

The governor regulates the engine speed and the spring is an essential part of that mechanism; if the front spring is loose/broken the mower will lose power as the idle spring will choke off the air flow to the engine. I'd suggest verifying that the springs are properly connected and not broken or loose. The part number for the intake assembly is most likely #796492 and it seems to sell for between $25 and $32, amzn.to/2HqBrWC www.jackssmallengines.com/jacks-parts-lookup/part/briggs-stratton/796492

[@conservative599]

What year do you have? If 2015 or earlier, won't have the High Lift Blades kit. Then it won't fill a bag if damp. Never had any spring issues. Just replace the carb with NON ORIGINAL brand, see my posts under Conservative 599.

[@rich788]

Did the mower start after you finished?

[@conservative599]

I have a comment, some replacement filters, even Briggs bought at Toro dealer do NOT get enough fuel level to fill and flow. So I replaced the TANK with my old Honda CGV360 tank house-wired on top, and buy the $7 Fuel Hose and shutoff knob kit at Home Depot. Cut the new hose where convient for a new filter, shutoff, and rise way up to the Honda tank. Other reason was the lousy fuel cap/O ring kept leaking! My new 2013 model had a working filter, but kept putting METAL in the oil. HD gave me a 2012 Demo with NO filter, poor paint underneath, and a warped bag. Other issue is NO hot start, other than spraying carb cleaner with the filter assy pulled off. IMPORTANT - missed in this video, DON'T REUSE the crummy black carb gasket, get new ones or real starting issues. From Briggs I saw a there is a metal carb heat shield on retrofit for hard starting, but just cut a 3 x 6" piece of FOIL FACED R Max board, smack a dent for the fuel bowl, and push it in place held below by the belt guard cover. Also, just BUY one of the non-Briggs carbs and it starts WAY better. Finally, buy ALL the bearings you can find, and both control cables; they last 2 years maybe. Been running mine modified since 2014. Last IMPORTANT suggestion is take off the muffler and drive cover as lots of grass get in there, and put NEVER SEIZE goop on ALL bolts from new. Also my wakling speed drive cable bracket broke off and the switch. Permanent cable to side handlebar fix was strong rubber or foam 2 sided tape, and a strong HOSE CLAMP.

[@conservative599]

OOPS - FORGOT A HUUUGE SUGGESTION. There were RECALLS for dangerous Blade Hubs back around 2014. The biggest improvement you can make is buy the HIGH LIFT blade kit. Previously the stock kit would NOT fill the bag, forget about damp grass. NOW with the HIGH LIFT kit and hubs, it PACKS the bag tightly full. I believe 2015+ had it standard.

[@robertjames6255]

Nice video

[@benitolozano1042]

I have the same identical mower but mine is blowing oil out of the crankcase breather tube. What could be the problem. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

[@framelawncare6671]

Blown headgasket? over filled with oil?

[@wakeupidiotsnow2611]

Briggs and Stratton is way down on my list. Kohler engine is a work horse and my Cougar 17hp is a powerhouse for my 42”Cub Cadet RZT with 400 hours and only 3 tuneups in 12 years. So, your hours mowing will definitely be reduced at 15K SFT fescue lawn.

[@jimschoof6517]

I have the exact same model. There is nowhere to hook the governor spring, and your hands are in the way. What does it hook to?

[@cherokeefiddler]

You did not show the oil change. Since I don't have a vacuum pump, is it ok to turn this engine on its side to drain? Anyone? Thanks.

[@OnTheWorkbench]

That is probably the most common way to do it as this mower does not have a drain plug. I have done it that way to multiple times, you will be ok!

[@joev3315]

what do you use to clean the plastic parts, can you use carb cleaner, or brake cleaner

[@OnTheWorkbench]

I simply used soap and water for the plastic, though carb cleaner would have worked too.

[@daltonkforsythe]

Do these have a battery? Mine won’t crank at all.

[@OnTheWorkbench]

The electric / key start ones do have a battery that is user replaceable.

[@theycallmelos6103]

Battery for key ignition has a charger

[@StevenMeltz]

Thanks for the video. I have the same TimeMaster 30 with Briggs and Stratton Engine: 121S020130F1 According to Toro Parts Diagrams for all years and models the engine is the same. Searching parts for Briggs and Stratton Engine 121S020130F1 shows different part numbers for both springs you replaced. I'm showing: Spring Governor: Briggs and Stratton part number: 796926 - www.ereplacementparts.com/springgovernor-p-1730717.html Spring-Choke Return : Briggs and Stratton Part Number: 799179 - www.ereplacementparts.com/springchoke-return-p-1730666.html Edit: After calling Briggs and Stratton directly the 2 numbers that I listed above are the correct part numbers for all TimeMaster 30 models as of this post 1/5/2019

[@timcallahan1055]

My TimeMaster has engine model 121S17-0127-F2 So not all the same engines in all years.

[@TheGaboni809]

Hi. Will these parts fit my timemaster model 20199 ?

[@BillaDaKilla]

I changed my oil, blades, air filter and spark plug... Now my time master is leaking oil through the exhaust.

[@conservative599]

That happened to me today on my hillside yard section. Knew it might happen as I overfilled it the day before. On flat level, pull, wipe and fully push in thre dipstick. Mine was almost 1/2" above the top line. It started grey smoking out the muffler, I shut it down immediately, let it all cool an hour, then use a container, move the big handle to upright position, and tipped out some oil, maybe 1/4 qt. Put in the dipstick and lower your handle assembly and it will start and clear out in a few seconds.

[@stevec9102]

It is not a lid, it is commonly called a cover.

[@juveruiz5015]

I need help with my 30 ”timemaster lawn mower toro I did the tune up and now it is turning off frequently can you help me with this please?

[@OnTheWorkbench]

My guess without actually seeing it is that there is an issue with the carburetor springs. That is assuming you have fresh, clean fuel, a clear air filter, proper amount of SAE 30/ 5W-30 oil, and a clean spark plugs.

[@cleancutslawncare]

If you have the newer 30 toro, that gasket will be 691894

[@johnslawncaretips4103]

The gap on that spark plug is.30

[@OnTheWorkbench]

Toro has used several similar looking B&S engines on these mowers. The spark plug gap is almost always 0.020 though there is some variation in recommended spark plug. Here are two models each with a 0.020 spark plug gap: www.toro.com/en/parts/partdetails?id=43529 (0.02 gap) www.toro.com/en/parts/partdetails?id=36596 (0.02 gap, different plug than above)

[@DARKKNIGHT56999]

don't order your Toro Timemaster mower from Home Depot, shity service from Estes Freight and HD ordered on 10/6/18 and as of 10/16 mine was going back and forth from EL PASO, TX and st. Louis,ms for two weeks know (original delivery date of 10/15/2018). just updated still in TX and now a estimated delivery of 10/22/18. WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@1jantheman1]

Your links do me no good unless I know your model number.

[@excelerater]

worst mover ever that never starts