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Lawnmower and small gasoline engine advice and tips needed
self | 4 16 2018 | self

Posted on 04/16/2018 7:50:15 AM PDT by dennisw

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To: editor-surveyor

“Troy is the same as MTD

They all have Briggs engines now because briggs has a carb that always starts on the first pull.

Honda is no longer competitive because of this.

Just do not store it full of gas or it may never run again.
The orifice in the carb is no longer bronze, its plastic, and may swell shut from the alcohol in the gas.”

The Troy/MTD “is no longer competitive because of this.”


161 posted on 04/22/2018 10:10:29 AM PDT by CodeToad (The Democrats haven't been this pissed off since the Republicans took their slaves away.)
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To: CodeToad

.
Its the only easy start mower on the market.
.


162 posted on 04/22/2018 11:59:36 AM PDT by editor-surveyor (Freepers: Not as smart as I'd hoped they'd be)
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To: dennisw

.
Read all the fine print in the coupons!

They’re not good for power equipment unless they are specially for that piece of equipment.


163 posted on 04/22/2018 12:06:33 PM PDT by editor-surveyor (Freepers: Not as smart as I'd hoped they'd be)
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To: dennisw

.
Troy is no longer built by the people that built them in the ‘80s.
.


164 posted on 04/22/2018 12:09:54 PM PDT by editor-surveyor (Freepers: Not as smart as I'd hoped they'd be)
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To: editor-surveyor

I have an easy start Honda. Usually starts on the first pull. The JD also easy starts when I turn the key. :)


165 posted on 04/22/2018 12:12:23 PM PDT by CodeToad (The Democrats haven't been this pissed off since the Republicans took their slaves away.)
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To: dennisw
Read the book that comes with the mower and follow the suggestions. If you didn't receive a booklet, look it up on the Internet. If it says ‘do not use gas with ethanol' pay attention - - what it means is 'the next time' - - your new mower won't start - ever again.
166 posted on 04/22/2018 12:13:59 PM PDT by GOPJ ( "Universities are becoming laughing stocks of intolerance." - Harvard professor Steven Pinker)
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To: yarddog

The best way to keep an engine running is to keep running the engine.

If you can’t follow that at least
Run it dry if you store for more than 3 months
Make sure air filter is always at least THERE
Check the oil before every start.


167 posted on 04/22/2018 12:19:21 PM PDT by freedomlover
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To: buffaloguy

“Sharpen and balance the blade every 4 uses”
——-
Dude! No offense but something tells me you have a ver well organized and spotless garage ;)

Good for you. My grass cutting consists of a squirt of starter fluid, whatever gas I can find, cut the grass and shoehorn the thing back in the garage.


168 posted on 04/22/2018 12:26:37 PM PDT by freedomlover
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To: editor-surveyor

I will read the fine print on the Harbor Freight 20% off coupon. You really do need a magnifying glass to do this! For real!


169 posted on 04/22/2018 1:09:19 PM PDT by dennisw (The strong take from the weak, but the smart take from the strong)
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To: GOPJ

10% ethanol gasoline is OK for this new lawn mower. But I am going to try to buy and run regular with no ethanol most of the time.

I have the booklet that it comes with and I have the online PDF for this Briggs Stratton engine.


170 posted on 04/22/2018 1:12:40 PM PDT by dennisw (The strong take from the weak, but the smart take from the strong)
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To: freedomlover

Boy did you read my garage wrong. Some in my neighborhood are into the cleanest garage competition. I personally go with the “who can get the most projects going in the maximum number of disciplines.

The garage is a happy mess.3


171 posted on 04/22/2018 1:24:00 PM PDT by buffaloguy (Bond arms Cowbots well as s)
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To: editor-surveyor

You sir are correct! And I hit Walmart today and I got some of their #30 weight oil they claim is especially for lawnmowers. Right next to it was a #30 oil for engines that they called heavy and another #30 oil with no detergents for gears and other purposes.


172 posted on 04/22/2018 2:57:57 PM PDT by dennisw (The strong take from the weak, but the smart take from the strong)
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To: buffaloguy

Good for you. I might sharpen a blade if I change a spindle - but I treat my mowers more like bushogs anyway. ;)


173 posted on 04/22/2018 5:37:32 PM PDT by freedomlover
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To: dennisw

My questions are:

synthetic oil? No

regular oil? Yes 30wt Valvoline or mower specific oil. Multi grade oils tend to lose viscosity at the high temperatures that an air cooled engine operates at.

Change it once a year at the beginning of season.
-
Use the manufactures recommended octane fuel. No alcohol if available. We run Trufuel at work and over a period of time, I have noticed the engines just start a lot easier.

To high of an octane could conceivably burn an exhuast valve due to the slower burn rate.

We really do not have the option of no alcohol fuel so I run Stabil. It is not a perfect solution but seems to help. Alcohol based fuel is good for 2 months or so tops. Keep it fresh by dumping it in your car and buying new. The car won’t know the difference with a bit of not prime fuel mixed into 20 gallons.

Air cooled runs much hotter than a water cooled engine hence the oil breakdown.

I would cut the fuel line and add a filter if there is not already one. Briggs sells a good one.


174 posted on 04/22/2018 6:02:13 PM PDT by Clay Moore (MAGA)
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To: Clay Moore

Very good advice that I am pretty much following. I bought some Sta-Bil. Am using straight 30 weight oil. The fuel line is so short that I had to choose...and chose putting in a fuel cut off valve. I am going to strain all fuel that goes in the tank. In lieu of having a fuel filter. I wish I had room for both fuel filter and fuel shut of valve.

When I am thru mowing I will close the fuel shut off valve and run the engine until it is dry. I want a dry carburetor. This helps keep it gunk free. BTW Honda engines have a fuel shut off valve. The GVC160 that is lots of lawnmowers and is same size 163cc as my Briggs Stratton.


175 posted on 04/22/2018 6:24:33 PM PDT by dennisw (The strong take from the weak, but the smart take from the strong)
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