This channel is about daily activities that go on in and around our camp on a lake in a remote part of central Nova Scotia. Being sort of isolated these activities include trying to be as self sufficient as my wife and I can be. We make, create, re-use, re-purpose as much as we can. Activities will include such things as: carpentry, wood work, mechanical repairs and maintenance, plumbing, gardening, canning, home crafts, tractor work, yard work, water-born activities, ATV riding, and generally anything that we can tackle in the great outdoors.
It never ends. There is always a repair to do. You definitely got lucky. It is better to be completely locked out so one is not running the engine with thinned out oil. Now you are good for a while. Enjoy the lawn mowing. Thanks Mike. Stevo
The first Troy-Bilt mower I bought was after the new and improved anti siphon valves were installed. The geniuses at the EPA wanted to prevent mowers from polluting so they were going to require catalytic converters on all small engines. That was a cheap solution. I bet not. The engineers at the small engine companies said they could make exhaust systems with after burner designed to run so hot they would burn up any pollution. Well they did run hot. So hot they would ignite the fuel in the cylinder with the magneto grounded. No spark just dieseling along. As long as the engine is turning the fuel is sucked into the cylinder and so there's yer problem. Rather than give it up as a bad idea from the start they added the solenoid valve on the float bowl. That shuts off the entrance to the emulsion tube from the float bowl so no gas can enter the venturi. Problem solved. Not quite. Alcohol soaked gas pulls water out of the air and sucks it on past the pin on the end of the solenoid. It's an iron pin. Has to be it is a solenoid and must be magnetic. Could be stainless but whoa they didn't want to spend too much. So the engine is running and the solenoid is energized. The magnet pulls the pin open. When the engine is shut off the power to the solenoid quits and it shuts off the emulsion tube. Usually anyway. When the pin corrodes it takes more than the little spring in the solenoid to seat it. It leaks. My Troy-Bilt was filling the crankcase every time I shut it down. I started turning off the gas valve and the problem went away. Pain in the butt to have to pull the cover and shut off the valve every time I used it. Even worse when someone else used it and started it with the engine full of gasoline. Luckily no explosions. Just lots of flame in the exhaust pipe. The crankcase vents into the carb intake through a rubber hose. The problem stopped when I switched to the "recreational gas.' Alcohol free! Wheee! I got rid of the problem by paying $1.50 more per gallon for gasoline. Fancy name and even fancier price. Costs more to buy less additives. Just like removing lead ended up jacking up the price. In any case I just shut off the tank when I wasn't running the mower. That was after carb cleaning multiple times. Then replacing the carb. That worked for a while but I didn't stop buying regular no lead because "recreational gas" didn't exist. That meant 10% alcohol in the fuel. The solinoid went bad again. Then I started buying recreational gas and the next mower ran fine and is still running.
How's she goin'? Interesting story of how the anti-backfire solenoid came into use. They sure do seem to cause a lot of issues. But I like your thoughts that all these issues were caused by ethanol/alcohol in the fuel. I'm not too sure if we're saving the planet or not but putting ethanol in the fuel. Maybe a lot less emissions from engines, but the emissions that are created from making all these 'throw away' parts due to them being damaged by the fuel additives, well I'm not tool sure it balances out even. And all these parts seem to come from offshore, and their pollution rules and regs are a lot slacker than ours and so they can make these parts for a lot less and sell them for a lot less and we'll keep buying them for a lot less. It's like China and places like that have this master plan, get the western world to buy into pollution free mid set and then paying for them will ruin the countries financially and we'll take over since we'll be the only country left that has any kind of manufacturing capabilities. We're doomed I think!! Take care!!
How's she goin'? You know Dave that's what I thought at first too, but the fuel will only flow past that solenoid if it's not shut off by the bowl float and valve. So I think is was some dirt or grit that got caught up in the needle valve seat and kept the float from closing. Thanks for commenting. Take 'er easy!!
How's she goin'?? Wow, how nice is this having a viewer from Argentina!! I'm glad you enjoyed the video and I hope you can come back again sometime soon!! Take 'er easy!!
Good morning Mike, Thanks for explaining how it actually happens. I love it when I learn something! Hot and humid weekend, stay hydrated. Have a good one, Ben 👋😎👍
How's she goin'? Glad the video was of value to you Ben. It sure is hoy=t and humid eh. I hope the humidity breaks soon!! Stay cool and take 'er easy!!
Good day eh. I am sensing from your comments that you aren't a fan of my flexi top link set up. In my case if the bolt breaks, and it's not a grade 8 bolt BTW, then that means the implement will really be able to follow the lay of the land. The idea of the flexi link is to have the implement stay on the ground and not be forced down when the front of the tractor is raised up because of a swale or rock and it not be lifted up off the grade if the front of the tractor enters into a low spot. The implement is meant to stay on the ground as the tractor meanders over uneven terrain so that the results are a nice flat and level surface, not a wavey one. I hope you understand. Thanks for tuning in. Take 'er easy!!
3/8,s chains links on each end,4 links,remander of it 1 inch square tube welded together,think safety,could hit pto if back should happen to get raised up through ditch
How's she goin'? I appreciate you watching and commenting. Not too sure what you mean by 'could hit PTO'. I don't use the PTO when I have an implement that needs a flexi top link. But I agree, safety is always something we should think about!! Take care!!
Excellent video Mike! I’m definitely going to put a fuel shut off on my gas line now. I have the exact same engine in my ride on. Thanks for this! Cheers and have a good weekend my friend.
How's she goin'? Thanks for the comment Mike. The thing with gravity feed gas tanks is, if the float valve doesn't stop the fuel, it will run the tank dry. I put a fuel shut off in my line, but I only shut it off in the fall!! LOL I'll have to start doing that all the time now eh!! A big sign on the steering wheel will be needed to remind me to turn the fuel on!! Take 'er easy!!
How's she goin'? Thanks Ross. I really enjoy RU-vid, both watching and creating. I hope I can get a lot more years out of this hobby!! LOL Take 'er easy!!
Great job on this Mike. The pieces you were taking off the carburetor the more I was thinking how you were going to remember where everything goes back 😂 cause I wouldn’t be able to 😂. Thanks Brother!
How's she goin'? There was a time when I was terrified of carbs. But that was back in the days when I could reason and think of consequences!! Now-a-days I just rip into it!! LOL Thanks for the comment brother. Take 'er easy!!
Good job on the repair Mike, you are back up and running. You are right carbs are throwaways nowadays. Closing the fuel shut-off after using the mower would prevent the fuel from flowing, but then you have to be mindful of that. I know for myself I would forget from time to time, lol. Take care!
How's she goin'? I was surprised to find that the emulsion tube was not removable. Yep, it's becoming a throw away world eh!! That is the big problem with the fuel shut off eh. I have a fuel shut off but trying to remember to open it when I want to use the tactor would be a real stretch!! LOL Thanks for watching Paul. Take 'er easy!!
How's she goin'? I was totally surprised with the emulsion tube not being removable. I guess they are throw away now. There are other things that caused this carb to be an issue. Things like a bad air filter and fuel filter and I plan on making a video to discuss this point. Take 'er easy!!
Nice job Mike, I was recently given an identical mower that had carb issues. I too didn't like the fact I couldn't remove the emulsion tube to thoroughly clean it. I did have to replace the ACR spring, luckily I had a donor engine handy with a good spring. 🙂👍
Hello there John!! Great to see you on again. I was surprised the emulsion tube was not removable. Like I posted in the vid, I guess carbs are throw away now eh! So I'm guessing the ACR spring is the dampening spring on the throttle linkage. Is that right? I bent mine trying to get it off, but it seems to be OK now. Thanks for dropping by. I hope you are doing well and enjoying the summer. Take 'er easy!!
Good to see you too brother, it’s been a few weeks. The ACR is the auto compression release located on the cam shaft inside the engine. It has a very weak spring attached to it and when it breaks the engine will be very hard to turn over if any. It’s all good now (until this one breaks) 🤣👍🏼
How's she goin'? You ain't lying there Dave. I lost about $20 worth of fuel!! But then again, if the shed ever burns down, it'll go quick!! LOL Take 'er easy!!
Hello Grampie. I'm not sure if you have a fuel shut off. If hot install one between the filter and tank. I would also replace the fuel filter. Anyway great job on the repair. Have a great weekend 🙏🔧👍
How's she goin'? That's a good plan Artie and in fact I do have a fuel shut off but never use it. I will from now on though. And the other thing is the fuel filter. The filter I have on the tractor was a cheap one and this is the result. There was some dirt and grit in the bowl and I'm pretty sure that is what kept the needle from closing. Thanks for watching. Take 'er easy!!
Great job getting it sorted. We tend to add a inline fuel tap as a precaution on our machines. We did that after a machine with a 5 gallon fuel tank full of fuel did the same, not a cheap fix
How's she goin'? You know Joseph, the maddening thing here was I do have a fuel shut off on the fuel line. But I never use it!! LOL I guess I'll have to change that from now on eh and yes sir it was expensive. I lost about $20 worth of gas!! LOL Take 'er easy!!
How's she goin'? The hydolocking could have been a disaster for sure. Lucky for me the battery wasn't powerful enough to turn the engine over. It kind of stalled on the compression stroke. I am liking the new bench, but did you notice all the 'junk' piled up against the cupboard at the end? Remember I said I would have to make a point of not doing that!! I'm working on it! Take 'er easy!!
Keeping the crud from jamming up your float pin usually only takes a good fuel filter, so I'm not sure how that happened. Great little carb rebuild. I thoroughly enjoyed that. A tip; At the end of the mowing season, and with your tank almost dry (never run it till empty) pour a quart of ethanol free gasoline in and run it for five minutes. This will clean all of the ethanal gummy muck out, and it will start up right next season without using any additives. It's $6 a quart, but worth it. Take care!
How's she goin'? Thanks for commenting. This is a great comment. I'll just say this; I do have a fuel filter, but it's not a 'good' one. I plan on making a video about this and the air filter soon so keep an eye out for that. I like your idea of putting the ethanol free gas in the tank. What I do, and I have been doing this since forever, is use Sta-Bil in all my fuel for small engines. This seems to work good for keeping the gum from forming and the gas lasts a good long time. This was the first time I had this carb apart since I bought the mower about 10 years ago and it was whistle clean except for some dirt and grit in the bowl, which I suspect caused the needle valve not to close. The grit got there because of the poor fuel filter. And I'll talk about that in the upcoming video. Thanks again for your comment. I like these kind of comments as they make a guy think and make sure he covers all the bases!! LOL Take 'er easy!!
Congrats on starting # 7! It is great that Nannie is getting about a bit🎉 . It is hard to believe you have been doing this for years cause it seems like you just got started. You have 4000 fans, that is a lot you know & where do you find all the things to make a video & keep it fresh . I figured it out , having a house , camp, lawn, garden etc.etc. keeps you constantly busy keeping the place in tip top shape...so if you take pride in where you live then why not make a video & show other people how you do it. Ok now i am off to bed. I will check on Tuesday to see if you post. Love ya
Thanks Donna. Yep starting my 7th year!! It seems like just last week I started RU-vid but time flies when you're having fun eh!! I hope you are doing OK and the heat isn't getting to ya. Stay cool and love ya!!!
OH MY, Your yard cadilac is going hydraulic ? bad news for any engine. Never fear as Mike is here. Your a really good at diagnosing but you may have to put a valve in the tank output. I am not fussy about doing that if this has never done that before. On start up all looks fine but as a few of your peers and I sugest put that shut off on and do yer best to remember to use it. Cheap insurance and it will make for another great video from our dear frind in Nova Scotia eh, LOL. Take care and of course a hug to your girl my dear friend.
How's she goin'? I'm way ahead of you on this one Dean. I put a fuel shut off valve on this tractor about 5 years ago and, except for in the fall when I winterize the engine, I have never used it!! LOL I guess this old dog is going to have to learn a new trick and start to shut the fuel off after each use. Oh yeah, and then I'll have to remember to turn it on again when I want to use it!! Man every solution has a problem. Big hugs for Nannie J for sure and you have a great weekend Dean!!
@@GrampiesWorkshop Hey, Karma or tenasity seems to be running amock in your campground eh, LOLOLOL Just keep on keeping on my dear friend. Either that or , , , , , , Well you won't know what is at the end of that one eh ! One thing for sure is you aren't a quitter eh ! Chuckle ! WOOHOO !
Always something to fix when you have equipment. Glad you got her going . You might put a shut off valve in the fuel line if you don't already have one and shut it off after use. I like your shirt. I hope everyone is doing well and continued prayers for you and Nannie.
How's she goin'? Thanks for your continued prayers for Nannie Ronnie. God Bless you for that!! I have a fuel shut off valve. Now all I need to do is use it eh!! LOL Glad you like my shirt!!! LOL Take 'er easy!!
Hello there Lloyd!! And guess what Lloyd? I have an in line fuel shut off!! All I have to do is remember to use it and then remember to turn it back on before I go mow too!! LOL Thanks for commenting. Have a great week end!!
How's she goin'? Thanks Russell. I had this happen to my estate car too. Maybe you noticed it beside the Husqvarna in the shed. I was glad it was just dirt in the carb. But I lost about 1/2 a tank of gas though, that hurts!! LOL Take care!!
Glad you were able to solve the problem. You seem to be able to solve all problems. You never fail to amaze me how you know so much about everything. You are awesome.
I tried to write some sort of a gasoline pun to go along with all you were up to, but ran out of fuel somewhere in the middle of it all! LOL Good fix...as I know its not cheap to have someone else look at these things now-a-days. You both take good care and have yourselves a wonderful long weekend!
How's she goin'? Ha Ha Ha!! Well Bruce I was 'gased' when I finished this job. I was running on empty for sure!! LOL BTW how are the Fitville shoes making out? Tell Otis I have some bananas for him and take care!!!
@@GrampiesWorkshop I was going to do a review on the ones I bought, but Fitville got in contact with me and are sending me a pair to try, so will give those a review first.
Good Evening Mon Ami, vous etes un merveillieur réparateur de moteur 🧐👍 Ouff l'huile a moteur devait sentir l'essence et non l'huile comme vous dite si bien ( a little bit of gas ) 🥴 Be Well Mon Ami Cheers 🍻🍻
Comment ca va mon ami? Merci Dave. L'huile avec l'essence est mauvais pour le moteur. Et dans cette huile il y a beaucoup d'essence!! Je pense que le salete (merci m. Google) dans le carb que fait le probleme!! Mais alors, c'est marche bien maintenant!! Merci d'avoir regarde la video Dave. Je vous souhaite une tres bonne fin de la semaine!!! A bientot!!
some of the B&S engines are bad to leak out and lock like that and fill the pan with gas and dilute the oil,, most of the time I put a shut off valve in the line to save problems.
How's she goin'? Vernon I do have a fuel shut off in the line but I don't use it because I'll have to remember to turn it back on before I try and start the tractor!! LOL But I think I should get in the habit of doing that eh!! Thanks for tuning in. Have a great weekend!!
Hello there Mike!! Once again I want to thank you for your continued prayers for Janet!! She is making great progress!! I was glad this hydrolock issue was only gas in the oil and nothing more. An oil change and a carb clean and I was back at mowing!! LOL Take 'er easy!!
Great fix Mike. If you have a fuel shut off. That’s the thing to do. Shut the fuel off. Pain in the beep, but would stop that trouble. Isn’t the back fire solenoid suppose to shut the fuel off ? Something I would do is squirt some new oil into the cylinder to lube it. Put plug back in. Turn engine over a little without it starting. Then fire her up. Great video Mike. You and Janet have a great weekend. I sure Nannie is getting better. 👍🏻👍🏻👋👋
How's she goin'? You know what Noel? I do have a fuel shut off in the line, but I only use it in the fall usually! But I think I should start using it all the time eh!! Squirting oil into the cylinder is a great idea too. I wish I had of thought of that!! It started up right away and is working good now. Well the engine is. When I went out to mow I broke a belt guard and burnt the belt!! LOL Thanks for the visit and comments. Take 'er easy!!
Jumpins. Always something Mike, as they say around here, if it’s not one thing it’s two things. 🤭 The other thing I forgot to say was. That mower is a way to new for me to know any thing about. Hehe. I can’t even fix my old stuff at times. 🤭🤭
Wow great diagnosis and repair you seem to be able to fix any problem you have out there. You always were a smart man so I,m not surprised. But i am impressed Love and prayers to you and Janet
How's she goin'? Thanks Cathy! You know I'm a smart guy because I married your sister!! LOL So nice of you to comment on the videos and thanks for your prayers and love for Janet!! Take 'er easy!!
How's she goin'? Thanks Jason!! I was glad it as only dirt, or at least that's all I found. This never happened on this tractor before so I hope dirt is all it was. Thanks for watching Jason and take 'er easy!!
Inline fuel shutoff valve stops it from happening again but it's not so common for your carb float to be stuck to allow the needle valve to pour fuel into the crankcase.
How's she goin'? I agree Steve!! I have a fuel shut off in the line but my trouble is having to remember to turn it back on!! LOL But it's a good habit to get into especially with a gravity feed fuel tank!! Thanks for the comment. Take 'er easy!!
Hello there Gary!! Glad you talked yourself into taking a day off. Mind your back Jack, because a bad back will make you old in a heart beat!! I hope you get well rested today and thanks for watching. Take 'er easy!!
@@GrampiesWorkshop thanks Mike. Never had back problems all my life but I have been diagnosed with Lyme disease and it sure has been taking a toll on me. I can’t stand up straight anymore and tire really easily. I feel as if I have aged 20 years in the last two months. Barb has me on a protocol of essential oils , supplements, and minerals, as well as a witches brew of stuff I mix up and drink multiple times each day. I have been told by many people that they are shocked to find out how old that I am. Well I think that has all gone away now.
@@tractortalkwithgary1271 Oh wow, Lyme's disease. That's a bummer eh. There have been lots of advancements in the treatment of this so I hope you get some relief. Thanks for letting me know. Take 'er easy!!
How's she goin'? That's a great habit to get into Nev. But then you have to remember to turn the fuel back on eh!! I can bet I would have trouble with that part!! LOL Thanks for watching. Have a great week end!!
How's she goin'? Tom when I saw the stain on the floor under the tractor I kind of knew what happened. Glad it was just dirt in the carb. But I was kind of bummed that I lost about $20 worth of fuel!! LOL Take 'er easy!!
Rolling into year 7 is a big accomplishment. This RU-vid stuff can be tough at times but you pull it off. Always enjoy the videos. When you live where you live, there will always be a video to make. See you in year 7. Thanks Mike. Stevo
Good day eh!! Thanks Stevo!! You're right about finding content around the camp. Its seems there is always something to be done and that makes for content!! LOL I appreciate your support and I'm sorry I haven't been chiming in on your vids lately, but my RU-vid time is being challenged by other things these last few months. I'll get caught up though!! Take 'er easy!!
Congratulations Grampie. Keep up the great vibes. I know what you mean about the typing lol. I also want to thank you for your prayers on my eyes. And I'm sending you and Nannie more prayers as always 🙏🔧👍
How's she goin'? Thanks Artie!! I guess you are like me and typing is not one of our strong points!! LOL Thanks for your prayers for Nannie. And I hope your eyes are continuing to improve. Take 'er easy!!
WOW, How did I miss this one ? I remember the first time I got to use a Troy Built Tiller. I was 15 and working at a mobile home park with a 300 unit capasity in Calgary. It was all new. Each pad had about 30 yards of black soil needing to be leveled and turned in with a tiller. I had gone trrough 2 conventional rear tined tillers working the rocky/clay ground. They were both well worn out when they gave them to me. After about 1/2 of the pads had eaten the 2 one day I got to work and there sat a brand new Troy Built tiller. I was a big kid. 6'6" and 175 lbs. I belive a 15 year old, big kid that pushed everything in his world to the max could do to a new anything. That machine never skipped a beat and to this day is still in use today. NUF SAID eh Mike ? I am 68 now so do the math before shopping for a tiller. Troy built makes one tough and reliable machine line up. LOL, This post of yours today brought back a lot of great memories my friend. They are still coming in. Thanks eh !
How's she goin'? There is no doubt that Troy-Bilt, at least when they were made in Troy, New York, were the top of the pot in the tiller world. The forward rotating rear tines made using it almost a joy. I remember the front tine tillers. When you finished tilling the garden, you were still bouncing up and down for an hour. But with the Troy it was as smooth as Trudeau (spit) telling you the Carbon Tax is good for ya!!! My Try-Bilt will live another day for sure. I just need some time to get at it and bring it back to it's former glory!! Thanks for watching Dean and as always, I love your comments. Take 'er easy!!
Congratulations buddy on your Anniversary well done you have a great channel I enjoy watching and learning things . glad Nannies doing better and making progress on her recovery you guys take care have a great week
Hello there Tom!! Thanks for chiming in and for being such a great supporter of my channel. Thanks too for you kind thoughts for Nannie. She is making steady progress the last while so that's really nice to see!! Take 'er easy!!
Congrats on the six years Mike! You easily got another six years worth of projects to keep recording! I feel the same, I've met a lot of great people through YT (yourself included of course). In about 600 videos I've posted I've probably had 5 comments that I would consider unconstructive criticism and a few like you said, that offered their opinion. Glad to hear things are improving for Nannie. No matter how boring or painful the physio can be and how easy it can be not to do it, do it. When I had my wrist surgery after a bad motorcycle accident when I was younger, I was supposed to do physio but blew it off and my wrist took forever to heal and never did heal properly. When I had knee replacement I did everything the physiotherapist told me to do and I was up and sprinting in no time. Ok, well maybe not sprinting. You're a good guy Mike and I'm glad you're here.
How's she goin'? Thanks Bruce!! Around the time I started my channel I started watching yours. And aside form seeing just about every Ryobi tool ever made, I have learned a lot from your videos!! LOL Janet is doing her physio and she won't take even one session off without me putting up a fuss!! I'm supposed to be urging her on but she is the one who gets up and tells me it's physio time!! LOL Thanks for the support over the years Bruce. I count you as one of my best friends on RU-vid!! Take 'er easy!!
Good day eh!! Thanks Mark!! It's been a fun 6 years and I sure managed to get a lot of projects done around the camp! LOL Say hi to Mari and take 'er easy!!
@@MRnounoursSQ Holy crow Serge, I missed your last postings. I changed PC's and I guess my old sub list didn't get transferred!! I know what I'll be doing for the next while!! Watching your vids!! LOL Take 'er easy!!
How's she goin'? Thanks Lloyd! The RU-vid community continues to amaze me with so many great folks. I'm glad we hooked up and I have learned a lot of neat things from your channel. Now if I could find an old Studebaker, I'd be on your channel ever day!! LOL Take 'er easy!!
