I went trash picking and found a mid 90s snapper mower needing some love. lets bring it up on the repair bench, see what it needs, and combine it with the other free snapper from last fall that had a bad engine.
Man, I love seeing all these comments and interesting stories, so I thought I'd share mine as well. I've been watching your channel for I think over 3 years now, and I learn something new each video! I've watched at least a hundred of your videos I'd say lol, and I was hooked from the start. I'm 16 years old, and I've always had a knack for fixing things, and recently I had a bigger project to take care of. We moved into our current house 4 years ago, and with it came a vintage toro recycler ii commercial mower. I didn't think it was much until I did some research on it, and found out it was a 2 stroke. I consider it somewhat a barn find, since it was just sitting in our garage, not running, broken and beat up, and ridiculously gunked up. After finding that all it needed was a new primer bulb I bought a super cheap one online and installed it, I also cleaned the carb while I was at it and what do ya know? It started right up... But little did I know at the time that the engine was not running 100%, after all, I was an amateur who knew nothing about 2 strokes, or how to get it working better... I scrubbed the hell out of the deck and got it all shiny and nice, and had to replace one of the rear wheels on which the bearing holder had broken (turns out it was fixable, but I didn't know any better at the time) with a non geared one, just so that it would ride level when cutting grass. And that was it, the engine ran, but it was gutless, and it didn't rev up to the right rpm and whatnot, but I figured because it was such a small engine that that was just why... Eventually, the spark plug gave up, like seriously, no spark, not even after cleaning it.... It was a weird failure, since I've never heard of that happening, but I tried it with another spark plug and it worked, so I knew the coil wasn't bad... Fast forward about a year... We had a landscaping company doing our yard, so there was no demand for me to even have that mower running, but it got annoying fast because they were very careless and inconsistent, so we ditched them and I had to get my mower running right again... I replaced the spark plug and ran a whole bottle of seafoam through the engine, but I made a mistake mixing the oil in the gas and put way too much oil in, so the engine smoked and smoked and I doubt the seafoam helped much because of that, but once I ran out of the poorly mixed gas I figured out how to do it correctly.... The engine still ran terribly, but it got me to the end of the season. One of the most important things I've learned by mustie is the process of elimination, and sometimes the most simple things can be the most perplexing and easiest to overlook... This year at the beginning of the season, I got the engine running, and it ran just as terribly as ever, no power, bogged easily, horrible throttle response, and now of all things it had developed a knock, but not a rod knock, it was spark knocking, pinging, etc. so I knew I needed to do something about it... I decided I wanted to do a whole restoration on the mower because it's just so dang cool, so I did. It needed some work, 3 of the 4 wheels needed replacing, and it needed 4 tires all around... That was probably the most expensive part about restoring it, because the wheels are steel and really pricey, it was about $120 for new wheels and tires, and I got lucky because one of the rear wheels was savable by some beating with a hammer. Anyways, so I replaced those all around, and I bought deck height adjuster knobs because they were missing and the metal tabs that they go on are sharp enough to cut you... Then I focused on the engine... I didn't know why it ran so poorly, so I made sure it was getting air... I replaced the air filter, I made sure it was getting consistent spark, which it was, and then I went to check the fuel, and I found part of my problem. The old fuel filter, looked to be original and it was absolutely packed with gunk, so I bought a new filter and also installed an in line shut off valve so that I can run ethanol without worrying about storing it. When I replaced that filter, the mower came to life, it relieved a huge fuel restriction and the throttle response was so much better... but it still knocked... At this point I was chasing the knock and I just couldn't figure out what it was... I knew for absolute certain that it was not a rod knock, but I couldn't figure out why it still was happening after I had freed up the fuel restriction. I cleaned the carburetor and it still knocked so I knew that something else was going on... being a 2 stroke, as I learned, there's a lot of things that can cause knock, but my idea was that it was running lean, because after looking at the spark plug, it had a white kind of tinge to it and looked almost burnt on the end of the electrode, but I was confused because I relieved the fuel restriction... So I started checking all the seals in line of the carburetor, making sure that there was no noticeable leaking, and there wasn't, so I then started looking to see if maybe it had the wrong jet in it for the altitude I'm at, and it would have been $20 for a new jet... And I almost bought it... You see, after I saw that the spark plug that was in it was damaged from lean conditions, I didn't want to put the new plug in it so that I wouldn't damage it and have to order one online again... But that's the mistake I made... Upon further research, I found out that having the incorrect spark plug gap can cause knock, because of uneven fuel burning or burning too late in the cycle... Turns out the plug that was in it was gapped too large, and when I put the new plug in it to see, that had fixed the problem... Go figure... It works perfectly now... TONS AND TONS of power, wayyyy more than any 4 stroke mower I've ever used. I also cleaned the exhaust of carbon build up and that helped too, now it sounds amazing, and despite having lower horsepower and torque compared to other 4 stroke mowers, having 2 strokes to make power instead of 4 makes a huge difference in performance in the real world, it's flippin awesome! I have never once stalled the engine even while cutting grass even over 2 feet high, it just powers through everything because it only takes 2 revolutions to make power... I love this thing, and it has been a joy to restore. It looks fantastic with the new tires and wheels, and complete all around. I've had to do more to it than what I've said, but I feel that would take up a lot more reading time for things that aren't important. Either way it is an awesome mower, and definitely holds it's own against much much newer mowers. I've got a little piece of history and now I use it commercially as well as residential. Thanks for inspiring me to get out in the shop, you've taught me a lot and there's no way I'd be out fixing things the way I do now if it wasn't for your channel!
BJ Jongejan Outstanding! I wish that I could see one like those industrial type mowers and hear it! I hope that your cottage industry prospers as well!
That’s a cool story man. I’m 16 too and I mostly work on atvs and dirt bikes. I’ve also learned a lot watching this channel. Not knowing the history or a machine or not having the owners manual is something I encounter a lot so learning the process of elimination definitely come in handy. You should post a video of your mower on RU-vid and maybe make restoration videos. It would be cool to see a 2 stroke lawn mower
I’m an ‘elderly female’ (lol). When it was time to cut my grass, my lawn mower wouldn’t start. Because of the virus, I was unable to bring it to the guy who usually services it. Thanks to this channel, I bit the bullet, did all the things that Mustie would do - see if the engine would turn, dumped a little gas down the spark plug hole - didn’t do the ‘evil’ Mustie laugh, when it started for a second (lol). I then drew up my courage, removed the carburetor, checked a couple of Mustie videos, and cleaned the carb. It took me a couple of days to get it running well - now it starts on the first pull. Thanks, Mustie!!
You are the perfect example that everyone is able to do little maintenance themselves if you only try. And watching mustie1 videos sure helps a lot! You aint got nothing to lose, it is allready broken so why not give it a try? Very good work!
Kudos to Inisfad! I’m also an elderly female, since retiring from 30 yrs of computer tech support I wanted to learn new skills... now I’m hooked on it. Mustie1 it’s your fault! I’ve fixed all my equipment and most of my family’s (about 8 generators, 10 lawn mowers, 2 riding mowers and countless trimmers and chainsaws). Now undertaking my biggest challenge, an ATV top engine rebuild. Just wish I knew Mustie1 personally (or at least lived closer)... I may have ‘bitten off more than I can chew. He makes it look so easy! I find I can’t wait until Sunday mornings to see what he’s working on. Love your channel!
I'm also an "elderly female". I came across your channel when my lawnmower died and I was trying to figure out what the problem was. I must admit I have watched more than a "few" of your videos, and it never gets boring. I just love them. So because of you, I was able to troubleshoot, diagnose and actually fix my lawnmower. It was a bad coil, but in the process I replaced the spark plug, and air filter as well. This afternoon when it fired up, I instantly thought of you and heard your laugh in my head. Thank you so much for educating me so that I was able to fix my lawnmower. I enjoy fixing things and have done other small projects, but never engine repair. I also got a Troy Bilt Weed Eater (has attachments for edging and rototilling as well as weed eating) running today as well. I really appreciate you and your channel, and I LOVE your Tools! 😍😍😍 🤣🤣🤣
Having the right tools always makes the job easier! It can make the difference between a simple job or a hard job! without the right tool it can last hours. if you have the right tools, it can be over in 5 minutes & nothing more than a simple adjustment!
Im 50 years old and never really done much in the way of troubleshooting small engines. This year Ive already got 2 running. One of them a push mower that was being discarded for nothing more than a plugged jet. I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks. Thanks Mustie!
I learned small engines from my Dad. They really aren't THAT complex, once you learn how a combustion engine works. It won't run for one of 4 reasons. 1. No Spark 2. No Fuel 3, no compression, 4 Bad Timing.
I'm 52 and started pulling mowers out of a landfill near my home when I was about 12. Be careful! It's a double edge sword when family, friends, neighbors find out you've got the "golden touch" on engines!
It's great to read in the comments that everyday folks are using these videos to start and fix stuff ..... and they're succeeding !! It's a great testament to your skills and teaching style Mustie. Congratulations to all who've gone for it and to you for inspiring people. Anything that helps to change the "throwaway society" has got to be good.👍👌
Hey mustie, I am 17 years old and I have been watching your videos for a few years now and I enjoy them very much! I just want to thank you for the many videos you do, you have taught me so much about engines and how to fix them on a budget. I have fixed many machines thanks to you. Keep doing what your doing! Cheers!
A few years ago we had a mower that wouldn't run so pop up youtube and there you were. Knew nothing about engines except having a sketchy understanding of how four-cycles worked. Got the mower running and many more since that first. Thank you for going through these motors the way you do and showing us what you are thinking as you do it. Really appreciate what you have done here.
Been watching for a few years. Used your tips to get lots of my own power equipment going. Yesterday when my friend said she couldn’t start her mower and was getting a contractor for $100 to mow her lawn, I offered to get it going. Hope that my inner Mustie will come through..... lol
Turning 65 in a month, fixed a blown head gasket on my 3.5 hp Tecumseth lawnmower when I was 11. Been working on engines ever since then. Point is I still love watching your videos. You have a very thorough scientific approach to your work. I still learn new tricks from watching. Greetings from Canada 🇨🇦
I echo exactly what Kevin says but I am 82. I was given a small generator which had a carb leak. Turned out to be dirt in the float valve seat. I watch all your videos and have learned a lot. Thanks.
Hey Mustie, here I am just retired last year and never worked on mowers before. Just picked up two road side Murray pushers in the last two months and have applied a lot of your tips to getting these mowers back to life. One was full of mud and junk inside and out and just needed a tear down and good cleaning plus a homemade head gasket. The other had the gas tank full of pure clear clean water and the tank was bright and shinny inside. A little TLC and both are in use in my yard. Thanks for these videos and showing how to save money and do things like this on our own :-D
You should also check Taryl Fixes All channel if you haven't, plenty of knowledge about small engine repair on his channel, as well as pretty good comedy lol.
Hey man, I just finished my first lawn mower repair. I had to do a carburetor transplant. Patient is doing just fine. Your videos have made all the difference in making this repair possible. Thanks man. Keep up the great work!
I enjoy your humor....even may it be dry sometimes. I also enjoy your clean language. And I like how you involve the viewer...asking things like "Do you think we should....?" and "What do you think about this?" Thank you, Sir, for the clean, fun and engaging content! The things you do are so much fun!
After watching so many of these videos with the ultrasonic cleaner, I went ahead and bought one. I've already run two carbs through it and it really is a nice convenience!
@@gispel7058 ultra sound blocks 5g I sometimes put my whole head in machine for therapy with organic shampoo and non GMO water it works better than tin foil on my head...
Me as well! Kept seeing the shining results Mustie1 gets so I bought one. I actually had a bunch of old outboard carbs that I thought were junk. Turned out the ultrasonic cleaner got the crud loose inside that I couldn't get too. 5 worked perfectly after! Great investment.
Something that honors your Indian Heritage and congratulations on the beard. I had a real hard time growin my beard till I was successful at age 34 and just cut it twice for for jobs twice since then. I’m 80 now and my profile pic shows my full 🧔🏻.
Hey Mustie,I love you videos they are so inspiring. I have been able to rebuild my Craftsman riding mower (24 HP) and weed eater and push mower after watching your videos. Thanks for all your help and hard work. Have a great day.
That stupid " jet in the float bowl mount plug " trick , had me stumped for a week on my Craftsman . It was never there on any small engine I ever owned ( showing my age ) . Light bulb switched on while I was trying to fall asleep , " why are there holes in the dam drain plug ? " . After midnight , with 0.032 safety wire , plug cleaned , bitch started right up ( neighbors annoyed ) , but I slept well that night . I was sure that design was for job security - BRING YOUR MOWER IN FOR SERVICE TWICE A SEASON . Probably why they didn't add a gas filter , but I did :o)
Yep. Exact same thing happened to me! My brother brought his power washer over to see if I could get it started. We tried everything, no luck. He just happened to look closely at the drain plug and asked me what these holes were for. Well, I grabbed my torch tip cleaner and we were back in business! I'm 74 and first I ever heard of such! Just goes to show you can learn something new every day!
Its a matter of this ethenol fuel. It sits in the bowl causing condensation to occur in your garage. Alchohol attracts moisture which combined with fuel over time becomes like soup. I have actually witnessed green alge growing in a carburetor bowl. That was a new one for me.
Carpenter "older women" here too. I can agree with the other women here. I def got the courage to fix my own scooters now since I watched a ton of Musti1 Videos. Idk if there is a similar channel with same amount of different machinery out there. And I am amazed how many different types of carburetors are out there and designed slightly different. I didn't expect that to find so interesting. There is good chance to find just the machine you have at home that you wanna fix or a very similar one on this channel. This is very enjoyable teaching on a high level. There is not one video I don't watch till the end. And I read the comments bc of all the story's that come along. Especially with the bikes repair, or rare, old motors. (Love those!) Musti1 ; I want you to know that you bring a lot of joy and confidence into people's lifes. Thank you, man!
Thanks for all you do to inspire us all to work on engines. I recently bought a very old log splitter with a 10 hp Honda - I applied all the Mustie 1 procedures to it - I even managed to get hold of my very own Zoom bottle for the gas - it's now as good as new - loved all the work - thanks again - I can't wait to watch your videos on Sunday - the best part of my week here in the U.K.
My free mower I got back in 2004 wouldn't start last month. Sears mower. Jumped right in and the carb looked just like the one in this video. Bowl was clean and didn't find anything obvious clogged. Cleaned everything and blew it out anyway. Started second pull when I put it back together. So watching all of your videos has paid off for me. Thanks so muck Musti1.
Found my first ever discarded mower today and literally just got it running. Had a problem with the dead man’s handle. If it wasn’t for Mustie1 I couldn’t have done it. Thank you!
Splendid work and as always I am inpressed with the love you put into this little machines. I come from a family with a small forest to take care of, huge lawns and lots of bush triming to do. I did most of the work on the equippment with my dad but now he has passed . So now I do it my self, and I can tell you that every video you put up keeps me inspired and focused. I love your videos! Love from Sweden
Been there done that. You are in your mid to late 50's and I am 61. I don't know if anyone cares but in my preteens and teenage years I would ride my bike around on trash day and pick all the lawnmowers, radio clocks and TV's I could find. I would take them apart and clean them up, replace tubes or fix whatever. 9 times out of 10 it was a gummed up carb , a bad tube or a power cord. Simple and easy fix. I once sold my neighbor their exact lawnmower back to them for $30.00. We're talking early 70's, $30.00 was big bucks to a teenager! Heck, I bought several cars for $300. - $500 that I wish I still had. BTW, I still own a 1970 W31 Cutlass Coupe. 4 speed, 4/10 rear end , 10.5 to1, Damn I love that car!
Those old Snappers were nearly indestructible. A little cleaning and lubrication and it's running like new. Those 6hp Briggs engines were good too but they had quirks. I had one once that nearly made me crazy. The intake tube that runs across under the coil can crack on the bottom and leak enough air to prevent the engine from starting no matter what you do. Run any test you like. Spark plug, compression, valve lash, broken flywheel keyThe only way to spot it is to remove the coil and the tube. You are absolutely right about saving old parts. I salvaged a replacement tube from an engine with a blown rod to make an effective repair. BTW #2 Permatex gasket sealer works great for repairing cracked air filter gaskets. NOT silicone! RTV is NOT fuel proof (Ask me how I know) I always read down a ways in the comments section and I was glad to see a number of folks got their machines running on their own by following along with your videos. You perform a valuable service! Kudos! Thanks for the scenic footage of the covered bridge and the foals. The one closest to the fence put me in mind of a Sherlock Holmes story titled "Silver Blaze" which dealt with a crime centered around a race horse. (He solved it of course)
Was watching Allen Millyard and he said never wire brush spark plugs for the same reason you mentioned. He then showed how he just used a blow lamp on the plug and within a few seconds it was good as new. The flame removes all deposits of carbon. Worth a try.
You mean torch? Never heard it called a blow lamp. I used to bring them in the house and " cook" them on the kitchen stove( yes my wife HATED ME") but it worked on oil saturated plugs in snowmobiles. Not so much lawn mowers. I change the plug every few years as needed.
Allen Millyard is an absolute genius. The stuff that man builds looks like it rolled out of the factory. I think him and Mustie1 would get along very well.
I was a Snapper dealer and the X blade is a mulching blade. with the chute off, it was set up to mulch. You will want a bagging blade to bag efficiently. Nice job.
Americans have gotten lazy. We really don’t fix things anymore. Fixit shops died out in the 80s. Anyway with the growth of big box stores it was easier to go get a new thing than take the old one to a man and wait for it to be repaired. When people started to be able to afford it (credit, good wages, stupidity) they quit fixing things and just threw them away.
@@MyDailyUpload that ain't no lie! I used to work on a trash truck. I had a collection of 15-20 push mowers that people had thrown away. Some were simple things like a clogged air filter. Heck in the rich side of town they would just buy a new lawmower just because their last one was a couple seasons old. They would be practically new and nothing wrong with them.
I repair 3-4 mowers a year that people throw away in my area, it is a problem in America. Usually only minor things wrong with them too, last one had a clogged jet. I typically make $50-$75 a mower whenever I list them on Facebook marketplace. Biggest challenge is saving them, before the scrap metal guys take them.
@@MyDailyUpload It's the same here in the UK. People just don't want to get their hands dirty anymore. Personally, I like to rise to the challenge. I sold my Westwood lawn tractor to a neighbour about fifteen years ago. I give it an annual service for the guy, and he's always 'Happy as Larry' with it. Can't beat these older, and simpler, machines - no 'user un-friendly' fuel injection nor other complications to go wrong.
Gmornin’ Mustie! Happy Sunday! I've been really looking forward to your next upload. It just so happens that I have an old Toro mower that I plan to do some wrenchin’ on. Stay safe out there, 😎
Cliff's Random Silliness I have an old Toro Pro with the Suzuki 2 cycle. I can’t stand the thought of giving it up, even though I also have a new loaded Honda. I just like the way the Toro handles, so I end up wrenchin’ on it about once a year, but parts are starting to get scarce....
Hahaha. He shook the fuel tank when he thought it was done draining and more came out and then he chuckles....such fantastic subtle humor from Mustie on a Sunday morning.
Necessity combined with good tools and mechanical skills lured me into working on lawn mowers about three years ago (at age 68). I have cultivated a good rapport with the local small engine repair shop, eventually building easy access to the kind man who does all the 4 cycle machines. I pick his brain when I'm stumped, and he does my carb cleaning (dunk tank and ultrasonic) for free (but I refuse and hand him $). To lubricate that good status, I make a point to spend my money there rather than Amazon, at least for mower parts and supplies. This year, without really trying, I've resurrected three previously abused / neglected mowers and sold them, and have another which will be a challenge. That's not to mention the two good 2cycle string trimmers someone couldn't make work, and an ancient Mini-Mac chain saw, so small it looks like a toy; but I have heard it run less than a year ago. Discovering Mustie1 has been a huge help of course. My problem now is lack of winter storage space for the mowers I'm "attached to", and don't want to sell for totally indefensible reasons!
Hey Mustie,,, I just wanted to say thanks. You saved me BIG bucks with your awesome videos. 2 push mowers, fixed. A rototiller waiting on carb parts, and my antique John Deere well on its way to being functional again. Thanks for the knowledge and the confidence to use it. All while being very fun to watch.
Half way through the video, I thought, gee I miss the back yard mow. Stuck around and ‘right on’, the back yard mow!!! Thanks Mustie. How about a lobster bbq next week!
@@jamesthomas3749 A good place is also yard sales... I found so much stuff there for really cheap price!!! Like Mustie1!!! And I learned it even before I found his channel!!!
My neighbor at the farm has had this style for 20+ years. It has to have THOUSANDS of hours. She brought it over for a tune up and a new pull cord. It still runs like a top after a carb clean and new plug..
New mustie 1 video, cold pizza and a mt.dew, great way to start a sunday ! Greetings from virginia beach, virginia ! saw the bike in the background minus the motor..
Spider: "I have lived here all of my life! I have NEVER experienced a tremor like that! I think it is time to move to California. I'm going to Hollywood! I just need to look for an apartment on the Web. If only I could get bit by a radioactive man. They will make movies about me! ManSpider!"
Its amazing just from the ever so common lack of maintenance syndrome can do to the many types of lawn machines,snowblowers ,etc.Just leaving them outside is a killer timebomb sort of speak. Im guilty of it to at times we are just lazy as a human race with care and maintenence. Then we bitch at repair shops charging too much for fixing and we end up buy new machines as a result. Its a cant win syndrome,LOLL .Nice repair on that Snapper that aint a cheap machine !...... I fix outboards the same way that are just neglected in other ways but they are designed luckily to withstand the elements ... Glenn P.
No need to be jealous, they are out there. You may just need to make friends with the scrap man. I used to have a guy come around, I would give him stuff and he would let me have a look at what all he had collected, sometimes swap junk, sometimes I would toss him a couple bucks. This is the land of abundance and opportunity. It sounds like you just need to increase your chances of stuff passing through your hands. Good luck!
Once again you took a mower headed to the landfill and saved it. Man that drive system was the most difficult to get going well. As usual you got it running great and should be a good mower for someone. Thanks for sharing.
Hey Mustie have you ever pulled up on a "free pile" and got yelled at because someone just parked their bike / mower / weed eater at the end of the driveway?
thats funny, i always oick up curb alerts, seen a weedeater last summer at the edge of the road, looked brand new, i backed up and walked up to it and a guy came from the back yard and accuse me of trying to steal his weed eater. i told him when you put things by the road, thats a curb alert, he wasnt happy at all.
GREASE the lift, I hate the squeak! lol. LEAF them alone.... I love the laugh 😂 you give when the engines start for the first time. thanks for the vids.
Enjoyed the video. Very much loved the reference to the movie Trains, Planes, and Automobiles. The movie is a Thanksgiving tradition in our household.🙂
Good night, Mr. Jarrod. I have learned a lot to understand and fix internal combustion engines. I'm your fan. Thank you and may God always give you energy and faith to continue. A hugs !!!
You have taught me what people do with there lawnmower. I bought a new one and do general maintenance after every time I cut. Thanks. I am now looking old lawnmowers to fix them Musti style. Wah wah wah
It's funny, as you rolled this lawn mower up on the ramp I was thinking to myself "the autopsy table", and then you started talking about "Bring out your dead!"
