Lawn Mower REPAIR Auto Choke Briggs and Stratton Sears Craftsman fix engine won't start spring 

The Spring I replaced: amzn.to/2nQLT65 The Thermostat connected to exhaust: amzn.to/2OV60v0 This is what I purchased. Thanks. (paid link) As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Funny how an 8 year old video can solve your whole day. I was mowing and my mower starts surging while running. It sounded very exhaust related, so that's what I started looking in to. Then I came across this video and it solved the entire problem. Thank you very much!

The therm (connected to the exhaust) IS CLEARLY THE KEY! Be sure that tiny spring is still there IF IT STILL WON'T START, like mine, they must have left the gas tank filter out so clean your bowl & jet (it's the bolt) & if dirty clean both, drop the gas line, drain, NOW install an on line fuel filter & whamo! Now mine starts like a M.F. You're welcome!

I've been searching for this explanation for a couple of hours. My friend gave me a husqvarna mower with the exact same engine and he took it apart and then got frustrated with it. All the parts were there but hooked up wrong. One step closer to getting this thing running. Thank you!

I thank you so much for showing how the black air vain is attached to the muffler thermostat. I don't have this specific lawnmower but mine is similar in design. I needed to know how the thermostat hooks up to the black air vain. I took my lawnmower apart to clean it, ( very dirty) and didn't know how the thermostat was attached. Thank you again for a great video. God bless u.

Fantastic video, fixed that "mystery" spring right away!!!

Been trying to figure out what kind of springs mine has been missing for a while on this type of carb and finally I found something that helps. Had someone give me their basically brand new gold series because it wouldn't run. So I took it because its an awesome mower (free!!!) Plus I love to take broken things apart and try and fix them. First thing I noticed after taking the air filter off was the missing springs. I rigged the throttle with the carb spring and its been running alright but definitely not the way it's supposed to. Thanks for actually showing them!

Thanks! Between You and Bruce Pender, I figured out what that mystery spring was for that appeared in my Craftsman mowers “trough” around the engine and now know how to re-attach it, secure it with a small zip tie, and hopefully get my mower running again....RU-vid ROCKS!!!!!

Took my top cover off to clean out the dirt and grass from around the linkage, and discovered my spring was gone also. Googled my engine model, and your video showed up! Right place at the right time. Thanks so much for doing this video!

Wow! You are super helpful, thanks very much. I had the same issue - would only start with starting fluid and now I see the spring is missing. You're awesome!

Thanks just ordered mine. I originally ripped mine out. CHANGE YOUR AIR FILTER! That was the cause of all my problems lol

Thanks for the video. I got lucky and found my missing spring sitting on top of the mower deck in a pile of trimmings. I also appreciated seeing the auto choke part as I wasn't sure I had it put back together right.

Excellent tutorial, just what I needed. Short and concise. I will be able to fix my autochoke on my McCulloch. Turns out the mower has been running without air vane spring for 2 or 3 years now. Only problem is the hectic throttle and perhaps some lack of power...Thanks for the additional tips, very useful as well!

Great Video ! I've started taking that first piece off and then just use a red rag to hold the choke back so it will start . I also tie the handle down with another red rag "harbor freight" Then when the mower starts I remove the choke rag and untie the handle rag . I guess you could call it the red rag remedy .

Been having problems with my Toro and the stupid auto choke. Thanks for the nice clear vid showing where everything is. Greetings from England and our quick grow grass.

Thank you so much. I had just replaced my recoil starter and could not figure out why my mower wouldn't stay running. From watching the part of your video talking about the throttle i realized the end of the throttle spring fell off. Mowers running great now! My next step would've been the carb and I really did not want to have to mess with all that.

Thank you. Excellent video, very clear. Knocked this spring off cleaning and had no clue where to reattach.

Great Video. Needed to see how the autochoke was positioned. Mine was not correct. Runs like a top now. Also appreciate the tip on bending the tab to increase the engine idle. They sure are making these mowers cheaper and cheaper. In the "olden days" we could adjust these settings and the engines would last forever.

Thanks a lot from the Netherlands. Great video, clear instruction. You're video solved my problems, but in an other way. Today i fixed the choke with a tie wrap, so it's not automatic anymore, stands open all the time. The thermostat regular is broken ànd my spring was gone. I did not want to wait to order spare parts and than fix the machine because my wife said she would like to mow the lawn... Grab your chance when you can! Lawn mower is about 8 years old. To start the engine without automatic choke from now on, i put a piece of old cloth just for a second against the air intake side from the air filter. Take it away when the engine is running, in one stroke on the starter rope It's the same effect as a choke, rich fuel mix with strong reduced air. Works great, no expenses made, a typical "dutch treat" ;0) Good enougd to do the job in the last few years of this lawnmowers life. Your video has given me the knowledge to fix this.

Great vid, i think i just found my prob..no spring. I was about to clean the carb real good (i still might!j from the video i watched prior, but then clicked this vid and Bingo...you saved it! Now..off to find a spring. A million thanks

I do recommend blowing off all the grass and dust before removing the carb or anything that exposes the oil sump. Good idea to blow off all that grass anyway, especially around the shroud and cooling vents to prevent overheating. The torque on all those bolts is 7.5 ft lbs. Good idea to own a torque wrench if you are going to do your own repairs.

very well done video with clear instructions and video angles, i appreciate it

That was just what I wanted to know it was very helpful what u explain very good 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

Thanks for posting the video. Because of it, I was able to get my trusty old Craftsman back in service! Blessings!

you video is a life saver. I noticed my auto choke was not attached either and i've been trying to figure out how to get this mower running for days. ive replaced the carburetor and spark plug and drained the fuel tank and it still wouldn't run. I didn't even know what a choke was lol. this is my first mower as i'm a new how owner. i've cut grass many times before but all the mowers i used had the primer button. other than that they always ran.

Thank you for the video. Like many others, I did not realize I was missing a spring.

This video was excellent. I couldn't figure out where that spring went. My lawnmower is now running great! Thank you for being kind enough to post this video!

Excellent! I couldn't find the spring part number but I have it now! Thanks!

You were the only one to assist in solving a great mystery for me. Thank you kindly

Thank you I attached with out removing it all just that little flange piece I’m so happy. I now need a pin for the brass float

Thanks so much for this video. Have been having trouble with this very engine on a Toro mower, and you explained how the two springs work with that choke therrmostat.

Thanks Brother!!! All day I have been cussing my mower I think you helped me figure out what was wrong.

Great video. Wish I had found it before venturing out on taking mine apart. Spent all day trying to figure out how to put it back together. Thanks for sharing.

Hello if you want a shoot to spit grass out the side purchase a toro brand side cover shoot and mount it to your deck. On the toro door there are two prongs sticking out that hold the direction piece in place. This is a easy install for you. Nice tutorial.

I also noticed it looked like a spring attachment point but no spring! Thanks for confirming my suspicion. Now to find a spring.....

Great video - perfect detail, including part number. perfect solution.

Thank you brother! You saved me a LOT of time! ❤

Had the exact issue. Thanks for the help.

Bought a 18 year old Craftsman for $40. Has the primer bulb instead of a choke. Works great. Got rid of that safety handle. Walk up, 3 squirts, pull the rope and away you go.

Thank you. Now I know why the throttle stays closed. I need a spring. Thanks again and God bless you.

Excellent video. I'm missing both springs on this mower that l picked up roadside. I bought a new carb on ebay for $6.05 with free shipping. You should see the air filter, or in this case, you might call it an oil filter. Obviously the former owner tipped the mower towards the carb side instead of the muffler side for some reason. Thank you.

good video! i wondered what that flap was for(i got a mower that was missing the whole carby assy and fitted an earlier one with a primer bulb.). i can see how it would have been a good idea if it wasn't so complex.. unlike the simple primer bulb

Thanks for the fix. You sound like Woody Harleson.

you get a huge thumbs up...I tried everything.. and it was just a spring...thank you.. had to sub. thumbs up !!!!

my spring was there, but it was stretched out on one end. ordered a new one. will see if it works. thanks for the vid.

Lol I watch your bubblebeet channel.. Now working on my mower, I hear your voice.. Had to subscribe.. Ur awesome!

Thank you so much for this information.. God Bless you and your family

This is by far the best video

Your tutorial helped me fix 4 issues and give a new life to the mower I was about to give away: the tip about bending the throttle attachment revealed the dormant power my mower had. Thank you very much :) One question, how sharp should the blades be for optimum cut?

Very helpful tips thanks $1,000 worth of information

What a Great Idea with the twist tie to keep the spring on.. man That's a Million Dollar Idea..I'd Patent That!!~ as Well as yer making it an Open shooter & bagger!~ Smartman!~ Thanks For making this Video..Very helpful even for us girls..~ {{hugs}]~

good video. mine was doing this same thing but the choke arm under the exhaust was stuck close. pulled it all apart and cleaned it all up and it runs and cuts better than brand new

very nice video, and hope you will continue to do more

Great video. Im missing that spring too ...thks

THank you as this gave me so much information! Mine is running 100% better now.

you are a life saver, thank You

Thanks, this is what my problem was. awesome idea with twist tie. (I will use zip tie)

I had the same type of problem with a mower just like that one and it fixed it thank you

tks ,very helpful, however at about 0.59 in your video you say the spring holds the choke open, i might be wrong but I think the spring holds the choke CLOSED, when the engine starts the vane on top (black plastic piece) is pushed open by the air from the flywheel, also it has a thermostat by the muffler that can go bad

I just happened to stumble across this video. After watching, my auto choke spring seemed to be fine, but on closer inspection I noticed that the linkage behind the exhaust was crushed and not moving. I've had issues with this mower since new, that may be the issue.

Thank you my friend you should are more mechanically inclined then I am. I don’t understand why you had to remove all of top and gas tank to replace that spring. I took pics of your work on the phone it looks like the spring attaches under the arm.

Thank you! I got the same mower now it starts every pull

Thanks dude. You showed me how to fix 2 problems I have haha :)

Thanks for your video. It helped a great deal.

Thanks I connected without removing it all.

Thanks. Couldn't find anything that even showed that part of the engine clearly. Seems my spring has gone too. Not sure where!

Nice fix you did there

i was going to make a video for my youtube channel, but I found this one. Good job. That sound at 00:43 sounds like the sound when the reveal the price on antique road show -- maybe thats what you were going for and it didnt go unnoticed.

outstanding tutorial...thanks a lot!

I have an issue when mine would start cold runs fine i shut it off and when tried to start back I'd get black smoke and rough idle and sometimes would not start at all. I I'll have to check into this, thanks for the video

Thanks. This is my exact model and it's good to see how it comes apart. You saved me hundreds of dollars. Does the air filter ever need cleaning or replacement?

Thanks Woody Harrelson!

excelente video, thank you , greetings from mexico

Exactly what i needed to know. Thanks!

You really only have to remove the first the screws to get at the spring, though this shows good detail of what's inside. Your outlet shoot should have a discharge attachment rather than needing to take it off.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge !

that is a super engine. starts with first pull

Great video! Thanks.

Thank you !! You are one smart guy.

Would your mower start when it was cold but not when it was hot? That's exactly what mine is doing. If it's hot and I turn it off It will have to sit for awhile before it will start. Anyway great how to video! Thanks a lot I'll be taking a look at spring on mine.

i had the exact same problem, however, the autochoke on the muffler was wrapped around the plastic arm that connects to the spring, is that not how its supposed to be? im talking about the part your touching on minute 4:03.

Heat doesn't make the choke lever move..when you pull the rope fan blades on the flywheel push air on the vein and opens the choke.

the auto choke on this model is an air vein lever.. ONCE the engine gets up to speed, the air from the flywheel will force the vein away thus moving the choke open..then the thermostat takes over after the mufler heats..

Worked for me I completely over looked the missing spring, put it on and started right up.

GREAT VIDEO. VERY COOL.

This is my new favorite video

The Honda mower engine has a way easier setup. Far easier to access for repairs if rarely needed condition.

At 4:05 seconds into your video you show a closeup of your auto-choke arm. It is out of adjustment in this picture. If you look at the end of the black wind vane (upon which you have your finger in the picture) which surrounds the metal upper auto-choke arm you will see two lines embossed in the wind vane arm -both in front of the auto-choke arm and to the outside of the auto-choke arm. Your auto-choke arm needs to be within the lines both ways in order for the choke to be set correctly. You achieve this by gently bending the auto-choke arm to be aligned within these parameters. Keep making videos and keep on learning. You may have your own business some day.

Thank you for the video. What can I do/check if after cleaning and rebuilding the carburetor, replacing the spark plug, fresh gas and my lawn mower still doesn’t start up?

great video. thanks

Well done there baw

WASH ME. Great video! Subscribed!

Thanks for posting this!

It would have been nice to show you putting that spring on

that's exactly what happened to my mower

Thanks. It looks like what I’ll need to do. Maybe a rubber band will work, McGyver style. 🤓🙈🐿

So how does the mower start after its hot if the choke is held open?

So what exactly was the problem...? You mean that little Spring was preventing the motor from starting?

Thank you, I'm going to check

Id this Woody Hareldsin? lol. Thanks. that was exactly my problem