New TORO Lawnmower WON'T START. LAWNBOY style - KOHLER ENGINE. HOW TO FIX - clean the carburetor 

Jeff: So I had my Toro mower “serviced” locally a couple of years ago. Last year, I forgot put in the Stabil additive before the winter, which helps to prevent the ethanol-based fuel from clumping up. Tried to start it. Nothing. After watching your video, and I got up the nerve to open up the carburetor, I found the float valve pin seated in its place but not inserted through the float, which I’m sure is a cause for its malfunction. Cleaned it it up. Put everything back. Added new fuel. Vrooooom!!! Hallelujah. THANK YOU, MAN!!!!!

I never really feel compelled to leave reviews but your video single handedly saved my lawnmower from being thrown off a cliff. I was frustrated to no end trying to get the thing to start. Not only did your video help me diagnose and fix the problem but I learned a new skill in the process! I enjoyed that your instructions were clear and the steps were easy to follow. Thanks for taking the time to show me how to fix my mower!

I have the same mower - owned for one year and wouldn’t start after 3 mow sessions. Not much gas was gone, and after cleaning the carb as you showed, pulled and started it the first time! Thanks a million. Great video.

You saved my bacon. I'd never cleaned one of these before and it worked like a charm. Barely pulled on the starter and I was in business. All the details are nicely shown and explained. No music or a long background story. Thanks for taking the time to make this!

I sold a brand new Toro exactly the same as this one. The new owner called today and said it wouldn't start period. I'll be doing this exact repair in the morning, great video. Thank you

My Toro Kohler had the exact same problem after two years. I followed this tutorial and the problem is fixed. It took about an hour coming from a guy that has never done any small engine work. I didn't have any carburetor spray but an old toothbrush and wire was all I needed to get it back running. Thanks a lot!

I have a Lawnboy with this same engine and configuration that would not start after one season of use. Your video gave me the courage to do the same job on my carb. Since I didn't have a small enough ratchet to reach into the tight choke area, I had to temporarily remove the cowling from the top of the engine. When I removed the bowl of the carb, it looked identical to yours. Wiped the bowl out, used a wire to probe all the holes, put it back together, and it started immediately! Another thing I learned: I will not use ethanol gas in my yard equipment again and I will always empty the fuel tank at the end of the growing season. Thanks for the excellent instruction!

All I can say is wow, after watching this video, following the instructions step by step. I was able to clear and clean the carburetor and put the assembly back together again with very little effort. Low and behold, one pull of the cord and the lawn mower started right up. Before this video, I had tried for 45 minutes to clear the carburetor and nothing worked. Thanks for taking the time to make this video and saving me continue frustration and possible hurt back from pulling another 45 minutes.

My Kohler engine would not start on my lawnmower that sat for over a year. I'm not a very good mechanic, but I watched this and followed the process exactly as you said and my mower started on the first pull ! Thank you Jeff !

That's a great tutorial. Thanks for taking the time to show close-ups of how to disassemble the linkages. Lots of the other vids jump straight to the cleaning part.

Was pretty skeptical about this quick fix for my lawnmower. Did everything as instructed and was very pleasantly surprised when it started on the first pull! Huge thanks for this instructional video and for the money you saved me. I know very, VERY little about this stuff, but you made me look like a pro. Great video

Jeff, FIRST PULL! Can I buy you a beer? How about I send you a MD crab cake? I can’t thank you enough. I literally have zero mechanical skills . I followed your video and now my Toro (which is new) but I put last years gas in after opening... is now running perfect after not starting. The repair shop was 3 weeks backed up and I didn’t know what to do. I can’t thank you enough. You made what seemed impossible for someone like me, very easy.

Great video. Like one of your previous posters said, 20 minutes and the mower began working. I really appreciate your time.

People give those Briggs and Stratton plastic carbs a bad rap but I find they last a lot longer before you have to clean them. Anyway, this was a great explanational video. I'm sure it helped a lot of Kohler owners.

Thank you so much! I purchased a Toro lawn mower on Craigslist for $100 that was almost brand new. I brought it home and it kept cutting off after a few seconds. I followed the steps in your video. I have never taken a carburetor apart before or worked on a lawn mower. I was able to use the small wire brush for the smaller holes on the main jet; however, I could not get inside of the main jet. I used a toothpick, most likely not recommended, but as soon as I pushed the toothpick through and all of this white gunk came out, I knew that was the problem. Sure enough, started it up, and within 30 minutes our 6-week overgrown lawn for our first home was cut. Now I have a pretty sweet newish lawn mower and no HOA fines. Thank you Jeff!

I have been frustrated by my lawnmower for a while now. It appears brand new but the thing wouldn't start. Followed your video and just like magic, it now works!

Found this and followed this and my mower is back to one pull after a year of it sitting there thinking it was done for! Thanks!

Thanks for posting this Jeff. Had the starting issue with my landlord's 2 year old 7hp Toro mower this spring. Followed the procedures in your video - which were clear, concise, and complete - and the mower fired up first pull and now runs POYFECT! Inspecting the carburetor internals, it was clear that moisture had corroded and gunked it all up. 5-10% ethanol-laced gas left in tank over winter = High probability your (Toro) mower won't start in spring until cleaned per this helpful video.

These are great instructions for fixing Koehler motor found on Toro lawn mowers. After staying idle in garage throughout winter, the jet inside carb builds debris and clogs tiny holes. Soon as that was cleaned the Toro worked like brand new! You saved me a trip to carb cleaner and $35! Thanks for posting!

Your video was incredibly helpful, Jeff! I picked up a barely used 22" recycler just like the one you're working on here for $50. They said it would start but wouldn't stay running. Brought it home, threw on your video, it confirmed my suspicions about a fuel delivery issue, and now it runs like a top! Thank you!

I second the complimentary comments below. Your clear, concise directions, combined with excellent camera work, make working on the mower's carburetor a manageable task. I feel more empowered than before. *smile*

U just saved me $$$ had this POS toro for barely a year and the turd didn’t want to start. Fires up like a champ.

Excellent instructions! Have clean carburetor at least twice per season....not fond of auto-chokes or ethanol fuel. Now using ethanol free fuel. Saved at least $80.00 doing it with your instructions. Thank you!

This video was the key to getting my mower running as it should. For the last couple of months, I've had to remove the air filter and spray starter fluid into the carburetor to get it to start...usually took 4 pulls. I followed the steps in this video, cleaned out that tiny metal rod with the little holes, put it back together, and it started on the first pull...without starter fluid. I had already ordered a new carburetor, but will now just keep it as a spare part to use later, if needed. Thanks for making this video. It was easy to follow the directions.

Thank you! I bought this exact mower 3 months ago and used it a total of 5 times. This morning it wouldn't start. Guaranteed To Start*... as long as you can fix it.

I have the Lawnboy with this engine, and I couldn't get it to start after the winter, when I left gas in it.... I watched this video, which was so well done, that I was able to clean the carb and now it works great. Thanks for the great video, saved so much frustration!

I salute you sir, tried your instructions on my neighbor’s mower and it worked like a charm, he was gonna buy a new one much thanks to you.

I don't normally comment on RU-vid videos / instructional videos I find useful... but this worked PERFECTLY for me. Thank you! Just one note: I cleaned my carburetor like in this video except I did not use carburetor cleaner at first. I put it all back together and it still would not start. I took it off again, sprayed some Gumout Carb / Choke & Parts Cleaner all over it, and also sprayed some Gumout Starting Fluid in the intake, put it all back together, and it started right up instantly. MAKE SURE YOU USE CARB CLEANER AND SPRAY SOME STARTER FLUID IN THE INTAKE OR FILTER!!!

This was *exactly* the video I needed to watch! Have a Toro recycler with less than 30 hours on it and it wouldn't start this year. Ready to haul it off and buy a new push mower (I'd actually priced them), but decided to try fixing it myself first. Followed the steps here, mower started on the first try. From one Jeff to another..... thanks!

Thanks man. I've had this mower for 2 years and it has started on first pull every time. Been using it all season without any hiccups and then all of a sudden it wouldn't start. Followed along and it started first pull.

Super nice close ups, not just the back of someone's hand, that show great detail on that carb and it's hookups. Gives me a lot of confidence going forward. Thanks.

One of the best fix it videos I’ve ever seen and I fixed it in 30 minutes.

Thanks Jeff, your a lawn saver! Even though the nozzle wouldn't drop out, the jet was totally plugged. I followed your fantastic video, and she started on the second pull. THANKS!

Thank you for taking your time to post this. My Toro had the same issue. After your instructions, it started on the first pull! You saved me a bundle in repairs!

Well, I'm 53 and have always opted for the basic lawn mowers with a mulching blade (MTD, etc), that were only 4.0 H.P., 21" cut, basic w/no self-propel... I used to get them new for like $119 @ Walmart, Home Depot, etc. I've always been a pretty big/strong guy who can push these lawnmowers up and across the most challenging terrain. They lasted forever, w/basic maintenance and I always liked the fact that there were less "options" that could go wrong w/them. Push the rubber prime in 3X before starting, keep good gas/oil/spark plugs in them + a sharpened mulch blade. SORRY FOR THAT LONG SET-UP! I don't have a question, just relating a recent experience. I finally went against my better judgement and bought a 22" Toro Recycler Personal Pace AWD mower last year and paid $399 + tax. ("guaranteed to start in 3 pulls for 3 yrs" + no need to prime the fuel or change the oil... Just refill it). Well... I got about 3 uses out of it and it wouldn't start this summer... New spark plug, gas, oil... Not even a close start in 20 pulls. So, it's back to my old cheapo mower and I will never make that mistake again. I'm not the kind of guy who should ever own or use any higher end gear like that... I will be contacting Toro soon, but I know it will be a negative experience, so I'm giving it a week or two... Great Channel.

Outstanding video. This worked perfectly on an 8 month old lawn mower. I had no idea how to fix the problem. Thanks for posting this.

Clear and to the point with step-by-step instructions. Took me a little longer as I had to "rewind" a few times, but it started on second pull and is still going strong. Thanks for the methodical explanation. Can you do a video on brain surgery next please?!

Thank you so much for this incredibly detailed and helpful video! I have the EXACT same lawnmower that was purchased not even a year ago, and I had the same non-starting issue. Lo and behold, I followed your steps exactly and cleaned the carburetor parts and it started right back up! You just saved me a lot of money! Amazing video, my man. Keep up the great work!

Thank you for making this video. I acquired my Recycler inexpensively with this very problem and was pleased to discover that not only was this problem common but was (relatively) easy to fix. Outside right now, I have a healthy "patient" which is running smoothly for the first time since I purchased it ... for $50 :)

Great video!!! I wouldn't even consider myself at the shade-tree mechanic level but with your video, I got my mower running again. Thanks.

I love how it says on there "guaranteed to start" 😂

Great video! Showed me everything I needed to make my toro run like new. Couldn't be happier with how it's running now. Keep up the good work man!

My model was a little different but principally the same. If you're worried about taking it apart... JUST DO IT! Better than it not working and it's really not hard to figure it out. Thanks dude! I just had to empty the fuel out of the carb and it started running again

Jeff, thank you for your video! I was just about to give my mower away when I found your video. I just gave it a try. Mower started on the first pull. WOW! Thanks again!!

I was just about tobuy a new carb when i came across your vid. thanks to you i saved my money and fixedd it following your step by step info. thanks again you da man!!!!!!!!!!!

Really Good Camera Work......That takes a lot of time and planning to get the shots you want, and to do so Quickly and In-Focus......Congratulations......Great Demonstration.

I did exactly what you said. The only thing I decided to put about 2 tablespoon of sea foam in my gas I had about 3 gallons. Then I put it in my lawnmower and it started right up. Thank you!

Thank you very much for this video. My lawnmower won't start and look on RU-vid to find this. I did exactly what you taught plus a new filter and new spark and works perfectly. Really appreciate it.

Thank you, I just fixed the one mine, of course it is around 6 years old, but the carburetor was really clogged of dirt. After cleaning it started with the first pull 👍🏼👍🏼😁😁

THANK YOU for making this video. I had the same issue with the exact make and model seen here. I followed the steps to the T and it fired RIGHT up after I reassembled everything. THANK YOU very much for all of the fine detail and speed you explained things. FANTASTIC video. 👍👍👍👍

I did it. I followed your instructions and my mower came to life

THANK YOU Jeff!! Awesome instructions! The choke link was slightly different but same removal concept. First-timer..watched your video twice, and I managed to unclog the stupid valve in 30-45 mins. Thank you, Jeff's Little Engine Service! God Bless. Oh! And a can of gun scrubber spray to clean the gunk off worked like a charm.

Perfect. This is exactly my mower, it's exactly my problem and your video had the exact information to fix it. It restarted with just one pull. Now I think I'll tackle the carburetor on the old mower that won't start (the reason I bought this Toro!)

Thanks so much I throughly cleaned the carburetor and now she runs like a dream. Your video was great 👍

Thanks for the video. I have the same exact mower, and it's only 10 months old. I just did exactly what you did, and it fired right up. Thanks again.

I want to add to the list of positive reviews on this video. My recycler wouldn't start and I immediately knew it was the cumulative effect of the ethanol laden gas we all have now. I use stabil for all my gas cans, but eventually it seems to catch up to the small garden engines. Anyway I cleaned the jets and mower started right up. Thanks for the great video.

7:12 thabks for going back and showing which direction it goes. I was stuck at that part so was looking for video on just that part.

Saved some good money by following your instructions. Side note. no idea why people gives this video thumbs down. Crazy. This video is great.

Jeff! Thank you. Thank you kindly. If there was more I could offer besides these words I would. I'd hand you a beer; hell my wife would bake you a pie! We purchased a 2019 Toro Super Recycler last year. My wife ran fuel stabilizer for winterization prior to winter weather we received in my absence. I attempted to start it first time this year and it would not turn over. After the usual things failed I found this video. I followed it exactly and wow, on the first pull it started. I had my doubts as the carb looked fine-not clean, but not like yours. This did the trick though!

Thank God for this video, not sure how I got the long pin off. The one that goes from one side to the other of the mower. For the auto choke. Messing with it for an hr, trying to put it back on! Your video is clear, take off the other side entirely and put the pin in, then replace the carb!

Very good tutorial ! I had mine for 7 years never had a problem when I wanted to start it this summer it did not work. I followed your steps and it worked . I felt so proud because I never fixed something like that lol

Fantastic video. My folks have that mower but with a different air box (sort of like a plastic wing-nut that screws down.) It finally started giving my mom issues after 7 years of neglect. I cleaned the carb and did a tune-up. that thing is a monster, I loved using it again

Thank you for this video I work I was leery about taking on this task, but after watching your video it was incredibly simple. You saved me a trip to the repair center and about $100. I owe you a beer!

It worked for me. I usually dont leave comments but thanks for this helpful video.

I'd like an thank this video 100 times if I could. Very simple instruction that got my mower working again. There was a little crud inside the carb as he said, just follow the instructions as he says and you'll be good to go. What did it for me was the use of the cooper wire to clean out small holes that were plugged up.

Thank you sir, that might have been one of the best instructional/troubleshooting videos ive viewed in a long time. A million thank yous

Worked like a charm....thank you...all it cost me was a 4 buck can of carburetor cleaner!

Nice job Jeff. I had a Briggs and Stratton and with the help of your video I was able to clean the carb and get 'ER running again! Mazel Tov!

Thank you so much for the video, I followed the instructions to the letter and the lawn mower started at the first crank

Now, THAT is how you do a DIY video! Outstanding.

awesome video. I went through the steps just like the video, last thing i did was replace the spark plug and 1 pull later I had a working lawnmower again. Thank you so much.

Thanks for so generously and kindly sharing your knowledge. Saved my one year old lawnmower!

My mower wouldn't start. Followed your instructions and it fired up first pull. Thank you so much!

Hey ppl this really worked!! Mine is also about a year and a half old n I can possibly count the amount of times used. So I was very surprised when it didn’t want to start. Did exactly the steps on this vid n BOOM!! It started. I guess bc the engine is so small that any little particle can prevent it from starting. Thx again Jeff. God bless

I have the same mower/engine combo and it works fine. What I found out is that after 20 minutes the engine would stall then you would have to wait 20 minutes before it would start again. The Kohlers are known for a bad ignition module when that happens. Since I use it to cut my backyard it doesn't have a chance to heat up that much. And the part is like $40 where the Tucumseh part is $15

Same as Cris Gilmore, I was getting ready to throw it away. Now it runs and starts the way it was made to operate. Thanks much

thanks guy ! I have that exact mower and the same problem you just helped me BIG time thanks again!

OMG!!!! i didn't think that i could do it. Thank you so much. Your video saved me $100.00+

Jeff : after watching your Koehler carburetor cleaning - this helped me also with my first ever Koehler engine repair . I think that the Koehler is easier to work on than the Honda , for when you take the Koehler carburetor off everything doesn't come off like the Honda . But I'm a Honda engine guy still yet . Thanks for the informative video ....

Thank you for this video. Cleaning the carburetor worked like a charm.

Another helpful video, Your calm nature makes you an excellent teacher

sweet, just did this and it fixed it. mine was 10x worse than the carb in the video as well. main jet all clogged up. thanks for the video.

This has helped me so much - lawnmower started straight away after following instructions! Thank you!

Thanks a ton for this video. Got my lawnmower back up and running in about 30 minutes thanks to you!

I have to admit I really didn't want to go through these steps as I am NOT a mechanic and tend to mess things up rather than fix them. However I just bought the machine and didn't want to just throw this investment away so I used your method. I have the exact same mower. True be told, short of draining the gas as I just funneled it back in the can via the gas line. this didn't take but 15 minuets. Started right up with no problem and cracked multiple times with no slowing rpms. work just like it did out of the box. Thanks for the heads up.

Thanks Jeff had the same issue, cleaned out the carb, now she's running smooth.

Wow, you’re the best. Simple and straight forward, you’d made it.👍👍👍👍

Thank you for posting this, my mower is back up and running!!!

You just saved me a ton of money and aggravation. Great video, easy to follow.Thank you!!

Thank you!!!! You saved me a trip to repair shop. Thank you once again.

worked perfectly! even though the inside already looked clean for me, doing this maintenance did the trick 😊

Before you go to all this hassle, here a pretty quick fix, maybe. I have a Toro mower identical to this one. It ran perfectly the first year, but by the 1st or 2nd mowing the next year, it became difficult to start. Even after starting, it would not run for more than 30 seconds. Shortly after buying it I noticed securely closing the gas cap was awkward and it probably was not fully closed. Over the winter, the not fully sealed cap was allowing the more volatile component of gas to evaporate, thus causing the starting & running problem. Drained the old gas. Added fresh gas, making sure the cap is fully sealed. Started right up. Toro notified of cap problem. No answer from them yet.

Thank You so much for posting this video. I have the exact same mower and the exact same issue. I was going to sell it on Craigslist and buy a new one, but your video saved the day!

No Way !!!! THANK YOU , ILL GET MY HANDS on it !!!! THANK YOU 👍🏼 😉

Thank you for the video. I have the same mower and followed each step. The mower fired up on the first pull.

Thanks for this video. You made it so easy for me to understand and figure out what was wrong with my mower. You are the man!

thank a lot buddy got my lawn mover running after two years I'm so happy with my new lawn mover

Love the way the jet magically made it back in AFTER the float bowl was on.

I have this same mower, recently I've put a tie down on the handle and I let it warm up for a couple minutes before I start mowing, otherwise it'll start to die when it hits taller grass. I'll have to dive in and take the carb apart, I'm not a big fan of the carbs on the popular Honda GCV160 engines and this design looks even more complicated, hopefully I can get it all cleaned up and running like new again, already did a full tune up with oil, air filter and spark plug replacement. Noticed many are having issues with this engine but my unit has been pretty good, we've had it for 2-3 years now and it always starts right up when it warms back up after winter. This first mow of the year seems like it is finally struggling to start. I noticed you also use that wire trick, I discovered that when I first learned to clean carbs on small engines, had a piece of wire in my pile of scraps and it ended up working well, great video!

awesome vid! Was exactly what I needed and now my toro is running smooth again!