Tuning up a gas lawnmower

comet

comet

Joined
Oct 8, 2002
Messages
258
I have a 5-year old Gas lawn mower. It is 6 HP Briggs and Stratton motor. Apart from changing the plug what you do to tune it up? It seems to be running more sluggish than usual these days.

Thanks
 
Take the bowl off the bottom of the carb and get all the water and debris out. Clean the air filter with gasoline and let dry before you replace it. Not much to them.
 
A new spark plug never hurts either. Chances are in that age range it's got some sort of electronic ignition, so you shouldn't have to fool with points and such. (anyone remember those?)

In addition to the float bowl, check to see if there's an inline gas filter on the fuel line. If so, replace it.
 
What those guys just said. Also, make sure to take off and sharpen the blade. You will be surprised at how dinged up and dull that blade will be when you look at it. A sharp blade makes a huge difference too.
 
I put a small bit of militec 1 in the oil :). I figured if it worked inmy car it should work in my mower.

Neko2
 
I have a Briggs like yours, it's going 15 years old. I change the plug, and air filter every year. And the oil twice a season, I run sta-bil in the gas. I change the blade every 2 years. My rider gets the same treatment. It's cheap and take me an hour to do both.
 
Thanks for tips guys. Will tackle this on Saturday morning. BTW, how do you all touch up the lawnmower blade? I have a grinder and bastard file. Anyone else have tips for the curved sections of the balde? :confused:
 
Back out the needle valve and spray it off with Gum-out. Then spray Gum-out into the jet (the hole that you took the needle valve out of). Replace the needle valve GENTLY to a full closed position and then back out 1&1/2 turns as a beginning point. Start the engine and fine tune by ear. Its also very important to keep the oil changed in these old Briggs motors, as the crank-shaft bearings are just cast into the block and dirty oil will tear them up beau-coup fast.

Bill
 
I picked up a lansky puck to sharpen the lawnmower blade, axes and whatnot around the knife. It's like adouble sided stone but more puck shaped.

Neko2
 
Mark Williams said:
Take the bowl off the bottom of the carb and get all the water and debris out. Clean the air filter with gasoline and let dry before you replace it. Not much to them.
Click to expand...

If it is a foam air filter, you need to recharge it with motor oil before reinstalling it. If it is a pleated paper filter (used on most newer Briggs motors), it needs to be replaced.

Another thing you can do is write down the engine numbers, and check the Briggs & Stratton website for maintenance recommendations. The engine numbers are usually on the side of the top housing , above the spark plug. They may also be on a plate near the top of the motor housing. They are a set of three differnt number groups; the first is model number, then the type number, then the code number.

Here is the B & S website link:

www.briggsandstratton.com
 
Got a great B & S tune up kit at HD for $10. It comes with a new air filter, a plug, fuel stabilizer and 30 W oil. Sharpened the blade and I am off to the races. Thanks for your help.

:)
 
Now ya got her tuned up, time to bolt on a nitrous oxide injection system. :D You know for that tall grass in the back yard. :D

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http://www.speed-sports.com/motorscooters/NOS_kit.html
 
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