The current trend on YouTube for cleaning small engine carburettors seems to show the use of Micro Drill bits to clean the jets, or open them up slightly when engine is surging. I also see Gas nozzle files being sold for the same purpose, and they can be just as bad. 

I hate this advice and wish it would stop to be honest. It's fine if you really know what you're doing and don't take any metal out of the jets, but I find some after they are now cleaned properly are running too rich. This can get costly as some jets you can't buy separately which means a new carb is the only way to go. 

Cleaning with the aid of a Sonic Cleaning tank, a can of carb cleaner and (or) non abrasive cleaning pins of the correct size should be all you need to get it running properly.

For those with very little knowledge:  Sticking a drill bit through your jets is a bad idea, and could cost you more in the long run. 

Thanks, like I said I'm sure it will be handy info for those having the same issue as you mentioned.

I think I might have enough donor batteries to try and make a good one out of, but need to get or make up a spot welder to strap them together again.  Don't think my soldering iron will do it as the tip is too small.

Kev, glad to hear all is ok.    You'll be fine tipping it the other way though as I would do when servicing machines with the same engine.

Happy mowing. 

Great, hope he can get it sorted for you.. And yes please let us know what he finds. 

Quote from: Steven1210 on April 25, 2024, 06:11:10 AMHi Mick

Funny you say that, as was looking at this

Weibang Virtue 50 SVP Variable Speed Pro Lawnmower 4 in 1

All my tree kit is husqvarna, as well as kombi system (strimmer, brushcutter, hedge cutter, pole pruner) but I'm just not taken by any of their models.

Was also looking at izy honda, but they look like a honda machine targeted at homeowners.

Steve

Steve, the Honda IZY 16" and 18" machines are pretty good to be honest, we have several people who use them commercially and love them.  The IZY 21" is a different machine altogether though, I always found the deck flimsy, and the separate height adjusters are rubbish.

Quote from: Sonnym on April 23, 2024, 06:53:05 PMHi mick. All clean, first pull and it almost starts. But then it doesn't,  let it sit for 5 minutes and almost starts. But next pull it doesn't. Any other ideas please
Thanks again

This is very tricky to know what's wrong because I can't see or hear it. What happens if you drip a small amount of fuel straight into the carb inlet, does it start and stop?

computerix, welcome to TGMF.

Thank you for posting that info, I'm sure it will come in handy.  The batteries I had problems with were suffering with the flashing lights when charging, but not sure if the same as you described.  I posted a couple of them on Youtube you can see  them here,

https://youtube.com/shorts/Is13NuvhSJk?si=G3i8wcr-A1I_WVW-
https://youtube.com/shorts/IfMtuh2vIk8?si=iPXavnl-nfoAmNn2

Hi Steven, and welcome to TGMF.

I have to say I'm more into repairs than I am into sales so not my best field, I was rather hoping someone would jump in and answer this.  But you could try one of the Weibang Virtue range, I think they are pretty well built for the money.

A couple of things to consider.  You can probably get two or three domestic machines for the cost of a pro machine. Some machines don't like having handles constantly folded it can damage cables and cause various issues, so if you can get away without having to fold them it would be better.

And once you introduce variable speed you are adding more components to go wrong, especially if it's done via belts which most are these days.

Pleased to hear that.    Keep blade lubricated when storing for long periods, and adjust blades occasionally to keep it cutting nicely. 

Hi CheshamMow, and welcome to TGMF.

I would just do a visual inspection of the cutting cylinder and make sure none of the welds are broken, or blades bent. 

Then start by backing off the adjustment each side so the bottom blade moves away from the cylinder, see if it all turns normally and then adjust the bottom blade so it's just touching the cylinder blades all the way across. If sharp enough you should be able to cut strips of paper while setting it up.

Quote from: Sonnym on April 16, 2024, 07:31:44 PMHi mick, if anything the hole could be too small. I used a very small drill bit. Will give it another bash tomorrow 😁
Thanks

That's quite possible. I tend to use the Honda cleaning pins for these jobs, the are the correct size and the ends are designed to scrape the varnish off the brass jets without damaging them.

Quote from: Sonnym on April 16, 2024, 06:09:03 PMThe main jet screw  that takes fuel from the bowl, it was blocked solid, so I ran a small drill piece through.

Ok, so hopefully you didn't take any metal off with the drill bit and enlarged the jet too much. Try starting it without choke.

Have you tried another spark plug just in case that's also causing issues? 

Sonnym, what jet did you unblock, the one under the bowl nut, or the plastic one on the top?

Quote from: Somerset on April 15, 2024, 08:05:49 PMThank you

I'll try 2 gaskets. Yes the primer bulb has a hole in it. The new one looks to be the same as the old one apart from.being red instead of black.

It primed fine last year, but when I got it out this year it just won't prime.

The two gasket trick usually works and certainly worth a try.  As long as the bowl seal is good and the filter backplate is sealed against the carb correctly there should be no reason for none priming.  You're simply putting a little pressure in the bowl which pushes a small amount of fuel up into the intake. With the air filter removed you should be able to see the fuel entering the intake when you prime it. 

Let me know how it goes.

Kev, if that's the same engine in the picture from the link you provided then you should tip mower on to it's right hand side, towards oil filler. (just make sure it's cooled down a bit in case of fuel spillage from carb).

You would do the same when changing (draining the oil).

The crankcase breather is on the same (left) side as the carb hence why it dumped the oil into the air filter casing.

Their info is wrong if they say left.

Edit:  Just to clear up that "Golden Rule" thing, you often see this mentioned but in reality it's just there for people who don't understand how how things work, sort of a generic instruction.  You'll often see people telling others to only tip the machine backwards resting on the handles as well.  Although this is probably the safest way to avoid these issues it's also the most awkward way because the machine is sitting at a angle meaning you virtually have to climb under it.