Nice Neighbor gave me a Reel Mower...

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JLH911

JLH911

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but it doesn't run. That's where I come in. I know I'll get this going, but the PO(not my neighbor)left fuel in the fuel tank and it's nasty in there.

There isn't any rust that I can see but I know it's pretty gummed up in there.

My question is this: What do you guys suggest for cleaning it? What kind of chemicals or methods have worked for you or think might work for me?

Thanks!

Btw, it's a Briggs and Stratton 3HP engine.
 
Change the oil, clean the air filter, empty the gas tank, change the fuel line, dump some Sefafoam in the carb and let it set. Dump out most of the Seafoam and add gas.

Start pulling. It will start, those are good old engines.
 
The non-motorized version is the type of mower that cut my rt trigger finger half off in the 60's.
 
Don't forget to spray some SeaFoam Deep Creep directly into the carb. That junk is amazing. :cheers:
 
Very Close.

Weedhopper said:
Change the oil, clean the air filter, empty the gas tank, change the fuel line, dump some Sefafoam in the carb and let it set. Dump out most of the Seafoam and add gas.

Start pulling. It will start, those are good old engines.
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I would do everything wheedhopper mentioned.

Depending on the vintage of 3hp B&S:

If it is old unit, you have a diaphragm on the side of the carburetor. The diaphragm gets stiff and the flapper valves (fuel pump) stick. Super easy to replace and they are sold at a bunch of places. To give you an idea where it is, if your muffler was not in the way you could use a long thin slot head screw driver or a T20 torx (newer) to get the screws out of the cover.

For the newer generation engine, there is a diaphragm between the carburetor and the fuel tank. The carburetor has to come off the tank to replace it. There are brass or plastic down pipes going into the tank, clean them while it is apart.

If it is an antique 3hp B&S, it will have a float bowl carburetor and a remote fuel tank.


As Weedhopper mentioned, these are simple, easy to work on motors that can last many lifetimes.
 
It's a TRU-CUT 20" model.

I'll try this suggestions.

I removed the carb and tank and just ordered a gasket kit for it. I think I'll head to a local lawnmower shop and look for a tune-up kit too.

I love trying to get something old and neglected working again. I'll keep you guys posted.

btw, never heard of sea foam deep creep.:hhmm:
 
Seafoam is available at any auto parts store. Red and white can. Costs about 8 dollars.

I have never used the spray, I pour the liquid into the gas, or pour into the carb.

You have to get rid of most of the seafoam if you pour it into the carb. It is not very flammable.

I have a friend who let his generator sit for about two years. Ran like cr*p. We poured seafoam in, let it sit for a beer, ( great timing device) gave it some gas and fired it up. Ran it for an hour and she purrs like a kitten now.
 
Weedhopper said:
Seafoam is available at any auto parts store. Red and white can. Costs about 8 dollars.

I have never used the spray, I pour the liquid into the gas, or pour into the carb.

You have to get rid of most of the seafoam if you pour it into the carb. It is not very flammable.

I have a friend who let his generator sit for about two years. Ran like cr*p. We poured seafoam in, let it sit for a beer, ( great timing device) gave it some gas and fired it up. Ran it for an hour and she purrs like a kitten now.
Click to expand...


Yeah, I have to cans of regular SeaFoam but he mentioned a "Deep Creep" version. I found it online and it's more for loosening nuts and bolts and stuff like that. Kind of like PB Blaster.

Sea Foam | Deep Creep
 
You can use a can of carb cleaner to remove the varnish as well.

If it is as thick as you mentioned it is, put some little 1/4" bolts and 3/8" nuts in the tank along with a little bit of fresh fuel. Shake the fuel tank. The bolts and nuts will break the varnish loose as you shake.


You make have to do it more than once.
 
D'Animal said:
You can use a can of carb cleaner to remove the varnish as well.

If it is as thick as you mentioned it is, put some little 1/4" bolts and 3/8" nuts in the tank along with a little bit of fresh fuel. Shake the fuel tank. The bolts and nuts will break the varnish loose as you shake.


You make have to do it more than once.
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Thanks, I'll try that.
 
JLH911 said:
Ouch! were you able to re-attach it?
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Yeah, they reattached it but it didn't take so they cut it off 2 days later. Thing is, it is cut off right above the knuckle so it still grows the nail. I wished they would have taken it to below the knuckle. One time playing street basketball I went up for a layup and the nail snagged in the net and ripped it off. Bled like a mofo.....
 
nspctr1 said:
Yeah, they reattached it but it didn't take so they cut it off 2 days later. Thing is, it is cut off right above the knuckle so it still grows the nail. I wished they would have taken it to below the knuckle. One time playing street basketball I went up for a layup and the nail snagged in the net and ripped it off. Bled like a mofo.....
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Wow:eek:

Thats just nasty
 
nspctr1 said:
Yeah, they reattached it but it didn't take so they cut it off 2 days later. Thing is, it is cut off right above the knuckle so it still grows the nail. I wished they would have taken it to below the knuckle. One time playing street basketball I went up for a layup and the nail snagged in the net and ripped it off. Bled like a mofo.....
Click to expand...

The Dr's had to remove a bone from my granny's index finger. So it would look more normal, they put the fingernail there, too. It was strange looking , but got the job done. Crazy what they can do nowadays. :)
 
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