briggs and stratton engine

Hi bought my mower it's an old hayter spirit it's big a bit heavy but cuts nicely despite flooding engine and now the pull rope is stuck , should I try and fix myself or take it to repairs I've only had it a couple of hours.

I've never used a petrol mower before

Thanks

 

The flooding engine should be easy enough to sort, if you're a bit handy. Engines flood for one of two reasons. Either the fuel isn't being burnt properly or too much fuel is coming in in the first place.

First place to look is always the spark plug and its HT lead (and the connector that connects it to the spark plug). A worn, dirty or incorrectly gapped plug will cause it to not ignite the fuel efficiently. This has the knock on effect that the plug gets a build up of unburnt/partially burnt fuel on it which further reduces its effectiveness. 9 times out of 10 a good clean will sort it, unless it is excessively worn. The connectors and spark plug tops also oxidise over time, reducing the power that makes your spark.

If there is too much fuel getting in in the first place, then the first place to look is the air filter. If it is filthy it will reduce the airflow, and the vacuum of the engine on the induction stroke has to be met from somewhere, so it will pull more fuel through, thus upsetting the fuel/air mix.

That's the two easy (and in my experience most likely) causes covered, if it is neither of those then there are a few more things to look at, but I'd check those first.

 

I fixed the flooded engine , it's just the pull rope is stuck so can't start the engine.
Shall I undo the bolts and see whats what or wait for experts to look at it.
Did I pull too hard or something??
Cheers

 

The pull cord mecanism consists of a coilded spring and a nylon pawl, the pawl is probably sticking, take off the bolts and have alook and lubricate it with some 3 in 1 oil.

You wont do any harm having a look.

 

I'd go with JWK..A service would be the better recourse

 

Its only 3 or 4 nuts holding the cover on. Watch for the plastic seal going on the carb, they are quite cheap to replace from a repair shop and just bolt on.Just make sure you note which way round the pull cord go's.

 

Thanks will let you know how I get on. It's a hyter harrier as the guy advertised I have bought this a bit clueless.

With two kiddo's at my ankles it's finding time to open it up till Sunday.
If it proves too difficult would it be easy to sell when fixed, as I'm worried it's abit heavy for me.
I've been asked to do a gardening job next month so need to organise some equiptment,worked on this garden before but had electric as I lived there communal gdns.

Appreciate your advice

 

Old Hayter Harrier. Its probably got a steel rear-roller and push, rather than self-propelled.

Do you really need a rear roller who's only benefit is producing stripes and being able to cut over edges.

\whats the size and type of lawn you are needing to cut and how often.

 

It's working now my friend got it going , I don't need to push it it drives itself if that makes sense my friend said it's a good mower and very sturdy solid but heavy I can store it where I am working.

At the mo it probably needs petrol think will use it for this season than sell it and get somthing lighter next year.
Looking hayter web sight it looks like 1980s model there is no logo on the actual machine but is similar.

It's a rough lawn 200mtrs I think not really measured it . Mowing weekly during summer and lots of major cut back work.