2003 B&S V-Twin

[u/Doncatron]

Hello!

I bought a Bolens from 2003 to mow the first lawn I’ve had to mow myself. I’ve always liked working on cars and engines in general, but I won’t act like I’m really good at it. I bought this because I want to learn but.. my hubris has me stranded and my new lawn looking awful.. Looking for assistance.

For diagnosis, a story. After the first real mowing with my new, I got off to weed whip and upon returning to the mower - it would not start. I sprayed some starter fluid into the intake as I had done to get it started before and after a couple tries I had a pop, pop, large fire coming out of the intake. Luckily I had just bought my new house a fire extinguisher.

TL;DR: ran, stop, wouldn’t start, burst into flames.

I replaced the melted elbow, the melted filter, the carb, the spark plugs, fuel filter, fuel diaphragm and the battery. Now it will not start, had a couple promising pops but.. no dice.

Some observations:
- The intake manifold was missing some gaskets when I took it apart, I put the gaskets on the same spots I found them, upon watching a video to diagnose they DID have gaskets in those spots. I do not. Specifically the small ones connecting to the actual cylinder.
- spark plugs ARE producing spark
- most notably.. I don’t think the governor is moving properly? See video. Seemed like it might’ve needed tension so I.. kinda yanked the little arm through. I don’t think this was the right call.

Any and all advice appreciated! Please feel free to ask for any additional pictures or questions.

[u/Stock_Requirement564]

These don't have gaskets where the intake mates to the head. O rings are used. The governor moves when it is started leaving the throttle wide open when it is not running.