I have a Toro mower(model 21565, a Super Recycling Mower), and lately it showed problems.
- When the mower runs hot, the engine just sputters and dies;
- When the mower cools down, the mower restarts just fine.
So it could be two problems:
- The Magneto is old, and when the engine heats up, the magneto heats up, and stops working, so the engine dies;
- The gas cap doesn’t vent enough, so it runs for a while, and then just sputters and dies. When you open the gas cap to check the fuel level, the vacuum is broken up, and the engine will work again for a while.
I decided to get a new magneto installed. Easy fix, here’s how to do it. Will figure out if the gas cap is also an issue, later on.
I ordered the Briggs & Stratton 84005272 “Magneto Armature” from Amazon, around $25.
You need the following tools:
- Torx T25
- Ratchet with 8mm socket
- Ratchet with 1/4 inch socket
- Half a business card (length-wise)
Use the Torx to loosen the 2 screws in the red top. Set the cover to the side, don’t bother trying to get it around the rope start.
Use the 8mm socket ratchet to loosen the 3 screws to remove the shroud that covers the flywheel. Set the cover to the side, same as the red cover.
Disconnect the spark plug connector.
The magneto is connected to the engine cut-off with a thin wire and a plastic connector. Pry that loose, and just move it to the side. A replacement wire comes with the new magneto, but mine was still ok, so i did not bother.
Use the 1/4 inch socket ratchet to loosen the two screws that hold the magneto in place.
Remove the disconnected magneto.
Put the halved business card against the flywheel, and
Put the new one in place, remember it’s a magnet!
The business card will keep the magnet away from the flywheel just enough.
Put the two 1/4 inch bolts in to bolt down the new magneto.
Connect the thin wire connector to the magneto. If you forget this step, the mower later on will start, but won’t stop when you release the engine-stop lever. (yes, i did that. If that happens to you, just pull the spark plug connector, so the engine dies. Watch out for hot engine parts!)
Put back the shroud, and bolt it down with the three 8mm bolts
Put back the plastic cover, and screw it down with the T25 torx screws.
Connect the spark plug connector.
It should start at the first pull. And it did 🙂