If I understand properly, it sounds like the dogs on the recoil mechanism are worn. They are designed to engage with centrifugal force when you pull the cord. Make sure they are coming out when you pull the cord, you have to remove the housing to do this and make sure the dogs aren't worn. Also check the plate they engage onto on the flywheel and make sure it is tight and not worn/
I recently had a similar problem with an old briggs 3hp engine. In my case the starter clutch was not engaging properly. I then removed the starter rope/clutch mechanism, cleaned it, and rewound the spring. This job is not too difficult but requires a little research if you haven't done it before. It was my first time so I watched several youtube videos (separate videos for the clutch and the starter rope). A few important details on winding the spring were described in the user manual for the Briggs starter rope replacement kit (about $10, including the winding tool). Good luck!
Don't remove the rivets! The whole top of the mower comes off by removing the bolts in front and back (I'm assuming it's a Briggs). Should be two up front and two in back. Pull the whole top off the blower assembly then you can replace the rope yourself. You sound pretty savvy so I'm gonna send you two video links that I love for doing this. After watching both, you should get the idea of how it's done. Best of luck to you and Happy Mowing. JamesVideo1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyjQir3b3xIVideo2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3ZMVFi0yqY
sounds like you might have too much oil in the sump or a wet sumped ( had a engine flooding )
does the oil in sump smell like petrol and runs like water if you tip some out ? if carb is not shutting of fuel flow
if so drain and refill to correct level andgive tank and carb a thourgh clean out and check / replace needle and seat in carb, check float for fuel inside float ?
then check that breather is not stuck closed and is allowing pressure build up in crankcase and forcing oil past rings into the combustion chamber
is the oil comming out of muffler ?or from somewhere else ?
Likely either the engine is flooded or low compression.
A simple go no go compression test is remove spark plug and press a thumb or finger firmly over the plug hole and crank engine. It should forcibly push your finger and make a loud PFFfft sound. No or little sound equals insufficient compression.
If the push rod was not bent, there was no reason to replace. If it was bent then I question how you set proper valve lash with new pushrod as the typical cause for a bent rod is a displaced valve guide.
If compression is OK then likely it's simply flooding and you have a carb float/inlet needle issue. Crank engine, remove plug and if it's saturated with fuel then it's flooded and a flooded engine will not fire, even with starter fluid.
Question edited for clarity and spelling.
Question moved from Motorcycles category.
Please proof read before pressing 'Post Question'. Your 'Bolson' doesn't exist!
https://www.google.com/search?q=Bolsen+1.5HP+158cc+briggs+%26+stratton
Surging is usually caused by an air leak in the inlet manifold.
Remove and sharpen the blade. If the blade is sharp, it will slice though the grass with no resistance. Over time, the cutting edge gets blunted by stones, grass and soil. If that doesn't fix it, remove the carburetor, strip and clean all the jets. Make sure you count the turns and write down any pilot jet settings.
