Sounds like its a fueling issue, or there lack of.. When your hand is over it you're restricting the air flow and the engine is receiving the right amount of air to fuel.. But with the filter on, its drawing too much air for the amount of fuel its getting.. Check the fuel lines, fuel filter, and carb settings if it has any tuning screws. If its a float type, make sure the needle valve isn't sticking.
Unplug the spark plug. Try to turn the blade by hand, be sure to use a heavy glove to protect your hand from the sharp edge. If the blade turns, then move it back and forth to free it up. If it won't turn, take the spark plug out and try to turn the blade . If it won't turn, you may need the engine overhauled. If it will turn, put a level teaspoon of light oil in the spark plug hole, and turn the blade a few times.Now try the pull rope.If it works, put a level teaspoon of fresh gasoline in the spark plug hole and install the spark plug. It should startBe blessed.
see if the oil smells like gas the carb maybe sticking and gas gets into the oil washing the oil out this will make hard starting and smoke if so the needle valve is not sealing if you caught in time without major engine damage a sign is the oil being over full and smelling like gas
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.
Check the fuel lines. My brother had one that wouldn't start because when the fuel line was forced on to the fitting, some rubber shaved off the inside of the tubing and blocked the fitting. Also inspect the fuel filter and fuel cutoff or check valves if these are present.
I haven't looked up your particular model, but some riding mowers have fuel cutoff interlock devices. Check those for proper operation.
BRIGGS & STRATTON ENGINES:
For temperatures above 40? F use an SAE30W oil. Using multigrade oil may increase oil consumption. Using SAE 30W oil below 40? F will result in hard starting and possible engine
bore damage. For temperatures below 40 ? F use
an SAE10W-30 or SAE5W-30 oil. Oil capacity for the 6 H.P. engine is approximately 5/8 quart (20 ounces; 0.6 liter).
Refer to Briggs & Stratton engine owner's manual for additional
information.
It's goose is cooked. or notsee long play below.I assumed that was done first,.or the blade engage lever is disengaged now and the engine pulley to blades is relaxed, the engine may have cracked the rod or crank shaft.
Rotate the engine in the direction it runs, since the stroke sequence is intake, compression, power, exhaust, the exhaust valve will open and close followed closely by the intake. After the intake opens and closes there will be a pause before the exhaust opens and closes again.
