Why is my lawn mower wan't start and how do I fix it?
There is nothing more annoying than when you finally get around to cutting your grass and you realize that your lawn mower want't start or is taking way too much time to start! No one wants to cross hurdles just to merely mow their lawn, not at all! So here are some tips and tricks which will help you figure out what may be wrong with your lawn mower.
So before you work yourself into a screaming fit over your lawn mowers disobedience, take a look at these steps to make sure this is not the reason why your lawn mower is acting up.
If you are unable to pull the starter rope or it seems stuck: A characteristic cause for this problem is that the engine flywheel brake (the bar that is held down on the handle which stops the engine when released) is engaged. Be certain about bringing the bar down all the way to the handle before pulling. This can also happen if your mower blade is congested with grass clippings. Move your mower off your lawn to a smooth and hard surface. Undo the spark plug wire and turn off the mower, clear the underside of the mower of excessive off cuts, then resume for a safe mowing position, and give it another pull.
However, mostly, this is exactly the problems about 8 out of 10 times with tricky lawn mower engines! People often neglect this imperative part of lawn mower engines. To remedy this problem, you will need is a few basic tools, an air compressor, some cleaner for your carburetor and you are all set. Oh, and you might need to dash to a hardware store as well, but that depends on circumstances as well.
The first thing you need to do is check the plug. Take the spark plug out and check it is wet. If it is indeed wet, the engine will not start, no matter what you do. So you need to clean with your carburetor cleaner and leave it till it dries.
If the plug was not wet, then you should consider changing the fuel if it is more than a month old. Once you do that put the plug back in and try the engine a few times till it catches. You might have to repeat cleaning the spark plug part a few more times before the fuel is sucked into the carburetor.
Your engine may not be getting gas; this may be because the fuel filter is not plugged or if the carburetor inlet needle is stuck. You can check for this by removing the fuel line at the carburetor. Once you do this, you should see gas running out. If gas flows, that means your filter is clogged. This means you need to replace your filter and if your engine still has issues, it might have something to do with the fuel line being kinked so try and check the inside of the tank for any stray debris which might be the reason behind the clog.
You can also inspect the insides of your carburetor. There may be a slight chance or corroding, if that is so, you will have to replace the whole thing because corroding cannot be reversed.
If all else fails, consider taking your lawn mower to a professional. And if even they cannot help you, then maybe it is time to invest in a new lawn mower!
There are some simple ways which can ensure a long and healthy life of your mower.
So before you work yourself into a screaming fit over your lawn mowers disobedience, take a look at these steps to make sure this is not the reason why your lawn mower is acting up.
Check the carburetor and fuel to make sure the problem does not lie there.
If you are unable to pull the starter rope or it seems stuck: A characteristic cause for this problem is that the engine flywheel brake (the bar that is held down on the handle which stops the engine when released) is engaged. Be certain about bringing the bar down all the way to the handle before pulling. This can also happen if your mower blade is congested with grass clippings. Move your mower off your lawn to a smooth and hard surface. Undo the spark plug wire and turn off the mower, clear the underside of the mower of excessive off cuts, then resume for a safe mowing position, and give it another pull.
However, mostly, this is exactly the problems about 8 out of 10 times with tricky lawn mower engines! People often neglect this imperative part of lawn mower engines. To remedy this problem, you will need is a few basic tools, an air compressor, some cleaner for your carburetor and you are all set. Oh, and you might need to dash to a hardware store as well, but that depends on circumstances as well.
The first thing you need to do is check the plug. Take the spark plug out and check it is wet. If it is indeed wet, the engine will not start, no matter what you do. So you need to clean with your carburetor cleaner and leave it till it dries.
If the plug was not wet, then you should consider changing the fuel if it is more than a month old. Once you do that put the plug back in and try the engine a few times till it catches. You might have to repeat cleaning the spark plug part a few more times before the fuel is sucked into the carburetor.
Your engine may not be getting gas; this may be because the fuel filter is not plugged or if the carburetor inlet needle is stuck. You can check for this by removing the fuel line at the carburetor. Once you do this, you should see gas running out. If gas flows, that means your filter is clogged. This means you need to replace your filter and if your engine still has issues, it might have something to do with the fuel line being kinked so try and check the inside of the tank for any stray debris which might be the reason behind the clog.
You can also inspect the insides of your carburetor. There may be a slight chance or corroding, if that is so, you will have to replace the whole thing because corroding cannot be reversed.
If all else fails, consider taking your lawn mower to a professional. And if even they cannot help you, then maybe it is time to invest in a new lawn mower!
Steps to note
There are some simple ways which can ensure a long and healthy life of your mower.
- Never let it sit in a dirty condition, just as you do with your children. You should clean its air filter immediately!
- If the grass hasn’t been cut for a long time, then increase the cutting height of your lawn mower
- Maybe the problem is in the spark plug. It might be subject to melt down. The spark plug will have melted metal around the gap, and is not usual, but can be caused by a lack of good gas in your engine, try changing it, find the one that suits your mower. Also, if the spark plug gets striped you will need to buy a ‘Heli coli’, which will surely patch the damage.
- Never forget to give it a rest. An engine that’s receiving gas and not starting probably has an inundated carburetor or cylinder soaked with gasoline. Often your nose is enough for the identification. Flooded engines stink of unburned fuel. The carburetor might be clogged. A clogged carburetor is most commonly caused by leaving fuel in the lawn mower for a long period of time. Over time, some of the ingredients in the fuel may vaporize, leaving behind a dense, gummy substance. This sticky fuel can clog up the carburetor and prevent the engine from starting. If the carburetor is clogged, try cleaning it with carburetor cleaner. If cleaning the carburetor isn’t workable, rebuild or replace the entire carburetor. Place the mower on level ground, and wait about ten, fifteen minutes for the gas to evaporate. Then try starting it again.
