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Quick Answer: Why Lawnmower Won T Start

Your Mower Won’t Start: Other possible causes include: Loose, Dirty or Disconnected Spark Plug in Your Lawn Mower: Check it out, clean off debris, re-connect and tighten. Dirty Air Filter: Clean or replace. Fuel Not Reaching the Engine: Tap the side of the carburetor to help the flow of gas.

What do you do when your lawn mower won’t start?

If you run into problems getting your lawnmower ready for spring, try the following: Use fresh gas. Old gasoline can cause starting difficulties. Check the spark plug. Use the choke. Prime the mower. Check the air filter. Check the cables. Check for water in the fuel tank. Clear the starter cord of blockages.

Why is it so hard to start my lawn mower?

The fuel filter might be clogged. A clogged fuel filter is most commonly caused by leaving old fuel in the lawn mower. Over time, some of the ingredients in the fuel may evaporate, leaving behind a thicker, stickier substance. This sticky fuel can clog up the fuel filter and make the engine hard to start.

Why does my lawn mower start but not stay running?

A full gas tank and oil reservoir are the essential first steps when checking why the lawn mower won’t stay running, but the problem could also be a dirty filter, clogged carburetor, improper fuel mixture, or a dirty spark plug. However, you may need a lawn mower specialist to get you back to trimming your grass.

How do you start a lawn mower when its cold?

How to Start a Cold Lawn Mower Brush the tip of the spark plug with the wire brush to remove any carbon and oil debris. Spray the tip with starter fluid. Press the primer button near the air filter cover three times with you thumb. Take your thumb off and allow the primer button to raise back out. Start your lawn mower.

Can a lawn mower get flooded?

Flooding a lawnmower is easy to do. Priming it too many times by pushing the primer bulb can also cause flooding. The most common cause of flooding, however, is too many attempts to start the engine by not pulling the starter cord firmly or quickly enough to spark the mower into engagement.

How do you start a choke lawn mower?

Open the choke all the way if you notice that it has been closed. If it has been open, the carburetor may be flooded. Close the choke, and pull the starting cord a few times. When you get the engine to sputter, open the choke, and try starting the mower.

How can I make my lawn mower pull easier to start?

You can, alternatively, stengthen the muscles that are involved by taking the spark plug out of your lawnmower. This will reduce the resistance of the engine and allow you to pull the cord as a kind of exercise that will strengthen your muscles, and especially, your muscle memory.

Why does my lawn mower only run for a few seconds then dies?

If your lawn mower starts, runs briefly, then dies these are the four most common reasons that’s happening: Dirty carburetor / clogged carburetor bowl. Old gasoline that has gone bad. Dirty or defective spark plugs.

Why does my lawn mower only run on full choke?

If your lawn mower only runs with the choke on, check the carburetor. The carburetor brings air and fuel together and mixes them in the perfect ratio for combustion before they enter the engine. There are several passages in the carburetor that allow fuel to enter the air stream depending how the throttle is set.

How do you clean a clogged lawn mower carburetor?

Detailed Guide on How to Clean Lawn Mower Carburetor Remove the Outer Casing and Air Filter. Removing the Carburetor. Unbolt the carburetor’s bowl and clean the nut. Use a carburetor cleaner to get rid of dirt deposits within the carburetor. Replace the gasket. Check its settings. Reassemble and reattach.

Why won’t my mower start when its cold?

Keeping your mower clean will also go a long way toward helping your mower start in cold weather. Clean the spark plug with a brush to remove any carbon or oil debris. If your lawn mower won’t start and the gas inside is from last fall, try changing the gas. Finally, another handy tip is to warm up the carburetor.

Where is the spark plug on a lawn mower?

Spark plugs are typically located on the back or side of a lawn mower engine. Look for a short wire that’s about 1/4-in. -thick leading to the top of a short, cylindrical protrusion from the engine. If you’re not sure where the spark plug is, consult your owner’s manual.

How do I know if my lawn mower carburetor is bad?

Dirty Carburetor Symptoms The lawn mower engine has trouble starting. The engine starts but stalls while you’re cutting the lawn. The engine runs rough during mowing. Black smoke is seen coming out of the muffler. There is a noticeable increase in fuel consumption during normal lawn mower use.

Can old gas cause a lawn mower not to start?

Putting old gasoline into your lawn mower can cause a variety of problems. Sediment and other deposits can build up in the carburetor and fuel line, making it harder to start your mower, and as the buildup continues, it may prevent the mower from starting at all.

Where is the choke on a lawn mower?

There’s a variety of lawn mowers, but for an internal combustion engine, the choke valve is usually located on the body of the engine or a lever on the handle. Most choke valves are butterfly valves mounted in the manifold up from the carburetor jet.

How do you know if your lawnmower is flooded?

You pull the machine out onto the lawn and give the starting cord several tugs. When nothing happens, you turn on the choke and continue pulling until you detect the familiar smell of gasoline, which means the engine is flooded.

What causes lawn mower engine to flood?

Most commonly a result of improper starting, “flooding” results from various causes, including over-priming, closed choke, stuck valve, gummed carburetor, or immediately trying to restart an automatic choke engine. The easiest way to tell if your engine is flooded with gas is to remove the spark plug.