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Why Wont Lawn Mower 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.

What would cause a riding lawn mower not to start?

There are many reasons a riding lawn mower won’t start—everything from stale gas to ignition switch problems. If you constantly have to charge the battery, a bad battery or failed alternator could be causing the problem. Lawn mower ignition switch problems can prevent the starter from getting current.

How do you start a lawn mower after winter?

Give the spark plug wire a little tug to see if it’s loose. If it is, push it onto the plug and try starting the mower. If there isn’t any difference, remove the plug with a spark plug wrench and clean the gap with an emory board. If the plug looks worn, replace it with a new one.

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 do you prime a lawn mower?

How to Prime a Lawnmower Carburetor Remove the cap from the lawnmower fuel tank. Fill the tank with gasoline and replace the cap. Locate the primer bulb on the side of the lawnmower engine. Press and release the primer bulb three times with your finger to prime the lawnmower carburetor.

Will a bad spark plug cause a lawn mower not to start?

A dirty or fouled spark plug can cause your lawn mower to not start. It can also work itself loose, causing issues. If the spark plug appears to be seated correctly but the engine doesn’t start, a new one may be in order. For a few dollars, this easy fix can get your small engine working again.

How do I clean the carburetor on my lawn mower?

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.

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.

What happens if you leave gas in lawn mower over winter?

Unused gas left in a mower over the winter can get stale, gumming up the carburetor and inviting rust. Turn the mower off and allow the engine to cool, then siphon excess gas into a clean can. (You can put this gas in your car, provided it hasn’t been mixed with oil.).

How do you start a lawn mower with old gas?

You need to run a siphon hose from the gas tank to another container in which you are going to keep the gas. Then, you just have to pump it a few times and let the gas travel from the tank to the container.

How do you start a lawn mower without a primer bulb?

In order to start your mower without a primer, squirt starter fluid directly into the carburetor via the air intake. Simply remove the air filter cover, take out the air filter, and squirt starting fluid into the air intake nozzle. Quickly replace the air filter, and start your mower. It should start straight away.

How do I know if my small engine is flooded?

The easiest way to tell if your engine is flooded with gas is to remove the spark plug. If it’s wet, it’s flooded and you’ll need to let the cylinder dry out before trying to restart.

Should choke be open or closed when starting?

The choke is only used when starting a cold engine. When doing a cold start, the choke should be closed to limit the amount of air going in. Once the car has warmed up, if the choke does not open fully, the restriction in air may result in reduced power.