Were you planning to mow your lawn and tried to start your lawnmower but discovered that your mower isn’t working? Are you concerned that you’ll have to buy a new mower?
Don’t panic if your lawnmower won’t start, and don’t buy a new one until you know exactly what’s wrong with it. There may be something really basic going on that you can address independently.
We’ve got you covered with a simple troubleshooting guide for lawnmowers that won’t start.
So follow the procedure given below to fix your mower before you consider replacing it. Now let’s get started.
Why Isn’t The Lawn Mower Starting?
Before you put too much effort into tugging on the ripcord, be sure the gasoline and the lawn mower carburetor are in good working order.
They’re the culprits in more than 80% of all lawn mowers that won’t start (plus snow blowers and most small engines in general).
Later in the post, you may learn how to start a lawn mower if it’s causing you trouble.
Now let’s get into fixing the lawnmower that doesn’t start.
Tools Required
- 4-in-1 screwdriver
- Adjustable wrench
- Needle-nose pliers
- Rubber gloves
- Socket/ratchet set
- Rags
Materials Required
- Carburetor cleaner
- Gasoline
- Carburetor or carburetor inlet needle and seat
Check Spark plug
Before you start repairing your mower, check the spark plug for moisture. If that’s the case, the engine will not start.
Remove the Spark plug from a lawnmower and Use a cleaner to clean the wet spark plug and let it dry. Cleaning it with compressed air isn’t enough, oil residue must be removed using a solvent.
If the gasoline is older than a month, properly dispose it and replace it with new gas. Then reinstall the spark plug and attempt to start the engine again.
Prepare to cleanse and dry the plug a few more times if it takes a few pulls to suck the fresh gasoline into the lawn mower carburetor.
If the mower still doesn’t work then the issue must be in the carburetor so let’s try and fix the carburetor.
Steps to Fix Your Mower That Won’t Start
Follow the below procedure to fix the carburetor of your mower.
Step 1: Remove the carburetor bowl and check for gas.
To catch any spillage, place a tiny cup beneath the lawn mower carburetor. Then, using a socket, loosen the bowl nut. Unscrew the nut by hand and lower the bowl once it is loose. The gas should leak out.
Step 2: Seat the inlet needle after removing it
Straighten out the float pin. With a rag, catch the float, inlet needle, and retention spring. Using a tiny pick, remove the rubber seat. Install the replacement pieces by reversing the procedure.
Step 3: Examine your carburetor situation
Examine the lawn mower carburetor from the inside. If you observe this kind of chalky/powdery white corrosion, the carb is toast.
Step 4: DIY solution for corroded carburetor
Finding rust in a tiny engine carburetor, according to experts, indicates as the worst thing possible. The dismantled carburetor should be boiled in vinegar for 30 minutes.
The pitting will persist, but the vinegar will eliminate the remaining corrosion.
If the fuel filter is clogged or the carburetor intake needle is blocked, the engine will not be able to acquire gas. Remove the fuel line from the carburetor to check the fuel filter (if installed).
The gas should be depleted. Remove the gasoline line ahead of the fuel filter inlet if it doesn’t. The filter is blocked if gas flows through it. It should be replaced.
The gasoline line is kinked or clogged if you still don’t have any gas. Try removing the debris stuck in it.
Step 5: Clean the jet
Remove the nut from the carburetor bowl. Put the carburetor cleaner tube into the main jet tube and push the can’s trigger multiple times until the spray enters the carburetor’s venturi. This will verify if the tunnel is open.
A blocked main jet is a regular occurrence. You may use a spray carburetor cleaner to clean it. Then try to get it started. Replace the carburetor if the engine is still not getting gas.
Conclusion
Pulling the lawn mower starter cord repeatedly just to hear the machine choke and die may be immensely annoying.
While your first inclination may be to take the lawn mower to a repair shop or even set it out on the curb for bulk trash pickup day, the mower may just require a little repair that you can perform yourself.
Before you go for your wallet, take a look around your toolbox and attempt one of these simple and inexpensive remedies.
