Regularlawn mower maintenancehelps prevent problems, plus lengthens the life of your lawn equipment. But even with plenty of TLC, normal wear and tear from hours of mowing the lawn increases the chances of hitting a glitch from time to time.
Warning:Always refer to the operator's manual before starting any maintenance project on your equipment.
The Starter Rope is Hard to Pull or Seems Stuck:
A typical cause for this is that the engine flywheel brake (the bar you hold down on the handle that stops the engine when released) is engaged. Be sure to bring the bar down all the way to the handle before pulling.
This can also happen if your mower blade is dragging in grass or clogged with grass clippings. Move your mower off your lawn to a hard surface. With the mower turned off and the spark plug wire disengaged, clear the underside of the mower of excessive clippings, then resume a safe mowing position, and give it another yank.
Your Mower Won't Start:
Be sure you're filled with fresh gas first. Old gas can also lead to problems starting. If you have last season's gas in your mower, drain your fuel tank and fill with fresh gas. 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. If this doesn't work, you might need a new fuel filter.
You Lose Power in the Middle of Mowing:
Here's why this happens and what you can do:
Dirty Air Filter on Your Lawn Mower:Clean or replace.
Cutting Tall Grass:Raise the cutting height on your lawn mower
Dirty Spark Plug:Cleanorreplace.
Build Up of Clippings & Debris:Clean underside of your lawn mower deck as noted above.
Dull, Bent or Loose Mower Blade:Sharpen or replace.
Whoa! Your Mower is Smoking:
This might look a little scary, but it's usually not serious. Your lawn mower's engine can smoke if your oil chamber is too full, or if oil leaked into the exhaust muffler when you tilted your mower to the side. It's simply burning off while the engine is hot. But if you're seeing lighter colored smoke, plus have trouble keeping your mower running, it's time for a serious look by a professional.
Of course, there are those cases when special tools or skills are needed to make a fix, or DIY attempts aren't doing the trick. When it's time to call a pro to get the job done right, find anear you.
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A common issue is a clogged carburetor from stale gas. Using a fuel stabilizer keeps fuel fresh and the carburetor from gumming and varnishing. Third step, check the ignition system with a spark tester. Step four, replace the spark plug and reconnect the spark plug wire.
A common issue is a clogged carburetor from stale gas. Using a fuel stabilizer keeps fuel fresh and the carburetor from gumming and varnishing. Third step, check the ignition system with a spark tester. Step four, replace the spark plug and reconnect the spark plug wire.
The part that is moving is the throttle plate. With no load, the engine should run steady and slow if you hold it against the stop on the slow end. If it stalls out when you do that, the low speed circuit in the carb is clogged, and that will cause the rpm to surge up and down with no load.
There are several reasons why your lawn mower might start and then suddenly stop. The most common reasons include old fuel, a clogged air filter, or a carburettor that needs cleaning. Another possibility is a problem with the spark plug or the ignition system.
The problem could be the age of the fuel in the tank, dirt or debris in the carburetor or an obstructed fuel tank vent. Other causes could be a fouled spark plug or a dirty or clogged fuel filter that restricts the amount of fuel getting to the carburetor.
A typical cause for this is that the engine flywheel brake (the bar you hold down on the handle that stops the engine when released) is engaged. Be sure to bring the bar down all the way to the handle before pulling.
Stale fuel, dirt, and debris are the most common cause of outdoor power equipment not starting or running properly. If you store equipment with untreated gas in the tank, it can lead to engine damage.
Why lawn mower starts then stops. There are several reasons why your lawn mower might start and then suddenly stop. The most common reasons include old fuel, a clogged air filter, or a carburettor that needs cleaning. Another possibility is a problem with the spark plug or the ignition system.
Here's why this happens and what you can do: Dirty Air Filter on Your Lawn Mower: Clean or replace. Dirty Spark Plug: Clean or replace. Build Up of Clippings & Debris: Clean underside of your lawn mower deck as noted above.
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