Do you have trouble starting your lawnmower up in the spring? Before deciding to take your lawnmower in for repair, try these few simple suggestions. After completing them most of the time your lawnmower will fire up and run like a champ.
Pull and clean the Spark Plug
Most of the time simply cleaning the spark plug will solve your lawnmower woes. To do this, disconnect the wire attached to the end of the spark plug. Then using a wrench or a Ratchet/Socket, remove the spark plug. If the spark plug is black or wet looking, you have probably found your problem on why the lawnmower is not starting.
Using fine grit sandpaper, sand the top of the spark plug down to bare metal. Make sure you sand all around the edges of the piece of metal (tab) that sits just above the electrode. Make sure that there is a gap between the metal tab and the electrode. If you still have the lawnmower manual and a feeler gauge you can adjust the gap to the specifications. However, if there is a small gap it is probably sufficient for the spark plug to operate correctly.
Make sure the spark plug is free of dust and dry. Then screw it back into the cylinder and connect back the wire to the end of the spark plug. Then try starting the lawn mower.
Check for Oil
Make sure there is oil in the lawnmower and that it is at the proper level.
Check for Fuel
Make sure there is gas in the lawn mower. If you have old gas in the lawnmower and did not put in a fuel stabilizer at the end of the season, replace the gas. If you had drained the gas tank at the end of the previous season, then fill the tank at least half full with new gas.
Check the Fuel Line
Like many of us, at the end of the previous lawn mowing season we turn off the fuel line switch. Make sure it is in the on position. If you have done all of the above and the engine will not fire, then check to see if the fuel is getting to the carburetor. Temporarily disconnect the fuel hose from the carburetor and see if gas pours out. If so reconnect the hose. If not, then check the fuel line. It may be gummed up or the fuel filter is clogged.
Check the Air Filter
Make sure the Air Filter is clean. If it is dirty and oily then replace it. If it just dirty shake it and knock out some of the dust. This may solve your problem; however I would still recommend replacing it.
Clean the Carburetor
First turn off the fuel line. Disassembling and cleaning the carburetor is not as bad as you may think. Usually there is a nut on the underside of the carburetor. Remove this and pull the bottom portion of the carburetor off. Clean the inside of this lower portion of the carburetor and then make sure the float valve moves up and down freely. The float valve is a plastic object about 1.5" in diameter that hangs down when you remove the lower portion of the carburetor.
Reconnect the lower portion of the carburetor and turn on the fuel line again.
Try restarting the lawnmower. If it still does not work after performing all of these procedures, then take it to a repair shop. However, from personal experience these procedures usually solve the problem.
Sharpen the Blade
Finally, make sure you sharpen the blade. This will ensure you minimize the torque on the engine while cutting the grass. Not to mention, your lawn will get a more even cut.
Me_Donovan@comcast.net http://www.homeadditionplus.com http://www.homeaddition.blogspot.com
Over the past 20+ years Mr. Donovan has been involved with building homes and additions to homes. His projects have included: building a vacation home, building additions and garages on to existing homes, and finishing unfinished homes. Mr. Donovan's formal education and profession have been as an Electrical Engineer and Marketing Manager.
Outdoor furniture constructed with teak wood is a favorite among... Read More
To achieve Koi pond aeration, there are some things you... Read More
To many people, "tarp" conjures an image of a crumpled... Read More
When planning your new landscape, the first place to start... Read More
The shade garden can be exploding with color and texture.... Read More
"I have no plants in my house. They won't live... Read More
A fundamental question in vegetable gardening is - what is... Read More
Solar lights are very popular for lighting yards and gardens.... Read More
Garlic (Allium sativum) has been used for centuries for both... Read More
My first apartment was a second-story condo in an urban... Read More
Container vegetable gardens are a great alternative for those that... Read More
There's a new garden in town. It is (mostly) easy... Read More
Many gardeners like to enjoy their roses twice - first... Read More
Plant lovers and backyard enthusiasts are special people who will... Read More
If your fish hang out at the bottom of the... Read More
The first thing you need to do when deciding to... Read More
A garden fountain can add beauty and serenity to you... Read More
The principal house plants which are easy to raise by... Read More
What could be more relaxing than gardening on a nice... Read More
Do you have a knack for being with moths? Most... Read More
We have once again reached the wonderful magical time of... Read More
Some of the best gifts you can give to a... Read More
While shopping on line the other day at www.stoveramishfurniture.com, I... Read More
Most people would think of fall as a season when... Read More
Most riding lawn mowers are machines fun ride and extremely... Read More
Now's the time to get ready to grow your own... Read More
"I am a sundial, and I make a botch Of... Read More
It is important when you start to plan a garden,... Read More
You'll often hear garden writers recommending the use of Epsom... Read More
It is not difficult to grow bedding plants from seeds,... Read More
Everybody asks about Easter lilies! Can they go outside; can... Read More
If you look closely at the natural landscape, you'll never... Read More
Part four in a seriesIt's hard to think about winter... Read More
DendrobiumsThis month I am focusing our attention to the care... Read More
The art of planting roses doesn't have to be a... Read More
All good things eventually come to an end and so... Read More
Just recently my friend had his house appraised between $800,000... Read More
I have a love for funky, fun and unique garden... Read More
You've found a great Porch Swing and you know exactly... Read More
Whether you are an avid vegetable gardener, a beginning herb... Read More
If you've been gardening for any length of time you... Read More
You'll often hear garden writers recommending the use of Epsom... Read More
If you live in an apartment or town home, you... Read More
The wonderful thing about choosing teak outdoor furniture is that... Read More
Now we are fast approaching the hottest time of the... Read More
Seeds are the most important ingredient in all gardening. Without... Read More
Pruning and deadheading are essential to proper rose care. Alas,... Read More
To keep wood garden sheds, arbors, or trellises looking their... Read More
Copy-write 2005 Jan Money.Hydroponics gardening offers many advantages to the... Read More
If you are like many people, backyard birding is a... Read More
Think "outside of the box" when sending your next floral... Read More
Landscape wallpaper can be a great addition to your computer's... Read More
"The Ancient Art of Placement" called Feng Shui (pronounced phung... Read More
Along with lip-smacking sweetness, flower and foliage are also worthy... Read More
As humans, we are always on the lookout for a... Read More
Keeping Your Soil HealthyYour soil is the most important part... Read More
A fundamental question in vegetable gardening is - what is... Read More
There are several different ways to manage algae in your... Read More
During my youth kids were required to pass through a... Read More
Slapping yourself silly trying to keep mosquitoes from biting you?... Read More
Mustard plants have been used for thousands of years for... Read More
A garden a serves a man's every day need for... Read More
Hi Friends;This is the second year in a row I... Read More
Bare Root Roses, what to look for when buyingThe first... Read More
The protea family (Proteaceae) includes a wide range of ground... Read More
Think of cyclamen and the chances are that Mothers Day... Read More
Landscaping & Gardening |