Are you having trouble starting your lawn mower, and have no idea why? No worries, we’ve got you covered! We’ve prepared a guide for the first 3 things you need to check on, if your lawn mower is giving you a hard time.
Not to point out the obvious, but the first thing you should do is make sure your mower has fresh gas. If your mower’s tank still contains last season’s fuel, you will need to drain it and fill the tank with fresh fuel. Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, here are the first 3 things you should check on if your mower won’t start:
SPARK PLUG:
Examine the spark plug, it could be in need of a clean-up from all the debris, or it might be loose or disconnected altogether. If it’s the latter, you’ll need to tighten or reattach it. You will need the proper spark plug socket in order to remove or tighten it. Spark plug sockets come in two sizes: 5/8 inches and 13/16 inches. Most spark plug sockets have a rubber insert that holds the plug tightly in place. You may also need a universal joint if your spark plugs are hard to reach.
AIR FILTER:
Check the air filter, it might need a clean-up or to be replaced with a new one. The air filter is usually located behind a flat plastic piece that can be easily removed by hand. You can find these at your local hardware store or lawn mower repair shop. You can also buy them online.
FUEL LINE:
The third possible issue might be that the engine isn’t getting any fuel, and if this is the case, you can try getting the gas to flow by tapping the carburetor on the side. If that doesn’t help, you might want to consider getting a brand new fuel filter or fuel line. Check this by removing the fuel line at the carburetor. Gas should run out from the line once it’s removed. If gas isn’t coming out of the fuel line, remove the fuel line ahead of the fuel filter inlet. If gas flows, the fuel filter is clogged.
If none of these fix the issue you might want to look into getting the carburetor cleaned or even replaced. If the mower still will not start then it might be time to recycle it.