Any ideas about why my lawn mower will not start?
I tried starting my lawn mower today for the first time this season. I couldn't. It is like it uses up the primer gasoline and then does not get any more... like if it ran out of gasoline. It has good oil, good gasoline, and good sparkplug but that is the extent of my mechanical knowledge.
It does start when I prime it. And I have tone that many many times. The problem is that it does not stay running for long... just a few seconds blowing out white/gray smoke... and then dies.
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All the previous answers are fine answers but, they fail to answer why your mower won’t start. The reason is that over the winter the gasoline left in the carburetor has turned into a gummy varnish. The gas cant get through this gunk to get to the engine to feed it and keep it running.
There are several tiny passages inside the carburetor that must be thoroughly cleaned before the engine will run properly. A small engine mechanic will be well versed in this procedure and can carry this out for a small fee.
check the filter
Loosen the gas cap, try to start it again. If it runs then clean the gas cap vent so air can enter the tank and push the gas into the fuel lines.
When you stored your lawnmower did you leave any gas in it, or did you put an additive in it. Try draining all of the gas out of it including the gas that is in the bowl below the carburetor and clean out the gunk that builds up when gas turns bad. Check the fuel filter to see that it isn’t clogged. Then put new gas in it, prime it and see if it starts.
Usually it just needs "extra" priming at the start of the season. For instance, my push button primer takes 3 pushes normally, but at the beginning of the season it takes about 7 to 10. First I push it 5 times, try starting it, let it rest a few minutes, then try another 3-5 pushes, etc. Just make sure to let it rest between tries and make sure that you’re on a level surface.
This should fix it, but if it doesn’t it might be that the gasoline has gone bad (so you’d have to empty and refill with fresh gas – when you do this make sure to tilt it so the oil intake is on bottom and doesn’t spill into the engine) or the spark plugs have gone bad (a hardware or repair shop should be able to tell you how to replace them).
I hope you put some stabil in the tank because old gas is less volatile and can gum up the insides but always start with fresh gas let it set in the sun to warm up but if it keeps stopping get a can of starting ether and take of the filter and give it a shot to keep it running when it starts to die if after a few min it still wont run you probably got carb problems
Remove the Spark Plug and lightly use a wire brush to clean the working end(the part that goes into the mower). If the gas is left over from last year it is probably "stale". I know you never heard of stale gas but belive me gas does lose its violotility when it sits over the winter.
could be old gas.
Gasoline is 20% volatiles for cold starting, and those volatiles evaporate if left for a season.
Drain the tank and put in fresh gasoline.
Hi Jim,
Mine did that too last summer. Check the Filter. If it is really dirty, you will have to replace it. That’s what I had to do with mine. Then after I replaced it, it still took a few primes to get it to start, but once it did, it ran great! Make sure your throttle is on high when you start it too.
Happy mowing! I love the smell of fresh cut grass! Then I love to dig my toes in it! LOL I know, I’m weird…I even mow our grass. My husband edges. I just love to mow!
try buying a new lawnmower,hahahaha