How to Repair a Lawn Mower
- 1 Remove the spark plug before you start any repairs.. It’ll make sure the blade doesn’t start up. Find the spark plug,...
- 2 Replace the air filter if it’s dirty.. A dirty filter can cause your mower to break down. Find the air filter on the...
- 3 Pull out the dipstick to check the oil level.. Add more oil if your mower needs it. Look for a...
How do you tune up a lawn mower?
Tune Up Your Lawn Mower!
- Basic Supplies. I recommend removing the air filter and spark plug as outlined in the following steps and taking them with you to the store when you buy ...
- Replace Air Filter. The air filter is important to replace at least yearly, as it ensures that clean air enters the engine for smooth performance.
- Remove Spark Plug. ...
- Drain the Oil. ...
- Remove Blade. ...
How to troubleshoot your mower not starting?
- Pull up the mower's hood to access the ignition switch.
- Remove its cable harness.
- Remove the tabs to pull the ignition switch out of its slot.
- Turn the key to the start position and set the multi-meter to measure resistance, not voltage.
- Connect the black multi-meter probe to the B prong and the other to the S prong. ...
How to fix a riding lawnmower that will not move or drive?
Common reasons why a hydrostatic mower won’t move include: having old hydraulic fluid in the lines, having air in the lines, or a worn drive belt. Usually, the best way to fix these problems is to flush the hydraulic lines and refill them with new fluid. Also, you can change out the old belt for a replacement.
How to care for and maintain your lawn mower?
Steps Download Article
- Tighten or replace any loose nuts / bolts. Sand, prime and paint rusted structural parts. ...
- Remove the spark plug lead from the spark plug and move it away from cylinder head. ...
- Position your mower. ...
- Change or sharpen the blade, if needed. ...
- Check the motor's "air filter" while doing this sort of maintenance. ...
- Change the oil if needed. ...
- Be aware of stale fuel. ...
How do you fix a lawn mower that won't start?
Your Mower Won't Start: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.
Are lawn mowers easy to fix?
There are a number of reasons, mechanical and otherwise, why a mower won't run. The good news is that fixing most all of the issues is easy enough for a DIYer to handle. Lawn care can be tedious, but once the grass starts growing in the spring, mowing becomes a fact of life in most neighborhoods.
Is it worth it to fix a lawn mower?
Just like with your car, getting your mower serviced prevents problems, extends the lifespan, and ensures you get more on a trade-in when you go to upgrade.
Is it better to repair or replace a lawn mower?
If any of the blades are bent, you'll want to take the machine to a professional repair shop to replace them. Household lawn mowers will need to have their blades sharpened every two years or so, but if you've attempted this more than once, you'll likely be better off replacing them.
Is it cheaper to fix a mower or buy a new one?
The cost of a new lawn mower ranges from $160 to $3,000. Lawn mower tune-ups and repair costs, on the other hand, go anywhere from $10 to $250. In other words, your model will play a large role in whether it's worth hanging on to an old clunker.
How long does the average lawn mower last?
around 10 yearsMost mowers will last around 10 years, but that may vary based on how often you use it, the climate you live in, and the size of your lawn.
How do I know if my lawn mower engine is blown?
Here are a few signs that your lawn mower's engine or head gasket is blown:There's an oil leak.There's smoke coming from the exhaust.The mower has low power and pressure.Your mower fails a compression test, or there's diminished compression.
How do I know if my lawn mower engine is bad?
5 Signs its Time to Retire Your Lawn MowerYou hear a knocking sound. ... Your Engine is vibrating too much. ... Smoke is coming out of your exhaust. ... You're using too much oil. ... Bonus Section: Fixable Issues (But you need to get your lawn mower repaired now)
How long can a lawn mower engine last?
How long a lawnmower engine will last depend on many factors like quality, usage, and maintenance. With normal use and proper maintenance, a lawnmower should expect to last at least 8-10 years. That converts to around 300 to 500 hours for a small engine and 750 to 1000 hours for a bigger engine.
How do I clean under my lawnmower?
0:272:32How to Clean a Lawn Mower the Right Way - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBehind the handle engage the blade and run it until no more clippings come out from under theMoreBehind the handle engage the blade and run it until no more clippings come out from under the machine stop the engine then shut off the water and disconnect the hose.
What maintenance is needed on a lawn mower?
Annual Lawn Mower Maintenance Checklist Add fuel stabilizer to the fuel system, or remove all fuel from the mower if discontinuing mower use for more than 30 days. Replace the spark plug. Replace and clean the air filter. Sharpen the lawn mower blades.
How much does it cost to replace a lawn mower engine?
How much does it cost to fit a new engine? The shop rate can range from a low of $90 per hour to a high of $150 per hour. A low-end shop rate of $110 and a high of $150 will allow you to replace an engine for between $1,100 and $1,800.
How much does it cost to replace a lawn mower engine?
How much does it cost to fit a new engine? The shop rate can range from a low of $90 per hour to a high of $150 per hour. A low-end shop rate of $110 and a high of $150 will allow you to replace an engine for between $1,100 and $1,800.
How much does it cost to fix a self propelled lawn mower?
On average, lawn mower repairs cost $80-$100, but as with all types of mechanical repairs, the final cost depends on how complex the repair is, whether new parts are needed and how long the project takes....Lawn mower repair costs:National average cost$90Average cost range$80-$100Low-end cost range$45-$75High-end cost range$125-$250Dec 7, 2020
How long will a gas mower last?
10 yearsIn terms of engine life, a gas mower will run for 10 years or more, while a battery-powered mower will need to be replaced after about five years, on average.
How long will a Honda lawnmower engine last?
Quality servicing can treble the lifespan of your much-loved lawnmower and keep it cutting happily for at least 20 years, say Honda mower experts MowWithUs. Honda mowers boast industry-leading warranties of seven years – and servicing can make them last at least three times as long as this.
How to fix a broken lawn mower?
Find the air filter on the side of your mower’s engine. They’re usually covered by a plastic or metal cover. Use either a screwdriver or a wrench to remove the screws or bolts and take off the cover. Pull out the filter and inspect it for cracks, tears, or holes.
How to fix a loose spark plug on a lawn mower?
Use a wrench and turn it clockwise. Look for the spark plug on the side of your mower’s engine. It’ll look like a small piece of metal pointing sideways and covered by a protective rubber cap. Over time, the plug can get loose in it’s socket. Fortunately, it’s a pretty easy fix. Take a wrench and give it a gentle turn until it’s tightened up. If you were having trouble starting your mower, give it a go and see if that helps.
What happens if your lawn mower oil is dirty?
Lawn mower oil should be golden brown and there shouldn’t be any dirt or debris floating in it. If your oil is dirty or dark, tip the mower over on it’s side and allow the oil to drain completely into a container.
How to stop rust on lawn mower blades?
Grassy buildup can affect the blade and lead to rust. Carefully lift or tip your mower on it’s side over so you can access the blade area. Take a damp cloth and remove any grass build-up that could be affecting the blade. It’ll also help protect your mower against rust.
Why won't my lawn mower start?
A clogged or damaged fuel line can cause your mower to not start.
How to tighten up a mower wheel?
If you notice any loose bolts, screws, or wheels, use a wrench or screwdriver to tighten them up. It can help increase the life-span of your mower.
How to get fuel out of a mower tank?
If it was left in the tank over the winter, it can affect your engine. Use a siphon to safely remove the fuel from the tank of your mower into a fuel-safe container. Once the tank is completely empty, refill it and try starting it up.
What to do if your lawnmower is dirty?
If the air filter is dirty, simply remove it and get rid of all that built-up debris. If it’s too damaged, then it might be better to just replace it altogether.
What to do if your lawn mower won't start?
1. Lawn Mower That Won’t Start. Save. If your lawnmower won’t start, there are a couple of things that you should check out: Fuel: Your lawn mower will not run on an empty tank. Similarly, if the fuel is older than 30 days, get rid of it before cleaning the carburetor. Gas tank: Inspect the gas tank for any leaks.
Why won't my lawnmower start?
Two culprits are often responsible for this problem. First, the “kill” or ground wire, which may have been disconnected. Second, the ignition switch connections, which may no longer be working due to wear and tear.
Why is my lawn mower not cutting grass?
Ironically, grass that’s either too long or too wet causes a lawnmower’s failure to cut grass.
What is a well managed lawn?
A well-managed lawn is the hallmark of any DIYer’s home. Learning these common issues and lawn mower repair tips for each of them should help make sure that your mower is always in tip-top shape.
Why is my lawn mower slow?
A damaged or dislocated drive belt might be the reason behind your mower’s slow speeds. This drive belt is typically found in the motor casing, though it is best to consult the manual if you’re not sure how to access it.
What causes a mower to be unbalanced?
Unbalanced buildup: Grass, leaves, and other debris might have built up on one side of your mower. Clean these out and empty as necessary.
What does it mean to repair a lawnmower?
Basically you know repairing a lawnmower means repairing the parts of the lawnmower. So let’s take a look at the parts where people face the most problems and how these can be repaired.
How to check if a lawn mower is in good condition?
Test the ignition system. You can easily test it before disconnecting the spark plug. Just start the mower and notice the ignition system. If you see any spark when starting the mower, then the ignition system is in good condition. Otherwise, you have to replace it.
Why is my lawn mower pull cord hard?
When the grass clippings make a cake-like layer underneath the mower, the blade becomes stuck. That’s why the pull cord becomes hard and doesn’t work properly.
Why is my lawn mower useless?
A mower really becomes a useless machine if the wheel of the mower is damaged. With a damaged wheel, you can’t move the mower one step further.
What is the role of the drive belt on a lawn mower?
The drive belt of a lawnmower plays a significant role to move the mower forward. When the belt is torn or damaged, you need to replace it.
How to jump start a lawn mower when battery is damaged?
If the battery is damaged or not charged properly, you can jump-start the mower by attaching a jumper cable with the battery. Use the car battery to jump-start the mower. When the battery is fully damaged, just replace it.
How many exhaust valves does a 4 stroke mower have?
If you have a four-stroke mower engine, you will have a 2 exhaust valve in the engine. Use a commercial exhaust valve cleaner to clean those. These valves should remain dust-free if you want to run the engine flawlessly. And after cleaning the valves, replace those in their previous position.
Most Common Problems
The Repair Clinic lawn mower troubleshooting guide is your fast track to mower repair diagnostics and part replacement. Start by entering your model number in the search box. Then choose from our list of common symptoms. After we help you discover the root cause of your problem, you can select the parts you need.
The Right Parts for the Job
We carry more than 4 million parts from over 175 major brands, so chances are, we've got the part you need.
Why does my lawn mower not start?
Lawnmower engine oil. The internal parts of a lawnmower engine will seize from lack of use or an insufficient oil supply. Oxidation of the internal components of the engine will make the mower impossible to start. To avoid this scenario, change the lawn mower's engine oil at scheduled intervals set forth by the manufacturer's guidelines.
How to move a mower piston?
Attempt to move the engines piston up and down the bore by gripping the mower blade and moving it back and forth. Do this until the engine rotates freely (riding mowers with the engine removed will need leverage on the crankshaft from a pair of locking pliers).
How to prevent engine fires?
Use protective gloves when turning the engines crankshaft by the blade. Wipe off any excess penetrating oil left on the outside of the engine to avoid fires.
How to remove starter rope?
Remove the Old Starter Rope 1 After you remove the rewind unit, flip it over and look inside to find the knotted end of the broken rope. 2 Grab it with a pair of needle-nose pliers and pull it out. You'll thread the new replacement starter rope through this hole.
How to rewind a spring before installing a new rope?
Before you install the new rope, you have to rewind the spring by twisting the rope pulley in the same direction it goes when you pull on the rope. You'll know when you're turning the pulley in the right direction because it will get harder to turn.
How to keep a pulley from unwinding?
Then let it unwind about one-half to one revolution until the hole in the pulley lines up with the hole in the rewind housing. Wedge a screwdriver against the pulley to keep the spring from unwinding while you thread the rope through the holes.
How to tie a rope handle?
Put the handle on the rope and tie a knot. Position the knot so that there's a little tension on the rope when you release the handle.
Can you blow a gasket on a lawn mower?
You tug one last time to get the lawnmower started, and suddenly the rope breaks and the end goes spinning into the hole. Don’t blow a gasket. If you have even a tinge of mechanical aptitude, replacing a starter rope is pretty easy.
Do mowers have shrouds?
Some mowers have a shroud covering the top of the mower. On these, you'll have to search for and remove the screws that hold the shroud in place. If your rewind unit is held on by rivets instead of screws, see “No Screws?” below.
What to do if valves get chipped?
There is nothing that I know you can do once the valves get this bad, and the only thing you can do is buy new ones. The valve heads can also get chipped and will inject fuel at the wrong time and reduce combustion. Once again if the valves get badly chipped you will have to buy a new valve.
How to remove valves from a car?
To remove the valves you will need to press down the compression springs, and remove the valve spring retainer. Now, putting the valve parts back together again can get a little tricky .You will have to first put the spring and the valve spring retainers back into the engine together.
How to remove flywheel?
The nut which holds the flywheel is on very tightly, and can only be removed by blocking the rotation of the crank shaft with a wrench holding the nut on the blade or by blocking the rotation of the blade. Do not try to hold the flywheel by sticking a crowbar in the teeth, or they might break off. Once you have remove the nut which holds the flywheel in place you will need to gently pry off the flywheel with a crowbar. Keep rotating the flywheel until it can be lifted off easily. Now put the flywheel key somewhere safe. When you want to put the flywheel back on make sure that the key is in the right direction. It is usually marked in some way.
What is the number one culprit with engine trouble?
The Carburetor is the number one culprit with engine trouble. It such a important part of a 4 stroke engine that I will have to use two pages to fully explain how to clean it. The number one thing about repairing a carburetor is that they must be very clean.
How to examine a piston?
To examine the piston you will have to separate the two halves of the engine. Doing this can be dangerous to your engine which I would not recommend. When you separate the two halves do it very slowly prying all around the engine. Once you have separated the two halves disconnect the piston from the crank shaft.
Do you disconnect the spark plug on a lawn mower?
Before you do anything with the lawnmower you should disconnect the sparkplug. This will leave no chance of the engine starting with you working on it. It is better to loose a few second than loose a few fingers!
What to do if your mower has no battery?
If there’s no battery, clean the spark plugs and replace the dirty air filter as these parts may also be the issue. If these solutions don’t work, you’ll want to speak with your local repair service for further advice. In many cases, it’s much cheaper to replace a failed part instead of buying a new mower.
Why won't my lawn mower turn over?
It’s always a head-scratcher when your mower won’t turn over even though it started up fine the week before. In many cases, the mower simply needs more gas and will start up easily after you refill its tank.
How to keep gas from going bad on lawn mower?
Use fuel stabilizer to keep the gas in the mower from going bad. Clean and replace the mower’s air filter periodically. Sharpen your mower’s blades after roughly 25 hours of use (for some, this translates to once a season) Properly winterize your lawn mower’s motor and store the mower properly for the cold season.
Why does my lawn mower lose speed?
In most cases, if your lawn mower loses speed, it’s because the drive belt has become damaged or dislocated. In some cases, this problem could be pinned on a malfunctioning battery, but that’s a rare situation. To examine your drive belt, turn the mower off. You’ll find the belt within the mower’s motor casing.
How long does a lawn mower warranty last?
But unfortunately, manufacturers’ warranties don’t last forever, and a year after you made your purchase, you and your mower are typically on your own. Luckily, many lawn mower issues can be resolved with routine maintenance or quick and easy fixes. Before you give up on your old mower and run out to purchase a new one, ...
Why does my lawn mower sputter?
This is another common problem that eventually plagues most people who operate mowers. Frequently, this problem occurs as a result of a dirty filter . A dirty, debris-covered filter can smother the engine and cause it to lose power. Fortunately, a filter is both easy and inexpensive to replace.
How to check drive belt on lawn mower?
To examine your drive belt, turn the mower off. You’ll find the belt within the mower’s motor casing. If you’re unsure where this is, you’ll need to check your mower’s manual or do a quick online search for reference.
