Are lawn mowers worth repairing?
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 easy to fix a lawn mower?
Fortunately, it is easy to learn small engine repair and basic lawnmower repair when it comes to simple issues. Most problems can be remedied with a few tools, replacement lawnmower parts, and patience.
How do you fix a lawn mower that starts and stops?
0:244:31Lawn Mower starts and then dies, turned out to be an easy cheap fixYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLook move the carburetor around and try to figure out which bolts are loose. The bolts that hold theMoreLook move the carburetor around and try to figure out which bolts are loose. The bolts that hold the carburetor on are still tight.
What do you do when your lawnmower stops working?
If you run into problems getting your lawnmower ready for spring, try the following:Use fresh gas. Old gasoline can cause starting difficulties. ... Check the spark plug. ... Use the choke. ... Prime the mower. ... Check the air filter. ... Check the cables. ... Check for water in the fuel tank.Clear the starter cord of blockages.More items...
How long should a lawnmower 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. If you notice any of these problems with your mower, it may be time to look into purchasing a new one.
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.
Why does my lawn mower only run for a few seconds then dies?
If your lawn mower starts, runs briefly, then dies these are the four most common reasons that's happening: Dirty carburetor / clogged carburetor bowl. Old gasoline that has gone bad. Dirty or defective spark plugs.
Why does my mower start but wont stay running?
A faulty or dirty spark plug could be the reason your lawn mower won't stay running. It might produce the initial spark, but the spark won't be enough to keep the engine running if the plug is clogged with dirt and oil. Spark plugs are usually located on the front of a push lawn mower and connected to a black cable.
What causes a lawn mower to stop running?
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.
How do I clean the carburetor on my lawn mower?
2:215:13How to Clean the Carburetor on a Lawn Mower - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you want to make sure that's clean and the way you can do that is just simply get a piece ofMoreSo you want to make sure that's clean and the way you can do that is just simply get a piece of small wire. And see you and you poke it in and out of that hole make sure that it's clean.
How do you clean a lawn mower carburetor without removing it?
Use Carburetor Cleaner Fortunately, you can generally do this without even taking the carburetor out of the engine. Start by purchasing some commercial lawnmower carburetor cleaner, which comes in a simple spray can and will make it easy to clean the inside and outside of the carb.
How do I fix the carburetor on my lawn mower?
3:0012:47How to Fix a Lawn Mower Carburetor - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe main jet just screws into the base of the carburetor. I'll go ahead and unscrew it. And you getMoreThe main jet just screws into the base of the carburetor. I'll go ahead and unscrew it. And you get to a point where it's no longer unthreading from the carburetor body.
How often should you service your lawn mower?
How Often Should You Service a Lawn Mower? Professionals recommend cleaning and servicing your lawn mower at the end of every mowing or cutting season. This means that you have to regularly service your lawn mower at least once every year to make sure that it can run smoothly in the future.
Why won't my lawnmower start after the winter?
The battery is worn out. Lawn mower batteries can be expected to last about five years. If the battery isn't staying charged long enough or if it's completely dead, try using a battery charger. If the battery won't hold a charge, you'll need to replace it.
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 get rid of old fuel in lawn mower?
1. 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. Check your local guidelines about how to properly dispose of old fuel. Method 6.
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.
Why does my lawn mower overheat?
Having too little oil can cause your mower’s engine to overheat and shut down. Make sure you use the oil your owner’s manual says to use. Otherwise, it could damage your mower’s engine. If you don’t have your mower’s owner’s manual, try looking up the make and model online to see what oil to use. Method 4.
How to check oil level on a lawn mower?
Pull the handle to slide out the dip stick. Wipe the stick on a clean cloth, reinsert it into the mower, then slide it out again to check the oil level. If it’s low (there’s usually a line on the dipstick that indicates how much there should be), top it off with the oil specified in your owner’s manual.
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 does my lawnmower vibrate?
Damaged drive belts can cause lawnmowers to vibrate unusually and excessively. Make sure to have it installed properly and keep it in good shape. Worn out or damaged drive belts may need replacement if simple repairs can’t answer your problems.
Why do lawnmowers need batteries?
Battery: Just like cars, lawnmowers rely on batteries to run. At some point, their batteries will give in to wear and tear and need replacing as they lose the capacity to hold or carry a charge. Air filters : Dirty air filters full of dust and dirt can also restrict airflow and prevent your lawnmower from starting.
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.
Why is my mower not pulling the starter rope?
Before you pull the starter rope, make sure the flywheel brake is completely disengaged and doesn’t press against your mower’s handle.
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.
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 does a flywheel turn?
The flywheel itself is turned by a pull of the starter. There should be two teeth on the starter so it can turn the flywheel, and when the brake is disengaged the cord will rewind. The gap between the flywheel and the magneto should be no wider than the thickness of a playing card.
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!
Why won't my lawn mower start?
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.
Why is it important to maintain a lawn mower?
Regular lawn mower maintenance helps 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.
Why does my lawn mower smoke?
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.
Why is my starter rope stuck?
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 ...
