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Fixing a Lawn Mower That Won't Start


Gold Post Medal for All Time! 899 Posts
May 10, 2013

mowing the lawnWe have a Craftsman mower (with a Briggs and Stratton engine) that we have not taken very good care of. Not only did we not remove the gasoline before wintering it over, but we also did not maintain the air filter or spark plug. So it was not surprising that when we went to use it this spring it wouldn't start. However, with these simple steps we were able to get it running as good as new.

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Total Time: 20 minutes

Supplies:

  • spark plug
  • air filter
  • fresh gasoline
  • carb cleaner
  • gas siphon
supplies
 

Steps:

  1. Begin by siphoning out the old gasoline into a container for proper disposal. It is best to use one intended for this purpose, instead of using your mouth and a hose.
  2. siphon out gas
     
  3. Now add fresh gasoline and put the cap back on the gas tank.
  4. add fresh gas
     
  5. Remove the spark plug using a spark plug socket. Put the new plug in and reattach the wire.
  6. remove spark plug
     
    old and new spark plugs
     
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  7. Open the air filter housing and remove the filter. Some air filters can be washed and reused, however if it has been a long time you may want to just replace it.
  8. take out old filter
     
    dirty air filter
     
  9. Once the filter is out you need to spray carb cleaner directly into the carburetor. A few good sprays should do.
  10. spray carb cleaner
     
  11. Put the new air filter in and close the housing door.
  12. put in new filter
     
  13. Now is a good time to try starting the mower. Be sure to prime the mower with the priming button. It may take a few tries to get the mower going.
  14. start mower
     
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  15. I suggest running it for a few minutes the first time you start it. This will help get the new gas running through everything. Happy mowing!
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April 12, 2022

My Murray riding mower will not start. It has set up for a while and has never mowed any grass. The motor will turn over a few times and then nothing else,


go back later and it will turn over a few times and then nothing?

Answers


Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
April 12, 20220 found this helpful
Best Answer

There are so many things that should be done when a mower has set up over a few months and one that has set up longer will need even more checks or you will continue to have problems and could completely disable the mower.

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Most likely you will have to drain all of the gas and replace it with fresh gas (you may have to remove the gas tank to completely remove all of the sludge that has built up over the years).
You can take the battery to an auto parts store and ask them to check it for you.
You will need to replace all filters (could be 2-4 filters), check the solenoid and the carburetor will probably need cleaning.
You will probably need to replace several lines also.

Truthfully, if all of this is not something you usually do, I would recommend you take the mower to a good repair shop and pay for an overall tune-up.

If you still wish to try this yourself, you can always join a mower forum and ask your questions as these members are much more likely to steer you in the right direction so you'll know what to start with.

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www.greentractortalk.com/.../
www.mylawnmowerforum.com/
lawnchick.com/.../
homeguides.sfgate.com/obsessively-clean-gadgets-13771620...

 
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August 15, 2018

If your lawn mower won't engage and turn over to start, you may need to replace the solenoid. This is a page about installing a new solenoid on mower.

Silver riding lawn mower on grass.

June 8, 2018

My Honda lawnmower is leaking gas from a little hole at the top of the carburetor whenever I have the gas line open. It ran fine for a few minutes, but now it won't run at all. I hadn't used it in a few months and it had the same gas in it that I put in a couple months ago, but it wouldn't work then.

The leak wasn't the issue then so I just changed out the spark plug based on some suggestions and it cranked up on the first try. But now it's leaking from the carburetor top with the gas line open and won't crank.

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May 4, 2018

What can I do to fix my mower? I have tried to work the choke without success. It is getting gas as I can see the spray when I removed the air filter and tried to start it. I can smell gas which indicates possible flooding so I removed the spark plug to air out cylinder and I checked for a good spark which it had. I replaced the plug and tried again and it still will not start.

Any suggestions?

Answers


Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
May 4, 20180 found this helpful

The air filter could be clogged.

 

Silver Post Medal for All Time! 255 Posts
May 4, 20180 found this helpful

Is it fresh gas from this year? Or is it the gas that was left in it from last year? If last years fuel, try fresh fuel.

 
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April 18, 2018

I put a new battery on my mower, but it will not turn fast enough to start.


Answers

April 24, 20180 found this helpful
Best Answer

Hi, the symptoms you described is most often caused from miss-adjusted valves. Your engine has a compression release to allow the engine to turn over easier during starting and as soon as it starts the compression release disengages and normal compression resumes. This is common on overhead valve engines as the valves need to be adjusted after the first 100 hours and then every 200 hours thereafter. If you are not familiar with performing the adjustment, bring it to your local small engine repair shop and they will perform the job for you.

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I normally charge 1/2 hour labor for the job. It is possible that your starter is getting tired but have the valves adjusted first before spending money on a starter you likely do not need and will not solve your problem. I hope this is helpful and happy mowing.

 
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August 17, 2017

Once you have at least identified a temporary fix for your mower issues, now you can concentrate on repairing it. This is a page about riding mower won't start without gas in carburetor.

Red Craftsman riding mower.

June 27, 2017

Anytime your mower won't fire up, you will need to do some sleuthing to determine the cause. This is a page about Poulan Pro push mower won't start.

Repairing a lawn mower.

June 15, 2017

I have a Murray 21" push mower with a Briggs & Stratton engine, model year 2015. I've been using it fine for over a year. I keep it maintained: make sure the carb is cleaned, oil checks, nonethanol gas, etc.

I mow my grass every 2 weeks, aside from winter months, of course. Last time I cut my grass, it cut fine. Normally it takes 2 tanks to mow my lawn. I filled my tank the 2nd time to finish up and it won't crank. So, I figure I'd wait until next time, since, I didn't really have, but a couple of passes in the backyard.

Now, two weeks later, it still won't crank. I've taken apart the carb and detail cleaned it and checked it for any cracks or breaks. I know the gas is getting into it, because, I poured out gas when I took it apart. I've replaced the already fine gas with brand new gas, again, I use nonethanol anyway.
I've checked the spark plug, cleaned it off, it's fine. Checked the blade, cleaned it. Checked the oil, it's at a really good level. The pull string is at a fine tension, same as it was when I bought it. It tries to turn over, but just doesn't.

Answers


Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
June 16, 20171 found this helpful

From doityourself.com:
1. Is the flywheel magnet rusty? I have had to clean that sometimes to get a good spark to the magneto.

2. Have you changed the condenser? Take the flywheel off, it is usually under a small light weight metal cover. Go ahead and change the points also.

3. If it is getting spark, check the flywheel alighnment key way. If it has been sheared or out of place even slightly, the timing will be off and it will never crank.

4. Another problem I have had with the old type Briggs engine is: For some reason, the carburetor butterfly won't open when cranking. Choke the engine, then if it won't crank, take the air breather off and stick a screwdriver in the carbutetor to hold the butterfly open. After it cranks, you can put the breather back on.

 

Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
June 17, 20170 found this helpful

I am not familiar with starting a lawn mower but my son says to try spraying with a carburetor cleaner before going to a bigger item.
I know you have probably been through many check lists but maybe there might be just one item you missed??
Here is a good site that addresses this same problem but seems to be more detailed.

www.repairclinic.com/.../Lawn-mower-won-t-start

www.familyhandyman.com/.../view-all

 
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