We 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.
Total Time: 20 minutes
Supplies:
Steps:
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
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,
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.
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.
I put a new battery on my mower, but it will not turn fast enough to start.
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.
I'm looking for assistance in getting my gas lawn mower to start more easily. Last year I had minor back surgery. After that I had trouble pulling the cord hard and fast enough to get the motor to "catch" and run. I often ended up needing to pull the cord over and over to start - probably as many as 20-25 times.
does it have a gas primer button? I have to push mine about 20 times, then it starts easily. Sorry I don't have any other suggestions, other than make sure the spark plug is good, or call a neighbor kid to come over and start it for you.
My husband taught me the trick of using a can of stuff called Quick Start or something like that. It's an aerosol can of something that you spray onto the vent holes of the air filter of the lawn mower and then pull the cord. I think it may be ether. The people at your local hardware store may be able to help you find it. Of course, make sure your lawn mower is clean and in good working order and, as always, be sure to follow any safety instructions on the product. Good luck!
The day they gave those gas mowers automatic chokes was the day I started to loose my religion.
Oh yes I over primed them buttons
I did some ritual holding and releasing the feed handle. and checked the spark plug wire
What works for me is to pop open the air filter tank and send a little gas down the hole to the carburator.
You wait 5 minutes until the gas smell is gone then in about 4 or 5 pulls the mower grumbles. That next try it starts
GET RID OF THE CORD SYSTEM, AND USE A DRILL TO START ENGINE
Editor's Note: I have no idea if this is practical advice or not. I don't know how this would work. Anyone?
Hi I just want to say that I tried what Mr. Thrifty suggested about pouring a little fuel down the hole of the air filter ( I removed the filter and cleaned it too) and the mowre started right up and stayed cranked. I have been so frustated as I can't afford to pay a repairman to even check it out. This was free advise and I am so appreciative! My lawn needed mowing so badly...now I can finish up! Thanks!
I have a an commercial mulcher /mower which doesn't start on occasion. I replaced the spark plug, checked if it had spark after, and then cleaned the air filter by dipping it in gas of paint thinnner. I then sprayed the choke and carburater assembly with (brake) cleaner. I then adjusted the choke handle cable at the carburator site. So far so good.
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.I have a Briggs and Stratton classic/sprint/quattro, model series 90,000-100,000. I just need a belt, but what size is it?
By Mike from Morbihan, France
Lawnmower problem. Bought a new Poulan self-propelled in June 07. Briggs and Stratton engine. Very hard to start. Have used twice. Requires maybe 30 compressions of the primer (3 is recommended). I think it's a lemon--but are mower lemons returnable? My guess: needs some carburetor adjustment. Anyone have advice?
As you can't start the mower is no indication that it is a lemon. I would call,a visit is best, the store you had purchased the mower from and ask for a return. What is their return policy? What policy do they have for repairs?Have you called Poulan with your concerns? Did you ask a small engine repair man his opinion?
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?
I tuned up my Scott 6.5hp push lawnmower. I changed the oil, spark-plug, put in fresh gas and a new air filter. The mower started, ran for 1 min, then shut off and will not start again. Can anyone tell me what might be the problem? Thanks.
By mike from Houston