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Dirt
is the Number 1 problem with both 2- and 4-cycle lawn mower engines.
This is because the engine works almost at ground level where spinning
blades generate a whirlwind of dust that chokes engine air filters,
fuel filters and lines, spark plugs, controls and other parts.
This
3-part article deals with lawn mowers that won't start. Even after
following the directions here, you may not be able to get the mower
going. This is because some symptoms are so obscure in engines that
it takes a professional with professional equipment to spot the
problem. But, in general, malfunctioning engines show symptoms that
are easy to identify. Check the problem in an orderly fashion, as
detailed below, and you usually will be able to find the solution
and save a trip to the repair shop some hot, muggy Saturday morning.
PROBLEM: ENGINE WON'T START:
The procedures:
- Are
the engine controls properly set on "start"?
- Does
the engine have fresh fuel in the fuel tank?
- Is
the tank more than half full of fuel? Is the spark plug wire attached
tightly to the plug?
- Going
down this checklist:
- Trace
the sheathed control cable from the handle of the equipment to
the throttle on the engine. The throttle should be fully opened
with the control handle setting on "start". As you move the control
lever from "start" to "fast" to "stop", the cable should be clamped
so that it operates the throttle. The cable can be slipping in
the clamp just enough to cause the throttle to malfunction.
Move
the throttle control to its open, or "start" position with you
fingers. Or, push the throttle forward, toward the front of the
engine. You may have to move the control lever with your other
hand to ease the throttle open. If the throttle cable is slipping
in the clamp, tighten the clamp screw with a screwdriver after
you push the cable forward toward the engine until the throttle
stops. The throttle is now in a fully open position. Set the handle
control lever on "fast" or "start" and tighten the clamp.
- If
the engine now starts, let it run several minutes. Then pull the
control lever to "stop". If the engine slows but does not stop,
loosen the cable clamp and pull the cable just a tad toward the
control lever until the engine stops. Then tighten the clamp.
Go through this sequence until the mower stops and starts on command
of the control lever. No gas or dirty gas, mower manufacturers
and professional lawn mower repair persons report, are two big
troublemakers for engines that won't start.
Dump
out the gas in the tank in a safe spot and refill the tankeven
though you think the fuel is perfectly good. If you are just starting
the mowing season, start with new gasoline; last year's gas can
be weak.
-
Fill the tank with fresh fuel. Low fuel in a tank sometimes can
prevent starts. This sounds strange, but it is true.
- Spark
plug wires, through engine vibration, can become loose. The engine
doesn't get any spark so the fuel can't be ignited.
Pull
the wire off the plug. You'll notice a thin metal "socket" which
goes over the plug terminal. With pliers, carefully crimp the
metal socket. Now replace the socket on the plug terminal.
Related Posts:
Related tags:Do it Yourself, mower
repair |
Mike
Luch
no clue what to do...
suggestions???
RT :-(
Often times the lawn mower companies will post actual frequently asked questions.
check your spring on the handle used to engage...depending on the age of your mower ...check the cable as you lift the handle up and down does it pull tension and then retract as you release...if this is the case then turn your mower on and engage the propell handle use a pair of pliers and pull alittle more tension on your cable ....willing to bet this work's...if it does all you need to do is remove spring shorten or get a shorter one re-install it ...and git back at it!
Any ideas
Thanks for these extremely helpful suggestions. After all of them I was still having issues and finally resolved this afternoon.
Replaced spark plug
Replaced air filter
Checked fuel line
Put gas into the spark plug hole and the engine fired up for 2 seconds with thick black smoke and then died
Put gas into the carburetor after taking off the air filter. Same result. Engine started and died. So I knew that I had a fuel delivery problem. Took off the air filter plastic holder (3 screws). Be careful not to twist the hoses too much.
When the air filter holder is off then you can see the carburetor. I took off the carburetor (2 bolts) and flipped it over. You will see a metal bowl with a bolt in it. This 'bolt' is called the 'bowl nut'. Don't ask me why a bolt is called a nut. Take off the bolt carefully and slowly. Drain all the fuel out. Clean the holes in the bolt (one through from side to side and one from top to bottom which meets the side-to-side hole. Clean with a sewing needle very carefully. Also look into the carburetor area where you took the bolt out of and you will see two holes. Pierce those with the sewing needle and very carefully clean out all the gunk. If you have carburetor cleaner or can buy some, soak all these pieces in carb cleaner overnight (I did not do this). If you are feeling very adventurous take apart the entire carburetor, clean with carb cleaner overnight and then put back together (again, I did not try this).
Then finally put the bowl nut back and put the carburetor back. Fill fresh fuel, prime and it should all work.
The problem that I had was the very narrow (0.25mm) vertical shaft in the bowl nut was clogged (I had not used the mower in 2 years).
http://nevadawalrus.com/tips/tip2b.html
So is entering the country without documents and talking on your cell phone while driving.
Let's be honest. No one cares what's illegal anymore, just what they can be caught doing.
Not only does dumping do lasting, serious damage to the local soil and seep into YOUR drinking water, it is almost universally illegal.
Please dispose of gasoline properly!!
There are 2 wires that control the throttle each has a spring. I can figue out which spring lost its strength.
It seems to me that the throttle is at the direction towards the engine. I don't know it is open or closed.
In this case, do you think the throttle is still the reason for the no starting problem? Thanks for help.
Jerry