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. ...
- 2 Replace the air filter if it’s dirty. ...
- 3 Pull out the dipstick to check the oil level. ...
- 4 Drain and replace the oil if it’s black. ...
- 5 Replace the fuel in your mower if it’s old. ...
- 6 Tighten your spark plug if it’s loose. ...
Full Answer
How much does it cost to fix a lawn mower?
The cost of fixing a lawnmower depends mostly on what kind of mower you have and what the problem is. Nationally, a repair costs roughly $40 to $90. Repairs for small walk-behind mowers usually are less expensive than repairs for large riding mowers. How your mower is powered — by gas or electricity — also can be a factor in the cost.
Should I repair or replace my lawn mower?
When to Replace Your Lawn Mower
- It's More Than 10 Years Old. The standard longevity of a lawn mower ranges from seven to 10 years. ...
- The Engine is Shot. One of the most important elements of a mower is its engine. ...
- You Need a New Transmission. ...
- The Model No Longer Meets Your Needs. ...
- You Spend More Time Repairing Than Mowing. ...
How do you fix a lawn mower?
Lawn Mower Starts Then Dies – Here’s the Fix!
- Determine the Fuel Status. First—and this may seem like a no-brainer, but bear with us—check the fuel levels. ...
- Check for a Clogged Carburetor. Has it been a while since you last started up your lawn mower? ...
- Test the Fuel Cap. ...
- Replace the Spark Plug. ...
- Final Thoughts. ...
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. ...
What causes a lawn mower to stop working?
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?
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 start a lawnmower that won't start?
If you run into problems getting your lawnmower ready for springOpens a new window, try the following:Use fresh gas. ... 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 do you repair a lawn mower?
0:001:50How to Repair a Lawn Mower - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSimply remove the plug with a plug wrench. And take a look if it shows a buildup of soot a quickMoreSimply remove the plug with a plug wrench. And take a look if it shows a buildup of soot a quick cleaning will do the trick excessively warm plugs may need to be replaced.
Is it worth fixing a 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.
How long do lawn mowers last?
The Life Expectancy Of A Lawn Mower With some care and attention, most lawn mowers can last 10+ years. If you do not take care of your lawn mower, you can expect it to last around 4-5 years.
What would cause a lawn mower not to fire?
An air filter that's not letting enough air into the motor can inhibit combustion. Locate the air filter on your mower and remove the plastic cover. If the filter is covered in dirt, grass, or some other contaminant, this may be the reason for your lawn mower turning over but not starting.
How do I get my lawn mower to start after sitting?
0:385:22How To Start A Mower That's Been Sitting - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd we're going to spray some carburetor cleaner up there and then we're going to reseat that cup 99MoreAnd we're going to spray some carburetor cleaner up there and then we're going to reseat that cup 99% of the time that's all you need to do to fix.
Why will my lawn mower turn over but not start?
Why is my lawn mower turning over but not starting? The most likely reason is bad gas. Gas that sits for many months during the off-season will eventually break down, gumming up the fuel line and carburetor in the engine and preventing it from starting.
What causes a small engine to lose power?
Causes. Incorrect amounts of air or fuel will cause the engine to run sporadically or not at all, as will a weak or improperly timed spark. An engine not getting the right amount of fuel, air or a proper spark will exhibit a loss of power.
How do you open a lawnmower engine?
0:242:23Briggs & Stratton Small Engine Disassembly (#128T05-5123-B1)YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYour first step is to remove the starter rope from the rope guide next remove the screws to releaseMoreYour first step is to remove the starter rope from the rope guide next remove the screws to release the engine cover feed the starter handle through the cover and set the cover aside.
How do you clean a lawn mower carburetor?
2:095:13How 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.
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 much does it cost to service a lawn mower?
Most lawn mower tune up service can range in cost from $50 to $200 or more, depending on a number of factors including the age and condition of the mower, and what type of mower is being serviced, and who is performing the tune up.
How much does it cost to rebuild a lawn mower engine?
A typical engine rebuild is between $2,500 and $4,000 in parts and labor costs. This type of engine repair might include simply replacing bearings and seals, and obviously taking the engine out and re-installing it.
How often should a lawn mower be serviced?
Every 100 Hours A lawn mower tune-up is needed annually at a minimum. If your machine gets a lot of use, it needs a tune-up every 100 hours. The same goes for blade sharpening and cleaning. You also must check the tension on the mower and driving belts, check the tire pressure, and clean the engine cooling fins.
What to do if your lawnmower is dirty?from homesteading.com
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?from homesteading.com
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.
How much does lawn mower repair cost near me?from homeguide.com
Lawn mower repair service costs $40 to $90 for a walk-behind mower and $75 to $170 for a riding mower for typical repairs or a tune-up. Most lawn mower mechanics have a price list for common repairs and charge $45 to $100 per hour for larger repairs.
What are common lawn mower repairs and issues?from homeguide.com
Common walk-behind and riding lawn mowers repairs and issues that mechanics can fix are:
How long should a lawn mower last?from homeguide.com
The average walk-behind lawnmower lasts 8 to 10 years with regular maintenance, and 4 to 5 years with poor maintenance. A riding mower should last 500 to 1500+ hours or 15 to 20 years with proper care.
Who repairs or services lawn mowers?from homeguide.com
Lawn mower repair shops, small engine mechanics, lawn and garden equipment stores, and home improvement stores like Home Depot repair lawnmowers.
How long does a walk behind lawn mower last?from homeguide.com
The average walk-behind lawnmower lasts 8 to 10 years with regular maintenance, and 4 to 5 years with poor maintenance. A riding mower should last 500 to 1500+ hours or 15 to 20 years with proper care.
What to do before repairing a lawn mower?from mowersboy.com
Before doing any repair, don’t forget to wear safety clothing and disconnect the power cable or spark plug from the mower. It will save you from being electrified and any unwanted injury.
What to do if your lawn mower won't start?from homesteading.com
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.
How to fix a loose spark plug on a lawn mower?from wikihow.com
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.
How to stop rust on lawn mower blades?from wikihow.com
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.
How to check if a lawn mower is in good condition?from mowersboy.com
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?from mowersboy.com
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?from mowersboy.com
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 Does the Carburetor Do?
You’ll probably be more confident in sorting out this problem if you have a basic understanding of the carburetor. It’ll also help identify the crucial parts that may be the cause or your problem. So, let’s get into it.
So, Where Do I Start?
If your lawnmower starts but then dies or stalls shortly after, you’ll want to try some simple solutions first. Let’s assume you’ve already established that you have gas in the tank.
Final Thoughts
So, armed with the information above, you should be able to solve the problem of your mower starting, but then dying on you or stalling.
Situations, Symptoms, and Severity
There can be mostly three different situations due to which this problem can occur.
Equipment Required
To fix a lawnmower that has been underwater, you need the following tools:
Precautionary Measures
Safety: Use proper safety gear, including gloves, coverall, and goggles
Final Remarks
When you work with a lawnmower near a pond or lake, it is always possible that something goes wrong and the lawnmower is submerged. Or the lawnmower is exposed to some extreme rain. If your lawnmower is wet, you need to clean and dry it first. Then you have to check if it is still working fine.
10 steps to troubleshoot if your mower is not able to start
If you are facing trouble starting your lawnmowers after winters. Don’t panic either buy a lawnmower before finding out the reason why your lawnmower gets stuck. There might be some very simple problems going on that you can fix on your own. We have set up this brief troubleshooting guide to help you fix your lawnmower on your own.
Step 1: Empty fuel tank
Empty the fuel tank first because the blockage in the fuel line may be starving the engine of the gasoline lawn mower. Make sure you fill the tank with fresh gas and make sure to drain your fuel tank completely if it is filled with the last seasoned gasoline.
Step 2: Check for spark plug
Check the spark plug of your lawnmower. Make sure the spark lead is firmly connected with the plug. Do check out if the spark plug is not loose, dirty, or disconnected. The lawnmower also gets turned off when the spark plug gets disengaged. So check it out, clean the debris, and if you notice any damage or corrosion replace the whole spark plug.
Step 3: Clog in the carburetor
Check out your carburetor make sure that it is free from blockage and gummy accumulations. Free the carburetor from any clog and make sure that it is firmly bolted with the engine. If the fuel is not reaching the engine, tap the side of the carburetor with your hand and if it still does not work you might need a new fuel filter.
Step 4: Check air filter
Do check out the air filter before starting your lawnmower. Make sure that filters are clean and dirt-free as a dirty air filter interface with the combustion process and the air passing through the engine should be unhindered so clean those dirty air filters or replace them for the proper functioning of your lawnmower.
Step 5: Check for damaged clutch
Do check out the clutch of your lawnmower. As the lawn mower’s clutch takes the energy from the engine and transfers it to the mower’s blade and if the clutch gets damaged or broken your lawn mower may not work properly. So make sure that you fix or replace the damaged clutch.
Step 6: Clog in the jet
If there is any clog in the jet of carburetors it could also create problems starting your lawnmower. As the jet provides fuel to the carburetor and then the carburetor provides the balanced mix of fuel and air to the cylinder and the spark plug ignites the mixture of fuel and air.
What to do if your lawn mower blade is dragging in grass?from briggsandstratton.com
This can also happen if your mower blade is dragging in grass or clogged with grass clippings. Move your mower off your lawn to a hard surface. With the mower turned off and the spark plug wire disengaged, clear the underside of the mower of excessive clippings, then resume a safe mowing position, and give it another yank.
What to do if your mower has no battery?from bestofmachinery.com
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 does my lawn mower run rough?from bestofmachinery.com
If your lawn mower begins to run rough or you notice that something is off with its running performance, it may need a tune-up and thorough cleaning. A clogged fuel filter or dirty spark plugs can cause your mower to run rough.
How to keep gas from going bad on lawn mower?from bestofmachinery.com
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.
How does a carburetor work on a lawn mower?from searspartsdirect.com
The carburetor mixes fuel with air and then sends the fuel mix into the engine cylinder where it combusts to drive the piston. If the carburetor is clogged or damaged, the engine either won't start, or it starts but run rough. Fortunately, replacing the carburetor on your lawn mower is easy to do following the directions in our DIY repair guide How ...
Why is my lawn mower yellow?from bestofmachinery.com
Dull blades will cause this ragged appearance. Moreover, the grass can whiten or yellow because it hasn’t been properly cut. You can sharpen your mower’s blades yourself using a metal file , or you can have a professional repair service sharpen the blades for you .
Why is my lawn mower overheating?from bestofmachinery.com
If your lawn mower is prone to overheating, check if the exhaust is clogged. Grass build-up can cause a blockage that leads to your mower overheating. Also, be sure to check the mower’s cooling fins; these can also become overloaded with debris and grass, which causes overheating to occur.
What Does The Carburetor do?
So, Where Do I Start?
- If your lawnmower starts but then dies or stalls shortly after, you’ll want to try some simple solutions first. Let’s assume you’ve already established that you have gas in the tank. Make sure you’ve turned off the engine and removed the spark plug.
I’ve Tried All of The Above, But The Problem Persists
- OK, those were the possible quick fixes. If they didn’t work, you’re going to have to try a couple of trickier, but achievable things.
How to Avoid Recurrence
- Regular Cleaning
Once you’ve got your mower running correctly again, make sure you clean the carburetor regularly. It’s a relatively straightforward task using a spray carburetor cleaner. You’ll need to start with a cool engine. Then, remove the air filter housing and the choke linkage to expose the side … - Empty the Gas Tank at the End of the Mowing Season
After everything you’ve read here, you’d be mad to even consider leaving gas in your mower if you’re not going to use it for an extended period. In particular, at the end of the mowing season, you should drain the gas tank and clean it thoroughly, as described above. Don’t forget about th…
Final Thoughts
- So, armed with the information above, you should be able to solve the problem of your mower starting, but then dying on you or stalling. Once you’ve got it running again, the important thing is not to neglect it and end up in the same situation. So, regular checking and cleaning, as described above, is vital, especially at the end and the start of the mowing season. But mid-season mainte…
Situations, Symptoms, and Severity
Equipment Required
- To fix a lawnmower that has been underwater, you need the following tools: 1. Torque wrench 2. Screwdriver 3. Old rag/ cleaning cloth 4. Collection tank 5. Grip pliers 6. Blower/ heater 7. Engine cleaner
Step by Step Guide to Fix A Lawnmower That Has Been Underwater
- •Step 1: Dry the lawnmower
If you get the lawnmower out of the water, the first task is to let as much water as possible drain away. Try to remove as much water as possible. If the lawnmower has been covered with dirty water, you can use a hose to clean the dirt. If most water has drained, use a clean piece of towe… - •Step 2: Give the mower a diagnostic start
1. Start the lawnmower: Pull the starting chord of the mower and check whether it starts or not. 2. Observe for any symptoms: Closely listen for puffing sound or other signs of sparkplug damage. 3. Notice power demising: Notice the sound if the mower starts and then shuts-down instantly.
Precautionary Measures
- Safety:Use proper safety gear, including gloves, coverall, and goggles
- Ventilation:Perform all steps involving gasoline in the open air rather than the repair shop or garage’s closed and heat environment.
- Use good quality parts:While replacing the parts, it is important to use the same parts as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Safety:Use proper safety gear, including gloves, coverall, and goggles
- Ventilation:Perform all steps involving gasoline in the open air rather than the repair shop or garage’s closed and heat environment.
- Use good quality parts:While replacing the parts, it is important to use the same parts as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Water and electricity do not match:While operating high-voltage machines such as a blower or vacuum cleaner, insulation gloves and boots should be worn.
Related Questions
- 1. How long to wait if the lawnmower engine gets flooded?
It is better to let the mower settle for 20 minutes. And also, open the mower’s fuel area so that the gasoline mixed with water gets evaporated on its own. - 2. What is an easy way to check the presence of water in the lawnmower’s engine?
Check the engine dipstick. If there are water vapors or bubbles on the oil’ssurface, it indicates water in the engine compartments.
Final Remarks
- When you work with a lawnmower near a pond or lake, it is always possible that something goes wrong and the lawnmower is submerged. Or the lawnmower is exposed to some extreme rain. If your lawnmower is wet, you need to clean and dry it first. Then you have to check if it is still working fine. If that is not the case, you will have to complete a check-up, cleaning, repairing, an…