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why does my lawn mower rev up and down

by Mustafa Romaguera Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Additional Reasons for Lawn Mower Rev Ups And Downs

  • 1. Incorrect Blade Setting One potential reason why lawn mowers rev up and down because of user actions is incorrect the blade settings. ...
  • 2. Hitting Something While Mowing When you hit anything during mowing, it makes your engine rev up/down. ...
  • 3. Worn or Damaged Blades Another reason is blade wear and damage. ...
  • 4. Clogged Mower Deck ...
  • 5. Going Too Fast ...

If the air that the engine requires to run is blocked, especially sporadically, it can cause the engine to slow down. When the blockage moves or clears, the engine may suddenly rev up in response. To fix this type of problem, check the air filter to ensure that it's not clogged with dirt and debris.

Full Answer

Why does my Briggs and Stratton lawn mower rev up and down?

If you find that your Briggs & Stratton mower engine revs up and down (surges), it may be likely that your lawnmower air filter is dirty. As noted previously, mower engines require air (oxygen) mixed with fuel, then spark, to ignite the mixture and run the lawnmower engine.

Why is my lawnmower revving and dying?

Another problem that can cause revving and dying of a lawnmower engine is a faulty or poorly adjusted spark plug. Check the spark plug to see if the wire is connected to it firmly and not wobbling about.

Why is my lawn mower engine bouncing up and down?

If your lawn mower engine is bouncing up and down, it’s called “hunting and surging.” It means that the engine can’t maintain a consistent speed and instead fluctuates between higher and lower speeds. This can be caused by several things: NO #1. A Dirty Air Filter

What causes a lawn mower to backfire through the air?

2.1. 1) Bad Fuel 2.2. 2) Dirty Lawn Mower Air Filter 2.3. 3) “Clogged” Lawnmower Gas Cap 2.4. 4) Vacuum Line Leak 2.5. 5) “Bad” Lawnmower Spark Plug 2.6. 6) Dirty Carburetor 3. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Lawn Mower Surging 3.1. Why Does a Lawnmower Engine Backfire? 3.2.

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Why does my lawn mower sound like it is surging?

Why is My Lawn Mower Surging? (The Short Answer) Surging results from the engine having an unbalanced fuel-to-air mixture ratio. The most likely fault you'll run into will be a problem with the carburetor resulting in the fuel-air mixture erratically running lean or rich.

Why is my lawnmower revving?

Why is My Lawn Mower Revving High? (The Short Answer) High RMP stems back to the governor. A build-up of grass, bad springs, poor adjustment, and a damaged governor lever can all lead to high revving.

How do you fix a revving lawn mower?

0:122:03Over Revving Lawn Mower Engine Fix | Briggs and Stratton - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou should have to and what you want to look for is any damage if they're stretched in any way you'MoreYou should have to and what you want to look for is any damage if they're stretched in any way you'll have to replace them. Also. If they're twisted this will cause your engine to over rev.

How do I stop my lawn mower from surging?

2:2210:14How To Fix A Surging Engine on a Lawn Mower, Generator ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSometimes you just have to tap the carb.MoreSometimes you just have to tap the carb.

How do you fix a surging governor?

Over time the spring can stretch out, causing the same engine surging. Often surging caused by the governor can be fixed by simply adjusting the governor spring. It usually only takes a small adjustment to correct the surging. If the spring has stretched out it will need to be replaced.

What would cause a small engine to idle high?

The most common problem is a faulty fuse. In modern vehicles, engine idle speed is most often controlled by the idle air control (IAC) motor. This can be impacted by bad fuses in many different electronic systems in your car. Next, your high idling could be caused by a computer malfunction.

What causes an engine to hunt and surge?

Engine hunting and surging at idle is usually caused by a fuel delivery, air leak, or governor system problem. Cleaning/overhauling the carburettor, adjustment of the governor, and/or changing the air filer may be required.

How do I fix my Briggs and Stratton engine surging?

3:545:46How To Fix Briggs & Stratton Surging Engine | Nikki Carburetor CleaningYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBack into the carburetor right there turn it all the way in and then turn it out one and a halfMoreBack into the carburetor right there turn it all the way in and then turn it out one and a half turns. This is the basic setting that should get you good results for tuning your carburetor.

What causes a lawnmower engine to surge up and down?

There are a few things that can cause a lawnmower engine to surge up and down. One possibility is that the carburetor is dirty or needs to be adjus...

How do you fix a lawn mower that revs up and down?

There are a few things that could be causing your lawn mower to rev up and down. First, check the spark plug to see if it is fouled or damaged. If...

Why is my mower surging at full throttle?

One of the most common reasons why a mower might surge at full throttle is because the carburetor is dirty. A buildup of dirt and debris in the car...

How do I fix a small engine surging?

There are a few things that could be causing your small engine to surge. First, check the fuel level and make sure there is enough gas in the tank....

What causes a surging idle?

One of the most common causes of surging idle is a dirty or faulty mass air flow (MAF) sensor. The MAF sensor measures the amount of air flowing in...

How do I stop my Briggs and Stratton engine from surging?

There are a few things that can cause your Briggs and Stratton engine to surge. One is a dirty air filter. A clean air filter will help your engine...

Why does my lawn mower sound like it is surging?

There are a few reasons why your lawn mower may sound like it is surging. One reason could be that the carburetor needs to be adjusted. Another pos...

Why Does My Lawn Mower Keeps Surging?

If your lawnmower surges occasionally, you have no reason to panic. But if it is continually surging while using it, then something is wrong.

What Causes An Engine To Hunt And Surge?

There are many reasons why engines perform poorly, including maintenance problems . And differents engine surge for various reasons. If you notice the issue pops out on your lawnmower machine, you want to test some important parts or systems of the engine.

How Do You Fix An Idle Surge?

Under this circumstance, you want to clean the valve.

Can Spark Plugs Cause Surging?

If your lawnmower is surging, it may happen due to combustion issues. Both spark plugs and ignition systems play a crucial role in effective and smooth lawnmower performance.

Why does my lawn mower revve and die?

Spark Plug Problems. Another problem that can cause revving and dying of a lawnmower engine is a faulty or poorly adjusted spark plug. Check the spark plug to see if the wire is connected to it firmly and not wobbling about.

What does it mean when a mower revs erratically?

A mower with an engine that revs erratically, also known as hunting and surging, indicates that you need to address a problem. Fortunately, this is often a problem you can solve yourself without the aid of a repairman.

Why is my lawnmower idling?

A particularly simple fix that can be at the bottom of many lawnmower idling problems is old or contaminated fuel. If the fuel has been left in the mower while it was stored over the winter or while the mower has remained unused, drain it and replace it with fresh fuel. If you have gas-powered blowers and trimmers that use a mixture of 2-cycle oil and gasoline, check to see that you've not placed that mixture in the lawnmower inadvertently.

Why does my lawn mower slow down?

A lawnmower that hunts and surges may be experiencing something as simple as an airflow issue. If the air that the engine requires to run is blocked , especially sporadically, it can cause the engine to slow down. When the blockage moves or clears , the engine may suddenly rev up in response.

How long does it take to adjust the idle screw on a lawn mower?

Check the manual if you're unsure of the location of the idle adjustment screws. Start the mower and allow it to run for 5 minutes. Then slowly adjust the screws tighter or looser in turn until the mower runs and idles smoothly.

Why does my lawn mower RPM go up and down?from grasslawnscare.com

One of the main reasons your lawn mower RPM may surge up and down is due to issues in the engine governor. The engine governor is the part that maintains the RPM where there is an extra load applied to the engine.

Why does my lawn mower have a surge in RPM?from grasslawnscare.com

Precisely, you need to check the governor and carburetor of your lawnmower if its RPM surges up and down. The fuel sitting in the mower’s carburetor can block the main engine jet, causing a surge in lawnmower blade rpm. Similarly, if the governor springs in the engine are positioned incorrectly, they cause lawnmower blade speed to surge. Therefore, it is important to solve both issues in the engine to fix lawn mower RPM.

How to Repair Lawn Mower’s Blade RPM Surge?from grasslawnscare.com

There are two ways you can repair the up and down surge of a lawn mower’s RPM. Mentioned below are two ways to repair it:

How does a pneumatic governor work?from ereplacementparts.com

The pneumatic governor uses an air vane that reacts to air flow from the flywheel and adjusts the throttle plate. The mechanical governor is gear-driven by the engine. As the RPMs vary, a shaft moves the governor arm to adjust the throttle plate.

How does a governor work on a lawn mower?from ereplacementparts.com

The engine’s governor maintains constant RPMs when a load is applied to the engine, as well as limiting the engine’s top speed. There are two styles of governors typically used on lawnmowers: pneumatic and mechanical. The pneumatic governor uses an air vane that reacts to air flow from the flywheel and adjusts the throttle plate. The mechanical governor is gear-driven by the engine. As the RPMs vary, a shaft moves the governor arm to adjust the throttle plate. On both governor styles there is a governor spring that applies tension to the air vane or the governor arm. This spring is adjustable, so the proper tension can be set. If the spring is set in the wrong position it can cause the engine RPMs to surge. Over time the spring can stretch out, causing the same engine surging. Often surging caused by the governor can be fixed by simply adjusting the governor spring. It usually only takes a small adjustment to correct the surging. If the spring has stretched out it will need to be replaced. If the engine has a mechanical governor the spring will be easily accessible on the side of the engine, near the carburetor. The spring is a little more difficult to access on an air vane governor. If will be located under the engine shroud near the flywheel. Depending on the design of the engine, the starter may need to be removed before the shroud can be removed. Once accessed, the spring is easy to replace on either style of governor. The spring ends will simply slide away from their mounting locations. When replacing the spring, it is important to only use the exact spring specified by the manufacturer. Mount the spring in the same location as the old spring and test. Adjust as needed to prevent surging and to keep the engine running at the correct RPMs. The manufacturer’s service manual is a helpful reference when replacing or adjusting a governor spring. It will have information to help you get the right spring, mount it in the right location, and will have the proper RPM range for the engine’s design and application.

How to fix a surging engine?from ereplacementparts.com

You will need to remove the carburetor from the engine and disassemble it into its various components. Remove the bowl, float, and metering needle. Pay close attention to the area around the opening for the main jet.

What happens when a carburetor is stalled?from ereplacementparts.com

Once stalled, the governor will close the throttle. At this point the carburetor’s idle circuit will begin to supply fuel and the engine will fire once again and the throttle will return to full. This cycle repeats over and over, causing the engine to die and surge.

Why does my lawn mower have a surge?

The number one cause of mower engine surge is using gasoline that is old or contaminated – perhaps by water condensation, usually as a result of leaving gas in the mower over the winter. Many homeowners forget or choose not to drain the gas from their mower’s tank at the end of each season.

What happens if my lawnmower is idle?

If the lawnmower does happen to start – it will not run properly with old or diluted gas in the tank. If your lawnmower surges up and down – you can repair it as follows:

What does it mean when your lawn mower engine is dirty?

As noted previously, mower engines require air (oxygen) mixed with fuel, then spark, to ignite the mixture and run the lawnmower engine. If your air filter is dirty – it’s like forcing your lawnmower engine to “suck air through a straw” – and nothing runs efficiently under those conditions.

What is a lawn mower carburetor?

The lawnmower carburetor is designed to operate with a controlled amount of air intake. If you have leaks in your air intake – the carburetor and therefore the engine – will not run smoothly. Try these 5 steps to inspect your lawnmower for vacuum leaks:

How long does a gas stabilizer last on a lawn mower?

Next, run the mower engine for 2 minutes to circulate mixed gas through the engine. The fuel stabilizer will keep gas stable for up to 24 months.

What happens if you don't clean your carburetor?

If the carburetor is not cleaned, this stall and firing cycle will repeat itself, again and again, causing the engine to die then surge. You can try these 5 steps to clean a dirty lawn mower carburetor:

Why is my grass bare?

Bare patches in your grass lawn can be the result of many causes. The most prevalent being pet urine and bug infestation, both of which can be fixed in a jiffy. Check out our article and learn how to plant grass seed in bare spots.

Why is my lawn mower engine surging?

The most common reason for a surging lawn mower engine is a blockage in the fuel supply , but there are other possibilities: Bad gas. Bad spark plug. Dirty / faulty carburetor.

What causes an engine to rev up and down?

If the engine can’t keep idling, it will keep trying to get the engine revved up to compensate. The cause of the erratic engine you’re experiencing could be a vacuum leak, sensor failure, or an EGR system malfunction.

Why is my lawn mower surging?

If your lawnmower’s engine is surging it could be a problem with the carburetor. The carburetor mixes air and fuel to the perfect ratio for combustion. There are passages and nozzles (called jets) that route the fuel through the carburetor. The jets meter the precise amount of fuel that is needed for combustion.

What parts of a lawn mower are causing RPMs to surge up and down?

Check the following parts if the engine in your lawn mower has RPMs that surge up and down: the carburetor and the governor. Our symptom and repair guide can help you solve this problem. Our repair information is a general guide to help you, but for more specific repair information related to your model, check your owner’s manual.

How does a pneumatic governor work?

The pneumatic governor uses an air vane that reacts to air flow from the flywheel and adjusts the throttle plate. The mechanical governor is gear-driven by the engine. As the RPMs vary, a shaft moves the governor arm to adjust the throttle plate.

How does a governor work on a lawn mower?

The engine’s governor maintains constant RPMs when a load is applied to the engine, as well as limiting the engine’s top speed. There are two styles of governors typically used on lawnmowers: pneumatic and mechanical. The pneumatic governor uses an air vane that reacts to air flow from the flywheel and adjusts the throttle plate. The mechanical governor is gear-driven by the engine. As the RPMs vary, a shaft moves the governor arm to adjust the throttle plate. On both governor styles there is a governor spring that applies tension to the air vane or the governor arm. This spring is adjustable, so the proper tension can be set. If the spring is set in the wrong position it can cause the engine RPMs to surge. Over time the spring can stretch out, causing the same engine surging. Often surging caused by the governor can be fixed by simply adjusting the governor spring. It usually only takes a small adjustment to correct the surging. If the spring has stretched out it will need to be replaced. If the engine has a mechanical governor the spring will be easily accessible on the side of the engine, near the carburetor. The spring is a little more difficult to access on an air vane governor. If will be located under the engine shroud near the flywheel. Depending on the design of the engine, the starter may need to be removed before the shroud can be removed. Once accessed, the spring is easy to replace on either style of governor. The spring ends will simply slide away from their mounting locations. When replacing the spring, it is important to only use the exact spring specified by the manufacturer. Mount the spring in the same location as the old spring and test. Adjust as needed to prevent surging and to keep the engine running at the correct RPMs. The manufacturer’s service manual is a helpful reference when replacing or adjusting a governor spring. It will have information to help you get the right spring, mount it in the right location, and will have the proper RPM range for the engine’s design and application.

How to fix a surging engine?

You will need to remove the carburetor from the engine and disassemble it into its various components. Remove the bowl, float, and metering needle. Pay close attention to the area around the opening for the main jet.

What happens when a lawn mower's main jet is blocked?

When the main jet becomes blocked, the engine will stall at full throttle. Once stalled, the governor will close the throttle. At this point the carburetor’s idle circuit will begin to supply fuel and the engine will fire once again and the throttle... If your lawnmower’s engine is surging it could be a problem with the carburetor.

What happens when a carburetor is stalled?

Once stalled, the governor will close the throttle. At this point the carburetor’s idle circuit will begin to supply fuel and the engine will fire once again and the throttle will return to full. This cycle repeats over and over, causing the engine to die and surge.

Why does my lawn mower rev up and down?from quora.com

What causes a lawn mower engine to rev up and down? Could be a number of reasons - by far the most likely is a lean fuel mixture caused by a partially blocked jet. Test by removing the air filter and manually choking the air intake by partially covering the intake. If it smooths out, clean/rebuild the carburettor.

What causes a 21" mower to not turn on?from quora.com

This short list of things should cover 90% of the problems you'll see. Bad/old gas or a loose bailer cable lever are the culprits at least 50% of the time with an average 21" mower, particularly in the spring. Also check out the section on throttle cable / choke cable adjustments.

How to stop a mower from stalling?from quora.com

If you have one cable for the throttle and a separate lever or cable for the choke, you want to make sure you quickly shut off the choke cable after the engine starts up to prevent it from stalling again. If the engine doesn’t immediately start, periodically shut the choke off after 4 or 5 pulls to allow excess gas to drain out of the carb. Then you can alternate turning the choke back on and off every 5–10 pulls. If you suspect that you’ve flooded the carb you may have to let the mower sit for 15 or 20 minutes before trying to start it again. Sometimes the engine will start up like a charm after sitting for 10 minutes.

How to tell if a mower ignition coil is bad?from quora.com

Bad ignition coil: many mowers have ignition coils that boost the voltage of the spark so that the fuel/oil mixture inside the engine chamber can successfully ignite. If you notice that the engine ceases to start when the weather gets hot, a bad ignition coil might be the problem. Other signs of a bad ignition coil includes misfires (the engine seems to stutter and jerk), a rough idle, or a loss in power and acceleration.

How long did the second lawn mower last?from quora.com

The second mower use for 12 1/2 seasons until a motor bearing went bad. Had 3 batteries that usually allowed me get the mowing done without waiting for a battery to recharge.

What happens when a carburetor is dirty?from quora.com

This is a common thing when the carburetor is dirty. The engine gets not enough fuel (too lean because clogged jet) , RPM drops, governor opens throttle, air and fuel rush in, RPM surges, comes down, cycle repeats. A small engine shop might charge $50 for this repair. It is not too bad a job to repair it yourself, videos on youtube cover the procedure.

How long does it take to care for a lawn mower?from quora.com

2–20 YEARS, and it is up to you to buy the right mower and care for it.

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1.Why Does My Lawn Mower Rev Up and Down: Total Top …

Url:https://agardeners.com/why-does-my-lawn-mower-rev-up-and-down/

9 hours ago  · One potential reason why lawn mowers rev up and down because of user actions is incorrect the blade settings. If the blades are positioned too low, they can catch on the …

2.Why Is My Lawnmower Revs Up And Down? How Do You …

Url:https://gardensynthesis.com/why-is-my-lawnmower-revs-up-and-down/

26 hours ago  · The lawnmower may rev up and down if the spark plug is damaged or having an unbalanced adjustment. You want to make sure the cables connected to the spark plug don’t …

3.Videos of Why Does My Lawn Mower Rev Up and Down

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15 hours ago Why Does My Lawn Mower Rev Up And Down : Main Reasons NO #1. A Dirty Air Filter NO #2. Overfilling the Tank NO #3. Spark Plug is Damaged or Dirty NO #4. The Carburetor is Dirty NO …

4.Why Does My Lawn Mower Rev Up and Down: Total Top …

Url:https://cestaniort.com/article/why-does-my-lawn-mower-rev-up-and-down-total-top-10-reasons

32 hours ago  · If your lawnmower engine is revving up and down, it’s likely due to a problem with the carburetor. The carburetor is responsible for mixing the right amount of fuel and air, and if …

5.Mower Surges Up and Down FIXED how to - YouTube

Url:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92VTSkIsWpQ

10 hours ago  · just a quick overview of how to take a basic briggs mower apart and the common causes of a surging mower. generally a dirty carburetor and a lean condition w...

6.Lawn Mower Surging - 6 Troubleshooting Tips - Best …

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9 hours ago The most common reason for a surging lawn mower engine is a blockage in the fuel supply, but there are other possibilities: Bad gas. Bad spark plug. Dirty / faulty carburetor. What causes an …

7.Your question: What makes a lawn mower engine rev up …

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5 hours ago  · 1) Air leaks. 2) Dirty carb or fuel lines. Start the mower and spray WD 40 ( or similar ) from a TRIGGER PACK all around the engine side of the carb & the manifold. If you get …

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