Things You'll Need:
- rag
- gasoline
- wrench
- screwdriver
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Step 1
Check the blades. Unplug the spark plug and turn the lawnmower over. check for string, long grass, plastic, or metal stuck in the blades. Such items impair movement and the lawnmower automatically shuts off.
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Step 2
Check the gas tank to see if it is full and if the gas is clean. If not, fill up all the way or drain and replace with fresh gas.
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Step 3
Check the air filter. This is on the side in a little box with a screw through the top. Unscrew the screw and remove. If the filter is black, soak it in a pan of gasoline to clean and replace.
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Step 4
Check the spark plug. Unscrew and soak in a cup of gasoline and use a scrubpad to clean. Check the gap if you know what it is supposed to be, if not you may want to buy a new sparkplug. Take the old one with you so you know what to get.
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Step 5
Still not working? Take off the engine cover. You can check if gas flows into the engine by removing the pump cover and pushing the rubber pump to visualize the gas being squirted into the engine. Take a clean rag and wipe this down. You may need a small pin to clean out the injector hole.
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Step 6
Finally, there is an automatic shutoff with the accelerator. You may have lost a spring for the accelerator. Look for the metal line that goes to the shutoff mechanism or choke. You should see a small spring that attaches to the body of the lawnmower. If it fell off, you will just find two small holes where the spring is supposed to be. Get a new one at the equipment store if it is missing.
