How to Troubleshoot & Repair a Lawn Mower
Troubleshooting a balky lawn mower can prevent major problems down the road. Many problems that beset lawn mowers involve parts that can be fixed or replaced by most owners. Knowing what to look for can save you the hassle of taking the machine in for professional repair and save the money you'd have spent on those repairs. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Troubleshooting and Repairing Lawn Mowers
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Check for carburetor gum buildup if the engine doesn't start after being idle during the winter. Mowers that sit for months with gas in the tank are at risk. To solve this problem, pour one pint of carburetor solvent into the tank and then fill with gas. Remove the mower's air filter and spill a few drops of gas into the bottom of the housing in order to prime it. The engine should run.
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2
If you find that the grass is not being cut cleanly, inspect the blade while the engine is off and the spark plug is disconnected. You can file down minor nicks, but filing major nicks or other blade damage may unbalance the blade. That can put strain on the engine and wind up costing a lot to repair. For severe problems with the blade, it is better to replace it or get it professionally sharpened.
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3
Use the right fuel in your mower. Almost all new mowers use a four-cycle engine, but some older models have a two-cycle engine. Two-cycle engines require fuel made of a mixture of gas and special oil. Four-cycle engines use regular gasoline. If you're not sure which fuel to use, check the owner's manual.
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Inspect for parts showing wear and tear. Mowers that seem to be broken can easily be brought back to normal with a new spark plug, air filter, or oil filter. Be sure to regularly lubricate all the moving parts of your mower. These parts include drive gears, cables, wheels, and engine parts. Check all nuts, screws and belts to make sure they haven't become loose.
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Check the idle-speed adjustment screw if the engine seems to run too fast or so slow that it often stalls. Check the clutch if the drive wheels slip.
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Tips & Warnings
To prevent gum buildup in the carb, add fuel stabilizer to the gas tank before putting the mower away for the winter. If you know what you're doing, you can restore a dull or chipped blade by removing it from the deck and grinding the cutting edges.
Use common sense when handling the blade (wear gloves), engine (make sure it's not still hot) and fuel (keep away from sources of ignition).
