How to Clean a Lawn Mower Motor Float Valve & Needle

When your lawn mower is not starting even though it has a clean air filter, a good spark plug and plenty of gas, you can assume that a dirty carburetor is causing your engine not to start. The carburetor in a lawn mower motor consists of the gas intake line, fuel bowl, float, butterfly valve and adjustment needle. Over time, old gas and debris can make these parts gummy and prevent gas from reaching the engine, so you will have to clean the carburetor to get your lawn mower running again.

Things You'll Need

• Pliers
• Bucket
• Wrench set
• Carb cleaner spray

Instructions

1. Find the fuel line between the gas tank and the carburetor. Squeeze the clamp holding the gas line to the side of the carburetor with the pliers, and slide it off. Position a bucket under the gas line to catch any old gas.

2. Point and spray the carb cleaner into the side of the carburetor for 5 to 8 seconds. This will remove gummed up gas from the needle adjustment and butterfly valve. Reattach the gas line.

3. Unscrew the bolt on the bottom of the carburetor with the proper sized wrench. This will remove the fuel bowl and expose the float.

4. Dump out the old gas in the fuel bowl. Spray carb cleaner into the bowl. Spray carb cleaner onto the float and float valve above the float.

5. Screw the fuel bowl back on securely.

References

• Blurt It: How Do I Clean My Lawn Mower Carburetor?
• ThriftyFun: Mower Carburetor Not Getting Gas