Troubleshooting and Repair of a Tecumseh Lawnmower
Maintained properly, your Tecumseh lawnmower is designed to work effectively and provide efficient service for many years. However, damaged, broken or defective parts will prevent the machine from working properly and giving your lawn the well-manicured look you desire. Troubleshooting the lawnmower yourself allows you to perform repairs instead of taking it to a professional. Spare parts for the lawnmower are readily available, making the procedure for repairing defective parts simple. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Gardening gloves
- Face mask
- Plastic container
- Oil filter wrench
- Oil filter
- Sandpaper
- Spark plug gap tool
- Wooden blocks
- Open-end wrench
- Oil pan
- Dipstick
Instructions
-
-
1
Set the lawnmower on a flat, clean surface rather than determining the problem while the mower is on the lawn. Put on gardening gloves and a face mask.
-
2
Replace the oil filter if the lawnmower has start-up problems. Remove the oil drain plug at the base of the engine and let the oil drain into a plastic container. Replace the plug after you drain it. Unscrew the oil filter on the side of the engine in a counterclockwise fashion with an oil filter wrench. Wipe oil around the new filter's rim before positioning it on the lawnmower. Tighten the filter in a clockwise fashion until it is secure. Add oil to the engine, according to the amount specifed in the owner's manual.
-
-
3
Remove the spark plug and check for corroded, rusted or burnt electrodes. Rub the burnt areas lightly with sandpaper until they're shiny then reset the spark gap with a spark plug gap tool according to the specifications in the owner's manual. To set the gap, bend the upper electrode outward and tap it.
-
4
Perform an oil change on the mower. First, disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug and set the mower's wheels onto blocks of wood. Tilt the mower onto two wheels to locate the drain bolt at the center of the mower's deck. Turn the plug counterclockwise to loosen but do not remove it. Set the mower's wheels back onto the blocks and place an oil pan under the oil plug. Loosen the plug by hand so excess oil drains into the container. Replace the plug and tighten it with a wrench. Set the mower back onto the ground. Refill it with fresh oil before reconnecting the spark plug.
-
5
Check the oil level with a dipstick and add more if the engine overheats, indicating it is low on oil. Remove the oil fill plug from the top of the mower and add oil to the reservoir until the dipstick registers that the crankcase is full.
-
1
