When you get your lawn mower out to cut the grass, you just want it to run like it’s supposed to. None of this sputtering engines, unusual noises, or refusing to start. But even if you buy a good-quality mower from a reliable brand, there’s a good chance something’s eventually going to go wrong.
So what do you do when there’s something wrong with your mower’s engine? Some problems are easy to fix at home, while others are best handled by someone with experience working on mower engines. Keep reading for a quick guide to troubleshooting what’s wrong and deciding whether you can fix it yourself or need to bring it in for repairs. As always, be sure to check your user guide for safety and maintenance information before attempting a repair on your own.
The Mower Won’t Start
First, check your gas tank. You’d be surprised how many of us forget the tank is empty and then wonder why the mower won’t start. Stale gasoline could also be the culprit, so if there’s old gas in the tank you can try replacing it with fresh.
If there’s fresh gas in the mower and it still won’t start, check the spark plug and air filter. A damaged, dirty, or loose spark plug can keep the mower from starting. A clogged air filter can also keep a mower from turning on. Clean or replace the spark plug and filter, then try starting the mower again.
There’s also a chance that fuel isn’t reaching the engine. Try tapping the side of the carburetor to see if that helps the flow of gas. If not, you might need a new fuel filter. At this point, it’s a good idea to take the mower into a repair shop if the engine still won’t start.
The Engine Sputters and Dies
When your mower’s engine loses power in the middle of mowing, start by turning it off. Then check to make sure you haven’t run out of gas.
If the mower has fuel, wait until the blades stop spinning and then check under the deck and see if it’s clogged. Clean out built-up clippings. If you’d been cutting tall grass, raise the deck height before you continue.
It’s also a good idea to check your spark plug and air filter. Clean or replace as needed. If these fixes don’t work, take your lawnmower in for repairs.
The Mower Starts Smoking
If the mower starts smoking after you start it, it could just be that your oil chamber is too full. For push-mowers, there’s also the chance that oil could have leaked into the exhaust muffler if you tilted your mower to the side for cleaning.
Turn the mower off and wait for it to cool down. Next, check that the oil isn’t overflowing and hasn’t spilled. If it was just a spill, the smoking is caused by oil burning off because the engine is hot. It’s nothing to worry about as long as it doesn’t keep happening.
If you don’t see any spills, try changing the oil and seeing if that makes the smoking stop. There’s also the chance that the mower has developed an oil leak or that there’s a problem with the head gasket. If the mower keeps smoking, make sure that you have it looked at by a professional.
Time For Some Help
When you come up against an issue with your lawn mower’s engine that isn’t an easy at-home fix, you can bring it into our service department. Let our highly qualified technicians work on your equipment here in our shop. We’ll make sure the repairs get done right the first time, saving you time and hassle.
All our repairs come with a 30-day warranty. Plus, we have the largest parts inventory in North Texas because we want to have the parts on hand to repair your equipment quickly. That means less downtime for you. So bring your mower problems to us. We’ll have you back up and running as soon as possible.
