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Lawn mowers are essential tools for anyone who has an open yard or backyard with grass. Overgrown grass is not only visually displeasing, but it is also a bother to the owner. Due to it, the mowing process only becomes further extensive.
But many people do not use lawn mowers regularly. And when the mowers stand for a long time, it might be a difficult task to get them to turn on again. And changing mowers is not ideal, so the best way is to find solutions to start it again. So you can understand how to start a lawn mower if you read further.
Why Do Lawn Mowers Have Trouble Starting?
If you are wondering how to turn on a lawn mower, it may be because your lawn mower is not working as usual. But the average person can’t just detect such an issue by looking at the mower. And going to the mechanic for such problems is not only time-consuming but also expensive.
So one must know how to start a lawn mower and troubleshoot common problems in lawn mowers. The most common trouble with lawn mowers is that when they remain unused for long periods. In such a case, the gas might become useless.
Apart from it, many other structural issues might also cause malfunctions in the lawn mower. Imagine if someone asks how to start a lawn mower with a broken pull cord, then the malfunction might need the assistance of a mechanic.
But not all issues are the same in lawnmowers, so you must identify the problem before looking for a solution. We will discuss many common malfunctions in lawn mowers ahead, so you can see which one is the cause in your lawn mower.
Common Issues in Lawn Mowers and How to Fix Them
A lawn mower may not start for various reasons, and the solutions for each issue also differ. Hence, there is no single way you can fix all malfunctions in a lawn mower. Further, we will discuss the malfunctions you could probably face if the lawnmower doesn’t start- and how to start a lawn mower.
Old Gas
Old gas is perhaps one of the most frequently occurring issues in lawn mowers. Owners leave the lawn mower sitting in their garage or storage room for long periods and do not take it out for months. So if you are wondering how to start a lawn mower with old gas, you would need to check how old the gas is.
Gas can last you for up to a month or so. But again, it isn’t necessary and may differ in various cases. You must remember the date you last changed the gas in your lawn mower to know how to start a lawn mower. If the answer is no, you can begin to change the gas and replace it with fresh gas.
Solution
- Begin by starting your lawn mower again, and if your gas is too old, it will not start.
- Check to see if there are some of the issues mentioned below in the lawn mower. If there aren’t any issues, then it is probably the gas that is bad.
- Drain out the old gas in the lawn mower through the opening.
- Stream in the fresh gas and try starting the lawn mower again.
Cold Temperatures
Leaving out your lawn mowers is harmful in itself. But if you leave your lawn mower out in colder temperatures, you would face even worse issues. So if you are wondering how to start a lawn mower after winter, you must check its parts first.
The frequent issues in winter include old gas and other problems too. And you might need to utilize the primer to start it. So first, you must note when you changed the gas last time. If the gas is new and the mower still doesn’t start, you can follow how to start a lawn mower.
Solution
- You might require the primer to prime your engine before starting it since it was unused.
- Push the primer bulb in your lawn mower three times to prime the engine.
- Once finished, you can check the spark plug and wire to see if they are perfect.
- You can then try and start the lawn mower regularly.
- The first time you start the lawn mower, it may take some time for the gas to heat up due to the colder temperatures. But the lawn mower will work well after the initial use.
Broken Pull Cord
The pull cord of the lawn mower is what helps you start the lawn mower. If you look at how to start a lawn mower in one pull, you can observe the technique. It would require you to pull in one forceful motion. Although it isn’t common, sometimes the cord may break.
It could also break due to being old, or any other reasons too. No matter what the reason, having no pull cord is a concerning issue. The best solution would be to go to the repair shop and get another one attached to the lawn mower for ease of use. But other solutions also work to solve the same issue.
Solution
- You could utilize a drill and appropriately sized socket to start the lawn mower with no pull cord.
- If you look at the top of the lawn mower, you can see a plug and find a socket that fits it perfectly.
- Then attach the socket to the drill itself and utilize the perfectly fitted drill to start your lawn mower.
- It is ideal to only use the drill solution in emergencies and not regularly. You could get the pull cord repaired near you too.
Blocked Air Filter
To understand how to start a lawn mower, you need to know the components which may need fixing. The air filter is one such component that may get clogged and dirty after some time. So if you wonder how to start a lawn mower that has been sitting, you could first check the air filter.
You could change the air filter yourself by searching how to start a lawn mower or get it done at a repair shop.
Solution
- Remove the old air filter and inspect its condition.
- Use a brush or other tools to clean out the dirt trapped in the filter.
- Put it back in its place and try to start the lawn mower again.
Stuck Throttle
Sometimes, the throttle of the lawn mower may be stuck or jammed. You can flip the lawn mower onto its side to inspect the throttle for such troubles. It is easier to fix since there is usually a lack of lubricant.
In such a case, if you want to know how to start a lawn mower, you must take care not to injure yourself while lubricating the throttle.
Solution
- Check the lever connecting the throttle to the handle and see if it is jammed.
- Spray lubricant on the stuck area and try to start the lawn mower again.
- You could also see how to start a lawn mower with a choke.
- You can pull the choke halfway if any of these issues do not cause the malfunction and try to start the engine again.
Soaked Spark Plug or Cylinder
Overflow of gas is another frequent issue in lawn mowers with a quick fix. If you are looking for how to start a lawn mower, you can check the overflow aspect. Leaving the mower out in heat would be the easiest fix.
You can tell about the overflow since you would be able to smell gas from the mower.
Solution
- Leave out your lawn mower for some time to let the gas evaporate.
- If the issue persists, check your mower for how many amps to start a lawn mower.
- The battery may not be sufficient, in which case you might need to visit the repair shop for the due repairs.
No Key
You might misplace or lose the key given to start your lawn mower. Now you might wonder how to start a lawn mower without a key since not all brands provide extra keys to their customers. The solution here would be to visit the repair shop.
However, there are also alternatives to this for emergencies that you may utilize. If you want to know how to start a lawn mower, you might not need the key at all.
Solution
- Use a screwdriver to carefully lodge into the keyhole and go for a fitting screwdriver.
- Try to rotate the keyhole gently as a key would, and it will start.
- You could also use a jumper cable for it, but it needs a certain level of expertise and understanding of how to start a lawn mower.
Other Issues
There may be many other persisting issues in your lawn mower other than the ones mentioned above. While the above problems may get fixed easily, other mechanical aspects may be more complex. It is why people learn how to start a lawn mower business and repair outlets for you.
You can visit a repair outlet to help you identify the potential issue with your lawnmower. Whether it’s problems with the spark plug or even the engine, you can receive repairs. And if you do not have previous experience or understanding of how to start a lawn mower, it is best to entrust your lawn mower to professionals instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harmful to leave a lawn mower unused for long periods?
It isn’t too harmful to let the lawn mower stay unused if you store it in a cool place. However, if your lawn mower does remain in your garage or storage for some time, the gas and air filter may need replacement when you need to use it again.
Why does my lawn mower not start even after changing the gas?
If you changed the gas and still don’t know how to start a lawn mower, you can refer to the above list and find out if the lawn mower has internal problems in the lawn mower’s structure. If it does, you might need to see how to start a lawn mower with a bad starter.
Is it necessary to take the mower to a mechanic if it doesn’t start?
No, you do not necessarily need to visit the mechanic if your mower doesn’t start. If you look at how to start a lawn mower that won’t start and identify the issue in your lawn mower, you may be able to fix it yourself.
How can I fix my lawn mower if my pull cord breaks?
People often break their pull cords accidentally, but you can still start your lawn mower without it. If you search how to start a lawn mower with a drill, you won’t require a pull cord and start the lawn mower with only a drill and socket.
Is it possible to start a lawn mower with old gas?
No, it isn’t possible or ideal to run a lawn mower on old gas. Gas would be perfect until it has been a month. But after that, it won’t be helpful. And you would need to change the gas to start your lawn mower.
Can I replace the air filter on my lawn mower myself?
Yes, you can technically replace the air filter on your lawn mower yourself. If you read above on how to start a lawn mower with a dirty air filter, you can find the detailed process. However, you could also go to the mechanic to get it fixed.
Conclusion
Lawn mowers are an essential mechanism to help keep your garden or yard neat and presentable. Not only do they help you trim and clean up the overgrown grass in your lawn, but they also help maintain the overall look of your yard.
Taking care of such lawn mowers is essential for their owners since they help reduce the manual labor required for maintaining one’s yard. Even if you have trouble starting your lawn mower, you can follow the tricks for how to start a lawn mower.
