Troubleshooting Common Lawn Mower Problems
Many lawn mower issues can be solved at home, rather than a repair shop. All you need is the right tools and the right information. Here at Abell & Son, we strive to make your life easier. We gathered up the following tips for solving common lawn mower problems below.
For more maintenance tips or to shop lawn mowers for sale, reach out to our expert staff. Contact us or stop by our dealerships in Lake Charles and Welsh, Louisiana. We also serve Lafayette, Louisiana, and Beaumont, Texas.
The Lawn Mower Struggles to Start
The lawn mower may not start at all. Or it may start and stop. Either way, the first thing to check is the carburetor to see if it is clogged.
A clogged carburetor often happens if fuel is left in a mower that is not used for a long period of time. The liquid parts of the fuel evaporate and leave behind a sticky mess that clogs the carburetor which, in turn, keeps the engine from being able to start. The solution? Use a carburetor cleaner and the engine should be able to start.
Another common cause of a lawn mower struggling to start is a damaged spark plug. See if you can notice any signs of wear, carbon buildup in the electrode, a damaged electrode, or a crack in the porcelain insulator. If any of that damage is present, replace the spark plug. You can also use a spark plug tester to see if it is defective and replace as needed.
The Lawn Mower Blades do not Engage
If the lawn mower blades do not engage, you won't be able to mow your lawn. The problem may be related to the power take-off (PTO) switch. Use a multimeter to see if the switch is damaged and in need of repair.
The Lawn Mower Battery Keeps Dying
When a lawn mower battery is failing to hold a decent charge, it may mean that a cell or cells have died. Try charging the lawn mower battery. If the battery is not able to hold a charge, you likely need a new battery.
The Lawn Mower is Leaking Gas
The leak can be caused by a few different issues. If the fuel is leaking out of the bottom of the carburetor, the carburetor bowl gasket could be dried out or even missing. Try replacing the gasket and see if that solves the problem.
Another common cause is the float needle not shutting off the fuel, which happens when the needle gets damaged. Replace the needle as needed.
Want more lawn mower maintenance tips? Looking to shop lawn mowers for sale? Whatever you need, you can find it at Abell & Son. Our dealerships are based in Welsh and Lake Charles, Louisiana. We also serve Beaumont, Texas, and Lafayette, Louisiana.