The Real Reason Your Lawn Mower Keeps Dying (And How To Fix It)
When in the market for a new lawn mower, you probably just want a reliable machine that gets the job done. You may believe that focusing on reliability instead of price or horsepower will help you to avoid mistakes everyone makes when buying a lawn mower. However, do not assume that your dependable mower will remain reliable in the years to come. You need to maintain the machine and neglecting that maintenance can lead to hard starts, vibrations, and a mower engine that runs rough or simply sputters and stalls.
A dirty carburetor is a common cause of a sputtering engine. Some people may skip cleaning and regular checks of the carburetor because they are intimidated to perform DIY maintenance on their mower. However, there are quick and simple methods for cleaning your lawn mower's carburetor, so homeowners can take care of it themselves and avoid performance problems. It is recommended to clean the carburetor a few times during the year to keep it in good condition and prevent engine failure. If the engine is already running rough or stalling, cleaning the carburetor should help the unit run smoothly.
How to clean your lawn mower's carburetor
Whether you want to maintain or fix your mower, the process for cleaning the carburetor is the same. To locate the carburetor, look at the side of the engine. You should see a fuel line and extended throttle cable under the air intake cover. It's usually silver or black in color and should have a metal outer core. Allow the mower to cool down before you disconnect the spark plug cable. Then remove the carburetor from the engine to clean it. Fuel may spill when disconnecting the line, so have a container nearby.
Use compressed air and a brush to clear debris from the outside of the unit and have a carburetor cleaning product on hand. This can be found at most hardware stores, and it is necessary to dissolve dirt and grime. Spray the cleaner on the interior and exterior of the carburetor. If the metal has a lot of buildup, you might need to soak it in the cleaning solution for a few minutes before rinsing with water. Make sure the parts are completely dry before reattaching to the lawn mower.
If cleaning the carburetor does not fix the stalling and rough running problem, you can take the mower or the carburetor to a small engine repair shop for an inspection. If the carburetor has considerable damage, it will need to be replaced. Most well-maintained mowers never need carburetor replacement, though.
Other reasons your lawn mower engine may sputter and stop running
While a dirty carburetor is a primary reason for lawn mower problems, there are other factors that can cause performance issues. If you run stale or old fuel through the engine it will not ignite as easily as fresh fuel, which can contribute to sputtering or stalling. Fuel left in the tank for several weeks starts to evaporate, which leaves behind a thick, sticky substance that can clog the carburetor. Then you will have to remove the old fuel and clean the carburetor again.
You can also check the mower's fuel cap for blockages in its air vent. The vent allows air to enter the fuel tank, which prevents a vacuum from forming. If the vacuum forms, the blockage in the vent could cause the engine to stall. You can use a rag or a paint brush to wipe away debris like dirt and grass on the inside and outside of the gas cap to clear the vent.
Another common issue that leads to motor trouble is a dirty foam or paper air filter. Without enough air entering the carburetor to mix with the fuel, the mower may suffer from improper combustion of the gas. When the engine lacks enough air or gas to create combustion, it may run sporadically, or it could just stop working. Remove the air filter to check for dust or debris. If it appears to be in good condition, you can clean it. Otherwise, replace it. To keep your mower in tip-top shape, make sure you are performing lawn mower maintenance tasks after every mow.