Lawn Mower Issue - Easy Fix?

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Lawn Mower Issue - Easy Fix?

1 | 2 | 3

57 posts

Master Geek

#2576427 30-Sep-2020 11:55

I had a similar problem with my mower. The problem was caused by the fuel cap not letting air into the tank as the tank emptied. Try loosening the cap as the engine starts to conk out. If it continues to run OK then the fuel cap may be the cause of the problem.

Zeon

3916 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2576433 30-Sep-2020 12:27

I remember the first lawn mower I tried to fix, it was daunting but a good experience to learn how engines work. Completely dissasembled and cleaned out the cylinder (it had become filled with oil).

Try taking out the existing spark plug and using steel wool on the tip to clean it. Thats like a 5 minute job. Otherwise you can get carburetor cleaner spray to spray out the fuel tank and into the fuel line + the carburator if its not too difficult to take the air filter off and get in there with the tin plastic nozzle.

Speedtest 2019-10-14

networkn

Networkn
32351 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2576557 30-Sep-2020 15:37

So I had a chat to a mower person today. His guesses were something in the fuel line or carb as consistently it seems to use as much fuel as the primer feeds it before conking out, and it does sound when it conks out, like it's low on fuel. He thought a carb kit and labour might be $50-60 if it's straight forward.

Does that seem a reasonable conclusion on his part?

He said if it starts at all, the spark plug won't be causing that issue. He said to try and start it with the lid off and give the filter a quick clean as both of those things are a 2 minute job.

richms

28187 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2576587 30-Sep-2020 16:36

Can of carb cleaner and spray it liberally in all openings of the carb works wonders I find.

Richard rich.ms

networkn

Networkn
32351 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2576591 30-Sep-2020 16:38

richms: Can of carb cleaner and spray it liberally in all openings of the carb works wonders I find.

I assume that means removing it from the mower? I had a look at a video or two, seems to be a few things that could end up going wrong LOL

Zeon

3916 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2576610 30-Sep-2020 17:00

networkn:

richms: Can of carb cleaner and spray it liberally in all openings of the carb works wonders I find.

I assume that means removing it from the mower? I had a look at a video or two, seems to be a few things that could end up going wrong LOL

Not necessarily. if you take the air filter off you gain direct access to the main "flap" area of the carburetor. Open the choke and the flap should open allowing you to spray around. But what may be even better is to take the hose off from the fuel tank, shove in the plastic stick off the can and give it some blasts.

Speedtest 2019-10-14

networkn

Networkn
32351 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2576637 30-Sep-2020 17:57

So, got home, was bugging me, grabbed the mower out, tried to start it, same thing.

Unscrewed the airfilter, it was pretty gross, pulled it out, "washed" it in petrol, removed all the stuff that had accumulated, rewashed it in petrol, cleaned the housing and surrounding areas with paper towels and petrol and put it back together, and it's working now! Happy Camper am I!

Thanks for all the help and suggestions :)

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

Dratsab

3946 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2576641 30-Sep-2020 17:59

networkn: The inspection was $30 and he thought it might need $100 worth of stuff, so at around $130 I am not sure I'd even get my money back if I sold it after that?

You might get another 8 years out of it. What's that worth?

Inspection money is usually deducted from the final bill. It's basically a deposit.

Add on a little more and get the blades sharpened at the same time.

EDIT: LOL - you posted while I was typing...

networkn

Networkn
32351 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2576643 30-Sep-2020 18:01

We have already replaced the mower with a different one, this thing is pretty gutless for mowing wet long grass, an indictment of the fact I don't mow often. I wanted to see if I could get it going so I could sell it to help offset the cost.

richms

28187 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2576740 30-Sep-2020 20:24

If the filter was that clogged up that it wouldnt start, then prior to that it would have been really lowering the power output of it so perhaps give it another go now that its cleaned. There are usually hoses on the carb that you can squirt carb cleaner into as well, the one that fuel goes into is a good start since that will get to the float valve that may be caked up with muck. But I have generally found the air inlet is enough to get it started and running and then new fuel going thru it seems to clear out contaminated crud from leaving it sitting over winter. Also works on generators.

Richard rich.ms

networkn

Networkn
32351 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2576790 30-Sep-2020 20:41

richms:

If the filter was that clogged up that it wouldnt start, then prior to that it would have been really lowering the power output of it so perhaps give it another go now that its cleaned. There are usually hoses on the carb that you can squirt carb cleaner into as well, the one that fuel goes into is a good start since that will get to the float valve that may be caked up with muck. But I have generally found the air inlet is enough to get it started and running and then new fuel going thru it seems to clear out contaminated crud from leaving it sitting over winter. Also works on generators.

I managed to get it going by cleaning the air filter. It ran for 5 minutes without issue, then I stopped it, and restarted it and it ran another 5 minutes. I think that if someone wants to service it, they can do so at their own expense. I just want it out of my garage at this point.

linw

2849 posts

Uber Geek

#2576919 1-Oct-2020 07:45

You're becoming quite the DIYer now🙂

tdgeek

29749 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2576999 1-Oct-2020 08:59

I had the same experience with the air filter, made a world of difference. Re wet long grass, a blade sharpen will help a lot. I dont think many people ever sharpen the blades. One bolt, a file to tidy up the cutting edge, pop the blade back, a lovely clean cut

Bung

6487 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#2577023 1-Oct-2020 09:54

The blade doesn't need to be that sharp. Weedwacker cord cuts fine and it is 2.4 - 3mm round.The blade still needs to have some uplift left to get the air moving and the catcher vents not blocked so the air flow carries the grass to the back of the catcher.

We should be thankful that we aren't living in America "Land of the Free", from YouTube you could get the impression that housing covenants requiring trimmed lawns or the housing association sends in a contractor at your expense are quite common 😀

networkn

Networkn
32351 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2577026 1-Oct-2020 09:56

tdgeek:

I had the same experience with the air filter, made a world of difference. Re wet long grass, a blade sharpen will help a lot. I dont think many people ever sharpen the blades. One bolt, a file to tidy up the cutting edge, pop the blade back, a lovely clean cut

Unfortunately, this thing has been not that great since new. We only mow about once every 2 months so it's getting used 5-6 times a year, maybe 50 times ever :) The shop assembled it and sharpened the blade the day I bought it. Grass also catches in odd places like on the body near the exit chute, the catcher often "falls" off and yeah, overall it's a really average design.

The new model has about 1/2 again as much torque and an extra 50cc so I am hoping it should be a lot better. It's a stupid amount of overkill for a lawn my size really.

I assembled it last night so will have a go this weekend with it.

1 | 2 | 3