Lawn Mower Troubleshooting

Lawn mowers often require troubleshooting as a part of general maintenance. This article looks at common lawn mower troubleshooting techniques. Before troubleshooting a lawn mower, make sure the device is turned off and that the spark plug is disconnected.

Vapor locks and fuel line clogs

Vapor locking and fuel line clogs are common problems that affect lawn mowers. Vapor locks are easily prevented by checking the gas cap and verifying that it is free of debris. To check for blockages in the fuel line, disconnect the line from the carburetor and ensure that gas is flowing freely through the line. If the flow of gas is weak or absent, clean the interior of the line to remove blockages.

Air filters

Lawn mower air filters are easily clogged due to the sheer amount of particulate debris generated by the lawnmower. Air filters made of paper require frequent replacement, while filters made of foam are easily cleaned with soap and water and dried with a cloth. After the foam air filter is clean, it is necessary to coat the filter with new engine oil, which acts as a mechanism within the filter to help trap dirt and other material.

Verify the choke is working properly

The choke limits the amount of air drawn into the engine, and a faulty choke either floods the engine with air, which leads in inefficient fuel use, or starves the engine, preventing the lawn mower from starting. Test the choke and ensure that it is capable of opening and closing, and adjust the draw of the choke if it is not operating properly.

Most common lawn mower problems are easily corrected, and the lifespan of a lawn mower is greatly enhanced when the machine is cleaned and maintained routinely.