Lawn Mower Won’t Start? 4 Troubleshooting Tips for Common Lawn Mower Problems

It might be hard to wrap your head around the idea that lawn mowing season is upon us — wasn’t it just snowing last week? But spring has, in fact, sprung in most of the United States. That means warm sun, blue skies, and green grass — and it’s growing fast!

What happens if you head out to tackle this chore only to find that your lawn mower won’t start? It’s more common than you might think, but read on for the top four mower malfunctions and tips for fixing them.

1. You’re Out of Gas

You know how when your laptop or small appliance won’t start, some wiseacre asks if you’ve tried turning it off and turning it back on again? Well, our first troubleshooting tip is a lot like that. It might seem obvious, but there are plenty of people whose mower won’t start for one simple reason — the gas tank is empty.

Think back to last fall. Did you take steps to properly store the lawn mower for the season? If so, then you likely emptied the gas tank then. Either way, all you need in this instance is a gas can and a trip to your local station to fill ‘er up.

2. Spark Plug Problems

Another reason your lawn mower won’t start is if there’s a problem with the spark plug. It’s fairly easy for this part to become knocked loose, get dirty, or become disconnected.

After you have made sure that the gasoline level is good to go, check the spark plug. Remove it, clean off any debris or accumulated gunk, reconnect it, and tighten it. That ought to do the trick. If not, you might need to replace the spark plug. This is a pretty simple and quick job to take care of by yourself, so you can get back to beautifying your yard and garden.

3. Issues with the Air Filter

No matter how conscientious you are about caring for your lawn mower, normal wear and tear can take a toll. Air filters aren’t meant to last forever, and swapping out the old filter for a fresh one isn’t a difficult task.

If you find that the filter is getting clogged with oil and debris, it could be because you’re not maintaining the mower properly. Turning it over with the filter down can cause motor oil to leak into it. Flip the mower carefully to avoid this engine issue.

4. Carburetor Conundrums

Our last reason a lawn mower won’t start involves the carburetor. A corroded carburetor needs to be replaced.

Another common problem is a plugged fuel filter. You can check for this by disconnecting the fuel line at the carburetor. This will tell you where the clog is and which part to replace.

A stuck inlet needle and seat can also cause the carburetor to malfunction. Learn how to check and repair it, or leave the maintenance to the pros — after all, you don’t want to make your mowing woes any worse!

Lawn Mower Won’t Start? Let Us Help!

If you’re run down this checklist and still aren’t hearing that familiar rumble of the lawn mower engine roaring to life, contact the pros at Crescent Avenue Gardens.

We’ll be happy to perform a lawn mower tune-up to get you back in business. If it’s time for an upgrade, we’ll show you our extensive selection of riding mowers and zero-turn mowers!