Addressing Common Lawn Mower Problems
Despite how consistent you are with your general maintenance and upkeep, any machine can develop a problem that needs fixing. That includes your lawn mower. Knowing how to handle minor repairs can save you both time and money. Because of this, we at Magnum Power have created the following guide with helpful lawn mower troubleshooting tips to address common problems! Keep reading, and give us a call if you have any questions.
We are located in Lawson, Missouri, and are proud to serve Clay County and Kansas City. When you need power equipment, we’ve got you covered!
Starting Problems
If your mower is having trouble starting, you probably have a clogged carburetor. This often occurs when you leave fuel in the mower for too long without using it. The liquid parts of the fuel will evaporate and leave behind a sticky mess that clogs the carburetor and keeps the engine from starting. An easy fix for this common problem is to use a carburetor cleaner.
Another problem that causes starting issues in lawn equipment is a damaged spark plug. Check the spark plug for any signs of wear and tear. Use a spark plug tester to see if it is defective. If there isn’t a strong spark between the tester’s terminals, it’s time to get a new spark plug for your mower.
Battery Problems
If your lawn mower battery continues to die, one or more cells may have died inside the battery. Luckily for you, this is a common mower problem that you can successfully troubleshoot! Use a charger to charge the battery. If it won’t hold a charge, you may need a new battery. Sometimes, battery problems don’t actually involve the battery. Use a multimeter to make sure the charger gives out proper voltage output. The multimeter will also help you check the alternator which is responsible for recharging the battery.
Blade Problems
If the blades of your lawn mower aren’t engaging, there may be an issue with the power take-off (PTO) switch. Pull out your trusty multimeter and check if the switch is damaged. If the switch is fine, the problem may concern your PTO clutch. This clutch manually disconnects the engine from the blades. If there is a problem with the PTO clutch, it will have to be replaced since you cannot repair it.
Gas Leak Problems
Another common lawn mower problem has to do with gas leaks. In order to troubleshoot the problem, you’ll need to pinpoint where the leak is occurring. If the leak is coming from the bottom of the carburetor, the carburetor bowl gasket could be missing or dried out. Replace the gasket. Another potential cause of a gas leak could be the float needle not shutting off the fuel. If it is damaged, the fuel will fill the carburetor until it overflows. Replace it if it is damaged.
If neither of the above is causing the leak, you should inspect the fuel shut-off valve. The fuel lines should be tightly attached to the valve and there should be no cracks, tears, or holes. If a fuel shut-off line or valve is leaking, you need to replace it immediately.
Overheating Problems
Overheating is another common lawn mower issue. However, this is easy to avoid. Keep the mower’s air-cooled engine and cooling fins clean and clear of debris like grass and leaves. As long as the fins aren’t clogged, you shouldn’t have too many issues with overheating.
Smoking Problems
If you see thick, black smoke coming from your mower, don’t panic. This indicates that your carburetor is getting too much fuel. Check if the carburetor float is jammed in the open position. If this isn’t the problem, you may need to check the mower’s carburetor choke valve and ensure that it is open.
We hope this guide will help you with troubleshooting any common lawn mower problems you encounter! If you have any questions, reach out to our helpful team at Magnum Power in Lawson, Missouri. From Clay County to Kansas City, we are here to get you the equipment that improves your work day!