Use a fuel stabilization product such as STA-BIL to keep fuel fresh during storage. Don’t take stress if your lawn mower won’t start even it is brand new. Don't forget the choke on some mowers it is not automatic. “When the volatile ingredients in fuel evaporate, it leaves a sticky, varnish-like substance that clogs the small jets in carburetors,” says Grosz. Your mower should start within three pulls of the starter rope (unless equipped with a Quick Start engine). This can be made worse if water that condensed in your gas can ends up in the fuel tank as well. JCPress - hi, I'm assuming the mower won't start at this point. The first thing to go is gasoline’s volatility. Sediment and other deposits can build up in the carburetor and fuel line, making it harder to start your mower, and as the buildup continues, it may prevent the mower from starting at all. If your mower won’t start because you’ve been using old gasoline, you’ll need to remove the old fuel and any built-up residue in the engine. Finally, another handy tip is to warm up the carburetor. But getting the lawn mower out of the shed and running properly can be a struggle early in the season. I have a John Deere X540 lawnmower. How can bad gas affect my lawn mower? What Kind of Gas Does a John Deere Riding Mower Take? I do find the first time I try to start the mower after a winter layover it is difficult to start. I put bad (old) gas in my Riding lawnmower and it won't start. One thing that you probably don't think about is gasoline; however, gas does break down over time. Drain the old oil out and refill the crankcase with oil manufactured specifically for smaller engines and lawn mowers, such as Cenex® 2-Cycle Oil. Lawn Mower Air Filter Clogged? Begin by referring to the owner’s manual for service procedures. If the fuel line becomes clogged, you may have to replace that as well. If your lawn mower won’t start and the gas inside is from last fall, try changing the gas. Believe it or not, the spark plug is probably the No. The process involves filtering the gas through cotton fabric, nylons or other finely woven material and mixing it with fresh gasoline in a particular ratio of old gas to new gas. I've left mine full of gas over the winter before (including this past winter) and it started on the first pull. Reasons a Lawn Mower Won’t Start When Hot. Follow step-by-step instruction to determine why your mower won't start: checking fuel levels, spark plug, carburetor and compression. The Oil-to-Gas Ratio in a Ryobi SS30 Lawn Trimmer. Dirty Air Filter: Clean or replace. My lawnmower won't start. “Every spring, we see issues with mowers caused by homeowners using gasoline left over from the year before,” says Dwight Grosz, a small engine mechanic near Bismarck, N.D. “Over time, untreated fuel begins to break down, which leads to hard starting, poor performance or an engine that won’t start at all.”. Set a small cup under the lawn mower carburetor to catch any spills. The right way to store the lawn mower is to add stabilizer to the gas in the proportion recommended on the label and fill the tank 95 percent full. 7 Major Cause Why A Lawn Mower Won’t Start! Gas that's been in the mower for more than a couple of months can “go bad," with sediment, varnish-like contaminants, and condensation that can make it difficult to … Additives such as detergents break down over time and form sediment, while alcohol-based octane boosters, which increase the volatility of the gas, evaporate and leave the remaining gasoline less combustible. Thus, before you throw a fit, check your mower’s fuel level. You’ve probably heard using cruise control can improve your fuel efficiency, but is it actually true? When that happens, roll the mower into the sun and let it warm up. Replace parts if necessary: pilot jet screw, idle screw, gasket, air filter or … There are a couple of ways to remove old gas from your mower, but I prefer to use a siphon pump like this one. Using old gas in your lawn mower can cause the mower to perform poorly or not start at all. Dear Angie: I purchased a new lawn mower last summer.Now, after sitting in the garage for the winter, it won’t start. If your mower won’t start because you’ve been using old gasoline, you’ll need to remove the old fuel and any built-up residue in the engine. Remove the Remaining Gas from the Tank.. Once the build-up is gone, siphon out the old gasoline and put it … Bolens 450E Series 125cc, Model #11A-020W765, Briggs & Stratton engine, Model #08P5020047F1. If the spark plug is dirty, disconnected, or simply loose, the engine won’t start. When gasoline breaks down, several factors are at work. ... Plug wire can be damage by mice or due to old age or many other reasons. The engine will probably still run, just not as well. I pull the spark plug dip it in gasoline and reinstall it. This results in gum, which can clog gas lines and filters and create deposits in the fuel system. Change the oil to remove contaminants, sludge and acids. Change the Air Filter (it’s easy) After checking the gas tank and changing the oil, check the air filter … Video 6: How to drain old or bad gas from your lawn mower and/or most small engines. If it’s not put to use in a while, the spark plug can get corroded and the engine won’t be able to ignite fuel. The gas mower will last longer and be an easy user-serviceable comparatively electric power lawn mower. It is always better to check the spark plug. 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