Can you help me start my lawnmower?
J K asked:
It’s a fairly old (40 years old), and it’s a Gravely. But that doesn’t matter. I’ve tried turning the gas line open and shut, I’ve tried with the throttle in every position, I’ve tried choke and no choke. The gas filter doesn’t have water in it, there’s gas in the tank, the wire is firmly on the sparkplug. What else could there be? It reluctantly started the other day.
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It’s a fairly old (40 years old), and it’s a Gravely. But that doesn’t matter. I’ve tried turning the gas line open and shut, I’ve tried with the throttle in every position, I’ve tried choke and no choke. The gas filter doesn’t have water in it, there’s gas in the tank, the wire is firmly on the sparkplug. What else could there be? It reluctantly started the other day.
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:47 am
Does it have an air filter? I know our lawnmower had one and once we took it off, it fired up right away. Apparently it needed a new one!! mcstir
November 25th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
spray starter fluid in the carburetor and if it fires, then its not getting gas. The gas bowl and or carburetor are most likely gummed up and need cleaning. Spark plug could be fowled also martywdx
November 27th, 2009 at 6:17 am
i have a honda petrol mower and had a similar sort of problem.i am not particullarly good with these kinds of things and asked a m8 to have a look at it for me.he took it apart and cleaned the carbaretta which was really clogged up with gunk and also changed the spark plugs.it didnt look that difficult even to a lehman like mysef and it didnt take him long.Now it fires up first time every time and runs perfectly .hope this helps, good luck lyricallywaxed
November 28th, 2009 at 9:00 am
JK -
The plug could be the problem, how old is it? I’d replace it….
How old is the gas in the tank? Old gas loses its verocity and may need to be changed.
Also, try disconnecting the gas filter, and add some fresh gas into the resevoir of the filter. On older model mowers, you can get air-lock in the gas line. Fresh gas in the filter can fix this.
Wire to the plug could be oxidized or coated-over, preventing good connection with the plug. Disconnect from plug, sand, brush or file to remove any resistance, and re-connect.
That’s what I can think of that may help get ‘er started. Good luck stretch
December 1st, 2009 at 1:11 am
Check for spark first,Take plug out of bottom of carb bowl, make sure fuel flows (fresh fuel please not 40 yr. old.) Replace plug. Adjust mixture screws all the way in then back out about 2 turns.Full throttle, Full choke, Pull start cord. If it doesn’t at least fire you’re going to have to dig deeper. Could be loss of compression- stuck valve/rings etc. Just because the “wire is on the plug” doesn’t mean you are getting spark, bad plug, bad points ,coil ,condenser. Rob G