If your lawn mower starts, runs briefly, then dies these are the four most common reasons that’s happening: Dirty carburetor / clogged carburetor bowl. Old gasoline that has gone bad. Dirty or defective spark plugs.

Besides, How do you fix a lawn mower that won’t start?


If you run into problems getting your lawnmower ready for spring, try the following:

  1. Use fresh gas. Old gasoline can cause starting difficulties. …
  2. Check the spark plug. …
  3. Use the choke. …
  4. Prime the mower. …
  5. Check the air filter. …
  6. Check the cables. …
  7. Check for water in the fuel tank.
  8. Clear the starter cord of blockages.

Keeping this in mind, What causes a lawn mower to not stay running? A full gas tank and oil reservoir are the essential first steps when checking why the lawn mower won’t stay running, but the problem could also be a dirty filter, clogged carburetor, improper fuel mixture, or a dirty spark plug. … However, you may need a lawn mower specialist to get you back to trimming your grass.

How do you clean a carburetor on a lawn mower without removing it?


How to Clean Your Carburetor?

  1. Turn Off Mower. Completely turn off the lawn mower and also let the engine cool down for a few minutes before you can begin any cleaning procedures. …
  2. Inspect the Air Filters. …
  3. Check all Connections to the Carburetor. …
  4. Clean the Carburetor. …
  5. Contact Your Local Dealer.

How do I know if my lawn mower carburetor is bad?


Dirty Carburetor Symptoms

  1. The lawn mower engine has trouble starting.
  2. The engine starts but stalls while you’re cutting the lawn.
  3. The engine runs rough during mowing.
  4. Black smoke is seen coming out of the muffler.
  5. There is a noticeable increase in fuel consumption during normal lawn mower use.

Why does my mower keep dying?

The fuel cap vent is clogged

If your lawnmower keeps dying, the carburettor is always the first part to check. But it’s not always the cause of the problem. If your lawnmower starts then dies, a blockage in the fuel cap vent is also a possible problem. … If it starts with no issues, you may need to replace your fuel cap.

Can I clean a carburetor without taking it apart?

Cleaning a carburetor without removing it is fine. However, it can and should never replace the wholesome cleaning exercises. This is because it does not impact the entire length and breadth of the engine as should be the case.

What can be used in place of carburetor cleaner?

Brake cleaner is another alternative to carburetor cleaner. It is safe to use on the carburetor, and is formulated to dissolve grease and grime buildup just as carburetor cleaners are.

How do I know if my carburetor is clogged?


Here are four telltale signs that your carburetor needs attention.

  1. It just won’t start. If your engine turns over or cranks, but doesn’t start, it could be due to a dirty carburetor. …
  2. It’s running lean. An engine “runs lean” when the balance of fuel and air gets thrown off. …
  3. It’s running rich. …
  4. It’s flooded.

How do you check a lawn mower carburetor?

Similar to a walk-behind mower, the carb is located below or behind the air filter. You’ll have to remove the filter and the air filter housing to access it. Once you remove the air filter housing, you can identify the carburetor by following the fuel line from the gas tank to the carb.

How do I know if my carburetor is working?


Carb Quickies: 4 Quick Checks to Determine if Your Carburetor is Working Properly

  1. Float-level adjustment. With the engine warmed up and idling, remove the air cleaner. …
  2. Idle system. If the engine idles roughly after warming up, the idle system could be at fault. …
  3. Accelerator-pump system. …
  4. Main-metering system.

Why does my lawn mower shut off while mowing?

Being Overworked

One of the most common reasons that a lawn mower might stall while it is cutting grass is that it is being overworked. This is a mechanism that is intentionally incorporated into the mower to prevent the motor from being blown.

What are the symptoms of a dirty carburetor?


Four Signs Your Carburetor Is Failing

  • Engine Performance Reduction. As mentioned above, combustion starts and keeps your engine running. …
  • Black Exhaust Smoke. You shouldn’t see black smoke coming out of your exhaust pipe even if you drive a diesel. …
  • Engine Backfires or Overheats. …
  • Starting Difficulty.

How do you clean a clogged carburetor?


Directions for How To Clean A Carburetor:

  1. Dilute cleaner. In a large container, mix 1 part Simple Green Pro HD Heavy-Duty Cleaner to 3 parts water.
  2. Clear air filter. …
  3. Remove the carburetor. …
  4. Remove carburetor float. …
  5. Remove other removable components. …
  6. Soak and scrub components. …
  7. Rinse and dry. …
  8. Reassemble and replace.

How do you clean a dirty carburetor?

The easiest way to clean the carburetor and the parts is to soak them in a gallon of carb and parts cleaner, however the can is pretty expensive for just one use. Follow the instructions on the can for cleaning. Parts can also be cleaned by spraying carb and choke cleaner.

Can you use WD-40 instead of carb cleaner?

WD-40 Specialist® Carb/Throttle Body & Parts Cleaner with attachable precision straw is the only all-in-one carburetor cleaner spray you will need to clean your carburetor, throttle body, and unpainted metal parts. … Then, the powerful cleaning spray blasts away the deposits and waste, leaving behind no residue.

How do you make homemade carburetor cleaner?

Mix 1-quart alcohol, 1-quart acetone, and 1-quart Xylol in a 1-gallon paint thinner can to create a carb cleaner that works pretty well to dissolve the gum and heavy varnish that has built up inside and outside your motorbike bike.

How do you clean a carburetor on a snowblower without taking it apart?

Spray carburetor cleaner on the inside of the bowl and wipe the liquid, dirt, and concentrated fuel off of it. Now take the main jet, spray the cleaner through it and wipe off the dirt. Then take a copper wire, scrub it through the tiny holes in the jet to complete the cleaning process.

Can you clean carburetor without removing?

Cleaning a carburetor without removing it is fine. However, it can and should never replace the wholesome cleaning exercises. This is because it does not impact the entire length and breadth of the engine as should be the case.

Can you clean a carburetor without removing it?

Cleaning a carburetor without removing it is fine. However, it can and should never replace the wholesome cleaning exercises. This is because it does not impact the entire length and breadth of the engine as should be the case.

Why does my lawn mower only run on full choke?

If your lawn mower only runs with the choke on, check the carburetor. … The carburetor brings air and fuel together and mixes them in the perfect ratio for combustion before they enter the engine. There are several passages in the carburetor that allow fuel to enter the air stream depending how the throttle is set.

Why is my carb not getting gas?

No fuel at your carburetor can be caused by many things. It could be a simple issue like a fuel filter plugged so tight that no fuel can pass through. Another logical cause could be the fuel pump. … A hole in the fuel line on the tank side could also cause the fuel pump to suck air instead of fuel from the fuel tank.

Why does my lawn mower overheat and stop?

Low engine oil can cause some real damage to a lawn mower as it runs. … Blocked cooling fins may be one of the more common causes of overheating in mowers specifically, since all the grass and debris from lawns or fields can easily end up in the cooling fins, keeping air from circulating and cooling the engine down.

Why does my riding mower stop running when it gets hot?

Air leaks cause an engine to pull in too much outside air, which throws off the gasoline-to-air ratio. As the engine heats, parts expand, and all tiny gaps become larger. The result is a poorly running engine and one that eventually stops. Loose bolts are a common culprit in a mower engine that shuts down when hot.