Lawnmower question *UPDATE*

A

AstroVol

500+ Posts
[***UPDATE***]

Thank you all very much for the responses. I tried most of the easy ones (except Texanne's), but nothing worked. I waited several hours to attempt recranking the engine, then a day, then a week, and it still wouldn't start. I broke down and took it to Lindsay's on S. 1st. It didn't take the guy 2 minutes to determine that the engine was burning oil, and this last time that it died was the last time it would ever start, as the engine had completely locked up due to NO oil. Apparently it was getting closer and closer each week.

There was clearly no oil at all, but it's weird that this just started happening, as I just changed the oil a month or two ago. The oil is usually the nasty black color when I change it, but there is always oil there.

If only I had listened to Texanne!
smile.gif


Thanks again, HF. Anyone have any mower rec's?

[/***UPDATE***]

This exact sequence of events has happened a number of times recently. Any ideas?

I take my push lawnmower out of the shed. It has some undetermined amount of gas in it. I fill it up with gas. It starts right up. I mow ~90% of the backyard before it dies, presumably from running out of gas. I fill it up with gas, but now it won't start. 2 hours later, it still won't start.

I have tried filling it up ~75% of full, but that doesn't help. I just changed the oil, filter, and sparkplug.
 
vapor lock?

Here's what I would do. Immediately after it dies, check to see if you have spark.

You can do this by removing the spark plug, reattaching the plug wire, and using insulated pliers, hold the metal part of the plug against the engine while cranking the engine. You should see spark on the plug. If you do, your problem is fuel related. If you don't you have an ignition problem, most likely a bad coil...coil's are frequently ok when cold but bad when hot.
 
Is the fuel fresh or has it been sitting in a gas can for months? If you store gas for more than several weeks you should add a fuel stabilizer when you purchase it.

Try draining the fuel out of the settling bowl on the carburetor in case it has water in it. If that doesn't help then cleaning the carburetor may be the solution. Not too many other things to check unless something like the coil went out, but not likely.
 
Sounds like water in your gas. Gas is extremely hygroscopic and it is very likely that the fuel in your equipment is contaminated. That water was likely agitated when adding fuel, allowing you to start it. When the fuel is completely consumed, the water that can not be ignited is left in the circuit somewhere. That water now needs a period of time to evaporate before starting is possible. Does this make sense?

Try removing all old gas from your equipment and make sure that you use at least mid-grade fuel with an additive such as the Stabil or B&S brand. This will also keep your gas from gumming up your fuel circuit.
 
Have you considered a rechargable electric mower? I hate those gas powered lawn tools, nothing but trouble, and highly polluting devices.
 
I read an article in the NYTimes that lawnmowers aren't made to handle the increased ethanol in gasoline now. It has lead to a huge resurgence for lawnmower repairmen, etc.

I bought a reel lawn mower after my last mower broke down and I couldn't be happier. However, I do have a pretty small yard so I doubt I'd be as happy if my yard was measured in acres.
 
I had a mower that would fire right up when cold starting, but was very hard to start when the engine was hot. Try giving it a shot of ether (starting fluid) into the air intake before cranking when the engine is hot. It should start right up.

$3.00 versus a trip to the mechanic.
 
What's your budget and the size of your yard?

...but I'm also tempted to say just hire a pro and avoid heat stroke.
 
^ Honda's are tricky to service though from what I hear. Very proprietary. Not sure about John Deere. Up until last week I mowed my lawn with a 6HP B&S powered Murray, until I gave up and started paying someone to do it for me. The Murray is 10 years old. I'd suggest going back to that mower service place you took your mower to and see if they are selling any pre-owned ones.
 
based on the update, I'm assuming that the rope wouldn't move when you attempted to pull it to start the mower?

My recommendation is a $185 murray from Home Depot. Use it for a couple of years, then go the Texanne route.
 
Yard is ~1/3 acre.. I could afford to pay someone to do it, but my yard looks great and I relish the pride associated with maintaining my own lawn when people come over and compliment it. I also enjoy mowing, even in the heat.

The mechanic at Lindsay's also recommended Honda, but the cynic in me can't overlook the fact that his business depends on problematic mowers being in circulation.

I never realized that mowers actually "burn" oil. I will be checking the oil frequently.

Big Will, the rope would extend with a forceful pull, but it was very rough, a lot of friction. I'm a pretty strong guy and I could pull it, but the old mechanic had a hard time pulling it. The motor certainly did not continue spinning with any momentum.

All this, and I will probably be buying another cheap clunker until it fails in 2 or 3 years. Thanks again for all of the advice.
 
I've had just the opposite experience; a cordless B&D stopped working right after warranty expired - $400 piece of ****. I went back to gas and properly maintained, I expect it to easily give me 10 yrs or more of service.
 
I have a 17 year old 2 cycle Lawn Boy that I have only had to change the blade on throughout its lifespan. When you add the oil to the gasoline it's hard to screw it up.
 
I had a Lawn Boy until I sold my house. It was terrific. Made by OMC (the Evinrude/Johnson outboard people). Very reliable, and did a beautiful job on the grass.
 
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