Power Lawn Mower Repair & Troubleshooting

Overview

Power lawn mowers are our noisy workhorses, cutting the lawn quickly and efficiently with a minimum of effort. The engines of small power mowers are pretty simple, so when a problem arises, as they surely will, a do-it-yourself repair is easy and will save you money. Follow a regular maintenance schedule with your mower to prevent minor catastrophes from ruining that perfect yard of your dreams.

Troubleshooting and Repair

Step 1

Check the gasoline and oil if the engine will not start. Insufficient fluid or stale gasoline can keep your engine from firing. Change the oil and gasoline if it has been in the engine for more than a month.

Step 2

Check the spark plug to make sure it is firing. Remove the spark plug from the engine, clean the bottom, replace it in the engine, and see if it fires. Replace the spark plug if necessary.

Step 3

Check the air filter if the mower erratically stops. Examine the air filter for excessive debris. If it is a paper air filter and is dirty, replace it with a new one. Sponge filters can be cleaned with warm, soapy water and left to dry.

Vibrating Mower

Step 1

Clean underneath the mower if it is vibrating excessively. Remove the spark plug so the engine does not start while you are under it. Use a putty knife to scrape excess grass from the deck.

Step 2

Tighten the bolt for the mower blade. Secure the blade in place with a block of wood so it does not turn when you are attempting to tighten it.

Step 3

Tighten all the nuts and bolts for the mower body, including the handle and levers.