Lawnmower Problems.

[Tilly2]

Mr Tilly is in a bit of a paddy because he's just had the lawnmower serviced and has tried to use it and it won't work.

It's a petrol one and he has been trying to get it going for the last twenty minutes.
He's always had trouble with this one, having to yank the rope thing over and over. Should a petrol mower start on the first/second go?
Can you get petrol mowers with a different sort of start mechanism?

[bookaholic]

Mr Bookaholic suggests, check level of fuel, check the fuel valve is switched to on position. Also does the mower have a dead man's handle depressed to start. Lastly check spark lead is attached, give it a wiggle, apparently. Hope this helps.

[Frank97]

Should a petrol mower start on the first/second go?

Yes, mine does.

[Buenchico]

A common problem with people using 2-stroke petrol mowers is that people try to run them on the 4-stroke fuel that you buy at filling stations without adding the necessary 2-stroke oil to it. Has Mr T forgotten the oil (or is it a 4-stroke mower anyway)?

Another common problem is stale fuel. If the mower has fuel in it that's more than a few months old, it needs to be changed.

More hints here:
http://www.justlawnmowers.co.uk/blog/petrol-mower-start-time
and advanced stuff here:
http://www.justlawnmowers.co.uk/blog/petrol-mower-start-time

>>>Can you get petrol mowers with a different sort of start mechanism?

Key start mowers are available, from around £250
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/261248414820?lpid=83&device=c&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0&ff12=67&ff13=80&;ff14=83
up to 'mega-bucks!
http://www.mowdirect.co.uk/atco-royale-20e-petrol-cylinder-lawn-mower-with-manufacturer-s-pdi.html

[beso]

It should start first go if it is a Honda.

One common problem when an engine does't start after a few pulls (particularly two strokes) is flooding from excessive use of the choke.

[Tilly2]

Thank you, bookaholic and Mr. Bookaholic.. He's checked the fuel, presses the deadman's handle, checked the start plug lead. Don't know about a fuel valve. He keeps depressing a red squeezy button. Is that it?

He's given up now and is watching the football whilst I'm googling 'lawn mowers'

[Psybbo]

Get Yont to bring his herd of goats round

[vulcan42]

As well as the other suggestions, constant pulling on the cord without the engine starting could flood the engine. If you have a socket remove the spark plug, if it's wet this is what's happened.Dry the plug and before refitting it to the engine, put the HT lead on to the end of plug and pull the cord, check to see if there's a spark at end of plug. If you have it''s not an electrical fault unless the gap on plug is incorrect, although if it's been recently serviced this should be correct.It sounds to me as if the carburettor has'nt been set correctly.

[Svejk]

Sounds 'flooded' to me, tilly. Tell him to turn the petrol off and get 'someone else';) to pull it a dozen times. Good luck and good morning. Everything alright apart from the mower?

[Buenchico]

Oops!

I've just seen that I posted the same link twice.

Here's the missing one:
http://www.espares.co.uk/advice/0/1430/how-to-fix-a-petrol-lawnmower-that-wont-start

[Tilly2]

You are all so helpful. Thank you. I think he's flooded it. It stinks of petrol in the garage now. He'll have another go when the footie's finished.
Vulcan, we don't have a start plug remover.
A herd of goats would be useful ,Psybbo.

Afternoon, sweety. All's well......apart from the lawnmower.

[Tilly2]

Thanks for that other link, Chris. I wish I was married to him!

[Svejk]

He should count his lucky stars,till. I'd mend a thousand broken mowers to be where he is. ;)

[bookaholic]

The red button is the fuel primer pump, hope your grass gets cut!!

[humbersloop]

^pmsl sweaty, priceless

[Tilly2]

That's very sweet, sweety.

[Tilly2]

Bookaholic, what does the fuel valve look like?

Sloopy, leave him alone!

[humbersloop]

sorry tilly, it was a keyboard mopper, that one ;x)

[bookaholic]

If your mower has one, it will be between the fuel tank and carberrtor. Looks like a tiny valve you can twist. Could you ring the place that serviced it?

[Tilly2]

I suggested that, booka. They're not open today, he says.

[Tilly2]

Here we go again. Wish me luck.