How Do You Flood a Lawn Mower Engine?

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Reasons for Engine Flooding and Damage

  • Neglecting the air filter.
  • Skipping the oil change.
  • Ignoring the spark plug.
  • Letting grass clippings accumulate.
  • Using old fuel.
  • Disregarding vibrations.

Troubleshooting Engine Issues

If the engine starts but does not run smoothly, the issue is likely air intake or fuel system related.

Preventing and Fixing Lawn Mower Flooding

Flooding a lawn mower leads to excess gasoline in the engine, overwhelming the spark plugs and preventing the mower from starting.

If the internal parts of a flooded mower get damaged, clean or replace them to get the lawn mower working again.

Steps to Unflood a Lawn Mower Engine

  1. Wait for Evaporation

    • Settle the mower on a level surface and wait 15 to 20 minutes for the gasoline to evaporate.

  2. Restarting Procedures

    • Try starting the mower without engaging the choke.
    • If in a hurry, remove the spark plug cover and dry it before attempting to start the mower.

Identifying Engine Flooding

Flooding commonly results from over-priming, closed choke, stuck valve, gummed carburetor, or trying to immediately restart an automatic choke engine.

The easiest way to tell if your engine is flooded is to remove the spark plug.

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