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Common Reasons for Lawn Mower Starting and Stopping Issues
- A dirty carburetor is the most common reason lawn mowers start and then stop working.
- Other possible causes include stale/dirty gas, a faulty choke, a worn out or broken spark plug, dirty filter, loose or faulty choke, moisture in the oil, and a blocked muffler.
- To prevent issues, it’s suggested to service your mower once a year in the spring.
- Additional common causes include old gasoline, a dirty air filter, or too much oil in the crankcase.
- With some basic maintenance, you can often get your mower running properly again without an expensive trip to the repair shop.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Why does my lawn mower only run for a few seconds then dies?
- Dirty carburetor / clogged carburetor bowl
- Old gasoline that has gone bad
- Dirty or defective spark plugs
Why won’t my lawnmower start unless I use starting fluid?
- Your first step is to diagnose the problem.
Why does my lawnmower keep cutting off?
- The loss of air flow to the engine caused by too tall or too thick grass or a dirty air filter is often the reason a mower engine stalls.
How do you clean a carburetor on a lawn mower without removing it?
- Turn off mower, remove air filter, spray carburetor cleaner through choke opening and re holes. Let sit 5 mins then start mower.
How To Clean Lawnmower Carburetor
- Remove outer casing and air filter, remove carburetor, clean jets and passages, reassemble.
How to Address Mower Starting and Stopping Issues
- Check the carburetor, fuel, and spark plugs.
Additional Tips
- I recommend using a section of lawn with short grass to diagnose mower issues.
