The Lawn Mower Needs a Tune-Up

Your lawn mower has been sitting in the garage all winter.

Maybe you didn’twinterize your mowerproperly at the end of the fall mowing season.

Now it’s spring and you oughta mow, but your mower won’t start up.

Closeup of lawn mower cutting grass.

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It will run for a while, then conk out.

This might mean you oughta wipe the fuel cap vent.

This feature releases pressure, allowing gas to flow smoothly from the gas tank to the carburetor.

Person pushing a Mulching mower.

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When it’s not working properly, gas fumes start to build up.

When the build-up becomes excessive, it keeps gas from flowing smoothly from the gas tank to the carburetor.

Fixing the problem is often easy enough: unscrew the fuel cap.

Person with blue jeans pushing a lawn mower.

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This should take care of the vacuum and let you start your mower.

But if it doesn’t, you may need to buy a new fuel cap.

You’re Not Gripping the Safety Bar

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Everything seems to be in order.

Lawn mower with bag attachment.

David Beaulieu

However, when you yank on the starter cord, nothing happens.

This problem falls under the improper use of the mower.

Most modern mowers have two bars up top, where the operator’s hands will be.

Person pushing lawn mower with bag attachment.

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One is the handlebar you hold to push the mower.

This safety feature is linked to the ignition coil.

If you release the safety bar upon slipping, the unit shuts off, thereby keeping you safe.

Red lawn mower.

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This stops dirt from getting into your carburetor, where it would gunk up your fuel.

Or, yourgrass could be too tall, causing jams.

If the blade seems to be dull, remove the mower’s blade, andsharpen the blade.

Person cleaning underside of mower deck with brush.

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If clippings are heavily caked on the deck, clean the clippings off.

In the case of the grass being too tall, you have to change your cutting approach.

This keeps the blade from having to cut too much grass all at once.

Man mowing grass with an electric mower.

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Don’t overlook the obvious: it could be a question of the power source.

Check that the fuel tank has gas in it.

If it’s old gas, drain it out, and replace it with fresh gasoline.

Man mowing grass with a push lawn mower.

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Remington mower that runs on a battery.

David Beaulieu