Lawnmower Help - Page 2 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

albertGQ · 06-02-2009, 04:23 PM

Wow. Lots of help guys. Thanks for all the tips. CP does it again. I'll try all your suggestions when I get home. Unfortunately, it won't be until late.

iggnuef · 06-02-2009, 04:55 PM

maybe there is rice stuck in the carb?

albertGQ · 06-02-2009, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iggnuef

maybe there is rice stuck in the carb?

You have it the other way around. Rice is full of carbs

Barnes · 06-02-2009, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by albertGQ

You have it the other way around. Rice is full of carbs

Have you tried jump starting it? Run as fast as you can down a hill with it while pulling the cord. Make sure to video tape it so we can tell you if you're doing it right.

But seriously, check the plug.

albertGQ · 06-02-2009, 07:50 PM

Okay. So I used to be able to yank the cord all the way back, but the mower wouldn't start. I filled it up with gasoline in the shed (that has been sitting in there since last summer). I think the reason it wouldn't start is because I forgot to press the primer button. By yanking it so many times without pressing that red button, did this cause the mower to "break"?

When I talked to my buddy, he told me to check the motor oil. It was empty so I went and bought some oil and filled it up. I tried to yank the chord again and the first time it did go all the way back, but everytime after that it was restricted and would not allow me. Did filling it up with oil flood anything?

So my buddy came over and looked at it. That's when I realised I never pressed the primer button at all. So he pressed it repeatedly and the chord still would not yank all the way back. Now it seems like everyday we try, the first yank goes all the way back and you can kind of hear the motor. But then after the first yank, it locks in again.

Some posters have suggested to check the sparkplug. I have no idea where this is even. Do I have to take this apart and look for it?

Thanks again

4X4 · 06-02-2009, 08:19 PM

Yikers. You may have seized the engine. Pulling the cord without oil in it is not good for the engine. I don't want to prematurely purchase the gravestone, but you could be facing some pretty bad news.

The spark plug should be pretty easy for anybody to recognize... There'll be a short, thick-ish cord that runs from one place on the engine, down to an upright looking thing, and you should be able to pull it off the top of the upright-looking thing with relative ease. Once that cord is off, the upright thing is your spark plug.

You'll need a ratchet and a 3/4" deep socket. Your deep socket is just the same as a regular one, but longer so that it will actually slide all the way on and connect with the twisty part.

Remove the spark plug and then grab some sandpaper. Slide the sandpaper between the hook-thing and the pointy thing (you'll know what I mean when you see it). This little space is called the gap and it'll likely be all black from burnt gasoline. The gap is the little spot between which the spark is created. Get the hook thing and the point nice and shiny and then put the spark plug back in and reconnect the boot (the boot is the thing that you pulled off initially).

At this point, you can try starting it again, but again, you'd better cross your fingers. I'd recommend taking the whole engine out and putting oil directly into the piston, but typing out the procedure would take awhile.

sclitheroe · 06-02-2009, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4X4

The spark plug should be pretty easy for anybody to recognize... There'll be a short, thick-ish cord that runs from one place on the engine, down to an upright looking thing, and you should be able to pull it off the top of the upright-looking thing with relative ease. Once that cord is off, the upright thing is your spark plug.

The OP has no idea about anything engine related...oil, spark plugs, priming is all foreign. Getting him to pull the spark plug and clean it with sandpaper is going to make this much worse for them, not better.

OP needs to find a neighbor with a working lawnmower and respectfully ask them to teach them how to start theirs.

4X4 · 06-02-2009, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

The OP has no idea about anything engine related...oil, spark plugs, priming is all foreign. Getting him to pull the spark plug and clean it with sandpaper is going to make this much worse for them, not better.

OP needs to find a neighbor with a working lawnmower and respectfully offer beer to teach them how to start theirs.

Fixed.

Barnes · 06-02-2009, 09:23 PM

Err... borrow theirs...

JohnnyFlame · 06-03-2009, 08:23 AM

LOL get yourself a cheap push mower. No problems and you get a workout mowing the lawn. No technical knowledge required. I have a modest sized yard and find it easy enough even if it is way slower than electric or gas.

albertGQ · 06-03-2009, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyFlame

LOL get yourself a cheap push mower. No problems and you get a workout mowing the lawn. No technical knowledge required. I have a modest sized yard and find it easy enough even if it is way slower than electric or gas.

How much slower? I grew up using an electric one all my life and never bothered to learn how to use a gas one.

I'll probably just buy an electric one

Buff · 06-03-2009, 08:48 AM

My mower wouldn't start this year and my father in law fixed it for me by taking off the... I can't remember the name of it but it is on the side. He just dumped whatever was in it, and put it back on and the engine started fine. There was probably condensation in the darned thing.

Oh and we also cleaned the sparkplug. There was gunk in the gap. We did that first and it didn't help. Dumping the gas from the... what the heck is the name of that stinking part again?... cleared up the problem.... though it wouldn't have worked if we didn't also clean the sparkplug.

If you aren't so mechanically inclined then I'd recommend finding a friend who is, to help you with this. I'm somewhat good with mechanical stuff, but when I haven't done anything with it before I just need somebody to show/tell me first before I try it.

Burninator · 06-03-2009, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buff

My mower wouldn't start this year and my father in law fixed it for me by taking off the... I can't remember the name of it but it is on the side. He just dumped whatever was in it, and put it back on and the engine started fine. There was probably condensation in the darned thing.

I think you are referring to the air filter.

JohnnyFlame · 06-03-2009, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by albertGQ

How much slower? I grew up using an electric one all my life and never bothered to learn how to use a gas one.

I'll probably just buy an electric one

Depends on the size of your yard. But it sure is nice having one less thing that is always in need of repairs/maintenance. All you have to do with the push mower is occasionally sharpen the blades. I'm never going back unless somehow I end up with a huge yard.

albertGQ · 06-04-2009, 09:35 PM

I just had a buddy drop by to look at my lawnmower. It looks like there might be something wrong with the motor. I wanted to take it into Home Depot but they don't do lawn mower repairs. Does anyone know where I can take it into that won't cost me an arm and a leg? I live in Coventry Hills so anything near that area would be more ideal

Thanks again

Buff · 06-04-2009, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burninator

I think you are referring to the air filter.

Nope, but thanks for reminding me. My air filter is really black and I was supposed to pick up a new one.

I want to say combustion chamber is what it was.. There was fuel in it that he drained from it.

Buff · 06-04-2009, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by albertGQ

I just had a buddy drop by to look at my lawnmower. It looks like there might be something wrong with the motor. I wanted to take it into Home Depot but they don't do lawn mower repairs. Does anyone know where I can take it into that won't cost me an arm and a leg? I live in Coventry Hills so anything near that area would be more ideal

Thanks again

If Calgary is anything like Lethbridge, expect to be without your mower for a few weeks.

FlamesKickAss · 06-04-2009, 10:11 PM

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-s...AdIdZ132855875

or repair

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-services-...AdIdZ127137014

Shazam · 06-04-2009, 10:13 PM

Engine seized. Buy a new one.

No, not priming won't kill it. I usually only have to prime once the whole season - the very first mow. After that, it's really easy to start.

Calgaryborn · 06-04-2009, 11:52 PM

Before you throw out your mower try taking off the muffler. It will only be two bolts or two screws. Check to see if the muffler is full of oil. If it is try and start the mower without the muffler on. If your pull cord is no longer restricted then that was your problem. Drain the muffler as best as you can. You can rinse the muffler with gasoline to clean it but make sure you don't leave gas in the muffler and you give it a few minutes to dry before putting it back on the lawn mower.

If the pull cord is a little stiff again after you put on the muffler try to start it again anyhow. If you can get it started it will blow out any remaining oil.