D110 42 in. 19.5 HP Front-Engine Hydrostatic Riding Mower

How to Identify and Fix Common Gardening Problems ?

We provide a variety of viewpoints on how to identify and fix common gardening problems. Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced gardeners :

A Dirty Carburetor Can Cause a Lawnmower To Start Then Die

By far, the most common issue that causes a stalled motor is a dirty carburetor. The carburetor on your engine is the thing that draws in air and mixes it with the fuel. Contrary to what the movies might make you think, gasoline itself is not very flammable.

Loose, Dirty or Disconnected Spark Plug in Your Lawn Mower: Check it out, clean off debris, re-connect and tighten. Dirty Air Filter: Clean or replace. Fuel Not Reaching the Engine: Tap the side of the carburetor to help the flow of gas. If this doesn`t work, you might need a new fuel filter.
A dirty carburetor is the most common cause of a lawn mower that starts and then dies. Other possible causes include: Stale/Dirty Gas. Faulty Choke.
The symptoms of your lawn mower battery going bad include the engine not starting, the mower producing clicking noises and a rotten egg smell, the battery losing charge faster than normal, the mower refusing to cut grass, and poor fluid levels.
As the fuel level drops, a vacuum begins to form in the fuel tank because air can get in to fill the space the consumed fuel occupied. After about 10 or 15 minutes, the vacuum will become strong enough that fuel will stop flowing to the carburetor and the lawnmower will die.
The spark plugs are worn or damaged

If you find that your lawnmower keeps dying, or keeps stalling while cutting grass, then inspect the spark plugs. Look for signs of damage or wear. Something as simple as a cracked porcelain insulator can mean an electrode has been damaged or burned away.

Disconnected, dirty or fouled spark plugs are common causes for engines that won`t start. For small engines, spark plugs typically need to be replaced every season or after 25 hours of use. You should also check to make sure the spark plug gap is set correctly.
A full gas tank and oil reservoir are the essential first steps when checking why the lawn mower won`t stay running, but the problem could also be a dirty filter, clogged carburetor, improper fuel mixture, or a dirty spark plug.
Use Carburetor Cleaner

Fortunately, you can generally do this without even taking the carburetor out of the engine. Start by purchasing some commercial lawnmower carburetor cleanerOpens a new window, which comes in a simple spray can and will make it easy to clean the inside and outside of the carb.

In terms of engine life, a gas mower will run for 10 years or more, while a battery-powered mower will need to be replaced after about five years, on average.
The factors that keep draining your lawn mower battery include damaged, loose, or corroded cables, an electronic drain, or cables that are attached loosely. Sometimes, it is as simple as the battery needing some maintenance. Other plausible reasons are faulty alternators, voltage regulators, and battery chargers.
If your lawn mower starts, runs briefly, then dies these are the four most common reasons that`s happening: Dirty carburetor / clogged carburetor bowl. Old gasoline that has gone bad. Dirty or defective spark plugs.
Other things that could cause this issue are bad fuel, weak/colapsed/kinked fuel line, faulty spark plug, faulty ignition/coil, oil over full, clogged air filter, plugged/dirty carburetor, worn engine parts internal rings/valves/etc.

Discover Relevant Questions and Answers for Your Specific Issue

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Toro 149cc Lawn Mower Won't Start – Toro Lawn Mower With Toro Power Tools
ANSWER : Bad carburetor your old fuel jammed up the jet so it won’t get fuel and if it does it will start and shut off So replace the carb or try to clean the jet and run non oxy fuel only

Lawn mower will start and run for 5 seconds and shut down
ANSWER : Will it stay running with your choke on? if so then clean your carb. if not then look for a blockage from tank to carb. ie fuel shut off, deteriorated fuel line. plugged filter etc

My mower will start but won't stay running – Toro LX466 22HP Lawn Tractor 13RT61RH244
ANSWER : I am going to respond 2 times to this post. The first reply will be generic things to check.
First off check the oil level and make sure it is serviced to full.
If your having a lack of fuel (runing lean) you will need to check fuel flow at the carb fuel mainfold. It should fill a spray paint can lid in less than 10 seconds but teting flow rated of the main fuel line. If you have poor flow here… you need to check the fuel filter and the fuel tank outlet port for obstructions.

Good Fuel flow still shutting off…. remove the carb float bow and clean the debris from the bow’ and the treaded area where the fuel solenoid mounts Additionally you will have to again remove the main fuel line and spray carb cleaner in the float needle area to flush out any debris through the fuel hose connection.

For the second response I need to know which engine is installed on your mower by MODEL number if you can locate it. (there are 3 engines) At least try to find the engine model number. If you can not locate it Brand and HP of the engine (I assume 22 hp) Thanks for choosing FixYa,
Kelly

I have trouble starting a toro walk behind mower
ANSWER : All, I thought my carb was shot, so I replaced it. Still, start but no run (and had to use starting fluid). THEN!!! I noticed the spring to the “rev limiter” (just below and towards rear of carb) was not “tight”. The stupid bracket that holds the end of that spring had been bent down ~1/16″ and that caused all this heartache. CHECK YOUR REV LIMITER!!!

Mower won’t start
ANSWER : This may sound stupid but don’t mean it to…
Have you tried with the choke all the way open? Do you have an automatic cruise? Is the right (correct) pedal being pushed in? These will affect if it starts or not. Also if your drive belt or one of the other belts not being tight enough will affect if it starts or just turns over. Not too many things can stope it from starting with new/good battery AND if its getting gas. Try cleaning your gas line and obviously making sure there is no obstruction around or near your blade, if it does start with blade engaged that is :))
If it doesn’t start with blade engaged, well make sure it’s in neutral. Mine won’t start in reverse but will in forward or neutral.

Hope it helps.

Anthony

My toro 6.5 hp push mower (2010), has no fire to the plug. I have not abused it. i have a small yard and it just gets normal use. Now it won’t fire. I first changed the fuel and cleaned the carb thinking it was that crappy ethanol again. but i grounded out the spark plug and cranked it…no spark. I think it has to do with the lever you pull back to start it . they have some stupid complicated safety contraption that rides along the fly wheel when you pull back on the handle for starting and shutting off the engine. …it looks worn out already…like a mini brake pad. any ideas?…do i really have to replace this garbage every year or am i on the wrong path here?
ANSWER : Unhook your wire from the coil that goes to shut off mechanism, and see if you have spark then. the wire may be grounded out, or your coil might have took a ****

Where is the primer ball
ANSWER : It may not have a primer ball. If it does, it would be attached to the carberator. If it starts, but won’t stay running, that could mean your carberator needs to be cleaned/serviced.

Brand new electric power Weed Eater lawn Mower, started up like a champ, started vibrating and was loud, shut it down, now it won’t start. Checked the extension the outlet all seems fine. Didn’t even use it yet. Why will it not start?
ANSWER : Battery no good from factory bad battery connection maybe put together on a Monday or maybe battery internal charger no good