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Too much tilt or too sharp of a turn at a good rate of speed could “slosh” the fuel around in the float bowl, possibly delaying the ability of the main jet to pick it up and aspirate it.

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 :

Clogged or Dirty Air Filters

It is one of the most common problems that cause lawnmowers to sputter. The mowers take the air from the surrounding through air filters and mix it with fuel inside the engine. So, if the air filter is clogged or dirty, it will affect the flow of air into the carburetor.

Possible cause 1: In some models, when you tip the mower, fuel can leak into the carbon in the cap, which restricts the venting of the fuel system. This can cause the engine not to start, or only run for a few minutes, then quit. POSSIBLE SOLUTION: Leave the cap to dry out or replace it with a new lawn mower cap.
A dirty air filter inhibits the flow of air into the carburetor. Clean or replace the air filter to stop the mower from sputtering to a halt. Too much air can also cause problems for the engine. A bad cap on the gas tank is the first place to look.
If your lawn mower cuts out, smokes, idles poorly, vibrates or runs erratically, it could need a good tune-up to replace the spark plug, oil and air filter. Or the problem could be with the lawn mower`s fuel system. Rebuild or replace the carburetor if the engine isn`t getting a good supply of fuel.
A sputtering engine is a sign of a lean fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. This can happen if you have a clogged somewhere in the fuel system that impedes the delivery of fuel into the chamber. For example, your fuel filter or fuel lines might be clogged.
One of the most common causes of a sputtering engine is an issue with the vehicle`s fuel system—the filter, pump, and injectors. These three critical components work together to ensure fuel flows smoothly from the fuel tank to your engine`s fuel injectors, and then pumps into the engine evenly.
What If You Tilt Your Mower The Wrong Way? Don`t panic it`s not that big a deal. If you tilted your mower the wrong way, just tilt it onto its four wheels again and clean up any spilled gas. Oil and gas may have made their way to the air filter, and saturated it.
A dirty carburetor is one of the most common causes for a lawn mower not being able to start after sitting unused for months or years at a time.
A sputtering engine may just mean you need to have your fuel filter replaced. All vehicles have a series of vacuum hoses that create the fuel pressure. If one of them leaks or is damaged in any way, you will lose significant fuel pressure. The vehicle`s exhaust system can greatly impact the engine`s performance.
Disconnected, dirty or fouled spark plugs are common causes for engines that won`t start. See your operator`s manual for recommended spark plug change intervals. You should also check to make sure the spark plug gap is set correctly. An improper spark plug gap could lead to engine knocking and poor performance.
A sputtering engine may just mean you need to have your fuel filter replaced. All vehicles have a series of vacuum hoses that create the fuel pressure. If one of them leaks or is damaged in any way, you will lose significant fuel pressure. The vehicle`s exhaust system can greatly impact the engine`s performance.
Gasoline that contains alcohol has a tendency to ignite easier, which can cause afterfire. Small engine muffler type and manufacture. Carburetor adjustment may not be properly set for correct engine performance. Anti-afterfire solenoid may not be working properly.
Over time, some of the ingredients in the fuel may evaporate, leaving behind a thicker, stickier substance. This sticky fuel can clog up the carburetor and cause the engine to run roughly. If the carburetor is clogged, try cleaning it with carburetor cleaner.

Discover Relevant Questions and Answers for Your Specific Issue

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Lawn mower cranck but wont start…
ANSWER : Since you already checked for spark and air I would drain all the fuel out of it and check that fuel for water. Over time some lawn mowers end up with contaminated fuel. You can see the water sitting on the bottom of the fuel if you let it stand for a bit in a small plastic bowl.

Be sure to empty and dry out you fuel can as well. Especially if the mower stopped running right after a refuel. Which is a good sign your gas can is contaminated too.

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My husqvarna zero turn mower has an auto safety shut off. I have isolated 3 (Brake, Left control level, and Right contol lever)trying to see which one was faulty, but I’m not sure where to go next. When I took the brake off, the mower stalled so I held the safety button down and when the brake was off the engine stayed running. But when I pulled the Left or Right Control level to move, it shut off, so I held those down to see if I could see which one was faulty. The engine stayed running, so I couldn’t figure out which one was bad. Every thing stayed running until I engaged the mower deck, and then it shut down again. I gave up at that point and figured I needed an experts help! Thanks, Jon Sable
ANSWER : There should be a switch under the seat. The system is designed to stop all functions if no one is setting in the seat. I believe the seat switch has failed.
Check it out and let me know.
Regards,

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I have had a poulan pro 550 series push mower for almost 1 year at the end of the season last year the mower would start briefly and then stop. i have cleaned out the air filter and that did not help.the mower started, i made one revolution around the yard 3/4th of the way the mower quit. I then primed the mower it started then quit and now it will not start at all. Does anyone have any suggestions of what to do. Thanks
ANSWER : There is a little spring that works the carburetor arm. If that popped off then the mower will not run.

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Mower cranks and runs smooth until i try to engage blades or put mower in gear. it then stalls out
ANSWER : The seat switch is not making. You can start the mower but if you try to move it or cut, the switch is acting as if there is no operator present. Find it under the seat.

Gary

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I have a Poulan push mower that after mowing in a ditch started making a loud noise and running rough. It almost sounded as if metal was hitting metal. The mower was vibrating more than normal. I checked under the mower and nothing is hitting. After a few times of stopping the mower engine because it sound as if it is going to die down the mower will not start now. The shaft does not appear bent and the blade appears ok. The mower has oil, a good spark plug and a clean air filter. It was running fine until that moment. I did not see anything that I hit but it is possible I hit something in the ditch like a pine cone or branch. What could the problem be and how would I go about fixing it?
ANSWER : If you are sure the oil level is correct then it sounds like it’s about to die, unfortunately. A pine cone shouldn’t cause any damage, but a large branch may do so. Was it smoking before you shut it down? The vibration could be caused from a bent blade. It could also be caused from a part breaking in the motor. I wish I could have given you better news!

Good Luck,

Jim

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Hello

I have a black and decker lawn mower which is electric and it suddenly stopped working. I checked the power cord and it seems to be fine. When I try to start the lawn mower, I hear the click sound but the mower does not start

Any ideas or suggestions is highly appreciated.

Thanks

T

ANSWER : Took the mower to the Black and Decker warehouse where they replaced the switch in the handle. It cost $53.73 total.

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I have a problem with a Black and Decker electric lawn mower model MM525. While cutting some high grass today, the mower slowed down, then quit and would not restart. I checked the electrical outlet and there was no power–the fuse was burned out in the switch box. I replaced it, tried again, and again it would not start or even give any response at all, but again it blew out the fuse in the box. The fuse is 25A and the mower is only 12A so that’s not an issue, besides, I’ve used this mower from that outlet for about 4 years since I first got the mower and never had any problem before. My question is: is whatever is causing the mower not to start and to blow out my fuse something that can be repaired or should be? Thanks.
ANSWER : Hello blumph,
I can think of only one or two things that are causing your problems. It could either be approx. a $14.00 switch in the handle that has shorted out, or 2 bad brushes $1.75/ea.on the armature (motor). Both are fairly simple fixes with just a screwdriver and maybe pliers. You might also check and see if the power cord has been chafed or damaged and is shorting out. See below for parts:http://www.ereplacementparts.com/black-and-decker-mm575-electric-lawnhogtrade-[email protected]

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The mower starts easily but loses power and stalls out
ANSWER : You may need to adjust the fuel mixture screw on the carb to allow more fuel under load. And check to see if air cleaner is clean.

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