I can't get the lawnmower started.

[Jean in Newcastle]

And before anyone (who knows my health situation) yells at me, I'm trying to start it for ds12. Dh is in bed with pneumonia, so I can't ask him. This is the first time we got it out this spring. The oil had been drained, so we put in new oil. There was still gas in the tank. I primed it and pulled and pulled and pulled. It won't even begin to start. Do you think it is the old gas? If so, how do I get the old gas out without killing myself?

[nukeswife]

This is going to sound dumb, but check to make sure the spark plug wire is attached. My dh (who normally doesn't do the mowing, I do because it's my "me" time) couldn't get it started when trying to help me out, turned out the spark plug wire had come off.

[LibraryLover]

There might not even be enough gas at all. If you've added a bit of gas, give it a rest. Try again in a few minutes. Do you have any nice neighbors who might have energy to help?

[Jean in Newcastle]

There might not even be enough gas at all. If you've added a bit of gas, give it a rest. Try again in a few minutes. Do you have any nice neighbors who might have energy to help?

 

I can see the gas in the gas tank. It is nice and full. Also the gas smells funny (not like gas normally smells).

Edited April 26, 2010 by Jean in Newcastle

[DarlaS]

Is there some kind of on/off switch on it? My weed whacker has one and I about ruin my arm at least once per season trying to start the darned thing if I don't remember to check it.

[Sue G in PA]

How old is the gas? My brother works in landscaping/mowing and just told me today that the most common reason for a mower not starting first time after winter is that that water has gotten into the gas tank? Perhaps drain the gas and start fresh? I'm not inclined in this way, but that's what my pro. bro. says to do! Check spark plugs, too. Could need a replacement and they are easy to replace.

[LibraryLover]

Yes. I was coming back to say that there may be water in the gas if it's been sitting all winter. You may need to start with fresh gas & see if that takes care of it.

[mrscopterdoc]

If you have some gas additive, you can just add a bit of that. You don't have to drain the tank which is difficult. I *just* went through this too and hubby was gone. I tried that, checked the spark plug and it started up like a charm.

 

Good Luck!

[Sue G in PA]

Yes, my bro said to add some kind of fuel additive to the gas as well.

[Nestof3]

Take the air filter out and pour a teaspoon of gas into the carburetor and then try to start. Do this a few times. This gives the initial kick-off; then it will pull it through the system on its own.

 

If it's a fuel-related problem, it will probably start.

 

If this doesn't work, let me know.

 

Make sure the choke is closing fully, if it has one.

 

(spoken by my husband -- the lawn maintenance owner and repairer of mowers).

Edited April 26, 2010 by nestof3

[Nestof3]

Yes, my bro said to add some kind of fuel additive to the gas as well.

 

Fuel stabilizers are supposed to be added in the fall, but you could dump the old gas and put in new.

[Jean in Newcastle]

Too late to do anything more tonight, but we'll try some of these tips tomorrow - starting with Nestof3's, I think.

[KathyBC]

And before anyone (who knows my health situation) yells at me, I'm trying to start it for ds12. Dh is in bed with pneumonia, so I can't ask him. This is the first time we got it out this spring. The oil had been drained, so we put in new oil. There was still gas in the tank. I primed it and pulled and pulled and pulled. It won't even begin to start. Do you think it is the old gas? If so, how do I get the old gas out without killing myself?

 

When I was in almost the exact same position last year, it turned out that the fuel line switch had been shut off.

[Jean in Newcastle]

When I was in almost the exact same position last year, it turned out that the fuel line switch had been shut off.

 

I think I have a manual to this somewhere. Where would I look for a fuel line switch?

[Pippen]

If so, how do I get the old gas out without killing myself?

 

This is when I'd be calling the guy across the street. :D

[Melissa in Australia]

get an axe ans smash the thing, then kick it to the other side of the world. I HATE trying to start lawnmowers. ours need at least 500 pulls before it starts. by that time my arm is falling off, and I have no energy to push the thing!

[Jean in Newcastle]

This is when I'd be calling the guy across the street. :D

 

Well, I've had to call the guy next door to help me change a tire when dh was out of town, to get a heavy piece of machinery up into the back of my car because I had to deliver it somewhere and to break my leg out when it got stuck in our rotten deck (again when dh was gone). He was very nice about all of it. But - I will do anything before having to call him for help again!