You're probably familiar with the frustration. You finally get time to mow the lawn, and your lawn mower just wont start. You pull and pull, kick it, and finally put it back in the garage. But a few simple maintenance and repair tips can help you diagnose your mowers ailment, correct the problem, and save you a bun-die in repair costs.

If your mower doesn't start, check the obvious first:

1.) Make sure the lawn mower is on

2.) Check to see if fuel is in the tank

3.) Be sure the safety mechanisms are turned on

Common Problems

If your difficulty isn't an obvious fix, there are a few common problems such as bad spark plugs, improper fuel flow, clogged air filters or dirty oil - -that you can easily fix. Read your owner's manual before starting any type of maintenance work. But remember, before you begin working on your mower or any engine power products, detach the spark plug to prevent the mower from accidentally starting. Also, keep your lawn mower manual and diagram nearby to identify specific parts that may need repair.

Spark Plug Has No Spark

First, test the spark plug to see if it sparks. If it does not spark then the ignition system may have to be replaced or worked on. Check the spark plug for wear or dirt (oil, soil or grass). If necessary, replace the spark plug with a new one.

Sheered Flywheel Key

Check under the mower where the blade is attached. There should be the flywheel key It is not really a key, but a short metal pin. If it is broken or lost then it will have to be replaced. Your Coast to Coast store has tune-up kits that include a spark plug, a flywheel, condenser, and points.

The Shutdown Switch May Have a Short The bar that you squeeze to keep the mower running is the shutdown switch. The bar runs across the top of the handlebars. The switch may need to be repaired or replaced.

Defective Wires

Wires could be the cause of your problems. This could be anything wrong with a wire whether it is shredded, cut, burned, etc.

Smoke Signals Trouble

If the engine starts smoking, you could have a plugged air filter. Cleaning the air filter will usually do the trick, but it may have to be replaced.

Just Charge It

If you have a battery-powered mower, your battery may not be getting a good charge. Corrosion and dirt can prevent good contact between the charger and the connections. Clean all of the battery connections with distilled water, let dry, then recharge. If it still won't charge, you may need a new battery. 

Oil Is Essential

Make sure you have the correct type of engine oil before beginning, and check the oil before each use. The oil needs to be clean and has to be filled to the correct level, but do not overfill. Overfill causes foaming or smoking and prevents proper lubrication. Oil that is dirty will affect the performance of your lawn mower. Change the oil every 10 hours of cutting times. Also, change the oil before you put it away for the winter months.

Gasoline begins to become unstable after 30 days, so always use fresh gasoline. The gasoline can be removed and added to your car's fuel tank. That system is much more capable of handling the old fuel. Gasoline stabilizer prevents gum that can plug up the carburetor from forming.

Sharpening Your Weapon

Check blade(s) for wear or damage. File or bench grind as necessary and replace if needed. We stock a good supply of replacement blades. It’s not a bad idea to bring in your old one for a correct match-up.

Is Your Mower Fatigued?

After extended use check sheet metal for cracks from fatigue and check brackets that hold or adjust wheels for cutting levels. But, if your mower is this worn out, it may be time to buy a new one.