If you own a lawn, then you have a lawnmower in the garage to keep your lawn pristine and aesthetically pleasing. But a lawnmower goes bad now and then, and you need to know how to fix it yourself. DIY for lawn mower repair is easy and can be done by anyone. So, how do you repair a lawnmower? Keep reading to find out.
A lawnmower that won’t start may simply be out of fuel or have experienced a damaged part. Refuel the mower, change the filter, and repair any leakage in the gas tank. Another major cause may be the ground wiring. To repair, check that it is properly connected and repair and secure any wear and tear. If damaged beyond repair, then buy replacement wires or parts.
Lawn Mower repair DIY saves you money and helps to accelerate your chores. Here are 11 common mower problems and how to easily solve them. Pay close attention to all the problems and their solutions as you may experience one and not the other.
LAWNMOWER REPAIR | HOW TO SOLVE COMMON LAWNMOWER PROBLEMS
How To Repair Lawn Mower That Won’t Start
Lawnmower won’t start when you need it the most? You’re not alone. Most homeowners complain about this problem, especially after using the mower for a couple of years or even months. This could be due to several reasons, including depleted fuel, a damaged gas tank, a damaged battery, dirty air filters, or a damaged spark plug.
Solutions.
● Fuel: Most lawn mowers need fuel to work, so be sure that there’s fuel inside the tank. Also, replace the fuel that may be older than 30 days as it could damage the mower and prevent it from starting. To completely remove the fuel, you’ll also need to clean the carburetor.
● Damaged Gas Tank: Repair any leaks on the gas tank. Seal it properly to avoid leaks that will empty the tank and prevent it from starting. We recommend replacing the tank completely if the damage is beyond repair. Find replacement tanks online or in your local retail store.
● Depleted or Damaged Battery: Depleted battery won’t enable the mower to start. Also, check for wear and tear and any damage to the body of the battery. Find a replacement battery online or at a local retailer. Check for the code on the battery to ensure that you buy the right fit.
● Dirty Air Filters: The filters hold dust and keep harmful substances from getting into your mower. But dirty filters will restrict airflow and prevent the machine from starting. How do you resolve this problem? Take out the filter and clean it properly. Remove all the debris and dust. Some filters can be washed too. Buy replacement filters if necessary.
● Dirty/Disconnected Spark Plugs: The spark plug plays an important role, which is to produce power and make the mower work faster. Clean, reposition, and tighten the spark plug to make the mower work again. Change defective plugs with new ones to ensure maximum performance. Check here for lawn mower maintenance.
How To Repair A Lawn Mower That Won’t Turn Off
Do you find it impossible to turn off your mower after working on your lawn, and have to resort to removing the spark plug? This is an uncommon problem faced by most users. This is caused by either a defective ground wire or an ignition switch.
Solutions
● Ground Wire: Check that the ground wire has not been disconnected and is in fine working conditions. Buy replacement wires and change them yourself if you can, otherwise, you may have to hire a professional to handle the repairs. If the ground wire is fine, then check the ignition.
Check it using an ohmmeter to make sure the connection between B and S is active. If it isn’t active or damaged, replace the ignition with a new one.
How To Repair Starter Rope That Is Stuck Or Hard To Pull
Have you had issues with pulling the starter rope when trying to start the mower? Then you’re not alone. This problem is usually caused by an engaged flywheel brake. This prevents the starter from pulling.
Solutions
● Disengage the brake before pulling the rope and make sure nothing is clogging the blades underneath. You can check the blade by lifting the mower or just move it to a flat surface.
How To Repair Lawn Mower That Overheats
Lawnmowers are designed to work in hot weather, however, the summer heat and Internal heat can cause overheating, which could cause more damage to the mower. How do you fix this? By following the steps below, you’ll learn to repair a lawnmower that is overheating.
Solutions
● Clean Dirty Mower Engine: Dirt and debris can get into the vent and restrict airflow. When this happens, the mower generates more heat to function optimally and air cannot find its way inside to cool the engine. To clean the mower, remove the casing and remove the dirt and debris stuck inside the mower.
● Check Oil Levels: Low oil levels in your mower will cause it to overheat, and damage some components in the engine. To resolve this, we recommend checking the oil level before using the mower. When low, ensure to refill the tank. Use the manufacturer’s manual to find the oil tank and the right amount to add.
Caution: don’t add oil to a running mower. If you notice low oil levels while working, put it off and allow it to cool before adding oil.
● Replace cooling fins and shrouds: The cooling fins and shrouds are responsible for moving heat away from the engine. Once damaged or broken, heat remains trapped inside the engine and it begins to overheat. Replace old and damaged parts with new ones every once in a while to ensure maximum performance.
Overheating should not be taken lightly as it can lead to several other problems within the mower. Apply any of the above solutions the moment you start experiencing overheating.
How To Repair Mower With Rising Smoke
While it may look dangerous, rising smoke from the lawnmower is usually not a cause for alarm as it’s caused by an overfilled or leaking oil chamber. Check here for detailed explanation on lawn mower smoking solutions.
Solution
Put off the engine and wait for it to cool off. This might solve the problem. If it doesn’t, then consult a professional to have a look at the mower and diagnose it. While rising smoke is not a cause of alarm, it is still dangerous to your health and could lead to a drop in performance.
How To Repair Lawn Mower With Reduced Speed
Speed is affected by several components including the spark plug and drive belt. If either is worn out or damaged, the speed of your mower drastically drops, requiring more time to finish the task of mowing your lawn. Depending on the type of your mower, you can find the plug near or back of the engine.
For more information on how to locate your lawnmower’s spark plug, check here. The drive belt is located in the motor casing.
Solution
● Inspect the drive belt for any damage and replace it if necessary. Also, check that the spark plug is in the right working condition. If it isn’t, then buy a replacement. It only costs about $5.
How To Repair Lawnmower That Won’t Cut Grass
Summer is the best season to mow your lawn because the grass is dry. Mowers find it difficult to cut wet and tall grasses as they clog the mower and may damage it.
With this in mind, note that it’s best to keep your mowing for the summer, when the sun has dried up your lawn and the grass is not too long that it clogs your mower.
But since we don’t control the growth of grass, we recommend increasing the height of the mower above its standard level to efficiently cut grass. Also, remove any debris on the grass before you start to mow.
Another solution for a mower that won’t cut grass is to sharpen the blade. This is fairly easy but you’ll need a sharpening tool to do this.
Using a dull mower like that will only increase your work time and destroy your lawn, thereby taking its aesthetics. You can sharpen the blade with a mill bastard file.
Read the user’s manual to help you remove the blades. Some manufacturers also state the type of sharpening tool that should be used on their blades. Caution: don’t sharpen if you’re unfamiliar with any of the tools as it may lead to fatal injuries.
Conclusively, lawn mower repairs can be fairly easy, however, certain damaged components can be tricky. For example, any damage to the engine requires an experienced and competent professional.
Avoid trying to fix anything in your mower that is outside your expertise, and only DIY when you have the necessary information to handle the task.
Always take precautions when repairing your lawnmower too. Don’t repair when it’s either plugged in, working, or hot. Put it off and wait for it to cool off before repair. If a component is damaged beyond repair, find a replacement to ensure maximum performance and reduce the risk of further damage.
