Lawnmowers are a great way to keep your yard neat and tidy, but they can also be pretty finicky.
If you want to make sure that yours runs smoothly and lasts as long as possible, it’s important to keep an eye on certain things.
By following our simple steps below, you’ll learn how to troubleshoot common problems with your lawnmower so that both of us can enjoy a beautiful yard without any hassle!
Check the gas
- Check the gas tank for fuel.
- Look at the fuel line to make sure it isn’t leaking.
- Check the filter and make sure there are no clogs in it.
- Inspect the entire length of your fuel line, looking for kinks or cracks along its length (and replace them if necessary).
- Make sure that your cap is secure and doesn’t leak when you shake it back and forth (or just remove it altogether).
Check the spark plug
If you’re having trouble starting your lawnmower, it may be that the spark plug is dirty or damaged.
To check this, remove it from its housing and inspect it for any damage or foreign objects.
If there are any issues with your spark plug, replace it with a new one before attempting to start your mower again.
Check the oil level
If you suspect that your lawnmower is low on engine oil, it’s time to check!
You can find this information in your owner’s manual or by referring to the sticker on the side of your machine.
As a general rule of thumb, you should always have at least one quart (or liter) of fresh engine oil in your mower at all times.
If there isn’t enough lubrication for its parts and components, they’ll wear down faster than they should–and eventually, break down completely.
As well as being important for overall longevity, having plenty of fresh engine lube will also help keep everything running smoothly while you’re mowing so that you don’t experience any unexpected stalls or stalling out during operation.
Clean or replace the air filter
A dirty air filter can cause your mower to run poorly, so it’s important to keep it clean.
The air filter is located in the air intake and should be cleaned regularly, especially if you have a large yard or are using your mower often.
If you don’t clean it regularly, the dirt will clog up and cause issues with performance (and possibly damage).
To clean your mower’s air filter:
- Remove the old filter by pulling on its edges until it pops out of place; discard it according to local regulations for disposing of hazardous materials like used oil filters or other forms of waste from lawn care equipment if applicable in your area
Inspect the blade
The first thing you should do when troubleshooting an issue with your lawnmower is inspecting the blade.
To do this, remove the spark plug and pull off the air filter cover on top of your engine.
Next, lift up on one side of the mower deck so that it’s tilted at a 45-degree angle toward you; this will give you access to both sides of your blade without having to remove any other parts from underneath or around it.
You’ll want to check for cracks, chips, and dents in its metal surface–if there are any visible damages then replace them immediately!
Also, look at how tightly wound up (or “tensioned”) this part is:
if there’s too much slack between its pulleys then tighten it by turning their nuts clockwise until they’re snug again; if there isn’t enough tension then loosen those same nuts slightly until they’re properly aligned again.
Test the kill switch
- Test the kill switch. To test your kill switch, turn on your mower and let it run for 2-3 minutes to make sure that everything is working properly.
- If the engine stops when you pull or push the lever, then there’s nothing wrong with the kill switch itself–it just needs to be adjusted in order for it to work properly.
- Adjusting a kill switch requires removing some screws from underneath your lawnmower deck (where all of its internal components are stored).
- It may sound intimidating at first but don’t worry–we’ve got a video tutorial on how this works here!
Conclusion On troubleshooting lawnmower issues
Maintaining your lawnmower will keep it in top condition and ensure that it lasts a long time.
It’s also a great way to save money on repairs down the line because regular maintenance can prevent small issues from becoming major problems like leaks or broken parts.
If you want your lawnmower to last as long as possible, then follow these steps!