A mower that won't start is one of the most common things we see - and the cause is usually one of a handful of simple things. Here's what to check, in order of how often it's the culprit.
1. Old or bad fuel
This is the number-one cause. Gas goes stale in as little as a month or two, especially the ethanol-blended fuel most stations sell. Stale fuel gums up the carburetor and won't burn right. Drain out the old gas and try fresh.
2. A gummed-up carburetor
If old fuel has been sitting in it, the tiny passages in the carburetor varnish over. This is the single most common repair we do. A cleaning or rebuild usually brings it right back to life.
3. A dirty air filter or old spark plug
A clogged air filter chokes the engine, and a worn spark plug may not fire reliably. Both are cheap and easy to replace, and worth doing yearly.
4. No spark or a safety switch
Many mowers won't start unless you're holding the safety bar. A stuck bar, disconnected cable, or bad ignition can all stop it cold.
Still won't go?
If fresh fuel and a new plug don't do it, bring it in - a carburetor service is usually all it takes, and it's affordable. Call us or see our carburetor cleaning & rebuild service.