Mower Won’t Start? Where To Spray Starting Fluid On A Lawn Mower
If you’ve tried several times to start your mower and it still won’t fire up, you might need to use a starting fluid to get it running. However, using starting fluid requires some knowledge to avoid damaging your lawn mower engine. In this article, we’ll guide you through where to spray starting fluid on a lawn mower.
Starting fluid, also known as ether, is a highly volatile liquid that’s used to help start gasoline and diesel engines. It contains a blend of chemicals that evaporate quickly and ignite easily, producing a combustible gas that helps the engine turn over.
Starting fluid is usually used when the engine is cold or hasn’t been used for a while, and the fuel in the carburetor has evaporated or become stale. By spraying starting fluid directly into the carburetor or air intake, you can provide the engine with a quick burst of energy to help it start.
However, it’s important to note that starting fluid should be used sparingly and only as a last resort. Overuse of starting fluid can damage your carburetor or engine and lead to costly repairs.
Now that we’ve covered the basics of starting fluid, let’s move on to where to spray it on a lawn mower. The location of where to spray starting fluid on a lawn mower varies depending on the type of lawn mower you have.
For a Push Lawn Mower
If you have a push lawn mower with a four-cycle engine, the carburetor is usually located on the side of the engine, near the air filter. To spray starting fluid, follow these steps:
Step 1: Remove the air filter cover.
Step 2: Locate the air filter and remove it.
Step 3: Spray a small amount of starting fluid into the air intake port. Do not spray too much, as it can flood the engine and cause it to stall.
Step 4: Reinstall the air filter and cover.
Step 5: Pull the starter cord to start the engine.
Pro Tip: Here’s an example of location of air cleaner on a pushmower.
If the engine doesn’t start after the first attempt, wait a few minutes before trying again. If it still doesn’t start after a few attempts, you may need to take your lawn mower to a professional for a tune-up.
For a Riding Lawn Mower
If you have a riding lawn mower with a four-cycle engine, the carburetor is usually located under the seat or near the front of the engine. To spray starting fluid, follow these steps:
Step 1: Remove the air filter cover and air filter.
Step 2: Spray a small amount of starting fluid into the carburetor through the air intake port.
Step 3: Attempt to start the engine, Once running make sure to rev the engine and let it run for a few minutes before shutting it off and moving to Step 4
Step 4: Reinstall the air filter and cover and start the engine.
Pro Tip: Here’s an example of location of air cleaner on a Toro Mower
If the engine doesn’t start after the first attempt, wait a few minutes before trying again. If it still doesn’t start after a few attempts, you may need to take your lawn mower to a professional for a tune-up.
For a Trimmer with a Two-Cycle Engine
If you have a lawn mower with a two-cycle engine, the carburetor is usually located on the side of the engine, near the fuel tank. To spray starting fluid, follow these steps:
Step 1: Remove the air filter cover.
Step 2: Locate the carburetor and remove the air filter.
Step 3: Spray a small amount of starting fluid into the carburetor through the air intake port.
Step 4. Attempt to Pull start the engine again, once running make sure to rev the engine for and run it for awhile before moving to step 5.
Step 5. Reinstall the air filter and cover. Turn the fuel valve back on and start the engine, and away you go!
Pro Tip: Here’s an example of location of air cleaner on a STIHL trimmer
How to Troubleshoot a Toro Riding Lawn Mower
Troubleshooting a Toro lawn and garden tractor is not a hard task to accomplish if the troubleshooting sequence is properly carried out. The important part is that each procedure (step) be fully executed. thus eliminating some reasons for the malfunction. By process of elimination, most common problems can be identified in less than an hour by a moderately skilled homeowner.
Park the tractor on a flat level surface, and engage the parking brake. Start the engine. If the engine will not start, make sure the PTO is disengaged all the way, and that the parking brake is engaged and the operator is sitting on the seat in the correct position. Be sure that all components of the Toro safety interlock system are in the correct position (user manual will help with this).
Check that the battery was installed with the negative terminal attached to black ground wire, and the positive terminal attached to the red wire. Check the water level in the battery, then charge the battery until it is fully charged with an automotive battery charger. Remove the battery cables from the battery terminals and clean the battery terminals with a wire brush to remover corrosion. Reattach the battery cables.
Tighten the engine ground wire running from the engine to the frame. Check for loose wiring connections in the fuse box, and wire harnesses. Tighten all loose connections. Verify that all fuses are good (not blown or burnt).
Start the engine. If it runs rough or smokes excessively after a 5 minute warm up period (without the mower engaged) the engine needs a tune up. If the mower only runs rough when in the mowing configuration, then the PTO belts and mowing deck need some adjustments.
Lawn mower won’t start after replacing spark plug, oil, air filter, and carburetor
I have a Toro Recycler, which came with the house when I bought it. The house was purchased in 2016 and I’m going to guess the lawn mower was purchased in the 2012-2013 range. The mower turns but won’t start. specifically, it sounds like it’s very close to starting but it doesn’t get there. The only other thing I’ve seen on Google was about air pressure, which I’m not sure how to address if that’s the issue. Any ideas? Update: I’m guessing the magneto isn’t supposed to look like that:
Does not matter how many things you replace if it does not have spark, compression and proper air/fuel mixture. Check for spark and instructions should have basic mixture settings to start.
Any risk that a brand new spark plug wouldn’t generate a spark? And you’re saying it’s possible to adjust the air/fuel mixture? I haven’t changed anything else that (to my knowledge) would affect the air/fuel mixture since last season when it was working.
A new spark plug of the right type for that machine should generate a spark if it is getting power. A bad coil, bad timing, bad deadman(safety) switch, bad spark wire, can all prevent spark. Was new carb mixture set? Low compression can also prevent starting, but need a compression tester to check.
Coil, plug wire, plug wire cap that connects to the plug can all kill spark. At 10 years old the high-voltage insulation may have deteriorated. It’s a moderate PITA but you can pull the plug out, ground the body to the engine, and see if it will make a spark or not. Also check if it seems terribly wet, and if so, is it more oily or more gassy. Alternatively, haul the mower to the local guy that does small engine repairs that you’ve heard good feedback about from friends neighbors.
Answers 2
You need to figure out what part of the equation is not working. As stated above, there are three basic things (even though some would consider it four) you need for an engine to run: fuel; air; fire. A fourth could be considered compression, but to me that falls under the air category, so we’ll leave that be.
The first thing to do is pull the air filter off of it and ensure it’s not clogged up. Just leave it off during the rest of your testing, as it will make it easier. If it is clogged up (black, grimy, dirty), try to get it started without it on there and see if there is any difference.
If that fails, pull the spark plug wire, then spark plug out. Test the spark plug wire by holding it close to a metal part as you crank the engine. All settings must be in the “run” mode, because if the auto stop is engaged or if it is in the “stop” position, you won’t get any spark. You may want to hold the lead (or have a 2nd person help you) by holding it with an insulated pair of plier or if you can get it wedged in there some how to be able to see it and have it close enough to jump the gap. The electricity coming out of it is not enough to hurt most people (ie: If you have a pace maker, don’t let it get you!), but is enough to know you’ve got juice there. If you see it jump the gap, do the same thing with the spark plug in place. If no spark at the first phase (wire), you’ll need to get a new magneto for your mower. They very rarely go bad, so I wouldn’t expect this. Obviously, if there’s spark at the wire, but not across the plug, you’ll want to replace the plug.
If the spark plug is working, next thing to do is squirt just a little bit of gas into the cylinder, then put the spark plug back into place, along with its wire. If it starts up and runs, even for a brief few seconds, your issue is fueling. The carb probably is plugged up so is not letting it run correctly. This, by far, is probably the most likely scenario. The easiest and cheapest way to fix this is to buy a new carb for your mower and install it. If you are wondering how I can consider this “cheaper”, consider what your time is worth and ensure you’ve included that in your cost equation. I personally work for 80/hr. a 30 carb is well worth my time versus trying to fix it. Chineesium carbs are fairly cheap off of Amazon or eBay, as long as you can find the correct one.
Lawn Mower Won’t Start Fixes
You’ve just taken your lawnmower out of your garage, and when it’s time to start mowing the lawn, it won’t start. It’s a common problem to have, but there’s often a quick and easy fix if you can diagnose the problem. Some of the most common reasons a lawn mower won’t start include low fuel, spark plug issues, a clogged carburetor, a broken clutch, or broken gears.
Five Reasons Your Lawn Mower Won’t Start
Low Fuel
A common reason why a lawn mower won’t start is low fuel. While that might sound a bit too obvious, low fuel could be the reason your lawn mower won’t start, especially if you had previously used your mower for an extended period without refueling. In some cases, it might be that your tank has old fuel. Old gasoline loses its potency, so it won’t be able to combust. The result is that your engine won’t start. So the first thing you should do is make sure you have enough fuel and that it is not too old.
Bad Spark Plugs
A bad spark plug is another common reason why your lawn mower won’t start. The spark plug is the component of your engine that creates the spark which ignites the gasoline. If you have the user manual, look up where the spark plugs are located. Make sure you handle the spark plugs carefully. You can buy a special solution from a hardware store to clean your spark plug from any moisture or grease. After doing that, try to start the lawnmower again. If that did not fix the problem, then you might need to buy a new spark plug. Make sure that you find one that is compatible with the type of engine that you have. Or else it will not work and could cause more damage. Your user manual should specify which kinds of plugs are compatible with your mower.
Clogged Carburetor
Another common issue that can cause a lawn mower to not start or to start and then die is a clogged carburetor. If your carburetor is dirty your lawnmower might start then die, or it might not start up at all. The carburetor mixes the fuel with air so that it can combust properly. If your engine does not get the right fuel/air mixture, then it cannot ignite, and your mower will not work. So we recommend checking the filter in your carburetor. The most common culprit is the air filter. Leftover gas can condense and solidify in the filter so it is unable to pull in air. If the air filter is dirty, then the carburetor will not be able to draw air into the engine. It could also be that your carburetor is not attached properly and is not sealed, so air is leaking out after it is drawn in.
Broken Clutch
If your lawnmower starts but the blades are not working, then the problem could be your clutch. The clutch is the thing that diverts power from the engine to drive the blades. Without a working clutch, you won’t be able to work the blades properly. You can repair the clutch yourself or you can get a professional to help. Unless you have previous experience working with lawnmowers, we would recommend getting a professional to fix it up and install a new piece.
Broken Gears
Broken gears can also be the cause of your lawn mower not starting, but this isn’t that common. If you have checked all the other issues on this list but have had no luck, then the next thing to check is the gears. If your mower motor is rotating, but the engine is not working, then it could be a problem with bad gears. You can tell if the gears are busted if there is a slow response from the operating button. If your gears are the culprit, then we recommend getting a professional’s help to fix them. You can do this on your own, but we would not recommend that unless you have previous experience fixing lawnmowers.
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If it has been a long time since you last used your mower, it might take a bit to warm them up. Most of the time, when you store a lawnmower for a long time, moisture will build up in the fuel tank. Water in the tank dilutes the fuel and can also make the spark plugs not work properly. So if you are just using your lawnmower after a long hiatus, we recommend taking out the fuel tank and trying to get rid of any excess moisture in it.
Why Is My Lawnmower Turning Over But Not Starting?
If you pull the cord and hear your engine turn over, but your mower is not starting, the most common reasons for this are low fuel, a broken gas valve, or a bad choke fault. A broker spark plug could also be the culprit. You may also have to change the fuel pump if it does not get fuel to the ignition system.
Toro lawn mower wont start
Spring is here, everything is green, and the grass is growing. but your lawn mower won’t start. No matter how many times you pull, the engine just doesn’t turn over. What do you do?
Your lawn mower needs three things to start:
If you’re having trouble getting your lawn mower started, you’re best bet is to check those three things first. Clogged air or fuel filters, gummed up carburetor needles or floats, and bad spark plugs can mean your lawn mower isn’t going to be ready when you need it.
So before you strain something trying to get it running, here are some troubleshooting tips to help you figure out why your lawn mower won’t start and what you need to do to get it running so you can keep your head above the grass this summer.
Remember to always refer to your operator’s manual first before doing any maintenance.
Why Won’t My Lawn Mower Start?
Old Gas in Your Lawn Mower If you still have gas in your lawn mower from last season, this is the perfect place to begin. About 30 days after being pumped, gas can start to go stale or oxidize, especially if it’s just been sitting in your mower. It becomes less stable and gums up the fuel system as it evaporates. A stuck inlet needle or clogged jets from bad gas can definitely lead to starting problems. Also, ethanol in the gas attracts moisture and causes corrosion. The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute recommends you use gas with 10% ethanol (E10) or less in your small engine equipment. If your mower won’t start, you may need a fresh tank of gas.
Dirty Air Filter Your lawn mower doesn’t run if it can’t get air in the carburetor. Also, a damaged air filter can let in contaminants that can clog or damage the engine. Take a look at the air filter and see if it may be the cause of the problem.
Dirty Spark Plug Your spark plug may be dirty, loose or disconnected entirely, which means you’re not getting any spark. Take a look at the wire and the spark plug itself. Make sure it is dry and clean. If you recently did some maintenance on the mower and disconnected or replaced the spark plug, it’s possible the connection isn’t tight.
What if the starter rope won’t pull?
The crankshaft is connected to the blade shaft on your recoil start walk behind lawn mower, so if the pull cord is stuck, it could be because something is blocking the movement of the blade. Disconnect the spark plug for safety, then take a look under the deck. Clean out any grass or rocks that may be locking up the blade.
If the mower deck housing is clean, here are a few other reasons that might make the pull cord hard to pull:
Toro Lawn Mower won’t start [Fixed]
The majority of devices that makes use of a combustion engine aren’t free of problem. A good example is a generator. A Generator can develop issues if it is not well maintained. However, the same goes for the Toro Lawn Mower.
The Toro Lawn Mower began, to cater for golfers who had to clear their greens. As time went on, they decided to widen their FOCUS to other customer avatars.
Although the Toro lawn mower is one of the best lawn mowers out there since users find it more efficient and easy to operate.
Unfortunately, one of the most common issues with the Toro Lawn Mower is when it doesn’t start.
If your Toro lawn mower won’t start, there is always a faulty or clogged component that usually causes this. Sometimes it could also be related to the spark plug or the fuel level.
However, it could be more technical than any of these.
Anyway, since you are here because your Toro Lawn Mower won’t start. I will be breaking down the easy fixes you can carry out to resolve it.
It is preferable to carry out these troubleshooting steps one by one so as to easily figure out what exactly solves it and what problem is recurring.
Let’s delve into the things you have to check and the appropriate troubleshooting steps to take.
Toro Lawn Mower Troubleshooting Guide
I will be starting from the obvious issues down to complex ones. If you feel you’ve checked off any listed issue and you’ve tried out any of these troubleshooting steps simply skip to the next one.
1. Verify if your Petrol Tank
As easy as it might sound, sometimes you might not be aware of this since your lawn mower doesn’t consume fuels as a car does. Probably, you feel there should still be enough fuel there to run it.
You might be wrong, especially if you are just getting the mower and you aren’t aware of its rate of fuel consumption.
Always check your fuel tank first if you are stuck with this issue. Also, ensure you fill it up when regularly.
Check the Ignition Coil and Switch
Sometimes it could be a result of a faulty ignition switch. Here is how you can figure that out.
When you want to start your Toro Lawnmower and the Ignition switch isn’t turning over, it is a green light that the ignition switch has a problem.
Sometimes it turns over but it doesn’t ON. It is easy to notice the difference in the sound
Now, if you notice any of these here is what you should do to resolve that.
Get a multimeter to check the ignition switch. If the switch is faulty you have to replace it.
Also, you can check the ignition coil with an ignition coil tester.
If the ignition coil is having an issue then you have to replace the ignition coil.
3. Verify if your Gas Cap isn’t Clogged
Among other scenarios, if your gas cap isn’t letting air pass through for the fuel tank to vent. The Air won’t be able to pass through the cap causing a vacuum inside the fuel tank.
What this means is, If your Gas cap is clogged, it could restrict the fuel from flowing out of the tank. And in this scenario. The fuel isn’t being fed for usage in the Lawn Mower system, making it look as though there isn’t fuel.
To resolve this simply remove your gas cap from the tank and start your mower.
While it is running, change the fuel cap. Now, if you notice any splutter out or it shuts down. Then your Gas Cap Might be the issue.
If your Toro lawn mower won’t start due to that, all you have to do is clean your gas cap so as to create a free passage.
Issues with your Spark Plug
In most combustion systems, a dirty spark plug with carbon or oil deposits can stop your lawn mower from starting up. But, if it’s not been long since you replaced your spark plug, then you want to be double sure that it is firm and well screwed.
Now, in the case of carbon or oil deposits on the spark plug here is how you can resolve it.
Loosen the spark plug and check for carbon deposit or check if it looks dirty. You can either clean it off using petrol or replace the plug. After doing that, screw it back into its rightful place.
4. Issues with the Air Filter
One of the less noticed issues why your Toro lawn mower won’t start is the air filter. A clogged-up air filter can cause a permanent issue since it stops air from flowing to your engine, which in turn could cause the engine to overheat.
In a scenario where your engine overheats, it could damage your engine
If you notice that your air filter is clogged, simply remove it and clean it using a mild soap. Another option is a replacement with a new air filter if you don’t mind the cost.
Clogged Fuel Filter
It is known that if fuel isn’t flowing through your Toro lawn mower it won’t work. The fuel filter is a component that simply filters out dirt and rust particles from the fuel. The majority of Internal combustion engines usually come with one.
If you are unsure about this, you can give it a check and look into it, to verify if it is clogged up. If it is, it can block the fuel from flowing past it
To resolve this problem, you simply have to get a new fuel filter since it’s usually hard to clean the dirt off.
Issues with your Lawn Mower battery, Battery Connections.
Another reason why your Toro lawn mower won’t start is if your battery is low or faulty or if the connection around your battery is loose or the terminals are corroded.
Long usage of the battery without proper charging in place causes the battery to go low or make it faulty after a long time. Usually, the battery is supposed to show a green light once it is charging and maybe you are not aware of that.
If the connections are okay but the terminals are corroded you can resolve that by cleaning with baking soda and a wire brush.
However, if you are unsure of the battery simply use a multimeter to test for its voltage. You would know if something is wrong once the voltage is far from 12.7 volts.
If this is the case you have to replace it with a new one.
7. Clogged Carburetor on Your Toro
In some instances, your Toro carburettor can get clogged up, but why do we have to care about this?
The carburettor’s job is to regulate the mixture of gas and air so as to create combustion in the engine cylinder.
Once, the carburettor is blocked probably due to the specks of dirt, it can affect the carburettor making it less efficient.
The carburettor might not be easy to remove if you are not handy
Anyways, here s how you can troubleshoot it.
If you can’t take the carburettor, you can call a repairman, but if you can remove it, take it apart and use a carb cleaner to clean it. If you notice that the carburettor is too dirty, you can replace it with a new one.
Your New Toro Lawn Mower won’t Start
If you’ve just purchased a lawn mower and it won’t start, one of the common reasons could be a loose spark plug or your fuel tank is low.
Since you haven’t used it a lot it’s unlikely going to be a clogged air filter, carburettor or gas cap, however, the Air filter is one of the easiest to get clogged up.
So, you can simply check for clogged particles and clear it out if it doesn’t start.
Toro guaranteed to start 7.25 163cc manual
if you can’t find the service manual for your Toro lawn mower or any other Toro product, simply visit here to check for the Toro product with your model number to download your service manual.
One of the reasons why your lawn mower won’t start is due to overheating. And, overheating is caused by a blockage in the air filter. If the air filter is clogged up, it won’t allow air to enter the engine so as to cool it down.
If you are faced with this, what you simply have to do is to remove your air filter and clean it up. If the air filter is too dirty, replace it with a new one.
How do you start a Toro lawn mower for the first time?
If you are unsure of how to start it, you can find it in the manual, however, for clarity’s sake here are the steps you have to follow to start it up.
Why is my lawn mower turning over but not starting?
Sometimes you could find yourself in a situation whereby you start the Mower but it does as though it wants to start but it doesn’t. To resolve that the first thing you have to verify is the Gas, The gas mustn’t sit in the mower for too long as it can begin to break down, you should replace it every 30 days, for optimal performance.
If your Toro lawn mower won’t start by now you should have figured out how to resolve this, however, sometimes you might need to call a repairman if your Toro lawn mower won’t start or simply call a Toro customer.