Lawnmower Help Please - Page 3

Jenny Gump · 09-11-2006, 05:56 PM

Purchased a lawnmower in June or so. Has worked fine til last night. Someone I know tells me it might be my spark plug, so I change it. Didn't make a difference. I called the Lowe's service number. They are telling me it could be that I put premium grade gas in it, when it calls for regular unleaded. This sounds like bs to me? Any ideas? Just for kicks, I have drained the gas and am going to try regular, but haven't had time to fill my jug yet.

Jenny Gump · 09-11-2006, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

I got sucked into that buying premium crap once, back when I had few bills outside of my car payment and plenty of cash to burn. Made my car stall constantly, once in the middle of Lake Shore Drive. The mechanics at the dealership couldn't figure out what was wrong until I mentioned (out of exasperation) how I put premium in the car, and it shouldn run better.

The mechanic pointed at my used Achieva and said "DOES THIS LOOK LIKE A NEW CORVETTE?"

If you don't drive a car that calls for premium, don't use it.

And certainly don't put it in a lawnmower.

how am i supposed to know? i'm just a stupid girl.

blueballs · 09-11-2006, 07:31 PM

if the aircleaner is paper knock the dust/grass off
if it is foam wash it with dishsoap
squeeze out water and add a dab of oil

Frazod · 09-11-2006, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenny Gump

how am i supposed to know? i'm just a stupid girl.

You're only stupid if you do it twice.

Hog Rider · 09-11-2006, 07:40 PM

If your gettin' spark and it appears to be getting gas - pull (take) the plug out and open the throttle, but not the choke and pull the starterer cord about ten times to get all the fuel out of the combustion chamber. Set the throttle back to normal or idle position. Take the dang spark plug and warm the sucker up 'till the tip is red hot with a butane torch or the friggin' stove top (gas of course). A l cig' lighter will do in a pinch but it won't get nearly as hot as fast. Put the plug in as quick as reasonable. (gloves may be in order by now if it took a long time to get the tip hot) put the plug boot back on and with the fuel on and throttle slightly open, start trying to start it. If two or three pulls don't get it firing, give it a little choke a time or two. and see what that does. If it doesn't start recheck the plug for wettness and spark.

If it stays dry you may need a little ether or god forbid drizzel a little fuel directly into the carburetor, then try crankin' the sob. (not the ole man)

If the plug is wet the fuel is likely the problem and should be drained and changed.

Be real careful Jenny G., be real careful. As in don't be doin' this in the livin' room or even the garage - outside girl!

chief2000 · 09-11-2006, 07:42 PM

premium is ok. it should even work better with it.

sounds like no fuel into the carb.

needs tune up.

ask the neighborhood wiseguy/handyman.

doing fixits on the net is almost impossible without seeing and hearing the problem.

PastorMikH · 09-11-2006, 07:42 PM

Just because the motor doesn't run doesn't mean you can't mow. Pulling the rope turns the blade, just keep pulling the rope while you push the mower accross the yard.

Other than being more expensive than you actually need, I wouldn't think that premium would make much difference in a lawnmower motor.

The last time you used it, did you hit a rock, tree root, or something similar with it? The wife does a great job of doing that and I everytime I have to pull the flywheel and replace the key in the shaft to get the thing back in time so it will run.

chief2000 · 09-11-2006, 07:44 PM

Oh, if you put that spark plug in yourself then you probably did it wrong or didn't put the cap on tight.

PastorMikH · 09-11-2006, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chief2000

needs tune up.

On most mowers 20 years old or newer that consists of a new plug, air filter, and changing the oil.

Jenny Gump · 09-12-2006, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chief2000

Oh, if you put that spark plug in yourself then you probably did it wrong or didn't put the cap on tight.

Screw you, I know how to change a spark plug.

I think Pastor Mike might be onto something. I think I may have run it over something last time I used it. See, just goes to show...the Bible really does have all the answers.

**Skip Towne** · 09-12-2006, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenny Gump

Screw you, I know how to change a spark plug.

I think Pastor Mike might be onto something. I think I may have run it over something last time I used it. See, just goes to show...the Bible really does have all the answers.

Did you buy the mower new? It shouldn' need any "tune up" after five uses. If you hit something and bent the crank you would have noticed that immediately after the "accident".

**Skip Towne** · 09-12-2006, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenny Gump

Screw you, I know how to change a spark plug.

I think Pastor Mike might be onto something. I think I may have run it over something last time I used it. See, just goes to show...the Bible really does have all the answers.

"Screw you"? I love it when you talk dirty.

**Rain Man** · 09-12-2006, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenny Gump

Screw you, I know how to change a spark plug.

I think Pastor Mike might be onto something. I think I may have run it over something last time I used it. See, just goes to show...the Bible really does have all the answers.

The Book of Briggs, Chapter 3, Verse 12. 'And God sayeth, "Runneth not over the poor and the weak with blades of iron, for if thou doest, I shall smite those blades and make them motionless, and the grasses and weeds of the field shall groweth over thee like sores over the lepers."'

**Skip Towne** · 09-12-2006, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

The Book of Briggs, Chapter 3, Verse 12. 'And God sayeth, "Runneth not over the poor and the weak with blades of iron, for if thou doest, I shall smite those blades and make them motionless, and the grasses and weeds of the field shall groweth over thee like sores over the lepers."'

Damn it! I missed that part of the Bible.

redbrian · 09-12-2006, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueballs

if the aircleaner is paper knock the dust/grass off
if it is foam wash it with dishsoap
squeeze out water and add a dab of oil

Blueballs is on to something here, remove the cover to the air breather and the filter.

Now try to start it, if it starts go out and buy a new filter.

If it does not start get a can of starter spray and shoot a shot in the carb and then see if it starts.

You may also need to get some carb cleaner to clean the carb.

Burning too rich of fuel (premium) in these things can gum them up.

**Rain Man** · 09-12-2006, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip Towne

Damn it! I missed that part of the Bible.

If you didn't read that, the Book of Toro won't make any sense at all.

09-11-2006, 05:56 PM
Jenny Gump Feloniously Restrained Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: MO Casino cash: $10004900	Lawnmower Help Please Purchased a lawnmower in June or so. Has worked fine til last night. Someone I know tells me it might be my spark plug, so I change it. Didn't make a difference. I called the Lowe's service number. They are telling me it could be that I put premium grade gas in it, when it calls for regular unleaded. This sounds like bs to me? Any ideas? Just for kicks, I have drained the gas and am going to try regular, but haven't had time to fill my jug yet.
Posts: 5,171

09-11-2006, 07:31 PM	#32
blueballs Banned Join Date: Feb 2006 Casino cash: $10004900	if the aircleaner is paper knock the dust/grass off if it is foam wash it with dishsoap squeeze out water and add a dab of oil
Posts: 14,233

09-11-2006, 07:40 PM	#34
Hog Rider Former Illinoisian Join Date: May 2001 Location: South-Middle Tennessee Casino cash: $4745610	If your gettin' spark and it appears to be getting gas - pull (take) the plug out and open the throttle, but not the choke and pull the starterer cord about ten times to get all the fuel out of the combustion chamber. Set the throttle back to normal or idle position. Take the dang spark plug and warm the sucker up 'till the tip is red hot with a butane torch or the friggin' stove top (gas of course). A l cig' lighter will do in a pinch but it won't get nearly as hot as fast. Put the plug in as quick as reasonable. (gloves may be in order by now if it took a long time to get the tip hot) put the plug boot back on and with the fuel on and throttle slightly open, start trying to start it. If two or three pulls don't get it firing, give it a little choke a time or two. and see what that does. If it doesn't start recheck the plug for wettness and spark. If it stays dry you may need a little ether or god forbid drizzel a little fuel directly into the carburetor, then try crankin' the sob. (not the ole man) If the plug is wet the fuel is likely the problem and should be drained and changed. Be real careful Jenny G., be real careful. As in don't be doin' this in the livin' room or even the garage - outside girl!
Posts: 1,071

09-11-2006, 07:42 PM	#35
chief2000 Starter Join Date: Apr 2006 Casino cash: $10004900	premium is ok. it should even work better with it. sounds like no fuel into the carb. needs tune up. ask the neighborhood wiseguy/handyman. doing fixits on the net is almost impossible without seeing and hearing the problem.
Posts: 628

09-11-2006, 07:42 PM	#36
PastorMikH Will KC ever be better? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Land of Red Dirt & Necks Casino cash: $9955087	Just because the motor doesn't run doesn't mean you can't mow. Pulling the rope turns the blade, just keep pulling the rope while you push the mower accross the yard. Other than being more expensive than you actually need, I wouldn't think that premium would make much difference in a lawnmower motor. The last time you used it, did you hit a rock, tree root, or something similar with it? The wife does a great job of doing that and I everytime I have to pull the flywheel and replace the key in the shaft to get the thing back in time so it will run. __________________
Posts: 20,453

09-11-2006, 07:44 PM	#37
chief2000 Starter Join Date: Apr 2006 Casino cash: $10004900	Oh, if you put that spark plug in yourself then you probably did it wrong or didn't put the cap on tight.
Posts: 628