Petrol lawnmower help?

BrunoM

Hi all,
Not sure if this belongs on the greenfingered forum instead - we recently moved and inherited a petrol mower which the exiting tenants said worked fine, and looks in good condition. I've never used a petrol mower before and I really know nothing about this stuff, I went to the manufacturer site and read some of the manual, but I can't get it working. No idea if I'm doing something wrong.

I've

checked the oil - topped it up although it looked borderline ok anyway, now showing pretty much full

checked for petrol - looks like it's maybe 1/3 full, definitely not empty anyway

pressed the primer button, first three times then after some failures another two times

pulled the starter cord (slowly til resistance met then vigorously) quite a number of times, with the throttle toggle set first at one extreme then the other (manual said to set it to fast mode, but doesn't show which end is fast).

It makes that typical starter-motor-not-catching noise every time I pull the cord.

Any advice much appreciated - thanks!

jamesb1239

BrunoM wrote: »

Hi all,
Not sure if this belongs on the greenfingered forum instead - we recently moved and inherited a petrol mower which the exiting tenants said worked fine, and looks in good condition. I've never used a petrol mower before and I really know nothing about this stuff, I went to the manufacturer site and read some of the manual, but I can't get it working. No idea if I'm doing something wrong.

I've

checked the oil - topped it up although it looked borderline ok anyway, now showing pretty much full

checked for petrol - looks like it's maybe 1/3 full, definitely not empty anyway

pressed the primer button, first three times then after some failures another two times

pulled the starter cord (slowly til resistance met then vigorously) quite a number of times, with the throttle toggle set first at one extreme then the other (manual said to set it to fast mode, but doesn't show which end is fast).

It makes that typical starter-motor-not-catching noise every time I pull the cord.

Any advice much appreciated - thanks!

I have no idea about the starter not catching sound.... but from previous experience if the petrol in it has been in there over the winter then it will be a pain to start as something happens to petrol over time... hope that helps

chnelomi

If it is a geared mower their is a safety lever on the handle (similar to the ones on electrics)It needs to be held whilst starting if it is not it will make the noise you say without the final kick for the start
If its not that then it could be dampness in the plug.

Volcano

BrunoM wrote: »

checked the oil - topped it up although it looked borderline ok anyway, now showing pretty much full

4 stroke or 2 stroke? Engine oil needs to be on the required area of any dipstick (like a car), 2 stroke (if not premix) will need the separate tank filling with 2 stroke oil too.

checked for petrol - looks like it's maybe 1/3 full, definitely not empty anyway

As mentioned, petrol 'goes off'. Dispose of old petrol, put in fresh.

pressed the primer button, first three times then after some failures another two times

Should be enough just to do it initially as per instructions. Shouldn't be necessary to do it anymore if its failing to start.

pulled the starter cord (slowly til resistance met then vigorously) quite a number of times, with the throttle toggle set first at one extreme then the other (manual said to set it to fast mode, but doesn't show which end is fast).

'Fast' tends to be to the extreme right on many small engines.

Check the sparkplug for fouling and clean if necessary. Check there's a spark at the plug. Check fuel is getting through (you'll be able to smell fuel on the sparkplug). If no luck after a few pulls you may have 'flooded' the engine with petrol, leave it a bit for excess fuel to evaporate before trying again.

I know how infuriating it can be when they don't start, but think of the exercise your muscles are getting!

27col

Quote ":It makes that typical starter-motor-not-catching noise every time I pull the cord."
Not quite clear what you mean by this. The mower will not have a starter motor. Have you checked the state of the plug. Ie correct gap and not carboned -up.

BrunoM

Thanks all for your assistance - after getting hold of one of the previous tenants, it transpired that although the guidance said to "press the primer button 3 times", it actually meant "over and over and over about 20 times" then it works! And very good it is too.

datostar

BrunoM wrote: »

Thanks all for your assistance - after getting hold of one of the previous tenants, it transpired that although the guidance said to "press the primer button 3 times", it actually meant "over and over and over about 20 times" then it works! And very good it is too.

Sounds like a Briggs & Stratton engine with the rubber bulb primer?? 3 presses is usually enough if the carburettor is in good order and you should hear the primer slurping as it expels the air. However, they're a fairly unsophisticated forgiving kind of engine and as long as you can get it running OK you'll be fine. Easy Start sprays (squirt into the air filter) can be very useful. You put enough ether in to get the engine firing then it pulls the petrol through to keep it going.