OT: I hate lawnmowers!

leigh

leigh

Active Member
Not the blenny, I love lawnmower blennies...I hate actual lawnmowers. Trying to get this one to start for the first time since winter...i've tried everything...letting it sit in the sun for a half hour to warm up...pulling like heck on the pull start...i've primed it so much it's flooded now. And my ex-bf used to be able to make it start all the time--why is everything mechanical in this world designed for man-strength not woman-strength? So much for the 'reliable' briggs-straton starter. Any boys around ann arbor want to come over and fire up my lawnmower--er, get your minds out of the gutter, i mean that literally :D
My next house is going to have a lawn of sand.
 
leigh

leigh

Active Member
lol, you're such a sweetie :D i'll take any sand i can get...preferably in beach format, but i guess desert would work too :) okay, it's been sitting in the sun another 20 mins, time to give it another go. (and i'm totally that neighbor everyone is giving evil looks to--everyone else has those stupid golf course lawns and me, i've just got a lawn of 1 foot tall grass and those silly yellow flower/weeds that pop up everywhere :p )
 
hookedonreefs

hookedonreefs

Member
OK, if you've flooded the primer, then it will never start. Your either going to have to drain the primer tube - if there is one- or pull the starter cord about fifty times to drain it manually. You should also check the spark plug connection. It should just pull off the top if it's a push mower. Disconnect it, blow in it a couple of times, and re-connect. Push it on there hard so there's a good contact. Also, if the mower was ever turned over during the winter, you'll have trouble with oil in the engine/gas lines.
Clean the sparkplug, put it on tight. then pull it about twenty times. (If it's tough to pull the starter cord try this: Put your foot near the front of the mower, on the deck. !!Don't put it UNDER the deck!!, then hold the pull cord good and push with your leg while you pull the cord. This gives more work to your leg which is usually more powerful.) If the thing STILL hasn't started, either get back with your ex, take it to the shop, or hire a lawnboy!
Good Luck!
 
cboyfan2020

cboyfan2020

Active Member
I am also going to say it is probably the sparkplug. If it looks like it is covered in crap like a sunken ship.....take a wire brush and scrape it of or buy a new one. Primer should only be pushed about 5 times max. Check the oil . Does it crank and attempt to turnover or just pull the cord and nothing?
 
leigh

leigh

Active Member
yep, you guys are both right, i will check the sparkplug. it's got oil and gas (i am an engineer, a theoretical one so my practicality is suspect, but i do still have engineering degrees and thus should remember oil :) )...though i'm thinking i should probably just drain it from last summer and refill it with new oil/gas. pretty much i just pull the cord and nothing...a couple times i thought i heard it think about cranking but that may have been wishful hearing. thanks for the suggestions guys...i was more just hoping to do the front lawn quick while we had a nice day (i.e. any day without storms or 40 mph winds)...but i think it's going to get put off til the weekend. thanks though!
 
cboyfan2020

cboyfan2020

Active Member
maybe you could just leave it and say you are building a nature preserve? Turn it into a greenhouse and have your own rain forest? Supplement your income and grow "weed"-like plants for sale to certain individuals in the neighborhood? Just thought I would throw out some suggestions;)
 
N

newreefers

Guest
buy a goat, cal your property a farm and get a tax break, use extra money for fish.:D
 
prater

prater

Member
Check for spark. Take the coil wire off the sparkplug and stick a phillips screwdriver into the wire retainer. position it close to the metal head on the lawnmower and pull start it a few times and see if it sparks. If so, then pull out the spark plug and re-attach the coil wire, ground the plug, pull start and look for spark on the electrode. If no spark from the coil wire, then you need to check the coil or look for an on-off toggle and make sure it is on. If it sparks, but no spark when on the plug you need a new plug, the resistor core is cracked in the plug. Hope this helps
 
grallster

grallster

Member
You definitely need to try cleaning the air filter. Take the screw out and take the air filter out and wash it. Pour some clean oil on it and put it back in. If you have spark then this is probably it. I had the same problem the first time this spring.
 
phil1964

phil1964

Member
I just got done messing with mine!
I have been saying for 3 years we need a new mower!
Every time I go to use it it is a pain.
I am getting sick. Tell my boss I said that because I am going shopping tomorrow. I HATE to spend money on stuff like that but I have had it.
It is a 10 year old rider.
Won't make 11
 
pufferfreak

pufferfreak

Member
It is funny that you guys jokingly suggested a goat. I was visiting my old neighbor in atlanta and we were by Lake Lanier going across the dam and I said to him what are those on that steep hill. He told me that they were goats, and when I looked closer they were. He said they used mountain goats because the hill was soo steep that they can't mow it.
Also good luck with the mower. The gas might be old and you could try draining it. Also a new spark plug would help.
And also I love lawn mowers they are the only way the I am able to pay for my tank.
 
pigeoncreek1

pigeoncreek1

Member

I have been saying for 3 years we need a new mower!

I have the solution for you....
Next time it makes you mad, hit it with an eight pound sledge hammer, then you have to go get a new one. My old push mower caught me on a bad day a few weeks ago and BOOM:eek: Fixed!
Now I have a brand spanking new one!
The drawback is my neighbor thinks I'm nuts now!
 
pigeoncreek1

pigeoncreek1

Member

I bet this would work for "fixing" other things too!
Jackie....You have no idea how many things it will fix, it's like the universal miracle tool! Also, it promotes psychological health by allowing instant stress release!
And yes, the smaller ones do work, you just have to swing them a few more times to get the fixing done properly!;)
 
fshhub

fshhub

Active Member
smaller ones sometimes do work
and as for fixing things, it is definitely a universal fix all.
Problem with the mower, fixed
problems with the car, fixed
problems with the kids, fixed
I would however think twice, before trying to fix problems with the tank though. It will definitely fix the problme though.
 
wrassecal

wrassecal

Active Member
Forget the goats, sheep and cows. Hire some male eye candy, grab your favorite beverage, kindly suggest he remove his shirt so he can work on his tan and sit back and watch him mow;)
 
pigeoncreek1

pigeoncreek1

Member
Originally posted by fshhub
I would however think twice, before trying to fix problems with the tank though.
Me too...
I have no patience for most things, but I do have it for my tanks!(well, at least so far!)
Originally posted by Jackief1
Boy is Hubby going to be surprised when he gets back from overseas! And you are right, I feel better all ready!
Jackie...I see you went and fixed something already! I'll bet you felt the tension just leave your body!
Hide the hammer before hubby gets home...you may need it to straighten him out one of these days;) My wife keeps one handy for when I get out of line!
 
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