If you use your lawn mower for the first time in the year, you may face some problems. You might have some sluggishness or roughness from a lack of performing preventative maintenance. For example, it might fail to start or run rough. Fortunately, lawn mower troubleshooting is not very difficult once you know what to look for.
Before you fix any problem, you need to know the cause of the problem. Today, we will discuss a specific issue–what to do when your machine runs rough. Generally, a lawn mower runs rough due to spark the plug or a problem with the air filter and fuel filter. At the end of this write-up, we will show you the lawnmower troubleshooting tips to try when yours is running rough.
Five Things That Often Make A Lawn Mower Run Rough
The most common problem with this equipment is running rough. Besides that, it might produce white smoke when the engine has this kind of stress.
You can do one of two things–fix the equipment or retain the services of a landscaping company.
Assuming you want to DIY this repair, let’s diagnose your problem. This very common engine problem stems from many factors. Below, we will look at the five main causes of this concern.
1 – Carburetor
The engine may run roughly due to a problem with the carburetor. Sometimes the carburetor might be clogged. This kind of situation is generally caused by fuel living. If the lawnmower runs for a long time, some fuel tank ingredients may evaporate that stick substance. That viscous fuel can obstruct the carburetor.
2 – Spark Plug
The spark plug plays a crucial role in fouling the carbon. The Spark Plug should be in the pepper distance between the gauge and the plug. This space may cause your machine to roughly run. The standard spark plug gap should be .030”. So before you start your lawn mower, you should check the spark plug.
3 – Air Filter
A clean air filter is responsible for running the engine smoothly. If your lawn mower runs roughly, check to see if you have a dirty air filter. You cut the grass in the yard–dirt and dust can clog up this filter. There is a high possibility that you’ll need to replace it. A dirty air filter is generally the reason for poorly running for most cases.
4 – Fuel Filter
A fuel filter is responsible for engine problems such as running roughly. Before running the lawn mower, check the fuel filter or change it. A clogged filter restricts the flow of gasoline. Thus, the engine got interrupted to run smoothly, and it started running roughly.
5 – Gasoline
A small engine creates a problem when you run it with 10% ethanol-based gasoline. Ethanol-free gasoline is perfect for a lawn mower. You can also add a fuel stabilizer to your lawn mower to expand the shelf life. Your gasoline is also responsible for runs through a lawn mower.
5 Steps for Lawn Mower Troubleshooting for an Engine That Runs Rough
By considering the above things, you can reduce the problem of a lawn mower. If you can identify the cause for running roughly, you could fix it by yourself. If the problem reaches a severe condition, you can go to the service point. To eradicate the problem of roughly running, you should follow those listed things.
- Scrub your air filter regularly (replace it each year).
- Reform your spark plugs each 1-2 years.
- Keep deposit oil and gasoline cleansing. Utilize a stabilizer in your gas to store it fresh
- Utilize the dipstick and do not overload your oil supplier.
- Keep your carburetor cleaned with the help of a carburetor cleaner spray.
Eight DIY Tips for Lawn Mower Maintenance
Many people visit The Mower Point to get tips for maintenance. Maintenance by itself is the best care of a lawnmower if you have sound knowledge. It is time-consuming also. If you decide to If you decide on lawn mower troubleshooting as a DIY, here are some other tips for you.
- READ THE OWNER’S MANUAL: After buying the lawnmower, you should read its user manual. By reading, you will understand the instruction that the manufacturer gives to care for it. Those instructions will boost the durability of your lawnmower.
- DISCONNECT OF REMOVE THE SPARK PLUG: To ensure your lawn mower’s better maintenance, you should keep disconnecting the spark plug while maintaining it. Taking it out at the beginning of the maintenance is an excellent decision to prevent it from happening.
- DRAIN OUT THE GASOLINE AT THE END OF EACH SEASON: It is essential to drain the gasoline out after a season and pour in new gas in the springtime. The old gas can damage the fuel tank of your lawn mower.
- CLEAN THE LAWNMOWER: End of every season, clean your lawn mower. To keep the machine in good working order, clean the grass and debris that clings to the undercarriage after each use.
- REPLACE OR TOP OFF THE OIL REGULARLY: Peruse the owner’s manual to notice how the lawn mower’s oil changed. Ensure the disposal of oil properly. Or you can recycle the oil. To keep the lawn mower sound, maintenance like an oil change is a must.
- CLEAN OR REPLACE THE AIR FILTER: To maintain your lawn mower’s top performance, you need to change the air filter after the end of every season. A clean filter helps to work your lawn mower perfectly.
- SHARPEN AND BALANCE THE BLADES: Sharpen the blades of a lawn mower–it is essential to boost performance and overall maintenance. You can sharpen and balance the blades by yourself or by a professional.
- FOG THE ENGINE: A lawn mower engine can drain away over time. To prevent this, fogging oil can help on this matter. Check the user manual to follow the direction strictly.
The Takeaway: Follow these lawn mower troubleshooting tips to increase performance
A lawn mower is a machine that we don’t use regularly. It is generally used in a particular season, and for a long time, it has been stored in our garage. Thus, you may face problems over time–especially when operating the equipment the first time of the season. Only proper maintenance can help you prevent this type of situation. Before you maintain your lawn mower, read the user manual from front to back. The manufacturer provides you with all the directions to keep a lawn mower properly in the user manual.
She has a B.S.Ed. in Secondary Education/English and a Spanish Minor. In addition, she holds a Certificates in Natural Health and Herbology from accredited programs. She pursued these natural wellness certifications due to her love for herb gardening.
Despite freelancing to make a living, her love is "all things home."
Deborah grew up in a family that grew a large vegetable garden and a fruit orchard, helping her parents pull weeds and can home-grown foods as part of her childhood. In fact, she had no idea that she could purchase veggies and fruits in pre-packed steel cans until she went to college and made a food run.
Today, she lives in Bertie County, North Carolina, an agricultural rural area with more chickens than people. She lives with her husband and two rescue pets a sweet toy fox terrier and a cat who showed up one day and moved into the house. Together, they enjoy DIY projects, furniture refinishing, gardening, and canning.
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