so my lawnmower wont start. its got fresh gas mixed with a small amt of 2yr old gas + 2 capfuls of chemtool. it wanted to start, so i cleaned out the air filter (looked pretty bad). it coughed, almost caught (it did catch for about a second, then died). so what do you guys think? maybe some carb cleaner down the intake?

dont know try posting your question over here:


http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/forumdisplay.php?f=107

Most lawnmower starting problems come down to either a fouled spark plug or a dirty carb.

After that, the 3rd culprit will be a stuck or leaky float in the carb. You should be able to remove the 'bowl' and check the float.

If the float gets old, it can crack and fill with fuel. Then it becomes a sink rather than a float.

i think this problem is due to poor maintenance and bad fuel. sadly, ive never really cared about the lawnmower. ive abuse it with the same gas for two years, just upping the chemtool amounts as needed. now i diluted the old gas (about .75 gallons) with about 3 gallons of new gas. put that in and added two capfulls of chemtool. it mowed the front yard, then about a fourth of the back yard before dying.

so you think maybe carb cleaner? im goijng to pick some up toorrow on my way home.

What kind of lawnmower is it? Specifically what engine does it have. If the name isn't right on it, look at the air filter. If it'* a square filter it'* most likely a briggs and stratton, if it'* a round filter it'* a techumseh. Come back quick because if it'* a techumseh i have your solution.

Check your plug(*). I have found this to be one of the most overlooked parts on a mower.

air filter is basically a house-shaped sponge with a big hole in the middle. its a briggs & straton mower.

Oh it'* a briggs... well on to other idea'* then. Actually we'll try this anyways. Take the main jet out of the carb first. Take off the air filter and feel under the float boal of the carb, there'* 1/2 inch bolt. Remove that, being careful not to let the float drop too fast and don't lost the gasket. Take a stiff, skinny piece of wire and clean out the holes that are near the base (bolt head) of the jet. It won't feel like there'* anything there, but there could be. Go through the sides and down through the middle. Re-install, prime (if equipped), and try to start. Oh and BTW have you checked for spark? You could have lost the magneto. Those get weak with age and the heat gets to them.

Something I just found out on one of them "Tune up for Spring" news stories. At the end of the season, run your mower out of gas. Helps keep the carb from gunking up during the winter.

My lawnmower has a 6.5hp briggs engine and each season I remove the spark plug and shoot a shot of starting fluid than put the plug back. That will keep it starting moderatly effortless for the season.