Tips on How to Make Your Lawn Mower Start Easier

If your mower is not starting as easily as it used to, there are some things you can do to keep yourself from repeatedly pulling the cord. Though some of them are simple, you should always be careful, because the mower blade is probably sharp and could give you a bad cut.

The first thing you can do to make sure your mower is operating correctly is check the spark plug. You might need a special socket to remove the spark plug so examine your lawn mower and plan accordingly. If the spark plug is blackened, worn or if any part seems bent even slightly from where it should be you should replace the spark plug with a new one. Most of the time, you can find a diagram of what bad spark plugs look like in any engine repair manual. Do not attempt to fix the spark plug, because sanding the black part off almost never works, and even if it does, it is only a very temporary solution.

Another thing you can do is change the oil. Check your oil using the dip stick to see the color of your oil, if it looks dark, then it needs to be changed. Also if you have let the lawn mower sit for years it would be a good idea to change the oil even if it does not look that bad. With more lubrication the engine will spin more freely which will make it easier to pull the starter cord.

The simplest thing you can do to make your mower start better is experiment with the way you start it. Just because the maker said to push the primer button on the mower five times, does not mean that that is the best number. You might want to try with six or seven pumps on the primer. If you flood the thing you might want to go down to two or for primer pumps. Also if you have an adjustment lever to allow the amount of gas you put into your mower, you will want to set it on the highest setting, which is usually marked by a rabbit.

Also if you can start your mower on already mowed grass do it. The blades will spin more freely and start more efficiently. Also if you are strong enough to push the mower down a slight incline with one hand and yank the cord with the other you will probably be able to start it with much less effort.