Your Lawn Mower Won't Crank

There are simple test that do not require a mechanic when getting a lawn mower cranked is your mission.

{1} You unloaded a lawn mower and tried but failed to crank it, although it normally is an easy mower to crank.

Likely, you tilted the lawn mower while unloading it and the spark plug is now soaked with gasoline.

Remedy: Wait 15 to 30 minutes for the excessive gasoline to drain off the spark plug, before trying to crank it again. (This is a same remedy as dealing with a flooded auto engine that won't crank). Not waiting at least 15 or 20 minutes before trying to crank it, may delay the starting time of the mower even more.

Some other possibilities that may cause a lawn mower not to crank are listed here:

{2} The spark plug is not screwed in tight. Often this test can be done by just grabbing the spark plug and seeing if you can twist the plug with your fingers.

(However don't grab a spark plug while it is still hot, if it was running just minutes ago. Ouch).

{3} The spark plug is worn out and needs to be replaced with a new one.

{4} There is not enough gasoline in the fuel tank to crank the mower.

{5} The gasoline in the fuel tank is too old. Drain and replace the fuel or add new fuel to blend with the old.