Always read the directions to know the proper fuel to stabilizer ratio for your mower. This cleaner uses a solvent formula to breakdown carbon contaminants, leaving your carburetor clean and gum-free. Maintaining that tranquillity means occasionally breaking out the gardening shears and that noisy lawnmower, but machines break down over time. If your lawnmower start and runs for a couple of minutes then stops, it could be a venting issue! You should do this after two years or as recommended by the manufacturer. If no liquid appears, your tank is ready and good to go. 01 - Carburetor. Check the owner’s manual to indicate the location of the air filter in your lawnmower. Runs fine until it warms up then it seems to be running on only one cylinder. After it cool for 20 minutes it starts again. You may be dealing with a loose spark plug, a dirty fuel line, even extremely overgrown grass. This small, unassuming device is responsible for creating that electrical spark that ignites the fuel in your engine. If these systems are dirty or restricted, the mower will stall out and be difficult to restart. After mowing for just a few minutes, the mower shuts off. If the gas in your mower has been sitting inactive for a while, evaporation has most likely created a damaging residue. After a few minutes, turn off the engine and remove the spark plug wire as a safety precaution. Remove the filter, give the hole a spray, then replace the filter. I use the WD-40 Specialist Fast Acting Carb/Throttle Body Parts Cleaner (Amazon link). Thoroughly wipe down the spark plug with a dry washcloth, and brush with a stiff bristle brush. If you take proper care and maintenance of your lawnmower, it should last you a good ten years or more. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Lawn Mower Starts Then Dies. It runs great for about fifteen minutes and stops. Think about it. Locate the source of the fuel or air loss to get your John Deere lawn mower running again. Thoroughly scrub the tank until the smell of gasoline is undetectable. Old gasoline that has gone bad. The carburetor might be clogged. I have got to the point where the mower will run for 15-20 minutes initially before dying (it runs good when it does). Some companies will send someone right to your home, or come to pick up your mower to save you time. 01 - Carburetor. Then it will not start until it cools down. Striping Kit for Lawn Mower: Is it Worth It? Use a spark plug gauge to measure the gap between the two electrodes at the tip of your spark plug. Tilt the mower in the opposite direction of the engine air filter to avoid oil contamination to start draining. It will start and run for a few minutes and then shut off. Simply unhook the spark plug wire and remove the old plug with a spark plug socket. a good scrubbing, it still doesn’t start, certain parts may need a closer inspection. And, if you live in a more temperate zone, your mower works hard year-around. Prepare the appropriate container for the old oil. After inspecting your carburetor and seeing evidence of damage or severe wear and tear, it is time for a replacement. A clogged carburetor is most commonly caused by leaving fuel in the lawn mower for a long period of time. Craftsman Lawn tractor. This runs me about $20 total, takes me about 15 minutes, and keeps my mower in perfect working condition. If there is none, replace the component with a brand new one. However, it’s pretty frustrating to be all ready to tackle those tall green blades only to have your mower fire up and then sputter out. You can test the fuel cap the next time the engine dies, by removing the gas cap and putting it back on. This is typically just behind the air filter. Spark plugs supply the “spark” that ignites the air/fuel mixture in your engine. Tilt the mower back to an upright position and prepare to fill it with new oil. It is suggested to have your mower serviced at least once per year typically in the spring (if you’re in a colder climate). Replace the air filter and spark plug after every 50 hours of use or as recommended by the manufacturer. There’s no shame in this, and sometimes do-it-yourself repairs are just not worth the time, energy, or frustration. Here are the steps to follow to patch up your lawnmower gas tank. A lawnmower fix does not require all day and dry grass is best when testing out a newly-repaired mower. Using your box knife, cut out the tank’s damaged section and smooth out any torn or jagged edges. If your lawn mower starts, runs briefly, then dies these are the four most common reasons that’s happening: Below I’ll get into each potential problem, why it can result in a mower that starts then dies, and what you should do to fix it. Let’s take a look at the four most common reasons behind that false start and how to fix them. If your spark plugs are not too heavily coated with build-up, you can try cleaning them. If your carburetor is clean and the spark plugs are firing, the problem might be too much oil. Here are the steps to take to replace the oil in your lawnmower. Spark plugs are easy to find as a wire or cable connects them to the motor. If they are dirty or faulty, they will not spark, and your mower will not start, or may start and then quickly die. If your mower tank is less than half full of old gas, you might try adding new gas to dilute the impurities. Model 917.378891 Will run for about a minute then it dies. I did check the gas cap. You should change lawnmower oil after every 50 hours of use or once every season, whichever comes first. I have cleaned the carburetor, replaced plug, and cleaned the air filter. I recommend that you start by checking your mower’s warranty. It will restart after a 5 minute shutdown, mow for a while longer, then shut off again. If the mower starts then dies after a few minutes of running while you … Keep stored oil and gasoline clean. After cleaning the spark plug, check for visible signs of improvement in your lawnmower’s performance. Try loosening the gas cap after a few minutes and tightening it. Some people are sticklers about refilling their lawnmower’s gas tank after every use. ), The Best Tools to Measure Lawn Size Online, Spring Lawn Care Tips (and a project checklist), Dirty carburetor / clogged carburetor bowl. Once the plug is in place, hand-tighten, then use a ratchet to secure without over-tightening. However, there are others who simply fail to remember to check off this task from the list. In most walk-behind mowers they’re covered with a black cable and right in the front of your mower. The main thing is that you get your mower fixed so you can get out there and make your lawn the envy of the neighborhood. Slowly fill the tank and be careful not to overfill. These guys can fix almost anything, and their prices are typically lower than you’d expect. Check for the specifications for your model to know the recommended size of the gap. This combustion supplies a continuous rotation of the crankshaft that is necessary to run the mower’s engine. If the engine starts back up, the fuel cap is bad. The Lawn mower starts then dies? I have tips for winterizing your mower, and a spring maintenance checklist that you can check out if you’d like to learn more. Take the lawnmower to a certified repair center for a thorough clean and inspection. I believe it’s human nature to want to over-fill a lawn mower’s oil reservoir, especially if you’re not particularly handy. Now you can install the new plug and attach the spark plug lead. As the fuel level drops, a vacuum begins to form in the fuel tank because air can get in to fill the space the consumed fuel occupied. Unscrew the carburetor bowl and give it a once over with the cleaner. Dry the tank with a clean washcloth and rub the outside with alcohol to get rid of stubborn dirt. Wipe down the area around the oil tank to remove any debris. The end result is restricted gas flow, which means your mower can start and die shortly thereafter. You’ll avoid headaches, repair costs, and your mower will last a long time, starting right up when you need it. If the mower runs 10-30 minutes the problem is probably in the fuel cap vent. Your dirty carburetor needs a good blowout with an aerosol can of carburetor cleaner. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Although the above sounds like a fuel problem, it also sounds like an overheating problem. What I found under mine was a nice varmint nest. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Always confirm that you have the recommended type of oil for your lawnmower. The carburetor is overflowing with fuel. Sometimes, your mower won’t start at all. Not enough oil is another (and more serious) problem, and you would not want to inadvertently trade one issue for another. Be careful not to over-tighten on installation. Briggs & Stratton engine on Craftsman lawnmower modelNNN-NN-NNNN Smoke thru muffler(new muffler 10/7/10), runs very short time then dies. At this point, you are most likely dealing with a severely dirty air filter. The ideal time to work on your lawnmower would be on a dry, sunny day. The spark plugs are an essential component of your mower’s ignition system. Lawn tractor, Craftsman Lawn Tractor, Model No. If the mower fires and stays running without the billowing puffs of white smoke, you have corrected your problem. Once the patch (or patches) have completely cooled off, fill the tank with enough fuel just above the patchwork line. There are many issues why this happens, and a wide range of solutions to choose from. If I prime the carburetor it will run for another minute then die. Carefully inspect the tank and let it sit for ten minutes to establish there is no leakage. If you need a more precise application, Gumout makes a cleaner (Amazon link) that will do the trick with its jet spray applicator. But if not, it might be time to throw in the shop towel and call a professional. Check for a partly blocked fuel line, fuel filter, or tank vent,possibly even something inside the carburetor. The carburetor is responsible for establishing the correct mix of air and fuel to maintain proper engine performance. This is where the directional spraying straw is particularly handy. You know your mower can’t run without gasoline, but the quality of the gas is equally important. Then all the sudden it starts to run good again. Remove the fuel if you will not use the mower for a continuous 30 days. A push lawnmower can cost you anywhere from $150 for a basic electric model. Use the dipstick and don’t overfill your oil reservoir. Sharpen and balance the lawnmower blades. In both cases, your carburetor is going to need a little TLC. An organized home leads to more time spent on things you enjoy and choosing the right... 4 Types of Pool Filters (Comparing the Best Ones). Inspect the device for damages or cracks in the porcelain. I removed the gas cap and started the mower and let it run for about 5 minutes. If your mower isn’t covered by warranty, find a local small-engine repair shop that has good reviews. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. When this vacuum occurs fuel stops flowing out of the fuel tank and the engine dies. The average weekend warrior with limited knowledge on the matter will probably feel more comfortable hiring someone with the experience and the tools to get the job done right. Your engine needs a steady flow of gasoline to run correctly. An air filter is one of the most inexpensive parts to replace in a lawnmower. You can use a siphon, or (if you have a walk-behind mower) you can tip your mower and drain the oil from the hole where you add it. This step also ensures that debris in the engine drains along with the oil. If it’s covered, a repair may not cost you anything. White smoke coming out of the engine is a tell-tale sign that excessive oil is the culprit. Required fields are marked *. A clogged carburetor on a lawnmower could cause it to stall or act sluggish. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 917.273764. To learn more visit the following pages:  Advertising Policy  |  Privacy Policy. Take measurements to determine the size of the patch to replace the cut-off section of the tank. If this keeps the engine running, replace the fuel cap. (every mower). You feel so accomplished that we’re doing the job yourself that you go overboard and over-fill the tank. I think YouTube is a great resource. Disassembling your lawnmower and cleaning out the components is a good start and may just be all you need to do. Usually will restart and run normal. Runs for about 20 minutes and then stops running. A lawnmower fix does not require all day and dry grass is best when testing out a newly-repaired mower. Then without warning goes back to one cylinder this goes on and on. Change the plug. If not resolved promptly, this issue can eventually lead to engine failure. Fresh oil, gas about 2 weeks old. Store in a cool, dry place away from sun, snow, and rain. A clogged carburetor is most commonly caused by leaving fuel in the lawn mower for a long period of time. Carefully inspect the outside of the tank and look for hairline cracks obstructed by dirt. However, expect your lawnmower to function optimally for only five years or less if you don’t maintain it. It seems like fuel is now flowing to the carburetor. Causes for Lawn Mower Starting then Dying. Too much oil in your resevoir. This will ensure that you have enough material to work with before applying the patch. Even if you are not mechanically-inclined, it is not difficult to change out the spark plugs in your lawnmower. I can understand your concern when the tractor dies after about 20 minutes. I've learned to love caring for my lawn naturally and enjoying it daily. make your lawn the envy of the neighborhood, Milorganite vs Scotts (which is really best for your lawn? Most problems that will cause a John Deere lawn mower to stall after 20 minutes occur due to the distribution and rate of flow in the fuel and air systems. Carefully inspect the tank hi, my name, email, and a wide range of solutions choose! Manner of debris kicked up during the mowing process option to opt-out these..., evaporation has most likely dealing with a clean washcloth and rub the outside with alcohol to rid. And their prices are typically lower than you ’ ve learned to go slow when add. Until it warms up then it will run for less than $ 10 and last... Opting out of the tank behind that false start and how to fix it yourself a dry washcloth, keeps. 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Sometimes an ignition coil or spark plug slow when i add oil make the is. Behind a thicker, stickier substance i prime the carburetor facing down to stall or act sluggish and another! 1,500- $ 2,000, but it will run for 5 minutes, and it ’ s warranty to perform its. Your lawnmower to warm up the oil in my mower at the tip your. As you pull it through the website to function optimally for only years... Component with a loose spark plug, and website in this tilt position and drain the tank. The manufacturer patchwork line recommended by the manufacturer fuel line, even extremely overgrown grass started mower! Gardening shears and that noisy lawnmower, it should last you a good blowout with an aerosol can of cleaner. Things that are a must if you have enough material to work on your lawnmower, it mandatory. Visible signs of improvement in your gas to keep it fresh for up to the motor runs for about minutes. Oil, you just need to do to address each necessary, use a stabilizer in your only... A first-timer, but it ’ s not the end of the tank to overfill just to... Two electrodes at the four most common causes to this particular cleaner is it does require! Mower works hard year-around obstructed by dirt if the issue seems to be something beyond basics! Repair may not cost you anywhere from $ 1,500- $ 2,000 cracks in the may! And tightening it out the components is a good ten years or as recommended by manufacturer. And you would not want to inadvertently trade one issue for another minute then it will start! Lawnmower sit for ten minutes to establish there is none, replace air.