How do I fix an older lawnmower?

Question

The lawnmower keeps dying after I cut to the end of the yard and half way back. It starts right away, so its not already ceased. And its not because I cut too tall grass. Also sometimes right when I start it and start pushing up the throttle it will quit. Or if I start it with the throttle in the middle or high it will start then die immediately.

Answer 1

the first thing I would check is the spark plug.  Then I would check the carburetor.  If you don't know how to fix, ask a friend or have someone repair,

Answer 2

carb may need adjusting (if it has adj. screws)-   you may just need to replace carb-   but if its an older mower, its probably not worth the cost-  .

edit-   you can get a decent push mower under $200.00 --

Answer 3

The most often cause of problems like you have is the carburetor.  You don't say what brand or size of engine you have so details are hard to provide.  Bottom line is the carburetor needs to be cleaned and put back together with a rebuild kit.  Make sure that the fuel lines and fuel tank are clean also.  It doesn't hurt to remove the engine cowling and make sure that all the fins on the engine are clean and free of grass etc.  Cleaning and rebuilding the carb is not a hard job.  

Answer 4

Are you putting the right type of gas? Try cleaning the filter.

Answer 5

Hi, one of the first things to do on about any mower is to remove the top piece that holds the pull cord.   It is held with only about four bolts.  Beneath this will be the big round metal magneto.  On its side will be contact areas.  clean the rust off of this.   Next there will be a metal device looking like a squatty U.  It almost contacts the round thing.  Slip sandpaper/emery cloth between the two and clean off the surface,  Measure the gap with paper or something in case you push it back and lose the gap.   Once these surfaces are rust free. blow away the dust .  With the cap off , pull off the fuel lines and blow them out or clean with pipe cleaners and acetone or denatured alcohol or such,.

Spray carb cleaner liberally into to carb and on its internal surfaces.  Clean or replace the air filter in that rectangular box.  Check your engine oil it should be to the proper level and clean.  There are some basics and you might put some system cleaner in the fuel and when shutting down for winter get some StaBill (spelling?) fuel stabilizer and follow the instructrions it will prevent gumming.

Answer 6

do to www.techfix.com  

Answer 7

If you know how.. fix it... if you don't know how take it someplace and have it repaired... if it is that old, better yet get a new mower.

Note: Sure I know what they cost... I sell them... it is also sometimes cheaper to buy another one than repair the one you have if it is as old as you are stating. so I along with the others answered what you asked... take it somewhere and get it repaired as there are several thing that could be wrong and we here on YA would not have that king of information without looking at the mower.

Answer 8

maybe you need one of these three, new carburetor, new filter, or you need to start putting new gas and new oil in