Lawn Mower won't start, what could be wrong?

Question

I have cleaned out the air filter and have changed out the spark plug. There is gas in it and oil, but I'm still not having any luck starting it. It is only a year old and its a Briggs and Stratton Poulan Pro Series 600. I know it was the cheapest, but shouldn't it last longer than a year? HELP!

Answer 1

Hi,

I have a Briggs and Stratton also and have periodic problems with it too.  When it is stubborn and doesn't want to start it's one of 4 things. Either I've pumped the primer bulb too many times and it's flooded. (in this case let it sit for 30 min and try agian without priming), or the grass has gotten clogged underneath and it can't get a good pull start to catch. (in this case remove grass from undebelly), or the shaft for the blade needs to be oiled so you can get a smooth even pull to get it to turn over, or the throttle is set too low. You should be able to see the throttle lever on the front right below the lid. It will be a small metal lever looking thing with a hole through the end. You can use a screwdriver to move it back and forth. Once you get it started though, make sure to turn it down if it's running too high. If you leave it too high it could burn up the engine. Hope this helps. Being a single female homeowner makes you have to learn a lot you never really wanted to know about. LOL!

Answer 2

OK, So let me guess. You left old gas in it over the winter? (Or more than 3 months)

If so the main fuel jet in the carb is clogged.

Write to me and I'll walk you through the fix.

Eric

Answer 3

Try a little starting fluid.

Answer 4

Check for spark with a spark tester. If u get a spark it has to be in the carb.Try blowing compressed air into the carb. It's  more than likely a stuck needle valve with a piece of trash in it. Last resort, you have a sheared flywheel key.

Answer 5

If you replaced the spark plug make sure you used the right one for the job and that the gap is set properly.  If it is, check to see if there is any spark going to it when you crank it.  If there is, the problem is with the fuel system.  Make sure you are using new gasoline.  Gasoline looses its octane overtime if it is not treated with a stabilizer.  If fresh gas does not help, try starting fluid in the carburetor.  If it now tries to start but dies out you need to have the carburetor serviced.  It may be gummed up with bad gas.  

Learn now to properly stabilize the fuel and preserve the carburetor and cylinder walls before winter storage if you do not already know how.

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Answer 6

it might be broke. jk

our lawn mower has been doing the same thing i really dont know what is wrong with it. but after about 20 + times of trying to start it it finial does

Answer 7

If you are trying to start it for the first time this year..pour a little gas in the carburator and if it starts change the gas in the tank..you have some bad gas..

Answer 8

The most likely cause is the carburetor.  If the carb sets directly on the fuel tank, it is a diaphram carb.  You can replace the diapham for about $5.00.  It is not a hard job.  You have to remove the fuel tank and the carb and than remove the carb from the tank.  Clean the fuel tank at the same time.