Lawn mower won't start!! Help!?

Question

Ok.. I checked the gas= good

teh engine oil=added some b/c it was empty.. but I haven't tried it yet.

My friend told me I might have to change the spark plugs! I have no idea how to do that!

But would adding oil simply make it work or would I have to change the spark plugs as my friend told me?

How complicated is changing that spark plug?

THANKS!

Answer 1

If the mower hasn't been used for quite a while, there may be gas in the tank but it may have gone bad. If that's the case the mower would have started but then quickly sputtered and stopped. If that's what happened drain out the old gas, dispose of it properly, then fill the tank with fresh gas.

But the fact that the mower had no oil makes me wonder if perhaps it engine has seized up due to lack of lubrication. You might want to have a pro look at it if this is the case.

Or maybe the sparkplug is indeed part of the problem. Easy enough to find out and not expensive.  To remove and reinstall a new one, disconnect the wire lead attached to the plug. Then remove the plug with a socket wrench fitted with a spark-plug socket, which has a neoprene lining to protect the plug's porcelain casing. Install the new plug, reattach the lead and start 'er up.

Here's an article on basic mower maintenance. Take a look at the photos and you'll see how to remove a sparkplug, along with other maintenance tasks such as changing the oil and air filter.

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/...

Answer 2

ok  so you have gas, good start...   the oil being empty is a bad sign-- that should never be empty-  check the oil plug to make sure its tight, and even there--   Note:  always unplug the spark plug wire before handling anything underneath near the blade--  do NOT spin the blade manually with the plug attached --   the mower may have a primer bubble near the tank  you need to press that a few times to get fuel into carbureator--     changing plug not difficult but by the sounds of it, you should have someone more capable look at it ( no offense)