My lawnmower is all of a sudden only working at 1/2 power. It just won't get up to the full "oomf" it should.?

Question

There's a slide setting (START,rabbit, turtle) and I usually just leave it on START always (starting, running, storage). Now it's working as is if it's on the slow (turtle) setting. It also burned a more-than-expected amount of gas to mow my front lawn.

I changed the filter and spark plugs at the start of the season. Help!

Answer 1

Sounds like it's being choked off. Rabbit is where you ought to be setting that slide when you run the mower. It will perform better in most every way, and it's better for the motor.

May be a bit of trash in a line, or you may have fouled the plug?

Answer 2

clean the air filter, you don't have to buy a new one.  hold it in your hand and pore gasoline (were rubber gloves if you must) on it, squeeze it out.  Repeat this until filter is clean and replace it. You do not need to rinse the gas off.  If you don't know where the air filter is it should be on the side of the block (motor) somewhere with some kind of latch to open it or a single s***w through the center of what looks like a compartment.  Most air filters are just a green sponge.  If it is backed in metal casing just sling gas off after you pore it on it.  Don't worry about the gas being dangerous.  It's the fumes that are dangerous.  When you are cleaning with gas, the fumes soon dissipate.