It’s a beautiful sunny day and a perfect time to mow your lawn. All is well in the world. That is, until your mower starts acting up—or worse, won’t start at all. Luckily, you can usually repair a lawn mower yourself at home.

Here are 11 things you can do to repair your lawn mower and get it up and running again.

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Replace the air filter if it’s dirty.

  1. A dirty filter can cause your mower to break down. Find the air filter on the side of your mower’s engine. They’re usually covered by a plastic or metal cover. Use either a screwdriver or a wrench to remove the screws or bolts and take off the cover. Pull out the filter and inspect it for cracks, tears, or holes. If the filter is really dirty, swap it out for a new one that’s the same make and model.[2]
    • If your mower’s engine is running really rough, loses power while you’re using it, or won’t start up at all, it could be because the filter is clogged or damaged.
3

Pull out the dipstick to check the oil level.

  1. Add more oil if your mower needs it. Look for a handle near the top or on the side of your mower’s engine. Pull the handle to slide out the dip stick. Wipe the stick on a clean cloth, reinsert it into the mower, then slide it out again to check the oil level. If it’s low (there’s usually a line on the dipstick that indicates how much there should be), top it off with the oil specified in your owner’s manual. Replace the dipstick when you’re finished.[3]
    • Having too little oil can cause your mower’s engine to overheat and shut down.
    • Make sure you use the oil your owner’s manual says to use. Otherwise, it could damage your mower’s engine.
    • If you don’t have your mower’s owner’s manual, try looking up the make and model online to see what oil to use.
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Tighten your spark plug if it’s loose.

  1. Use a wrench and turn it clockwise. Look for the spark plug on the side of your mower’s engine. It’ll look like a small piece of metal pointing sideways and covered by a protective rubber cap. Over time, the plug can get loose in it’s socket. Fortunately, it’s a pretty easy fix. Take a wrench and give it a gentle turn until it’s tightened up. If you were having trouble starting your mower, give it a go and see if that helps.[7]
    • If tightening the spark plug doesn’t work, you’ll need to remove it before trying any other repairs.
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Clean the spark plug if it’s dirty.

  1. Use a wire brush and some spark plug cleaner. Take a rag and clean the area around the spark plug on your mower to help keep dirt and gunk from getting onto the plug. Apply spark plug cleaner to the plug and use a wire brush to gently brush any deposits.[9]
    • It’s pretty common for oil, grease, grime, dirt, and grass to get onto your spark plug, which can prevent it from working properly.
    • You could then reinstall the plug by screwing it back into the socket and test out your mower if you were having issues starting the engine.
    • Look for spark plug cleaner at your local auto repair shop.
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Clean or replace the fuel line if it’s clogged.

  1. Blast the line with compressed air or replace it if it’s cracked. Look for a small air hole on the top of your fuel cap. If it’s clogged, hit it with a shot of compressed air to clear it. If the air hole is clear, the problem may lie in the fuel line. Remove the metal housing covering your engine, and lift out the fuel tank. Disconnect the fuel line with a pair of pliers, blast some compressed air through it to clear it, then reinstall it. If the line is cracked or damaged, replace it with a new one. Then, reinstall the outer housing.[11]
    • A clogged or damaged fuel line can cause your mower to not start.
    • If your mower has a valve at the bottom of the fuel tank, switch it to the “Off” position before you remove the tank.

Warnings

  • Always make sure your mower is turned off and the spark plug is removed before you start working on it.
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About This Article

Jeremy Yamaguchi
Co-authored by:
Lawn Care Specialist
This article was co-authored by Jeremy Yamaguchi. Jeremy Yamaguchi is a Lawn Care Specialist and the Founder/CEO of Lawn Love, a digital marketplace for lawn care and gardening services. Jeremy provides instant satellite quotes and can coordinate service from a smartphone or web browser. The company has raised funding from notable investors like Y Combinator, Joe Montana, Alexis Ohanian, Barbara Corcoran and others. This article has been viewed 15,964 times.
20 votes - 58%
Co-authors: 6
Updated: August 25, 2021
Views: 15,964
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