Lawnmower Will not start ?

bigdog · 05-26-2023, 04:24 PM

Lawnmower won't start after winter storage.
I had fogged and draoned gas before storing for the winter. Added fresh gas and new spark plug, also shot some Starting fluid directly into cylinder Engine trys to start but never stays going.
Engine is B&S 6.5HP
NOTE: Engine has some type of switch connected to throttle that drops a metal tab that makes a connection to metal surface, may be associated with a kill switch ?
Thoughts on why engine will not stay going?

Biggd · 05-26-2023, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog

Lawnmower won't start after winter storage.
I had fogged and draoned gas before storing for the winter. Added fresh gas and new spark plug, also shot some Starting fluid directly into cylinder Engine trys to start but never stays going.
Engine is B&S 6.5HP
NOTE: Engine has some type of switch connected to throttle that drops a metal tab that makes a connection to metal surface, may be associated with a kill switch ?
Thoughts on why engine will not stay going?

If it tries to start on starting fluid then it's not a kill switch issue. Sounds like it's not getting fuel. The carb probably needs to be cleaned out or rebuilt. The ethanol in the gas today is very corrosive when it sits in the carb all winter.

pondguy · 05-26-2023, 05:38 PM

My mower was doing the same thing and I had drained the fuel also, so when it fired I kept pumping the primer until it stayed running. Worth a try good luck.

fatlazyless · 05-26-2023, 06:42 PM

1. Remove spark plug and using a funnel, pour a small amount of Marvel Mystery Oil into cylinder, reinstall spark plug, add fresh gas to existing gas in tank and try it again.

2. If this doesn't do it, then leave it at Lakeport Power Equipment, Mechanic St, Laconia, behind Cantin Chevrolet. Find him on Facebook.

TheTimeTraveler · 05-26-2023, 06:56 PM

Try engaging the choke....

Also, a lawn mower is usually far easier to start after it's been sitting in the sun for a couple of hours prior to using. Works for me!

Best of luck!

John Mercier · 05-26-2023, 09:58 PM

Since you drained it, and added fresh gas...
you may have sediment in the line.
Check/change the fuel filter.

Check to make sure the air filter is clean.
A dirty air filter will supply enough to make the motor only run a short time.

It should have a manual choke...
Though the tab makes me wonder.

SAB1 · 05-27-2023, 05:06 AM

My weedewacker did the same thing this year after being properly stored. I cleaned the air filter and pulled the carb off cleaned it and resin stalled. Runs like new. 45 minutes at most. YouTube is your friend….

steve-on-mark · 05-27-2023, 07:17 AM

I would remove the float bowl and check to see if the float it stuck or that jet is clogged.

AC2717 · 05-27-2023, 08:00 AM

so are you saying it will start up and then dies right away?
if so not a kill switch type thing, definitely a fuel/air mix issue i.e. carb problem/ fuel delivery to the carb problem

bigdog · 05-27-2023, 09:22 PM

This B&S engine has no choke, uses some type of system designed to start on first or second pull, unique to B&S I guess ?

Will look at fuel system again, and try to clean carb is easy to pull ?

Poor Richard · 05-28-2023, 08:07 AM

I'd try lightly tapping on the float bowl/ carb body a few times before pulling the carb. Sometimes the float can stick in the up position which prevents fuel from entering the carb.

If that doesn't work and you're still in need, PM me. I can get you sorted out

bobkatfly · 05-28-2023, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog

This B&S engine has no choke, uses some type of system designed to start on first or second pull, unique to B&S I guess ?

Will look at fuel system again, and try to clean carb is easy to pull ?

Plenty of YouTube videos for removing/cleaning B&S carbs. Not hard. Make note of linkage connections before disassembly. If needed, new carbs aren't that expensive.

TheProfessor · 05-28-2023, 09:45 AM

40 years ago.
Purchased the least expensive push lawn mower. At K-Mart. About $69.00 if I remember correctly.
Lasted over 30 years and ALWAYS started.
Replaced a few wheels over time. Maybe a spark plug. Housing finally cracked. Still ran.
Gave it away.

Today, all small lawn mower engines are made in China. I think Honda engines are made in Thailand.

My next lawn mower will be battery electric. BUT not park/place near house or garage.

John Mercier · 05-28-2023, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog

This B&S engine has no choke, uses some type of system designed to start on first or second pull, unique to B&S I guess ?

Will look at fuel system again, and try to clean carb is easy to pull ?

Then the metal tab your noting is part of an auto-choke system.

Does it have a fuel filter?
When we empty a tank for the winter then refill, sometimes we clog that little plastic inline filter.

If it isn't that...

Crank a couple times and pull the spark plug.

If the spark plug is dry, then the carb most likely has a problem with the needle sticking. Sometimes a few taps on the carb body with the handle of a screwdriver will loosen it up.
Recheck with a few pulls and then checking the plug again, if it still doesn't start.

If you notice the plug is ''wet''... the problem is either air - usually the filter - or intermittent spark, which can be harder to resolve.

05-26-2023, 04:24 PM	#1
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,453 Thanks: 347 Thanked 124 Times in 98 Posts	Lawnmower Will not start ? Lawnmower won't start after winter storage. I had fogged and draoned gas before storing for the winter. Added fresh gas and new spark plug, also shot some Starting fluid directly into cylinder Engine trys to start but never stays going. Engine is B&S 6.5HP NOTE: Engine has some type of switch connected to throttle that drops a metal tab that makes a connection to metal surface, may be associated with a kill switch ? Thoughts on why engine will not stay going?

05-26-2023, 06:42 PM	#4
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,951 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 307 Thanked 1,059 Times in 772 Posts	1. Remove spark plug and using a funnel, pour a small amount of Marvel Mystery Oil into cylinder, reinstall spark plug, add fresh gas to existing gas in tank and try it again. 2. If this doesn't do it, then leave it at Lakeport Power Equipment, Mechanic St, Laconia, behind Cantin Chevrolet. Find him on Facebook. __________________ .... Banned for life from local thrift store!

05-27-2023, 07:17 AM	#8
steve-on-mark Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Epping, NH / Mark Island Posts: 1,905 Thanks: 189 Thanked 741 Times in 434 Posts	I would remove the float bowl and check to see if the float it stuck or that jet is clogged. __________________ ....keeping " urban decay " out of photos for nearly 3 years!

05-27-2023, 08:00 AM	#9
AC2717 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Maynard, MA & Paugus Bay Posts: 2,588 Thanks: 756 Thanked 358 Times in 269 Posts	so are you saying it will start up and then dies right away? if so not a kill switch type thing, definitely a fuel/air mix issue i.e. carb problem/ fuel delivery to the carb problem __________________ Capt. of the "No Worries"

05-26-2023, 05:38 PM	#3
pondguy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 292 Thanks: 599 Thanked 213 Times in 135 Posts	My mower was doing the same thing and I had drained the fuel also, so when it fired I kept pumping the primer until it stayed running. Worth a try good luck.

05-26-2023, 06:56 PM	#5
TheTimeTraveler Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 930 Thanks: 297 Thanked 299 Times in 185 Posts	Try engaging the choke.... Also, a lawn mower is usually far easier to start after it's been sitting in the sun for a couple of hours prior to using. Works for me! Best of luck!

05-26-2023, 09:58 PM	#6
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 3,571 Thanks: 3 Thanked 637 Times in 524 Posts	Since you drained it, and added fresh gas... you may have sediment in the line. Check/change the fuel filter. Check to make sure the air filter is clean. A dirty air filter will supply enough to make the motor only run a short time. It should have a manual choke... Though the tab makes me wonder.

05-27-2023, 05:06 AM	#7
SAB1 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Tuftonboro Posts: 1,254 Thanks: 193 Thanked 335 Times in 243 Posts	My weedewacker did the same thing this year after being properly stored. I cleaned the air filter and pulled the carb off cleaned it and resin stalled. Runs like new. 45 minutes at most. YouTube is your friend….

05-27-2023, 09:22 PM	#10
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,453 Thanks: 347 Thanked 124 Times in 98 Posts	This B&S engine has no choke, uses some type of system designed to start on first or second pull, unique to B&S I guess ? Will look at fuel system again, and try to clean carb is easy to pull ?

05-28-2023, 08:07 AM	#11
Poor Richard Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: The humbling river Posts: 304 Thanks: 42 Thanked 80 Times in 57 Posts	I'd try lightly tapping on the float bowl/ carb body a few times before pulling the carb. Sometimes the float can stick in the up position which prevents fuel from entering the carb. If that doesn't work and you're still in need, PM me. I can get you sorted out

05-28-2023, 09:45 AM	#13
TheProfessor Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,146 Thanks: 17 Thanked 351 Times in 212 Posts	40 years ago. Purchased the least expensive push lawn mower. At K-Mart. About $69.00 if I remember correctly. Lasted over 30 years and ALWAYS started. Replaced a few wheels over time. Maybe a spark plug. Housing finally cracked. Still ran. Gave it away. Today, all small lawn mower engines are made in China. I think Honda engines are made in Thailand. My next lawn mower will be battery electric. BUT not park/place near house or garage.