Why does my lawn mower only run for a few seconds then dies?

If your lawn mower starts, runs briefly, then dies these are the four most common reasons that’s happening: Dirty carburetor / clogged carburetor bowl. Old gasoline that has gone bad. Dirty or defective spark plugs.

Why does my lawn mower stop after a few seconds?

Common solutions for: Small engine stops after a few seconds

The carburetor might be clogged. … A clogged carburetor is most commonly caused by leaving fuel in the lawn mower for a long period of time. Over time, some of the ingredients in the fuel may evaporate, leaving behind a thicker, stickier substance.

Why does my lawnmower start but not stay running?

A full gas tank and oil reservoir are the essential first steps when checking why the lawn mower won’t stay running, but the problem could also be a dirty filter, clogged carburetor, improper fuel mixture, or a dirty spark plug. … However, you may need a lawn mower specialist to get you back to trimming your grass.

How do you fix a lawn mower that starts then dies?

Now. Let’s go ahead and take a closer look at the carburetor. And see if there’s a problem and

How do you fix a lawn mower that won’t stay running?

Line. Pull the fuel line off of the carburetor. And plug the end to prevent a gas spill. Next remove

How do you unclog a lawn mower carburetor?

A baby food jar. Take the air cleaner cover. Off.

How do you clean a carburetor on a lawn mower without removing it?

How to Clean Your Carburetor?
  1. Turn Off Mower. Completely turn off the lawn mower and also let the engine cool down for a few minutes before you can begin any cleaning procedures. …
  2. Inspect the Air Filters. …
  3. Check all Connections to the Carburetor. …
  4. Clean the Carburetor. …
  5. Contact Your Local Dealer.

Why does my lawn mower keep cutting out?

Loose, Dirty or Disconnected Spark Plug in Your Lawn Mower: Check it out, clean off debris, re-connect and tighten. Dirty Air Filter: Clean or replace. Fuel Not Reaching the Engine: Tap the side of the carburetor to help the flow of gas. If this doesn’t work, you might need a new fuel filter.

Why does lawn mower keep shutting off?

The loss of air flow to the engine caused by too tall or too thick grass or a dirty air filter is often the reason a mower engine stalls. … When you try to mow on overgrown lawn, you end up clogging the air filter and shutting off air to the engine.

What causes a lawn mower to idle up and down?

Carburetor Adjustment


A carburetor that’s incorrectly adjusted is a common cause of poor engine idling that results in hunting and surging. Fortunately, most lawnmowers have two screws that allow you to adjust the carburetor yourself. One screw controls the idle speed while the other adjusts the idle mixture.

How do you clean a lawn mower carburetor?

Detailed Guide on How to Clean Lawn Mower Carburetor
  1. Remove the Outer Casing and Air Filter. …
  2. Removing the Carburetor. …
  3. Unbolt the carburetor’s bowl and clean the nut. …
  4. Use a carburetor cleaner to get rid of dirt deposits within the carburetor. …
  5. Replace the gasket. …
  6. Check its settings. …
  7. Reassemble and reattach.

Why does my lawn mower only run on full choke?

If your lawn mower only runs with the choke on, check the carburetor. … The carburetor brings air and fuel together and mixes them in the perfect ratio for combustion before they enter the engine. There are several passages in the carburetor that allow fuel to enter the air stream depending how the throttle is set.

Why does my mower keep dying?

The fuel cap vent is clogged

If your lawnmower keeps dying, the carburettor is always the first part to check. But it’s not always the cause of the problem. If your lawnmower starts then dies, a blockage in the fuel cap vent is also a possible problem. … If it starts with no issues, you may need to replace your fuel cap.

Where’s the carburetor on a lawn mower?

The carburetor is part of the mower’s engine. Typically, it is bolted to the side or top of the engine. It is also connected to the gas tank, and will typically be located just below or behind your air filter.