need help with lawnmower - Page 2

> My lawnmower has been on the fritz all summer. It started cutting out when
> it was running. I took it to the local neighborhood guy (he has a
> landscaping business & fixes mowers on the side) and he "tuned it up" and
> etc. and it ran fine. For awhile.
>
> Then the pull rope broke. I replaced it. It ran fine.
>
> Then a couple weeks later it became difficult to start. As in 15-20 pulls
> and a shoulder almost out of joint trying. And when it was turned off it
> wouldn't start again.
>
> I took it back. He said it was the starter, and replaced it. Cost $80 for
> that and a wheel lock which was broken.
>
> I took it home. I couldn't start it. I took it back. He said it was
> fine--he could start it on the third pull. Sometimes the first.
>
> Meantime I'd borrowed my neighbor's mower which was indeed possible for me
> to start on the first pull. In fact, I often didn't even have to pull the
> rope out all the way.
>
> I still can't start mine and am at my wits end. I think he doesn't know how
> to fix it, and doesn't see the problem. He says "its old" and like old
> things & people is now more difficult to start. I can't agree.
>
> Oh, and by the way, he let me try to start his lawn mower. I had no
> trouble. The rope gives a lot of resistance, but you can feel it engaging
> the motor. I don't get that kind of feedback from mine.
>
> Yet he insists there is nothing wrong with mine.
>
> Does anybody have any ideas before I take it to another repair shop and have
> to pay another $80? I am pretty strong, but unwilling to destroy my arm
> yanking on this crank.
>
>

> Betsy wrote:
>> My lawnmower has been on the fritz all summer. It started cutting out
>> when it was running. I took it to the local neighborhood guy (he has a
>> landscaping business & fixes mowers on the side) and he "tuned it up" and
>> etc. and it ran fine. For awhile.
>> Then the pull rope broke. I replaced it. It ran fine.
>> Then a couple weeks later it became difficult to start. As in 15-20
>> pulls and a shoulder almost out of joint trying. And when it was turned
>> off it wouldn't start again.
>> I took it back. He said it was the starter, and replaced it. Cost $80
>> for that and a wheel lock which was broken.
>> I took it home. I couldn't start it. I took it back. He said it was
>> fine--he could start it on the third pull. Sometimes the first.
>> Meantime I'd borrowed my neighbor's mower which was indeed possible for
>> me to start on the first pull. In fact, I often didn't even have to pull
>> the rope out all the way.
>> I still can't start mine and am at my wits end. I think he doesn't know
>> how to fix it, and doesn't see the problem. He says "its old" and like
>> old things & people is now more difficult to start. I can't agree.
>> Oh, and by the way, he let me try to start his lawn mower. I had no
>> trouble. The rope gives a lot of resistance, but you can feel it
>> engaging the motor. I don't get that kind of feedback from mine.
>> Yet he insists there is nothing wrong with mine.
>> Does anybody have any ideas before I take it to another repair shop and
>> have to pay another $80? I am pretty strong, but unwilling to destroy my
>> arm yanking on this crank.
> When was the last time you replaced the spark plug? Maybe it's time to do
> so again.
> Does it smell "gassy" when you pull it over and it doesn't start? If it
> doesn't by the third or fourth pull then if it has a choke, that isn't
> working, or if it doesn't have one but uses a primer bulb you press two or
> three times, that isn't doing it's thing.
> Try buying a spray can of automobile "starter fluid" and spray some into
> the air cleaner, then try and start it. If it fires right up, then you
> have a choke or primer problem.
> Let us know what works and doesn't,
> Jeff
> --
> Jeffry Wisnia
> (W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
> "Truth exists; only falsehood has to be invented."

> He maintains the plug is fine. I witnessed him start it several times
> today. He has no problem. But he is a lot stronger than me. But I used
> to have no problem with it, either. I just don't get it.
>> Betsy wrote:
>>> My lawnmower has been on the fritz all summer. It started cutting out
>>> when it was running. I took it to the local neighborhood guy (he has a
>>> landscaping business & fixes mowers on the side) and he "tuned it up"
>>> and etc. and it ran fine. For awhile.
>>> Then the pull rope broke. I replaced it. It ran fine.
>>> Then a couple weeks later it became difficult to start. As in 15-20
>>> pulls and a shoulder almost out of joint trying. And when it was turned
>>> off it wouldn't start again.
>>> I took it back. He said it was the starter, and replaced it. Cost $80
>>> for that and a wheel lock which was broken.
>>> I took it home. I couldn't start it. I took it back. He said it was
>>> fine--he could start it on the third pull. Sometimes the first.
>>> Meantime I'd borrowed my neighbor's mower which was indeed possible for
>>> me to start on the first pull. In fact, I often didn't even have to
>>> pull the rope out all the way.
>>> I still can't start mine and am at my wits end. I think he doesn't know
>>> how to fix it, and doesn't see the problem. He says "its old" and like
>>> old things & people is now more difficult to start. I can't agree.
>>> Oh, and by the way, he let me try to start his lawn mower. I had no
>>> trouble. The rope gives a lot of resistance, but you can feel it
>>> engaging the motor. I don't get that kind of feedback from mine.
>>> Yet he insists there is nothing wrong with mine.
>>> Does anybody have any ideas before I take it to another repair shop and
>>> have to pay another $80? I am pretty strong, but unwilling to destroy
>>> my arm yanking on this crank.
>> When was the last time you replaced the spark plug? Maybe it's time to do
>> so again.
>> Does it smell "gassy" when you pull it over and it doesn't start? If it
>> doesn't by the third or fourth pull then if it has a choke, that isn't
>> working, or if it doesn't have one but uses a primer bulb you press two
>> or three times, that isn't doing it's thing.
>> Try buying a spray can of automobile "starter fluid" and spray some into
>> the air cleaner, then try and start it. If it fires right up, then you
>> have a choke or primer problem.
>> Let us know what works and doesn't,
>> Jeff
>> --
>> Jeffry Wisnia
>> (W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
>> "Truth exists; only falsehood has to be invented."
>

> I pull it and it doesn't start. I have wondered if I flooded it, so have
> come back and tried to start it without pushing the bulb. No dice.
> He maintains the plug is fine. I witnessed him start it several times
> today. He has no problem. But he is a lot stronger than me. But I used
> have no problem with it, either. I just don't get it.

>Thanks. It has a primer bulb. I push it about 10 times (at his
>suggestion). I used to only have to push it 3 times. It smells gassy when
>I pull it and it doesn't start. I have wondered if I flooded it, so have
>come back and tried to start it without pushing the bulb. No dice.
>He maintains the plug is fine. I witnessed him start it several times
>today. He has no problem. But he is a lot stronger than me. But I used to
>have no problem with it, either. I just don't get it.