professional email and instructional manual

How to Troubleshoot a Lawn Mower

Bassam Alabbad

[email protected]

(302)345-3793

Contents:

Step 1: Know the Type of Your Mower.............................................................................3

Figure 1..................................................................................................................3

Step 2: Check Fuel Before Troubleshooting.......................................................................4

Figure 2..................................................................................................................4

Step 3: Take Off the Spark Plug..........................................................................................5-6

Figure 3...................................................................................................................6

Step 4: Check & Replace the Spark Plug............................................................................6-7

Figure 4....................................................................................................................7

Step 1: Know the Type of Your Mower

There a so many types of mowing machines exist in markets. Mowers are different in the design, price, and way of functioning. Hence, it is vital to know which type of machines you need based on your duty heaviness. Also, you should be confident on the proper way of using the mower to avoid any damages and injuries. This manual is intended for the gaseous lawn mowers.

Understanding the mower’s part is a key to a proper troubleshooting. Each part of the mower is responsible for a chemical or mechanical move. Being aware of each part’s role helps in diagnosing the occurring issue.

Materials needed:

· Familiarity on the distinct types of mowers

· A decent experience with lawn mowers usage

(figure 1)

Step 2: Check Fuel Before Troubleshooting

Prior to the troubleshooting process, you must check that your mower is filled with a clean fuel. Actually, it is known that lawn mowers consume a lot of fuel. Therefore, it is possible that your mower does not function properly because of lack of fuel. Also, the mowers’ gas expires three weeks after filling. So, make sure to dispose the fuel if it has been in the tank for more than that period. Having an expired gas can lead to having destructive precipitations and tank contamination.

You can simply check your fuel by looking at it. If you can notice some particles swimming in the gas, that means the fuel is contaminated and needs to be disposed (See figure 2). And remember, gas replacement is required after the expiration date even if it looks pure! After the gas disposal, make sure that the tank does not have any cracks that cause any leak in gas.

Materials Needed:

· Clean fuel

· Clean tank

(figure 2)

Step 3: Take Off the Spark Plug

To start the engine, the air and gas mixture needs to be burned in a special chamber. Pulling the lawn mower’s rope stimulates the spark to work. Subsequently, the spark initiates a flame that causes the burning process to begin. If the engine does not work when pulling the rope, it is most-likely that the issue is from ignition system. Luckily, the spark is always the easiest and the first part to check.

To diagnose the spark plug, you first need to disconnect it from the machine. To do so:

1- You first need to loosen it up using an adjustable crescent wrench.

2- After placing the spark’s nut between the wrench’s jaw, precisely tighten the jaws (using the screw mechanism) to apply enough pressure on the spark (See figure 3)

3- Then, loosen up by moving the wrench in a counter-clockwise direction until the spark plug is completely disconnected.

(Make sure to wear safety gloves for stronger pressure and to avoid any injuries)!

Materials Needed:

· Your lawn mower

· Adjustable crescent wrench

· Safety gloves

(figure 3)

Step 4: Check & Replace the Spark Plug

If you found out that the spark plug is soaked in oil, try cleaning it. Use a choke spray to dissolve the sticky particles. Then, use a soft wipes to clear all the liquid on the spark. Using the inverse disconnection method, place the spark plug back in its compartment. If the engine is still not working, buy a new spark plug. In fact, spark plugs are cheap and affordable. Meaning, sometimes it is wise to skip the cleaning step and change the plug immediately.

To check if your brand-new spark plug is functioning before even placing it in the compartment:

1- Connect the spark to the wire (rope) but do NOT install it on its compartment

2- Put the spark very close to the frame so the spark’s edge barely touches the blades (the bottom of the blades is accessible, so you don’t have to remove the cover). (See figure 4)

3- Pull the wire and see if the blades are turning on. The blades are so sharp so BE CAREFUL and leave enough space!

4- If the blades work, CAREFULLY disconnect the spark plug from wire and take it off from the blades.

5- Now, you can place the spark plug in its compartment. Your lawn mower should function properly.

6- If the mower denies working, take it to a mechanical engineering expert.

Materials Needed:

· Your lawn mower

· Adjustable crescent wrench

· Safety gloves

· Choke cleaner

· Soft wipes

· New spark

· Mechanical engineering expert (maybe)

(figure 4)

Glossary

Spark plug: A tool that causes internal combustion of the gas mixture in the engine.

Lawn mower blades: The parts that cut the surface of the grass.

Adjustable crescent wrench: A tool with an open end that is commonly used to unscrew nuts. It can deal with different sizes of nuts because of the flexible jaws it has.

Rope: The pull string of the mowing machine that starts the engine.

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