Lawn Mower Help?

[NewMarketSean]

OK, so I've got your basic Briggs-Straton mower, it's maybe 5 years old, kept under a tarp outside, should be working properly... only it isn't.

Over the years I've had trouble keeping the thing running consistently. For a while it seemed like the mower needed a new spark plug after every 2-3 runs, but now even replacing spark plugs isn't helping either.

At the end of the summer last year it just died on me, wouldn't turn over, nothing. So yesterday I decided to try again and if nothing happened, I'd take it to a lawn mower repair man. I did get the engine to start, but all I got was a lot of black smoke out of the exhaust and then it died.

Any ideas before I take this thing to a repair guy? New gas and carb/choke cleaner doesn't work. I've cleaned out the air filter. Still nothing.

What else, if anything, can I do?

[Why Not?]

I think it might be time for a trip to Lowe's.

[The Wedge]

Black smoke is usually something internally dirty burning...you did maintain it like you would a car right, oil changes and such? If not, you might have blown your engine...doesn't explain the not turning over bit, though. That might just be electrical issues from it being old and a machine that generally takes some lumps. Mine wouldn't turnover recently, and it was because of a loose battery terminal.

Edit: I initially got white and black smoke mixed up, whoops.

[Miller192]

If you are getting black smoke and it dies, you've got an air intake problem. I would replace the air filter first then move on the the carbuerator.

If the air filter doesn't work, you'll probably need a mechanic to fix the carb.

[Spoonless]

Does it take oil and gas separately, or do you have to mix them yourself? If it's a mix, are you using the right oil and mixing it properly?

[Goop]

Check and make sure you didn't use bad gas. Using bad gas can spell trouble.

[NewMarketSean]

Black smoke is usually something internally dirty burning...you did maintain it like you would a car right, oil changes and such? If not, you might have blown your engine...doesn't explain the not turning over bit, though. That might just be electrical issues from it being old and a machine that generally takes some lumps. Mine wouldn't turnover recently, and it was because of a loose battery terminal.

Edit: I initially got white and black smoke mixed up, whoops.

I think so. I changed the oil a year or two ago, keep it covered, etc.... looks like I am taking it in. I can't deal with this POS any more.

[BillySmith]

I think so. I changed the oil a year or two ago, keep it covered, etc.... looks like I am taking it in. I can't deal with this POS any more.


I had the exact problem. My oil was almost on zero in just two seasons of mowing. Now, I've kinda screwed my engine I think because it runs real rough.

[McLovin]

My 5 year old BS mower engine burned a lot of oil. I had to add a few ounces before every mow, and I was diligent about changing it every season. It was also a pain to start.

I dumped it for a fancy Honda mower. It never burns oil, and it never seems to even make the oil dirty. It always starts on one slow pull, even after a full winter of rest.

I gave the BS mower to a neighbor, and now I watch him cuss at it.

[Dipper9]

My 5 year old BS mower engine burned a lot of oil. I had to add a few ounces before every mow, and I was diligent about changing it every season. It was also a pain to start.

I dumped it for a fancy Honda mower. It never burns oil, and it never seems to even make the oil dirty. It always starts on one slow pull, even after a full winter of rest.

I gave the BS mower to a neighbor, and now I watch him cuss at it.

My BS mower's self-propelled mechanism went up. I am trying to hold out on buying a new mower, but my back back and old ass can barely push the thing up the hill in my backyard anymore. So Honda's the way to go, eh?

[McLovin]

My BS mower's self-propelled mechanism went up. I am trying to hold out on buying a new mower, but my back back and old ass can barely push the thing up the hill in my backyard anymore. So Honda's the way to go, eh?
My Honda is self propelled; I think it was 4 or 5 hundred bucks at Lowes. It was about double what I could have spent on a BS. I think I'd pay a lot more. It's a 'zero cuss' mower.

I think a lot of Sears Craftsman mowers use Honda engines now too.

[MPK76]

My BS mower's self-propelled mechanism went up. I am trying to hold out on buying a new mower, but my back back and old ass can barely push the thing up the hill in my backyard anymore. So Honda's the way to go, eh?

I have a 3 year old MTD self propelled mower with a Honda engine* and I have never had any issues with it. I have not changed the oil or spark plug since it was first purchased and it fired up on the first pull last weekend after sitting all winter long.


*It was bought at Wal Mart for around $280.00

[Pedro Cerrano]

In my experience you can't go wrong with a John Deere -- although they're pretty expensive.

Stay the hell away from Toro.

[Dipper9]

In my experience you can't go wrong with a John Deere -- although they're pretty expensive.

Stay the hell away from Toro.

Thats what I have now...about 4 years old and the propelled thing went bad. Yeah, I dont want a loan for a John Deere, but thanks anyway! ;)

[Mark Carver]

In my experience you can't go wrong with a John Deere -- although they're pretty expensive.

Stay the hell away from Toro.

You get what you pay for and right now, if I need another, it will be a John Deere product. I've had a riding mower and have since upgraded to a Zero-Turn Mower (both bought from a John Deere Dealer). I also have one of their electric start, self-propelled walk behind mower (bought from Lowes). I've even bought one other line trimmers as well.

FWIW.

[Old#5fan]

OK, so I've got your basic Briggs-Straton mower, it's maybe 5 years old, kept under a tarp outside, should be working properly... only it isn't.

Over the years I've had trouble keeping the thing running consistently. For a while it seemed like the mower needed a new spark plug after every 2-3 runs, but now even replacing spark plugs isn't helping either.

At the end of the summer last year it just died on me, wouldn't turn over, nothing. So yesterday I decided to try again and if nothing happened, I'd take it to a lawn mower repair man. I did get the engine to start, but all I got was a lot of black smoke out of the exhaust and then it died.

Any ideas before I take this thing to a repair guy? New gas and carb/choke cleaner doesn't work. I've cleaned out the air filter. Still nothing.

What else, if anything, can I do?

I had a Yardman mower that acted like that but only after 20 years of hard use! I used to only be able to start it by shoving it very hard with my left hand and pulling the starter rope hard with my right hand at the same time. It would eventually start after doing what yours does with the black smoke and all. I would advise you to try to start it again and give it full throttle for a while. That may help as you could have some moisture in your gas. It also could have an engine problem if you didn't change your oil and allowed it to turn into sludge.

[NewMarketSean]

MOFFO!!!

So I had my lawnmower serviced 2 months ago for $90 and it worked fine since then. However, I used the same old rotten gas from before and last night my lawn mower cut out again. So I guess I really have to use stabilizers and fresh gas from now on. UGH!

[DuffMan]

MOFFO!!!

So I had my lawnmower serviced 2 months ago for $90 and it worked fine since then. However, I used the same old rotten gas from before and last night my lawn mower cut out again. So I guess I really have to use stabilizers and fresh gas from now on. UGH!

How old was the gas?

[NewMarketSean]

How old was the gas?

Old... I just cant see dumping gas for new gas. I did read today that putting old gas in your car wont hurt it so I will do that and keep getting new gas for the mower.

I just didn't know that maintaining mowers had to be such a PITA.