Lawnmower won't start

[jimany]

*I know nothing*

It's a briggs and stratton 4.5 hp Brute apparently. It's only been used 2 seasons.

I prime it, and pull the cord, but it doesn't sound like it's even trying to fire. I looked at the end of the spark plug on the outside of the engine and there was a little of that white corrosion, but it brushed right off. I'm thinking I'll pull the plug out to look at it if I can find a socket to fit over it.

I also took off the air filter(I think), a piece of yellow foam in a plastic box, and it seems rather clogged. Is this something I could just wash out, or would I have to find a new one?

I tried googling, but the stuff that seems most helpful is videos, and I can't watch them on this computer. I'm also having trouble finding the manual, but that could help.

...I'm going to go try it again, but thanks in advance for any advice, and tell me if I can give any useful info.

[Sponsored Link]

I think I know someone that can help. Radford?

[Rocko]

You don't need a lawn mower. Just leave a boom box outside with My Chemical Romance on repeat. The lawn'll take care of itself.

[jimany]

^haha

But I think it tried to go once while I was at it about 40 times.

Another thing, I have forgotten which way the lever deally that stops the engine when it is one way(like I said, I'm an expert) is supposed to be.

[Rocko]

Change your air filter and pull the spark plug. There is not a whole lot that can go wrong with 2-stroke lawn mower engines.

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Originally Posted by Rocko

Change your air filter and pull the spark plug. There is not a whole lot that can go wrong with 2-stroke lawn mower engines.

What about the magneto shift bolt or the throttle pump actuator?

[blerrh]

Originally Posted by jimany

*I know nothing*

It's a briggs and stratton 4.5 hp Brute apparently. It's only been used 2 seasons.

I prime it, and pull the cord, but it doesn't sound like it's even trying to fire. I looked at the end of the spark plug on the outside of the engine and there was a little of that white corrosion, but it brushed right off. I'm thinking I'll pull the plug out to look at it if I can find a socket to fit over it.

I also took off the air filter(I think), a piece of yellow foam in a plastic box, and it seems rather clogged. Is this something I could just wash out, or would I have to find a new one?

I tried googling, but the stuff that seems most helpful is videos, and I can't watch them on this computer. I'm also having trouble finding the manual, but that could help.

...I'm going to go try it again, but thanks in advance for any advice, and tell me if I can give any useful info.

Take out the spark plug, hold it against the engine and turn the engine over. Does it spark?

Check the fuel filter.

[jimany]

I tried, but couldn't figure out how to see the spark plug while I pulled the string. The plug did look mighty grimy though. However it must be sparking because I figured I'd put it back and give it another try, and my I'm all sweaty and gross, and my lawn is looking good(Well actually half of it is still brown from the winter).

I guess I should figure out any maintenance that might help anyway though.

[Method of Madness]

clean the spark plug off and with it removed pour a spoonful of gas into the hole. Replace spark plug and it should crank up, if not repeat but with 2 spoonfuls


easiest way in the world to get a 2 stroke working

thats only if the spark plug is working though

[Dr rocker]

Are you getting compression? Take out the plug, introduce a little oil in the cylinder. If it is a lot harder to turn over, the piston rings and or bore is shot. As has been said, not a lot can go wrong with a 2'er. Allways check spark, fuel then compression. Maybe it has dirty / stale petrol? Has the fuel been in all winter?

[jimany]

There was a little in the tank over winter, but I topped it up the other day when I first tried it. However, I guess the gas in the jerry can is almost as old.

Though if I wasn't clear, it is running now

Edit: Could it have just been hard to start the first time after sitting for a while?

[reggie_love]

I put a little gas right into the air filter when my two-stroke engines won't start. Usually works.

[bornkiller]

Wash the filter in petrol then wash it in soapy water (if its a sponge type) reinstall it.
Clean the plug with medium sand paper (around 80 to 100 grit) dip the tip into gas and burn it...place it onto the lead, lean it against the mower so you can see it and pull the start cord to check the spark.
If its sparking? put it back in and try again.
Then give us your results.

[MunkeyQ]

To check if it's firing and the valves are seating properly, take the air filter off, spray some Easy-Start (ether in a can) in and give it a pull. It should fire and run for a few strokes.

If it doesn't, your problem most likely isn't fuelling. It could be spark or something causing it to lack compression like a valve stuck open. Check for a spark using the method bornkiller said. If there's a nice fat spark, it's time to pull the head and see what's going on.

[jimany]

Well i've mowed the lawn twice now so I guess it's getting spark and fuel Though I've been putting off any maintenance I should be doing while I get the truck and camper ready for the summer