Mower won't start.

[Baby Huey]

I have a Champion mower that is refusing to start.

It has fuel and oil, I've cleaned the air filter, replaced the plug, cleaned out the carb and tried some easy-start spray through the carb and directly into the engine through the plug hole.

It starts using the spray but dies straight after.

It is only around 18 months old and was running fine before it broke down at the end of last year.

Any ideas?

[TheD]

It's to early to mow and is still hibernating.

On a serious note I had a Champion that wouldn't start after a winter and it was a gubbed piston. I did what you did and got it going only for it to die. When it did get going good it smoked and then seized. 2 years old.

Edited for speeling

Edited by TheD on Sunday 14th March 15:35

[The Nur]

Is there any condensation in the fuel/tank?

Is there fuel in it?

Edited by The Nur on Sunday 14th March 15:29

[Baby Huey]

There is fuel in it, and oil too.

I've drained some fuel from the tank and it appears to be clean.

[Heliosphan]

I wish I had the time to arse around with a mower.

If my mower went wrong, I'd throw it in the nearest skip and buy a new one.

Sorry I can't be more constructive than that!

[mybrainhurts]

Have you tried talking to it with a stern tone...?

[GTIR]

Check the carb float needle isn't stuck, see if there us fuel in the bowl.
Make sure the carb isn't blocked once you have the bowl off, look up the middle of the bit that hangs down. This is how the fuel is fed and gets blocked if left. Stick a small wire down it to clean it. It's really hard stuff.

Remove filter and if it starts it's blocked.

Replace spark plug.

[The Nur]

mybrainhurts said:

Have you tried talking to it with a stern tone...?

Maybe the threat of a Damn good thrashing?

[soad]

Some suggestions can be found here:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf620712.tip.html

[Baby Huey]

GTIR said:

Check the carb float needle isn't stuck, see if there us fuel in the bowl.

Did this.

Make sure the carb isn't blocked once you have the bowl off, look up the middle of the bit that hangs down. This is how the fuel is fed and gets blocked if left. Stick a small wire down it to clean it. It's really hard stuff.

Didn't do this.

Remove filter and if it starts it's blocked.

Tried that.

Replace spark plug.

This too.

Thanks for that.

[mybrainhurts]

The Nur said:

mybrainhurts said:

Have you tried talking to it with a stern tone...?

Maybe the threat of a Damn good thrashing?

Raaather....

[GC8]

If you have a spark then you probably wont have fuel. Perhaps the carb is gummed up?

[BliarOut]

Stale fuel, drain and replace.

[Baby Huey]

I'm going to get the carb off again and change the fuel. That can wait until next weekend.

Thanks for all the advice.

[sunbeam_alpine]

Might not help in this case, but what I do to start the mower the first time after the winter is to gently warm up the engine using a blowtorch on the exhaust/cylinder bit.

The idea is that a warm engine always starts easier than a cold one. Saves a lot of pulling and swearing.

[thinfourth2]

I bet it is a frigs and scrapem

Its the filter at the bottom of the fuel tank

[PGM]

BliarOut said:

Stale fuel, drain and replace.

I agree, this happened to me last year.

[Wings]

BliarOut said:

Stale fuel, drain and replace.

Agree, replace with new, then remove spark plug and pour a drop of petrol down spark plug hole, replace plug and start the mower.

Edited by Wings on Sunday 14th March 23:14

[foggy]

As mentioned, most likely carb blocked with crystalline (solidified) fuel where it's been stood over winter. Unblock and should be OK.

To stop it happening in the future, when the mowers not going to be used for a few months turn the fuel off at the tank, or if there's no tap just empty the tank and leave the engine running to drain down the carb til it uses all the fuel and the engine dies.