Briggs And Stratton Lawn Mower Starts Then Dies? (We Have A Fix)

If you have ever gone out to mow the lawn and suddenly realized that your lawnmower wouldn’t start, then you know the pain of this situation all too well. Whether it is due to a dirty carburetor, you have a malfunctioning spark plug, not enough gas to the engine, or simply a clogged air filter, there are many reasons why this could be happening.

When your lawnmower has this problem, you essentially have one of two choices. Either take your lawnmower into a service shop or try to fix it yourself. We recommend trying to fix it on your own first as this will save you the most money. However, if you’re unable, then it would be time to bring it to a specialist.

Since the most common cause of why your lawn mower starts then dies is due to a carburetor problem, you can typically fix it yourself. The first step is to analyze the situation and then take the time to clean it, unclog it, and change your spark plug.

This article will take you through the necessary steps in order to fix your lawnmower that starts and dies. Just by following these guidelines, you should be able to fix the problem. However, if not, as stated above, you will need to bring it into a specialist.

In order to fix your lawnmower, you will first need to understand how your carburetor works. Concerning other motors, if you own a motorcycle or any other small gas-powered engine, then you have a carburetor. The primary function of the carburetor is to mix the gas and air. It does this to make it more combustible and allow the pistons to burn.

Carburetors mix precisely the right amount of oxygen and gas. This is called AFR (Air Fuel Ratio). After starting your engine, gas will flow from the tank and will go into the carburetor bowl. Inside the bowl, there is a floater, and this controls gas going in and out of the bowl.

As you start the engine, the air is sucked through the vent. Then, air pressure atomizes the gas and mixes this with the oxygen. This mixture will spray into an even more refined form and go into the spark plug chamber. It now creates a spark, and the engine will run.

Essentially, if your lawnmower starts then dies, you should first look into the carburetor. You can also look into the items that are also attached to it. Here we identify the common problems the carburetor has and also the best solution to fix these.

If you have a loose carburetor, then your engine will not function properly. This is because you will not have a full flow of gas, nor will the atomization of gas be stable. To avoid this, check to make sure the carburetor is firmly attached. This can help you to know if you have serious problems or if you simply need to tighten your carburetor.

On the other hand, your problem could simply be that your carburetor is attached too tight or the wrong way. If this is the issue, then you will need to adjust it accordingly to get it to allow your mower to start.

This is incredibly important if you want to see if your carburetor is working. Make sure to clean it with a carburetor cleaner and get off all the dirt and grime that has built up. This is a straightforward fix and might allow your mower to start.

It’s a good idea to take the time to clean your carburetor regularly. You should look at it at least once every couple of months and then clean it as needed. This will help you stay on top of any problems that may eventually arise in the future.

Since most carburetors today have their carburetor bowl underneath, attached by a screw with a hole at the bottom, it is very easy for this hole to get clogged. When this happens, air won’t be able to pass into the carburetor. This prevents the downward movement of gas and will cause your lawnmower to stall.

To fix this, remove the bowl screw. You can do this by using a ½ inch plug wrench. Be sure to clean the dirt out of the bowl and then out of the screw as well. If you cannot wash it easily, take a very small wire and thread it to remove any dirt.

Once again, take your carburetor cleaner and spray the hole. As you go to recap the bowl, try not to overtighten the screw as this can affect the seal.

When you leave gas out for a long period of time, often it can form a residue. These residues can clog the parts of your carburetor internally and then restrict the gas inside. To remove these residues, you should drain out the old gas and replace it with fresh fuel.

Be sure to add a fuel stabilizer as well, as this will enhance your fuel quality and prevent future residues from forming. Using a fuel stabilizer can make your gas usable for up to two years.

If you have been using your Briggs and Stratton lawnmower for many years, then your carburetor might eventually fail you. Whether you simply need to repair it or you need to replace it, these are great lawnmowers and are worth fixing.

If your carburetor is old, bring it into a home improvement store where they sell mower parts. Tell them that you want to order that same type of carburetor so that you ensure you replace it with the correct model. Otherwise, you will find that your mower doesn’t start again.

At Home Depot, the price for a Briggs and Stratton carburetor costs around $25 before tax. Also, they sell a carburetor cleaner for $2 to $4 per can. So, by providing the correct maintenance, you can forgo the $25 and pay just $2 to $4 a month to keep your carburetor clean.

Although, even if you had to replace the carburetor, it still doesn’t cost that much! That’s relatively cheap for a necessary part. However, if you were to bring it into a shop for a specialist to repair it, then it will cost you between $100 to $180 depending on the amount of time and the shop that you take it to.

Related Questions

How do I know if I have too much oil in my reservoir?

Tilt your lawnmower up and put a heavy object on the handle. This should hold it up. Allow the oil to go to other parts of the engine; leave it for about an hour. Then run the machine and see if it runs for a while without dying. If this happens, then you simply have too much oil.

How long should I go without cleaning my carburetor?

Cleaning your carburetor every six months is a good idea. If you are a commercial business and use it more often, then you may want to do so even more often. Maintenance is key to keeping healthy machines.

How often should I change my oil?

You should change your oil either every 25 hours of use or every season.