Does Your Toro Recycler 22 Not Start? [Common Causes & Fixes]

All new Toro mowers are auto choke which means typically, to start it, all you need to do is pull and hold the handlebar bail lever, then yank on the pull cord. Despite the fact that Toro builds great machines, but in the event, you pull your Toro Recycler 22 out of the garage and it won’t start, you are going to need to know how to fix it.

The most common reason a Toro Recycler 22 won’t start is because of a dirty carburetor, but if it is not that, then this guide will help you to diagnose why your Toro lawnmower isn’t starting, and how to fix it.

Related Content: How To Change The Oil In A Toro Lawnmower | Toro vs. Cub Cadet | How To Clean A Carburetor On A Push Lawnmower | How To Drain Gas From A Lawnmower

Since gasoline degrades over time, it’s possible that the reason your Toro mower engine won’t start up is because of the fuel in the tank. If the gas is older than 30 days, it has likely become stale and will not ignite to start the lawn mower. This may have occurred simply because you forgot to drain the gas before you stored the mower for the winter season.

If this is the case, you need to drain out the stale gas and replace it with fresh gas before you attempt to start it again. Remove the old gas into an approved container and take it to a designated recycling center for safe disposal. Generally, you can use a heavy-duty plastic container that has a screw cap for storing gas. However, make sure that you check with your local recycling center and ask them about their specific guidelines for disposal.

The fuel, spark and compression fault can all be tested at once. Do this by performing the “Gas Shot Test.”

Toro Recycler 22 mowers are fitted with Briggs & Stratton engines. They use two different choke system types in order to achieve the enriched cold start mix. If your mower is quite new, then you will have an auto choke rather than a control choke lever.

By performing a “Choke Test,” the goal is to verify if the choke systems are working correctly. As you may already be aware of, the correct procedure for starting a cold engine involves feeding it a little extra gas to enrich the air/fuel mixture. This allows for a smooth start to a cold engine.

If you have a manual Toro, then you will have a lever to control the choke. There is also an auto choke version. The auto version won’t have a choke lever but it operates in the same way.

As your engine heats, the choke plate should be open which means the choke is off. Some auto choke carburettors can give a hot start, which will lead to flooding issues.

Both the auto and manual versions of the choke plate create a fuel-rich condition. This is done by reducing the amount of air and increasing the amount of fuel supplied to the engine.

If everything seems fine at this point, you can remove the gas bowl and clean it.

While some mowers have a choke plate, others have what is called a “primer bulb.” This component is made out of rubber, sits atop your carburetor, and all you have to do is press it to start up your lawn mower. By pressing the primer bulb, fuel is squirted into your engine. In fact, this is notoriously one of the easiest ways to operate a lawn mower, as many users swear by it.

If you have a primer bulb on your Toro lawn mower, locate it and check for damage. It’s common for mice to chew away at these components. If you detect any problems, you replace the primer bulb easily by purchasing a replacement kit through Toro.

Depending on the particular Toro lawn mower you have, it may be equipped with an electric starter that operates on battery power. With these electric models, the battery must be charged at least twice a year – ideally the start and end of each mowing season. If you have a larger yard, a lot of grass, or just mow your lawn more often, you may need to charge the battery more often.

First, check that the battery is fully charged. This sounds obvious but is often overlooked as the reason why your mower may not be starting. If the battery is charged but still won’t start, look at the fuse. Even a fully charged battery cannot start your lawn mower if the fuse has worn out.

In order to get the best service from your Toro, you should be servicing it at least once per season. The best time to do so is in the spring. Additionally, if you are using a brand new mower, be sure to change the oil after the first 5 hours of use.

Performing a tune up is relatively simple and can be done by the owner. You just need to know the engine model code so that you can purchase the appropriate tune-up kit. Most engine motors are very common, so you shouldn’t have any issues with finding a tune-up kit that matches.

At this point, hopefully, you have figured out how to start your Toro Recycler 22. If after cleaning the bowl, your mower is still running roughly, you may need to remove and clean your carburetor fully.

While most manufacturers say that you can use e10 on your mower, they claim that e15 is not safe. The latter has 15% ethanol blend, whereas, the former is only 10%. Ethanol consists of a type of alcohol fuel that is constructed of corn, sugar, and various other plant materials. This alcohol as then blended with gasoline to produce ethanol fuel.

Those that advise against using ethanol assert that the alcohol content can cause damage to the carburetor’s rubber and plastic components. Additionally, both e15 and e85 burn much hotter than conventional gas. Since your mower is not designed to operate at these temperatures, it can be harmful to the system.

Using these types of fuels in your mower’s engine can not only damage your engine, but will also typically void your manufacturer’s warranty in the process. As far as Toro is concerned, they advise that you should use ethanol free gas with an 87-octane rating. Also, the max ethanol blend that they recommend is e10, methanol is strongly advised against, and a fuel stabilizer is suggested.

Using a stabilizer can keep your gas fresh for up to two years. It can be mixed with your gas and used year-round. Just a few drops is all it takes to help clean your fuel system and prevent it from gumming up.

Related Questions

Where do I buy Toro products?

At an authorized Service Dealer. To locate a dealer near you, you can use Toro’s dealer locator online at www.toro.com/dealer or call Toro directly at 866-946-3119.

Where do I find the model and serial number?

The model and serial number location will be listed in your Owner’s Manual. 

Why do I get noise from my transmission?

The noise is actually not from your transmission. It is actually coming from the belt tapping the deck. This is a normal noise part of normal mower operation.

Why won’t my Toro lawn mower start after tilting?

If you’ve tried tilting and your lawn mower still won’t even attempt to start, try removing the air filter. It may be saturated in fuel. If so, replace it. Also, make sure that you are tilting it the right way. Lawn mowers should always be tilted with the carburetor side facing up. This helps to prevent oil and fuel from spilling out into the air filter.

How do you start a Toro Recycler 22?

The procedure for starting your Toro Recycler 22 will depend on the type of engine you have: electric-powered or gasoline-powered. If it’s powered by electricity, simply turn the key to start up the mower’s engine. It your mower is gas-powered, pull on the starter handle until you start to feel a bit of resistance. Then, give it a sharp pull with force to start.