Lawnmower won't start; now what do I do?

[Nuje]

Well, took off the flywheel (first time I'm used my 3/4" drive socket set and my 3.5" open-end wrench (to hold the flywheel)), found what the "key" thing must be (broken, as predicted), and replaced it with the shaft of a nail for now, to see if this might be fix things. (Very little confidence in this, mind you.)

Before even putting things completely back together, I gave the cord a light pull (yes, the spark plug had been disconnected, so I reconnected before the pull). Fired up beautifully!!

I got rid of that stupid starter thing hoping that it would still start up and run. And it did!! The downside, now there's no "off" switch (there was never any throttle control or anything like that). The engine would stop before by releasing the safety lever which would use the engine momentum to wind the spring to stall the engine.

Any ideas for a kill button, apart from my current solution (pulling the spark plug wire)?

[57]

My LawnBoy wouldn't stop for a few months - the stop switch was either loose or had a broken wire, can't remember - during that time I also pulled the spark plug wire. Watch out for shocks when doing so. Wear gloves.

[ScaryBob]

Small single piston engines can be stopped by shorting the spark plug cap. I've even seen small engines that had a device to stop the engine this way. A piece of stranded wire attached to the engine block will suffice. If the spark plug cap has an insulator, you may need to remove it.

[stampeder]

Is there a flexible fuel line that you can pinch to cut off the gas supply? That's a heck of a lot safer than risking a big jolt from the spark plug wire. If its too hard to get at you could replace it with a longer hose for pinching, and you could even install a simple valve in that line to act as a safety switch.

[Jake]

Any ideas for a kill button

Screwdriver. Touch the metal part of the plug wire to another piece of metal on the engine. I can't comment on how good this is for your plug. I just know it works.

[Nuje]

I'm guessing this is the same as "shorting out the spark plug" as mentioned above (?).

thanks for the suggestion - easier and less jolting, I think, than fingers on the plug.

[WestCDA]

After many, many years of suffering through various types and displacements of Briggs and Stratton engines, I discovered the secret to reliable starting. I bought a Honda lawnmower.

Easy one tug starts (year after year) smooth and quiet, best investment in lawn equipment I ever made.

[hugh]

I bought a Toro. I get it serviced every two years (tune-up, blade sharpening etc) and haven't had an ounce of problems in six years.

[ScaryBob]

I forgot about the screwdriver trick.

[Tray]

I have a Yardman push mover, 2 years old. I had the same problem on first restart of the season. I first loaded with new gas, I had run it down but not out last fall. I checked for spark, that was ok. I also confirmed the plug was wet with gas so I know it was reaching the chamber, but could not get it to start, so I read this tread.
I tipped it up so the fuel tank was above everythiung else so that any possible air bubble might migrate out of the line, I removed the plug and sprayed the plug with WD40 and put it back, and I removed the air filter, about 6 pulls in it sarted right up.
Thx again

[byebye_cable]

Tell me of a better forum if you know one

My neighbour borrowed my 70's LawnBoy & put gas in it. Apparently it started making a funny noise, then shut off & smoked for 2 hours.

It still turns over, but doesn't start - any advice?

[57]

Put some appropriate fuel in it. Check the spark plug, any wiring for "burns/burnt through, etc" and anything else you can "look at" to see if things look OK. You might be able to look into the cylinder when the plug is out...

Since it turns over, perhaps it wasn't too seized from the lack of oil. Good Luck.

I merged your post into this existing thread - perhaps check out some of the earlier posts for additional info.

[stampeder]

One thing to do prior to 57's tips: definitely change the oil first in case it went metal-to-metal inside. You don't want shavings getting circulated further!

[57]

change the oil first

Can't, this is a 2-stroke, hence the problem, but you could take the engine apart if you're mechanically inclined. I had a Lawn-Boy from the 1960s and it was still working when I gave it to charity in the 90s.

[stampeder]

Dagnabbit, missed that. If there's a drain hole it sure would be good to empty the case.