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I am 13 and am mowing lawns in my neighborhood to earn money this summer. But our mower is REALLY hard for me to get started. It is SO annoying!! My brother (he is 16) can get it started in like 3-5 pulls, but I sometimes pull the rope thingy 25 times -- and it still won't start!!!

When my brother is around he comes help start it and a couple times like a neighbor helped, but sometimes I get so frustrated! And our mom knows NOTHING about mowers....so my question to everybody is, are there any tips to starting it that would make it easier??? Thanks!!

Do u know how to take apart the mower? If you do take the top cover off, take coil off, sand down the magnets on the coil and the flywheel, then when u put the coil back on put a piece of sandpaper between coil and flywheel, put bolts in tighten them not too tight or you'll probably strip them, take sandpaper out put cover back on and try starting it.

I can ask my brother

That would make it easier to start. The coil thing and flywheel is got rust on them probably.

Ty putting a new spark plug in first before you tear apart your mower. If that doesn't help then sandpaper the coil and flywheel

My brother says that the spark plug was new last year but its kinda an old mower so its probably rusty.

Also my brother doesn't think the mower is hard to start, but he doesn't think I should be mowing! lol

Oh just try what I told u

MissMizz said:

I am 13 and am mowing lawns in my neighborhood to earn money this summer. But our mower is REALLY hard for me to get started. It is SO annoying!! My brother (he is 16) can get it started in like 3-5 pulls, but I sometimes pull the rope thingy 25 times -- and it still won't start!!!

When my brother is around he comes help start it and a couple times like a neighbor helped, but sometimes I get so frustrated! And our mom knows NOTHING about mowers....so my question to everybody is, are there any tips to starting it that would make it easier??? Thanks!!

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Just a couple of questions before this starting problem gets too involved.

#1) Are you following the starting procedure for that engine? If you don't have this information reply with the engine brand, type, code and serial number so someone here on the forum can help you with that.

#2) Is it easier to start after it is once started and warmed some?

If the answer to #2 is yes, when the engine is cold, try removing the air filter so the inlet of the carburetor is visible and putting a teaspoon ( measured ) , ( not just dumped, that looks about right ) directly in the carburetor throat opening. If it fires and attempts to start add another teaspoon and try again.

Be careful with gasoline and do this outdoors and never in a confined space. We would not like hearing MissMizz got burned.

It's an MTD. Here are the instructions
1. Push the primer (if equipped) three times. Wait about two seconds between each push. Do not prime to restart a warm engine.
2. Standing behind the mower, squeeze the blade control against upper handle.
3. Holding these two handles together firmly, grasp recoil starter handle and pull rope out with a rapid, continuous, full arm stroke. Keeping a firm grip on the starter handle, let the rope rewind slowly.Repeat until engine cranks. Let the rope rewind each time slowly.

Usually it's hardest the first time, but not always.

Thanks!!

The only thing like I said I can think of is the coil.

Change the spark plug and clean the air filter

QUOTE:

I am 13 and am mowing lawns in my neighborhood to earn money this summer. But our mower is REALLY hard for me to get started. It is SO annoying!! My brother (he is 16) can get it started in like 3-5 pulls, but I sometimes pull the rope thingy 25 times -- and it still won't start!!!

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So when your brother starts it he has very little trouble and I'm assuming it runs well after starting. 3-5 pulls to start cold is common. This isn't a Honda with the first pull guarantee.:biggrin:

This makes me think you possibly aren't getting the ( step 2 in starting instructions ) blade control pulled down against the handle far enough. Try temporarily clamping the blade control to the handle or it can be tied down tight with a rope and Clove Hitch Knot if you don't mind looking in a Boy Scout book or the more more modern way ( google ) and learning how to do that. It's a simple knot to tie, comes loose easily and you'll use it the remainder of your life once you learn how.

I always have the handle held down because my brother always says to make sure of that. (I always check the gas too.) A lot of times it comes close to starting but doesn't catch. Once it catches it runs ok unless it gets bogged down in grass. If it stops after getting bogged down it is really hard to start.

MissMizz said:

I always have the handle held down because my brother always says to make sure of that. (I always check the gas too.) A lot of times it comes close to starting but doesn't catch. Once it catches it runs ok unless it gets bogged down in grass. If it stops after getting bogged down it is really hard to start.

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When it comes close to starting but doesn't catch try pushing the primer bulb a couple more times.

I didn't know it was ok to do that. thx.

With a torn rotator cuff I kind of have the same problem with the push mower.

So I either start it over the driveway where the blades don't engage the grass or push down on the bar to lift the front wheels up when it's warmed up. For me it makes a big difference starting if the blades don't engage the tall grass...see if it helps for you.

ok, thanks I will try that

Yeah,I generally always tilt a push mower to lift the blades when I start them also. Besides getting it off grass it also helps lower the handle to a level where you can pull with more torque if it is mounted on the handlebar.
Also,there is no need 90% of the time to put a new plug in.
Unless the engine is running too lean the copper electrode won't corrode much with the low voltage ignition on these.
Just clean em off and sandpaper the electrode and ground strap,reset gap if needed. unless the tip looks melted or you see a crack in the ceremic part it's likely still good in my experience.

When you start the mower make sure its not on the grass. If its cold after you pump the primer tilt the lawn mower toward the spark plug.

If your carb is the type that attaches directly to the gas tank(auto choke) then. Take the air filter off and check to see if the choke is closed all the way. It could be a choke problem.