I had a lawnmower (a Murray) last 10 years and the next one lasted 2.
They do NOT make them well anymore. Try removing the carb and look for
the clogged needle. You should not have to push the primer bulb more
than 3-5x.

A can of carb cleaner is 2 bucks. Soak it overnight to remove deposits.
Never let the mower come to less than 1/4 tank of gas.

Check your oil level too... many mowers have a low-oil cutout switch
which won't let it start or run if the oil level is too low. But do not
overfill your oil either.


Betsy wrote:
It's not very old--2000. And the lawnmower he owns is 15 years old, and
started easily. There is a lot more initial resistance on the starter rope,
but give it a good pull and it engages the engine.

"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message
.. .

"Betsy" wrote in message

Oh, and by the way, he let me try to start his lawn mower. I had no
trouble. The rope gives a lot of resistance, but you can feel it
engaging the motor. I don't get that kind of feedback from mine.

Yet he insists there is nothing wrong with mine.

Does anybody have any ideas before I take it to another repair shop and
have to pay another $80? I am pretty strong, but unwilling to destroy my
arm yanking on this crank.

He said it is old, and he may be right. If you are not getting much
resistance, it could be because there is not enough compression, meaning
it is old, and worn. Add to that an old plug, weak magneto = no start.
could be a few other things also. Just how old is it? What engine?

Well, it seems like you are listening to the wrong people.

Starter spray might get your mower started, and then again, it may not.
It is certainly not a long term fix, and using it repeatedly can damage
your mower. Did you check the other things like the air filter, spark to
plug, bad gas? If you can't do those things, it's time to take it in for
service. If your engine starts with the starter spray, you can pretty much
rule out the spark plug and electronics, and concentrate on the fuel
quality and air filter.

Sherwin D.

Betsy wrote:

I'm not ignoring anyone. Thanks for any help you've offered. I bought a
can of starter spray last night, and next time I need to cut the grass, I'm
going to try it.

"sherwindu" wrote in message
...
Premium gas has nothing to do with her lawnmower. It is for high
compression
engines, which lawnmowers don't have. Don't waste you money on this. The
key issue is to get rid of any stale gas with fresh gas. Low octane gas
is good enough. I wonder
if Betsy is just ignoring my suggestions, or she missed my
comments?

Sherwin D.

benzette wrote:

Is it harder then before to pull start or is it just taking more pulls
to start it?

Maybe try premium gas. Let it run out of gas before putting in new
premium or drain the other gas out.

Thanks.

"sherwindu" wrote in message
...
Well, it seems like you are listening to the wrong people.

Starter spray might get your mower started, and then again, it may not.
It is certainly not a long term fix, and using it repeatedly can damage
your mower. Did you check the other things like the air filter, spark to
plug, bad gas? If you can't do those things, it's time to take it in for
service. If your engine starts with the starter spray, you can pretty
much
rule out the spark plug and electronics, and concentrate on the fuel
quality and air filter.

Sherwin D.

Betsy wrote:

I'm not ignoring anyone. Thanks for any help you've offered. I bought a
can of starter spray last night, and next time I need to cut the grass,
I'm
going to try it.

"sherwindu" wrote in message
...
Premium gas has nothing to do with her lawnmower. It is for high
compression
engines, which lawnmowers don't have. Don't waste you money on this.
The
key issue is to get rid of any stale gas with fresh gas. Low octane
gas
is good enough. I wonder
if Betsy is just ignoring my suggestions, or she missed my
comments?

Sherwin D.

benzette wrote:

Is it harder then before to pull start or is it just taking more pulls
to start it?

Maybe try premium gas. Let it run out of gas before putting in new
premium or drain the other gas out.

It could be, dirt in carb, bad/ misadjusted/weak ignition module,
pinched
spark plug wire, bent flyweel key, bad plug.
But it's impossible to tell from a usenet post.

These things are almost all cheap for parts to fix, but labour could
cost
$100 or more.

It would help to know if the motor is a briggs & stratton, tecumeth, or
some
other make, but I'm going to assume Briggs.

Offhand I'd check the spark plug wire is not pinched/cut in the
starter-flywheel shroud where it goes out to the spark plug since that
was
removed shortly before the problems began. (to change the pullcord)
Even an experienced person can do this easily if they aren't careful as
there is only a slight bend in one spot for the wire to pass through
without
being damaged

If you can get the mower into the dark, try to start it and watch to see
if
little faint blue sparks may be going right through the wire to the
engine
case

Depending on the mower this wire can be part of the coil assembly, or
replaceable separately.
And sometimes just a bit of black electrical tape/shrinkwrap over the
wire
can get you going again.

A broken ignition wire is highly unlikely, but not impossible. I would
do a more
positive test of taking the plug out of the mower, but leaving it
connected to it's
lead wire. Then set the body of the plug next to a large metal surface
of the mower.
Pulling the starter cord should then produce a healthy spark at the
plug. If it doesn't,
she has an ignition problem such as a bad plug, ignition coil, etc.



But as already said, this is just an internet guess.

AMUN

The whole part of the gas was in passing, but not even an issue here.


Since the OP never did say what make the engine is, all of us are guessing

But as the original post said the lawnmower never had any problems.

Then the rope broke and was replaced.

Then it ran good for a while, then later acted up

On newer Briggs motors you have to pull the whole flyweel cover/shroud off
the get to the rope.
If you look at the spark plug wire it comes off the coil, and just sits in
one little bend between the flywheel shroud and the block.

When putting the cover back if the wire is in the wrong spot it gets
pinched.

And may not cut through right away but the mower vibration finishes it off.
A bit of moisture, and no spark

Then the spark may jump to the block rather than going to the plug.
if only the odd weak spark makes it to the plug, it will be hard to start,
but may still fire up if pulled fast enough

It's only a guess, but it would cause all the symptoms that were described


AMUN

That sounds pretty plausible. It is a B&S engine, & I did basically have to
take it apart to replace the starter rope. I guess I need to take it apart
again to see if I pinched something?

"Amun" wrote in message
. ..
It could be, dirt in carb, bad/ misadjusted/weak ignition module,
pinched
spark plug wire, bent flyweel key, bad plug.
But it's impossible to tell from a usenet post.

These things are almost all cheap for parts to fix, but labour could
cost
$100 or more.

It would help to know if the motor is a briggs & stratton, tecumeth, or
some
other make, but I'm going to assume Briggs.

Offhand I'd check the spark plug wire is not pinched/cut in the
starter-flywheel shroud where it goes out to the spark plug since that
was
removed shortly before the problems began. (to change the pullcord)
Even an experienced person can do this easily if they aren't careful as
there is only a slight bend in one spot for the wire to pass through
without
being damaged

If you can get the mower into the dark, try to start it and watch to
see
if
little faint blue sparks may be going right through the wire to the
engine
case

Depending on the mower this wire can be part of the coil assembly, or
replaceable separately.
And sometimes just a bit of black electrical tape/shrinkwrap over the
wire
can get you going again.

A broken ignition wire is highly unlikely, but not impossible. I
would
do a more
positive test of taking the plug out of the mower, but leaving it
connected to it's
lead wire. Then set the body of the plug next to a large metal
surface
of the mower.
Pulling the starter cord should then produce a healthy spark at the
plug. If it doesn't,
she has an ignition problem such as a bad plug, ignition coil, etc.



But as already said, this is just an internet guess.

AMUN

The whole part of the gas was in passing, but not even an issue here.


Since the OP never did say what make the engine is, all of us are guessing

But as the original post said the lawnmower never had any problems.

Then the rope broke and was replaced.

Then it ran good for a while, then later acted up

On newer Briggs motors you have to pull the whole flyweel cover/shroud off
the get to the rope.
If you look at the spark plug wire it comes off the coil, and just sits in
one little bend between the flywheel shroud and the block.

When putting the cover back if the wire is in the wrong spot it gets
pinched.

And may not cut through right away but the mower vibration finishes it
off.
A bit of moisture, and no spark

Then the spark may jump to the block rather than going to the plug.
if only the odd weak spark makes it to the plug, it will be hard to start,
but may still fire up if pulled fast enough

It's only a guess, but it would cause all the symptoms that were described


AMUN

No need to take anything apart yet.

Look at where the spark plug wire goes back to the engine.

There is a very small "outward bend" in the flywheel shroud where the wire
should pass through.

If the wire is not there, pull off the cover and check the wire for ANY
possible damage.


AMUN



"Betsy" wrote in message
...
That sounds pretty plausible. It is a B&S engine, & I did basically have
to
take it apart to replace the starter rope. I guess I need to take it
apart
again to see if I pinched something?

"Amun" wrote in message
. ..
It could be, dirt in carb, bad/ misadjusted/weak ignition module,
pinched
spark plug wire, bent flyweel key, bad plug.
But it's impossible to tell from a usenet post.

These things are almost all cheap for parts to fix, but labour could
cost
$100 or more.

It would help to know if the motor is a briggs & stratton, tecumeth,
or
some
other make, but I'm going to assume Briggs.

Offhand I'd check the spark plug wire is not pinched/cut in the
starter-flywheel shroud where it goes out to the spark plug since
that
was
removed shortly before the problems began. (to change the pullcord)
Even an experienced person can do this easily if they aren't careful
as
there is only a slight bend in one spot for the wire to pass through
without
being damaged

If you can get the mower into the dark, try to start it and watch to
see
if
little faint blue sparks may be going right through the wire to the
engine
case

Depending on the mower this wire can be part of the coil assembly, or
replaceable separately.
And sometimes just a bit of black electrical tape/shrinkwrap over the
wire
can get you going again.

A broken ignition wire is highly unlikely, but not impossible. I
would
do a more
positive test of taking the plug out of the mower, but leaving it
connected to it's
lead wire. Then set the body of the plug next to a large metal
surface
of the mower.
Pulling the starter cord should then produce a healthy spark at the
plug. If it doesn't,
she has an ignition problem such as a bad plug, ignition coil, etc.



But as already said, this is just an internet guess.

AMUN

The whole part of the gas was in passing, but not even an issue here.


Since the OP never did say what make the engine is, all of us are
guessing

But as the original post said the lawnmower never had any problems.

Then the rope broke and was replaced.

Then it ran good for a while, then later acted up

On newer Briggs motors you have to pull the whole flyweel cover/shroud
off
the get to the rope.
If you look at the spark plug wire it comes off the coil, and just sits
in
one little bend between the flywheel shroud and the block.

When putting the cover back if the wire is in the wrong spot it gets
pinched.

And may not cut through right away but the mower vibration finishes it
off.
A bit of moisture, and no spark

Then the spark may jump to the block rather than going to the plug.
if only the odd weak spark makes it to the plug, it will be hard to
start,
but may still fire up if pulled fast enough

It's only a guess, but it would cause all the symptoms that were
described


AMUN

On Wed, 07 Sep 2005 23:56:42 -0500, sherwindu
wrote:

Well, it seems like you are listening to the wrong people.

Starter spray might get your mower started, and then again, it may not.
It is certainly not a long term fix, and using it repeatedly can damage
your mower. Did you check the other things like the air filter, spark to
plug, bad gas? If you can't do those things, it's time to take it in for
service. If your engine starts with the starter spray, you can pretty much
rule out the spark plug and electronics, and concentrate on the fuel
quality and air filter.

Sherwin D.



From what she describes the engine is tired and none of the current
push mower engines are worth the cost of a rebuild. Even on the off
chance that you are right that starting fluid will eventually cause a
problem it will have worn completely out long before the starting
fluid gets it

Steve B.

YOU NEED A NEW MOWER. DON'T BE SUCH A CHEAP ****--BUY A NEW ONE AND BE DONE
WITH IT.

STOP WHINING.


"Betsy" wrote in message
...
Thanks.

"sherwindu" wrote in message
...
Well, it seems like you are listening to the wrong people.

Starter spray might get your mower started, and then again, it may not.
It is certainly not a long term fix, and using it repeatedly can damage
your mower. Did you check the other things like the air filter, spark to
plug, bad gas? If you can't do those things, it's time to take it in
for
service. If your engine starts with the starter spray, you can pretty
much
rule out the spark plug and electronics, and concentrate on the fuel
quality and air filter.

Sherwin D.

Betsy wrote:

I'm not ignoring anyone. Thanks for any help you've offered. I bought
a
can of starter spray last night, and next time I need to cut the grass,
I'm
going to try it.

"sherwindu" wrote in message
...
Premium gas has nothing to do with her lawnmower. It is for high
compression
engines, which lawnmowers don't have. Don't waste you money on this.
The
key issue is to get rid of any stale gas with fresh gas. Low octane
gas
is good enough. I wonder
if Betsy is just ignoring my suggestions, or she missed my
comments?

Sherwin D.

benzette wrote:

Is it harder then before to pull start or is it just taking more
pulls
to start it?

Maybe try premium gas. Let it run out of gas before putting in new
premium or drain the other gas out.

Next time you take it in, try starting it in front of the super tech to show
how you can't start it. Is there a choke on it? If so, try choking it for
a couple of cranks and then crank with no or half choke.

"Betsy" wrote in message
...
Thanks.

"sherwindu" wrote in message
...
Well, it seems like you are listening to the wrong people.

Starter spray might get your mower started, and then again, it may not.
It is certainly not a long term fix, and using it repeatedly can damage
your mower. Did you check the other things like the air filter, spark
to
plug, bad gas? If you can't do those things, it's time to take it in
for
service. If your engine starts with the starter spray, you can pretty
much
rule out the spark plug and electronics, and concentrate on the fuel
quality and air filter.

Sherwin D.

Betsy wrote:

I'm not ignoring anyone. Thanks for any help you've offered. I bought
a
can of starter spray last night, and next time I need to cut the grass,
I'm
going to try it.

"sherwindu" wrote in message
...
Premium gas has nothing to do with her lawnmower. It is for high
compression
engines, which lawnmowers don't have. Don't waste you money on this.
The
key issue is to get rid of any stale gas with fresh gas. Low octane
gas
is good enough. I wonder
if Betsy is just ignoring my suggestions, or she missed my
comments?

Sherwin D.

benzette wrote:

Is it harder then before to pull start or is it just taking more
pulls
to start it?

Maybe try premium gas. Let it run out of gas before putting in new
premium or drain the other gas out.

Oh, believe me, I already did that. After many pulls I did get it started
by pushing it away from me as I yanked. My arm still hurts. I don't think
I'd have been able to start it at all if he hadn't already gotten it
started. And as soon as I got it home it wouldn't cooperate again--took
almost 30 pulls to get it started. Like I said, my arm still hurts.

"Douglas F." wrote in message
news:1126239814.e2ec308bacd28887f1941b04357868f0@t eranews...
Next time you take it in, try starting it in front of the super tech to
show
how you can't start it. Is there a choke on it? If so, try choking it
for
a couple of cranks and then crank with no or half choke.

"Betsy" wrote in message
...
Thanks.

"sherwindu" wrote in message
...
Well, it seems like you are listening to the wrong people.

Starter spray might get your mower started, and then again, it may not.
It is certainly not a long term fix, and using it repeatedly can damage
your mower. Did you check the other things like the air filter, spark
to
plug, bad gas? If you can't do those things, it's time to take it in
for
service. If your engine starts with the starter spray, you can pretty
much
rule out the spark plug and electronics, and concentrate on the fuel
quality and air filter.

Sherwin D.

Betsy wrote:

I'm not ignoring anyone. Thanks for any help you've offered. I
bought
a
can of starter spray last night, and next time I need to cut the
grass,
I'm
going to try it.

"sherwindu" wrote in message
...
Premium gas has nothing to do with her lawnmower. It is for high
compression
engines, which lawnmowers don't have. Don't waste you money on
this.
The
key issue is to get rid of any stale gas with fresh gas. Low octane
gas
is good enough. I wonder
if Betsy is just ignoring my suggestions, or she missed my
comments?

Sherwin D.

benzette wrote:

Is it harder then before to pull start or is it just taking more
pulls
to start it?

Maybe try premium gas. Let it run out of gas before putting in new
premium or drain the other gas out.

"Betsy" wrote in
:

Oh, believe me, I already did that. After many pulls I did get it
started by pushing it away from me as I yanked. My arm still hurts.
I don't think I'd have been able to start it at all if he hadn't
already gotten it started. And as soon as I got it home it wouldn't
cooperate again--took almost 30 pulls to get it started. Like I said,
my arm still hurts.

http://snltranscripts.jt.org/89/89lhansfranz.phtml

"Betsy" wrote in message
...
Thanks. It has a primer bulb. I push it about 10 times (at his
suggestion). I used to only have to push it 3 times. It smells gassy
when
I pull it and it doesn't start. I have wondered if I flooded it, so have
come back and tried to start it without pushing the bulb. No dice.

He maintains the plug is fine. I witnessed him start it several times
today. He has no problem. But he is a lot stronger than me. But I used
to
have no problem with it, either. I just don't get it.

"Jeff Wisnia" wrote in message
...
Betsy wrote:
My lawnmower has been on the fritz all summer. It started cutting out
when it was running. I took it to the local neighborhood guy (he has a
landscaping business & fixes mowers on the side) and he "tuned it up"
and
etc. and it ran fine. For awhile.

Then the pull rope broke. I replaced it. It ran fine.

Then a couple weeks later it became difficult to start. As in 15-20
pulls and a shoulder almost out of joint trying. And when it was
turned
off it wouldn't start again.

I took it back. He said it was the starter, and replaced it. Cost $80
for that and a wheel lock which was broken.

I took it home. I couldn't start it. I took it back. He said it was
fine--he could start it on the third pull. Sometimes the first.

Meantime I'd borrowed my neighbor's mower which was indeed possible for
me to start on the first pull. In fact, I often didn't even have to
pull
the rope out all the way.

I still can't start mine and am at my wits end. I think he doesn't
know
how to fix it, and doesn't see the problem. He says "its old" and like
old things & people is now more difficult to start. I can't agree.

Oh, and by the way, he let me try to start his lawn mower. I had no
trouble. The rope gives a lot of resistance, but you can feel it
engaging the motor. I don't get that kind of feedback from mine.

Yet he insists there is nothing wrong with mine.

Does anybody have any ideas before I take it to another repair shop and
have to pay another $80? I am pretty strong, but unwilling to destroy
my
arm yanking on this crank.



When was the last time you replaced the spark plug? Maybe it's time to
do
so again.

Does it smell "gassy" when you pull it over and it doesn't start? If it
doesn't by the third or fourth pull then if it has a choke, that isn't
working, or if it doesn't have one but uses a primer bulb you press two
or
three times, that isn't doing it's thing.

Try buying a spray can of automobile "starter fluid" and spray some into
the air cleaner, then try and start it. If it fires right up, then you
have a choke or primer problem.

Let us know what works and doesn't,

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia

(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)

"Truth exists; only falsehood has to be invented."



Am new to the newgroup, so that's why the tardiness for a reply.

If the engine is flooded, remove the spark plug and air filter. (if the
engine valves are in the wrong position, the fuel can't dissipate in the
engine) Walk away for about a half hour. Reassemble. Give it a few
cranks. If doesn't start, prime per manufacturer's recommendations.

A new spark plug is always the first step with starting problems. Always
keep a new one in the garage. If your lawn is a bit dusty, maybe the air
filter is the culprit. Clean and oil the filter. Don't use old gas, over a
month old including what's in the lawnmower's tank from the last mowing. If
you've had a lot of rain and heavy morning fog and dew, could be water in
the gas tank from condensation. Check the refill gas container for water
droplets. Remove and dump the contents of the gas tank. Wash it out with a
few ounces of charcoal lighter fluid. Let it dry for a day. Use a spray
drying agent to assure its dry. Reassemble and fill the tank with new,
uncontaminated gas.

On Tue, 13 Sep 2005 12:05:42 GMT, "Lil' Dave"
wrote:

Am new to the newgroup



Which explains the cross posting, and excessively long un trimmed
quotes....



Acts of creation are ordinarily reserved for gods and poets. To plant a pine, one need only own a shovel.
-- Aldo Leopold

Thanks, Dave. Much appreciated.

"Lil' Dave" wrote in message
link.net...
"Betsy" wrote in message
...
Thanks. It has a primer bulb. I push it about 10 times (at his
suggestion). I used to only have to push it 3 times. It smells gassy
when
I pull it and it doesn't start. I have wondered if I flooded it, so have
come back and tried to start it without pushing the bulb. No dice.

He maintains the plug is fine. I witnessed him start it several times
today. He has no problem. But he is a lot stronger than me. But I used
to
have no problem with it, either. I just don't get it.

"Jeff Wisnia" wrote in message
...
Betsy wrote:
My lawnmower has been on the fritz all summer. It started cutting out
when it was running. I took it to the local neighborhood guy (he has
a
landscaping business & fixes mowers on the side) and he "tuned it up"
and
etc. and it ran fine. For awhile.

Then the pull rope broke. I replaced it. It ran fine.

Then a couple weeks later it became difficult to start. As in 15-20
pulls and a shoulder almost out of joint trying. And when it was
turned
off it wouldn't start again.

I took it back. He said it was the starter, and replaced it. Cost
$80
for that and a wheel lock which was broken.

I took it home. I couldn't start it. I took it back. He said it was
fine--he could start it on the third pull. Sometimes the first.

Meantime I'd borrowed my neighbor's mower which was indeed possible
for
me to start on the first pull. In fact, I often didn't even have to
pull
the rope out all the way.

I still can't start mine and am at my wits end. I think he doesn't
know
how to fix it, and doesn't see the problem. He says "its old" and
like
old things & people is now more difficult to start. I can't agree.

Oh, and by the way, he let me try to start his lawn mower. I had no
trouble. The rope gives a lot of resistance, but you can feel it
engaging the motor. I don't get that kind of feedback from mine.

Yet he insists there is nothing wrong with mine.

Does anybody have any ideas before I take it to another repair shop
and
have to pay another $80? I am pretty strong, but unwilling to destroy
my
arm yanking on this crank.



When was the last time you replaced the spark plug? Maybe it's time to
do
so again.

Does it smell "gassy" when you pull it over and it doesn't start? If it
doesn't by the third or fourth pull then if it has a choke, that isn't
working, or if it doesn't have one but uses a primer bulb you press two
or
three times, that isn't doing it's thing.

Try buying a spray can of automobile "starter fluid" and spray some
into
the air cleaner, then try and start it. If it fires right up, then you
have a choke or primer problem.

Let us know what works and doesn't,

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia

(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)

"Truth exists; only falsehood has to be invented."



Am new to the newgroup, so that's why the tardiness for a reply.

If the engine is flooded, remove the spark plug and air filter. (if the
engine valves are in the wrong position, the fuel can't dissipate in the
engine) Walk away for about a half hour. Reassemble. Give it a few
cranks. If doesn't start, prime per manufacturer's recommendations.

A new spark plug is always the first step with starting problems. Always
keep a new one in the garage. If your lawn is a bit dusty, maybe the air
filter is the culprit. Clean and oil the filter. Don't use old gas, over
a
month old including what's in the lawnmower's tank from the last mowing.
If
you've had a lot of rain and heavy morning fog and dew, could be water in
the gas tank from condensation. Check the refill gas container for water
droplets. Remove and dump the contents of the gas tank. Wash it out with
a
few ounces of charcoal lighter fluid. Let it dry for a day. Use a spray
drying agent to assure its dry. Reassemble and fill the tank with new,
uncontaminated gas.