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?

On Mon, 5 Sep 2005 17:22:12 -0400, "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.


From your description it sounds like the engine in your lawn mower is
worn. As the engine wears compression is reduced which causes you to
have to pull the rope harder or faster than you had to when the engine
was new. The only practical solution to this is to replace the motor.
It can be repaired but with parts and labor prices being what they are
it is often just cheaper to replace it.

Several have suggested that you use automotive starting fluid. This
is an excellent suggestion and will probably get you several more
years out of this mower. Just spray some starting fluid in the air
filter and pull the rope. Should start up like a charm.

Steve B.

I'll try it. Where do I get it--Pep boys, etc.? Is it called "automotive
starting fluid"? When you say "in the air filter" is that on the filter
itself, when removed (haven't done that yet) or in the housing when the
filter is removed, or where. Sounds very mystifying to me. Is there a web
page that might have a diagram?

Thanks.


"Steve B." wrote in message
...
On Mon, 5 Sep 2005 17:22:12 -0400, "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.


From your description it sounds like the engine in your lawn mower is
worn. As the engine wears compression is reduced which causes you to
have to pull the rope harder or faster than you had to when the engine
was new. The only practical solution to this is to replace the motor.
It can be repaired but with parts and labor prices being what they are
it is often just cheaper to replace it.

Several have suggested that you use automotive starting fluid. This
is an excellent suggestion and will probably get you several more
years out of this mower. Just spray some starting fluid in the air
filter and pull the rope. Should start up like a charm.

Steve B.

On Mon, 5 Sep 2005 17:59:59 -0400, "Betsy" wrote:

I'll try it. Where do I get it--Pep boys, etc.? Is it called "automotive
starting fluid"? When you say "in the air filter" is that on the filter
itself, when removed (haven't done that yet) or in the housing when the
filter is removed, or where. Sounds very mystifying to me. Is there a web
page that might have a diagram?

Thanks.



It is called "Starting Fluid" and is available in the auto department
of most any store that has an auto department. It is a typical spray
can and costs a couple of bucks.

You haven't told us what kind of mower you have (and it probably
wouldn't help much if you did) but you air filter has an opening
somewhere that it pulls the air in from. Spray wherever the air will
be sucked in. Not tooo much... just a coupe seconds.

I have an old mower myself that absolutely will not start without
starting fluid but starts on half a pull with it.

Steve B.

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?