Lawn Mower Is Starting, But Then Dies—Here Are 5 Causes and Solutions

Common mower issues, solved

To some, mowing the lawn is a time of relaxation and peace. But, if your lawn mower starts and then dies, peace and tranquility are quickly turned into frustration and annoyance.

Stalling lawn mowers is a common occurrence amongst homeowners that has a variety of possible sources, including a dirty carburetor, clogged. blades, or a worn-out spark plug.

Regardless of the issue, no one wants to be in the middle of cutting the lawn into your favorite mowing pattern just to deal with the machine cutting off all of a sudden.

Here are 5 reasons why your lawn mower starts then dies, plus how to fix it for your enjoyable and uninterrupted yard trimmings.

The Carburetor Is Dirty

Attached to your mower's engine, the carburetor is an important piece for the function of your grass-cutting machine. It's what controls the power of your lawn mower by regulating the air and fuel mixture for proper combustion and speed.

It's also one of the most common reasons why lawn mowers start to quickly die. When the carburetor becomes dirty or clogged, it cannot balance the air and fuel properly, which causes your engine not to start and not cut grass.

You might hear the mower turn on for a few seconds, but a dirty or clogged carburetor cannot keep a mower powered for long.

How to Fix It

Troubleshooting this error requires cleaning the carburetor. You will need a pair of safety gloves for this solution since you'll have to dig inside the mower to unscrew the carburetor.

1. Most carburetors are underneath the air filter, which may require the help of a screwdriver to remove.

2. Take out the air filter (inspecting it for cleaning or clogs).

3. Then, spray a carburetor cleaner into the hole before taking an air-compressed can to blow into the jets after letting the cleaner sit for at least five minutes.

4. You can also remove the carburetor from the lawn mower to clean and remove clogs from the inner parts if the part needs a deeper clean.

The Spark Plug Is Worn Out

Your lawn mower's spark plug is responsible for igniting the combustion of fuel and air responsible for powering the engine and keeping it running. Overtime, this piece of equipment can become dirty or worn out and may play a role in why your mower is dying as soon as it's turned on.

How to Fix It

If this is the cause for your power dying, you either need to clean the spark plug or replace it entirely. The basic rule of thumb to follow for replacing the spark plug is getting a new one every one to two years.

1. See if there's a carbon build-up to eliminate cleaning being the factor. This build-up will look like a grey or black coating on the part.

2. Make sure to disconnect the spark plug it from the engine before removing it completely with a spark plug socket.

3. Cleaning the spark plug works the same as a carburetor. Spray a plug cleaner on the part before cleaning with a wire brush then replacing back on the engine.

4. If your lawn mower still has a hard time staying on when the spark plug is clean, try replacing the part entirely.

The Fuel Is Old or Blocked

Just because your mower has gas in the tank doesn't mean it's good gas. Sometimes, old fuel can cause a blockage that keeps your mower from staying power. Old fuel can become stale, or maybe it's been in the tank so long that it evaporates into a gummy residue, which forms a clog.

How to Fix It

This solution is the easiest: simply drain the tank and refill it with fresh gas. You can identify this cause by either smelling or looking at the gas. If your gas smells sour or has a dark and cloudy appearance, it's old and should be drained.

Your Mower Blades are Clogged

If your lawn mower starts then dies, clogged mower blades could be the culprit. Not every problem is internal, and this is a common issue for mowers not staying powered for long.

Have you mowed in the wet grass recently or cut extremely tall clippings? These could be factors that have caused your blades to clog. When this happens, your mower tends to stall and then die, making it harder for the engine to run.

How to Fix It

A little mower maintenance and smart mowing do the trick for this issue. Ensure your mower is turned off before inspecting the blades for clogs or stuck-on clippings.

While inspecting (and removing) clogs, this is the perfect time to note the sharpness of your blades. Dull blades could indicate your mower not cutting the grass efficiently, which also leads to clogs.

If your blades are dull, it's best to either sharpen them or replace them entirely to prevent future clogs.

Wear Protective Gloves

Always be extremely careful when removing grass, sticks, and twigs from mower blades. Remember to wear protective gloves and use gentle force to keep yourself safe.

It's Time for a Replacement

Tried all of these troubleshooting tips just for your lawn mower to still start and die? Sounds like it's time for a completely brand new mower.

The average lawn mower for residential properties has a lifespan of 5 to 8 years, though it's possible to squeeze out more if you maintain it properly. Regular lawn mower maintenance of changing the oil, cleaning out the air filter, replacing the spark plug are all excellent practices to get in the habit of to keep your mower in tip-top shape.

If you still have a mower that requires consistent fuel changing, we highly recommend browsing battery-powered mowers for your next pick. These mowers don't require fuel changing and eliminates the worry of your fuel going bad.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my lawn mower only run for a few seconds and then dies?

There are several reasons why your lawn mower starts then dies. It could be from old fuel, a dirty carburetor, worn out spark plug, or reached the end of its life.

How do you clean a carburetor on a lawn mower without removing it?

To clean a lawn mower carburetor without removing it, first make sure the engine is off and then remove the air filter. Then, spray a carburetor cleaner into the hole.

Read the original article on The Spruce.