Category: Push and Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Repair

Lawn Mower Repair Tips, Push and Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Repair

Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Requires Many Pulls to Start

You should only have to pull 1 or 2 times to start your self-propelled lawn mower if everything is working properly with the engine. Any more than that and you need a tune-up to get that engine running the way it should.

Time and use take a toll on our small engines and the fuel we use today doesn’t do them any favors either. The ethanol that is added to the fuel wreaks havoc on the carburetors and makes them hard to start.

Most self-propelled lawn mowers never receive the maintenance that is required of them until they break down. Maintenance is things like adjusting the intake and exhaust valves, changing the spark plug and air filter. It is keeping good clean fuel in the fuel tank and changing the fuel filter if it has one. It is also cleaning the deck and making sure the top of the deck is clean as well.

A diagnostic will need to be performed to determine why it takes a long time to start your lawn mower. First check the easy stuff like the fuel quality and the spark plug and air filter. If those items are fine, consult with a local self-propelled lawn mower mechanic by visiting our Locations page.

Lawn Mower Repair Tips, Push and Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Repair, Riding Lawn Mower Repair, Zero Turn Lawn Mower Repair

Lawn Mower Repair Shop Near Me

Are you in need of a lawn mower repair service or shop to work on or fix your lawn mower? When your lawn mower is broken or needs it’s spring service, a good repair shop is what you need to get it repaired or ready for spring.

Your lawn mower works hard for many months of the year and it needs to be in great shape to perform its job. A spring tune-up and a fall storage service is a good idea as well to keep your engine and mower running well all season long.

Our national lawn mower repair shop listing will help you locate a lawn mower repair shop near me and get your mower up and running soon.

Visit our Locations page and check your state and city listings for a lawn mower shop near you.

Fighting a bad running or cutting lawn mower is a pain and when yours is in good shape, it takes the hassle out of your lawn cutting. You don’t have to deal with that and a good lawn mower repair shop can take care of all that for you.

Lawn Mower Repair Tips, Push and Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Repair

How To Choose A Good Used Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

Your lawn mower just bit the dust or you are buying your first one and don’t want to plunk down $400 for a new one. Yes, I can understand that when you can buy a perfectly good used one for pennies on the dollar.

So many people toss out their newer self-propelled lawn mower just because it is hard to start or won’t start. Those I would steer clear of unless you have some mechanical ability and it doesn’t look like it will cost much to repair the mower.

What you want is a lawn mower that starts easily, doesn’t have a deck full of grass clippings on the bottom or top and looks like it has been reasonably cared for.

My personal preference is a Honda self-propelled lawn mower. But my second choice would be one with a Honda engine on it such as a Husqvarna. Honda by far makes the best engines and the engine is normally the part of the lawn mower that develops a problem. Yes, Honda engines can have problems but they are normally caused by bad fuel or lack of maintenance.

Before you buy the lawn mower, look under the deck to be sure that the blade does not have any large nicks in it or is bent.

Pull the oil dipstick and see if it is low or shows no oil. Both of those could be a red flag. Do not start the mower in that condition. Is the oil pitch black or is it more clean looking? Pitch black means it is past due for a change.

Open the air filter cover and see if it is clogged with grass and debris. Close it back up and check for any fuel or oil leaks and damage. Are the wheels just about out of tread?

Start the mower and put it on a hard surface like a driveway. Just be sure there are no rocks on the driveway or other debris. With the lawn mower running, does it vibrate excessively? If so, that is a sign of a bent crankshaft.

If all that checks out and the mower shuts down properly when you release the safety bail, then you most likely have a good mower that will serve you well for years.

Lawn Mower Repair Tips, Push and Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Repair, Riding Lawn Mower Repair, Zero Turn Lawn Mower Repair

Lawn Mower Repair Service Near Me

Are you looking for a local shop to repair your push, self-propelled, riding or zero turn lawn mower?

Visit our Locations page for a shop near you.

Small engine repair shops have been getting harder to find as the older mechanics have been retiring over the years. There are some larger shops but their wait times are often in terms of weeks rather than days.

Our referral site has a lot of smaller shops that can help resolve your small engine problems. The grass doesn’t stop growing just because your lawn mower is broken down, so speed is something that is important. Waiting weeks only means that you will have to borrow a lawn mower or just wait and have a jungle to try and cut when it is ready.

A good lawn mower repair shop takes pride in their work and wants to do a good quality repair. A local shop has their reputation on the line in their community.

Be sure to check for reviews when you are looking for a lawn mower repair shop near you. Check their Google reviews, Facebook and the Better Business Bureau to name a few. After checking the small engine repair business out, call them to see if they can resolve your problem and get a feel for them over the phone to see if they are a right fit for you.

Lawn Mower Repair Tips, Push and Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Repair

Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Pulls Slowly

Is your self-propelled lawn mower slowing down over time? Does it not pull up hills the way it used to? Does it take longer to cut your grass than it did?

As a self-propelled mower ages, the drive belt will begin to wear and the drive pulleys may wear as well. When this happens, it creates less friction and the drive system begins to slow down.

Eventually something has to give and the belt will either just stop making contact or it may break. The drive pulleys could also wear out to the point that they no longer grip. Then the entire drive system becomes inoperable and you are back to a push mower. And this becomes a very heavy push mower when you have to move it.

You bought a self-propelled lawn mower to help you power through the tall grass and hills in your yard, not to become a brick that you mow your lawn with!

Changing the drive belt can be easy or difficult task depending on the brand and model of self-propelled mower you have. If it looks beyond your capabilities, check out our Locations page for a self-propelled lawn mower repair shop near you.

Lawn Mower Repair Tips, Push and Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Repair, Riding Lawn Mower Repair, Zero Turn Lawn Mower Repair

My Lawn Mower Bogs Down in Thicker Grass

You care cruising along and cutting the grass when you hit a patch that is a little thicker than normal. All of a sudden the mower begins to bog down and may even die. You are now wondering why it does that?

If your lawn mower works well under normal conditions, it could be a mechanical, electrical or fuel problem. Each of these systems will need to be troubleshot to determine what the problem is. One by one is the best way to proceed.

Since you really cannot put a load on the engine unless you are cutting grass, let’s check some easy things first. Is the spark plug normal looking with a brownish appearance on the electrode? Is the fuel filter clogging up? Are the valves properly adjusted? Is one cylinder not getting spark or fuel?

Check each component to find out what exactly is causing the problem. Some things such as spark will require a spark tester to determine if the spark is good or not. The other items are a visual inspection to see if things are working as they should be.

If you find something wrong, adjust or change the component and retest to see what results you get to ensure that your lawn mower is not bogging down.

Should you need technical help with your lawn mower, check our Locations page for a lawn mower repair shop near you.

Lawn Mower Repair Tips, Push and Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Repair

Honda Self-Propelled Drive Wheels Will Not Turn

Is your mower becoming hard to push or turn? Does it not want to go in reverse when you pull it backwards? Is the speed slower than normal?

This is a problem that occurs in the rear wheel drive system. Over time dirt and debris builds up in the axle assembly and causes it to start to bind up. Then it can become extremely hard to move the mower and the wheels may even lock up completely.

This problem can be solved but it takes a good bit of disassembly to resolve it. Taking the drive system apart is one thing. Putting it back together is quite another. Honda self-propelled lawn mowers are a bit on the complicated side in their drive systems. A good schematic or mechanical knowledge is important to ensure that things go back in their proper order.

Try removing the drive wheels to ensure that the gears are not worn down and are making good contact with one another. See if the drive gear spins freely and locks up in one direction. If all this is good, the problem is deeper in the drive train.

If you need a professional Honda Lawn Mower Repair Technician, visit our Locations page for help.

Lawn Mower Repair Tips, Push and Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Repair, Riding Lawn Mower Repair, Uncategorized, Zero Turn Lawn Mower Repair

My Lawn Mower is Leaking Gas From The Air Filter

If any gas is leaking from your lawn mower, that is a safety hazard. The fumes can ignite from a hot exhaust  and cause a fire. When you have a gas leak, it is best to get it addressed by a lawn mower repair professional immediately.

Many times the cause of this leak is the needle and seat in the carburetor is not sealing. The weight of the gas from the tank is sitting on the needle which is the size of a sharpened pencil lead. If there is any buildup of oxidation on it, it will begin to leak. It could leak out slowly or it could come out gushing and empty the tank quickly.

Garage fires have been caused by leaking lawn mowers, so be careful about paying attention to the top of your mower on a push or self-propelled and on the floor if it is a rider or zero turn.

The carburetor will need to be disassembled and cleaned or replaced if the fuel oxidation is too bad.

If you need lawn mower repair, visit our Locations page for a shop near you.

Lawn Mower Repair Tips, Push and Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Repair

Honda Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Engine GCV190 Tune-up Kit

Are you ready to get your Honda lawn mower tuned up and ready for spring? Every year certain things must be completed to ensure your lawn mower runs its best and does a great job mowing your lawn.

The first order of business is to get the parts you will need to perform this critical tune-up.

You will want to change the following; the spark plug, air filter and oil. The blades will also need sharpened which can be done after the tune-up is complete.

For a GCV190 Honda Engine Spark Plug, you can find one here at this link; //ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=lawnmowerre02-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B005GK0LP8&asins=B005GK0LP8&linkId=eef1de2ac88d09dddd79dea6741f2e66&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=false&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff“>Spark Plug

For a GCV190 Honda Engine Air Filter,  you can find one here at this link; //ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=lawnmowerre02-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B005LOQKT0&asins=B005LOQKT0&linkId=de82bd0677ba38b9fdd9275ad15abbf7&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=false&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff“>Air Filter

For a GCV190 Honda Engine Oil,  you can find one here at this link; //ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=lawnmowerre02-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0089LSLJ4&asins=B0089LSLJ4&linkId=02c60ade60ed6cb92cd618f7db3d48c0&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=false&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff“>Honda Engine Oil

If you really want to make changing your engine oil much faster with no mess, I suggest that you purchase an Oil Extraction Machine. This will save you a lot of time and mess over the years of working on your small engines. This is the one that I use in my Small Engine Repair shop and I love it! You can find one here at this link; //ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=lawnmowerre02-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0002SR7TC&asins=B0002SR7TC&linkId=ac490354f1478d802922eb498498c137&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=false&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff“>Oil Extraction Machine

Once you have all your parts acquired, then you can warm up the engine for 5 minutes and change the oil. Then proceed with changing the spark plug and air filter. The rest of the maintenance is sharpening the blade, cleaning the deck and lubricating the cables and checking the drive system for problems.

The Honda Self-Propelled lawn mower is one of the best on the market and you make a great decision in buying a Honda!

Lawn Mower Repair Tips, Push and Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Repair

Honda Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Engine GCV160 Tune-up Kit

Are you ready to get your Honda lawn mower tuned up and ready for spring? Every year certain things must be completed to ensure your lawn mower runs its best and does a great job mowing your lawn.

The first order of business is to get the parts you will need to perform this critical tune-up.

You will want to change the following; the spark plug, air filter and oil. The blades will also need sharpened which can be done after the tune-up is complete.

For a GCV160 Honda Engine Spark Plug, you can find one here at this link; //ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=lawnmowerre02-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B005GK0LP8&asins=B005GK0LP8&linkId=eef1de2ac88d09dddd79dea6741f2e66&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=false&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff“>Spark Plug

For a GCV160 Honda Engine Air Filter,  you can find one here at this link; //ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=lawnmowerre02-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B005LOQKT0&asins=B005LOQKT0&linkId=de82bd0677ba38b9fdd9275ad15abbf7&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=false&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff“>Air Filter

For a GCV160 Honda Engine Oil,  you can find one here at this link; //ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=lawnmowerre02-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0089LSLJ4&asins=B0089LSLJ4&linkId=02c60ade60ed6cb92cd618f7db3d48c0&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=false&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff“>Honda Engine Oil

If you really want to make changing your engine oil much faster with no mess, I suggest that you purchase an Oil Extraction Machine. This will save you a lot of time and mess over the years of working on your small engines. This is the one that I use in my Small Engine Repair shop and I love it! You can find one here at this link; //ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=lawnmowerre02-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0002SR7TC&asins=B0002SR7TC&linkId=ac490354f1478d802922eb498498c137&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=false&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff“>Oil Extraction Machine

Once you have all your parts acquired, then you can warm up the engine for 5 minutes and change the oil. Then proceed with changing the spark plug and air filter. The rest of the maintenance is sharpening the blade, cleaning the deck and lubricating the cables and checking the drive system for problems.

The Honda Self-Propelled lawn mower is one of the best on the market and you make a great decision in buying a Honda!