Fixing an Abandoned, but New Mower
 

OK, the mower. The neighbor across the street moved and left his mower
with other neighbor across the street. It's a nice walk behind mower
with multiple walking speeds. Neighbor offered the mower to me while I
find the time to repair the broken drive belt on my old/current mower.
(Walk behind mowers are not meant to be pushed once the walk behind
function fails.)

OK, about the new, loaner mower. Neighbor 1 had a lawn service and
after buying a new mower and using it once or twice... it was retired
- several summers ago. And has spent several years in his shed. It
looks practically, brand new.

So, of course, it won't start, we put in fuel - of course. And I
pulled the starter. Nothing. Not a spark or a sputter. Plenty of oil.
Nice clean looking oil I might add. So, I replaced the spark plug and
pulled again. Nothing. Not a spark or a sputter.

So, what do I need to do to try and get this engine to turn over? If
the mower was stored with fuel, which has evaporated, how do I clean
out the evaporated, gummed up fuel. New fuel lines? New fuel filter?

I'm thinking that replacing the drive belt may be the easier fix....

Fixing an Abandoned, but New Mower
 

on 7/16/2009 10:04 AM (ET) Commish wrote the following:
OK, the mower. The neighbor across the street moved and left his mower
with other neighbor across the street. It's a nice walk behind mower
with multiple walking speeds. Neighbor offered the mower to me while I
find the time to repair the broken drive belt on my old/current mower.
(Walk behind mowers are not meant to be pushed once the walk behind
function fails.)

OK, about the new, loaner mower. Neighbor 1 had a lawn service and
after buying a new mower and using it once or twice... it was retired
- several summers ago. And has spent several years in his shed. It
looks practically, brand new.

So, of course, it won't start, we put in fuel - of course. And I
pulled the starter. Nothing. Not a spark or a sputter. Plenty of oil.
Nice clean looking oil I might add. So, I replaced the spark plug and
pulled again. Nothing. Not a spark or a sputter.

So, what do I need to do to try and get this engine to turn over? If
the mower was stored with fuel, which has evaporated, how do I clean
out the evaporated, gummed up fuel. New fuel lines? New fuel filter?

I'm thinking that replacing the drive belt may be the easier fix....


Try a spray of Starter Fluid in the air intake.

--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
To email, remove the double zeroes after @

Fixing an Abandoned, but New Mower
 

On Jul 16, 9:45*am, willshak wrote:
on 7/16/2009 10:04 AM (ET) Commish wrote the following:



OK, the mower. The neighbor across the street moved and left his mower
with other neighbor across the street. It's a nice walk behind mower
with multiple walking speeds. Neighbor offered the mower to me while I
find the time to repair the broken drive belt on my old/current mower.
(Walk behind mowers are not meant to be pushed once the walk behind
function fails.)

OK, about the new, loaner mower. Neighbor 1 had a lawn service and
after buying a new mower and using it once or twice... it was retired
- several summers ago. And has spent several years in his shed. It
looks practically, brand new.

So, of course, it won't start, we put in fuel - of course. And I
pulled the starter. Nothing. Not a spark or a sputter. Plenty of oil.
Nice clean looking oil I might add. So, I replaced the spark plug and
pulled again. Nothing. Not a spark or a sputter.

So, what do I need to do to try and get this engine to turn over? If
the mower was stored with fuel, which has evaporated, how do I clean
out the evaporated, gummed up fuel. New fuel lines? New fuel filter?

I'm thinking that replacing the drive belt may be the easier fix....

Try a spray of Starter Fluid in the air intake.

--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
To email, remove the double zeroes after @

That's my thought, lack of fuel. I doubt the OP actually checked for
spark, & is throwing around terms loosely. The likely cause is dried
fuel in the float bowl of the carb, a quick fix if you know what to
look for. Somewhere on the tube that accepts the bolt which holds the
bowl on, there is a pin hole that lets the fuel travel from the bowl
to the jet. It usually plugs up when the mower is permitted to sit
with fuel inside. A paper clip, bag tie, torch tip cleaner or such
will clean it enough to allow the fuel to get to the jet & let the
engine start and run. You just need to find it.

Fixing an Abandoned, but New Mower
 

On Jul 16, 11:14*am, Eric in North TX wrote:
On Jul 16, 9:45*am, willshak wrote:



on 7/16/2009 10:04 AM (ET) Commish wrote the following:

OK, the mower. The neighbor across the street moved and left his mower
with other neighbor across the street. It's a nice walk behind mower
with multiple walking speeds. Neighbor offered the mower to me while I
find the time to repair the broken drive belt on my old/current mower..
(Walk behind mowers are not meant to be pushed once the walk behind
function fails.)

OK, about the new, loaner mower. Neighbor 1 had a lawn service and
after buying a new mower and using it once or twice... it was retired
- several summers ago. And has spent several years in his shed. It
looks practically, brand new.

So, of course, it won't start, we put in fuel - of course. And I
pulled the starter. Nothing. Not a spark or a sputter. Plenty of oil.
Nice clean looking oil I might add. So, I replaced the spark plug and
pulled again. Nothing. Not a spark or a sputter.

So, what do I need to do to try and get this engine to turn over? If
the mower was stored with fuel, which has evaporated, how do I clean
out the evaporated, gummed up fuel. New fuel lines? New fuel filter?

I'm thinking that replacing the drive belt may be the easier fix....

Try a spray of Starter Fluid in the air intake.

--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
To email, remove the double zeroes after @

That's my thought, lack of fuel. I doubt the OP actually checked for
spark, & is throwing around terms loosely. The likely cause is dried
fuel in the float bowl of the carb, a quick fix if you know what to
look for. Somewhere on the tube that accepts the bolt which holds the
bowl on, there is a pin hole that lets the fuel travel from the bowl
to the jet. It usually plugs up when the mower is permitted to sit
with fuel inside. A paper clip, bag tie, torch tip cleaner or such
will clean it enough to allow the fuel to get to the jet & let the
engine start and run. You just need to find it.

Throwing terms around loosely? Guilty as charged!

I replaced the spark plug and wouldn't know how to check for a spark.
Truthfully, I don't know if it is sparking or not. But it doesn't make
any sound at all that make it sound like it is trying to start.

Float bowl of the carburetor is a good place to look - that's the
information that I was looking for. Thanks.

Fixing an Abandoned, but New Mower
 

"Commish" wrote in message
...
On Jul 16, 11:14 am, Eric in North TX wrote:
On Jul 16, 9:45 am, willshak wrote:



on 7/16/2009 10:04 AM (ET) Commish wrote the following:

OK, the mower. The neighbor across the street moved and left his mower
with other neighbor across the street. It's a nice walk behind mower
with multiple walking speeds. Neighbor offered the mower to me while I
find the time to repair the broken drive belt on my old/current mower.
(Walk behind mowers are not meant to be pushed once the walk behind
function fails.)

OK, about the new, loaner mower. Neighbor 1 had a lawn service and
after buying a new mower and using it once or twice... it was retired
- several summers ago. And has spent several years in his shed. It
looks practically, brand new.

So, of course, it won't start, we put in fuel - of course. And I
pulled the starter. Nothing. Not a spark or a sputter. Plenty of oil.
Nice clean looking oil I might add. So, I replaced the spark plug and
pulled again. Nothing. Not a spark or a sputter.

So, what do I need to do to try and get this engine to turn over? If
the mower was stored with fuel, which has evaporated, how do I clean
out the evaporated, gummed up fuel. New fuel lines? New fuel filter?

I'm thinking that replacing the drive belt may be the easier fix....

Try a spray of Starter Fluid in the air intake.

--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
To email, remove the double zeroes after @

That's my thought, lack of fuel. I doubt the OP actually checked for
spark, & is throwing around terms loosely. The likely cause is dried
fuel in the float bowl of the carb, a quick fix if you know what to
look for. Somewhere on the tube that accepts the bolt which holds the
bowl on, there is a pin hole that lets the fuel travel from the bowl
to the jet. It usually plugs up when the mower is permitted to sit
with fuel inside. A paper clip, bag tie, torch tip cleaner or such
will clean it enough to allow the fuel to get to the jet & let the
engine start and run. You just need to find it.

Throwing terms around loosely? Guilty as charged!

I replaced the spark plug and wouldn't know how to check for a spark.
Truthfully, I don't know if it is sparking or not. But it doesn't make
any sound at all that make it sound like it is trying to start.

Float bowl of the carburetor is a good place to look - that's the
information that I was looking for. Thanks.

---
take the plug out, lay it against the block, and pull the rope.

Fixing an Abandoned, but New Mower
 

On Jul 16, 12:28*pm, "charlie" wrote:
"Commish" wrote in message

...
On Jul 16, 11:14 am, Eric in North TX wrote:





On Jul 16, 9:45 am, willshak wrote:

on 7/16/2009 10:04 AM (ET) Commish wrote the following:

OK, the mower. The neighbor across the street moved and left his mower
with other neighbor across the street. It's a nice walk behind mower
with multiple walking speeds. Neighbor offered the mower to me while I
find the time to repair the broken drive belt on my old/current mower.
(Walk behind mowers are not meant to be pushed once the walk behind
function fails.)

OK, about the new, loaner mower. Neighbor 1 had a lawn service and
after buying a new mower and using it once or twice... it was retired
- several summers ago. And has spent several years in his shed. It
looks practically, brand new.

So, of course, it won't start, we put in fuel - of course. And I
pulled the starter. Nothing. Not a spark or a sputter. Plenty of oil.
Nice clean looking oil I might add. So, I replaced the spark plug and
pulled again. Nothing. Not a spark or a sputter.

So, what do I need to do to try and get this engine to turn over? If
the mower was stored with fuel, which has evaporated, how do I clean
out the evaporated, gummed up fuel. New fuel lines? New fuel filter?

I'm thinking that replacing the drive belt may be the easier fix.....

Try a spray of Starter Fluid in the air intake.

--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
To email, remove the double zeroes after @

That's my thought, lack of fuel. I doubt the OP actually checked for
spark, & is throwing around terms loosely. The likely cause is dried
fuel in the float bowl of the carb, a quick fix if you know what to
look for. Somewhere on the tube that accepts the bolt which holds the
bowl on, there is a pin hole that lets the fuel travel from the bowl
to the jet. It usually plugs up when the mower is permitted to sit
with fuel inside. A paper clip, bag tie, torch tip cleaner or such
will clean it enough to allow the fuel to get to the jet & let the
engine start and run. You just need to find it.

Throwing terms around loosely? Guilty as charged!

I replaced the spark plug and wouldn't know how to check for a spark.
Truthfully, I don't know if it is sparking or not. But it doesn't make
any sound at all that make it sound like it is trying to start.

Float bowl of the carburetor is a good place to look - that's the
information that I was looking for. Thanks.

---
take the plug out, lay it against the block, and pull the rope.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

take the plug out, *reattached the wire*, lay it against the block,
and pull the rope.-

Fixing an Abandoned, but New Mower
 

On Jul 16, 11:28*am, "charlie" wrote:
"Commish" wrote in message

...
On Jul 16, 11:14 am, Eric in North TX wrote:





On Jul 16, 9:45 am, willshak wrote:

on 7/16/2009 10:04 AM (ET) Commish wrote the following:

OK, the mower. The neighbor across the street moved and left his mower
with other neighbor across the street. It's a nice walk behind mower
with multiple walking speeds. Neighbor offered the mower to me while I
find the time to repair the broken drive belt on my old/current mower.
(Walk behind mowers are not meant to be pushed once the walk behind
function fails.)

OK, about the new, loaner mower. Neighbor 1 had a lawn service and
after buying a new mower and using it once or twice... it was retired
- several summers ago. And has spent several years in his shed. It
looks practically, brand new.

So, of course, it won't start, we put in fuel - of course. And I
pulled the starter. Nothing. Not a spark or a sputter. Plenty of oil.
Nice clean looking oil I might add. So, I replaced the spark plug and
pulled again. Nothing. Not a spark or a sputter.

So, what do I need to do to try and get this engine to turn over? If
the mower was stored with fuel, which has evaporated, how do I clean
out the evaporated, gummed up fuel. New fuel lines? New fuel filter?

I'm thinking that replacing the drive belt may be the easier fix.....

Try a spray of Starter Fluid in the air intake.

--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
To email, remove the double zeroes after @

That's my thought, lack of fuel. I doubt the OP actually checked for
spark, & is throwing around terms loosely. The likely cause is dried
fuel in the float bowl of the carb, a quick fix if you know what to
look for. Somewhere on the tube that accepts the bolt which holds the
bowl on, there is a pin hole that lets the fuel travel from the bowl
to the jet. It usually plugs up when the mower is permitted to sit
with fuel inside. A paper clip, bag tie, torch tip cleaner or such
will clean it enough to allow the fuel to get to the jet & let the
engine start and run. You just need to find it.

Throwing terms around loosely? Guilty as charged!

I replaced the spark plug and wouldn't know how to check for a spark.
Truthfully, I don't know if it is sparking or not. But it doesn't make
any sound at all that make it sound like it is trying to start.

Float bowl of the carburetor is a good place to look - that's the
information that I was looking for. Thanks.

---
take the plug out, lay it against the block, and pull the rope.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Checking for spark, thats easy I can help you, remove spark plug, now
hold the spark plug wire in your bare hand and stick your finger in
the hole and touch the engine while someone pulls the starter rope. If
see a spark, and you get a big jolt like a stun gun just hit and
stopped your heart, you know it works. Or with plug out of motor, plug
the spark plug back into plug wire, ground it to the motor and pull
the rope, you should see a spark, and not jump as far when it shocks
you again. Its only 20-40,000 volts.

Fixing an Abandoned, but New Mower
 

In article
,
DerbyDad03 wrote:



take the plug out, *reattached the wire*, lay it against the block,
and pull the rope.-

Or, hold it in your hand ...

Fixing an Abandoned, but New Mower
 

On Jul 16, 12:53*pm, ransley wrote:

Checking for spark, thats easy I can help you, remove spark plug, now
hold the spark plug wire in your bare hand and stick your finger in
the hole and touch the engine while someone pulls the starter rope. If
see a spark, and you get a big jolt like a stun gun just hit and
stopped your heart, you know it works. Or with plug out of motor, plug
the spark plug back into plug wire, ground it to the motor and pull
the rope, you should see a spark, and not jump as far when it shocks
you again. Its only 20-40,000 volts.

Hell, he probably won't even know what "ground it to the motor" means,
so you better explain that too...

That means lay the metal part of the spark plug against a metal part
of the engine.

Fixing an Abandoned, but New Mower
 

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message
...
On Jul 16, 12:28 pm, "charlie" wrote:
"Commish" wrote in message

...
On Jul 16, 11:14 am, Eric in North TX wrote:





On Jul 16, 9:45 am, willshak wrote:

on 7/16/2009 10:04 AM (ET) Commish wrote the following:

OK, the mower. The neighbor across the street moved and left his
mower
with other neighbor across the street. It's a nice walk behind mower
with multiple walking speeds. Neighbor offered the mower to me while
I
find the time to repair the broken drive belt on my old/current
mower.
(Walk behind mowers are not meant to be pushed once the walk behind
function fails.)

OK, about the new, loaner mower. Neighbor 1 had a lawn service and
after buying a new mower and using it once or twice... it was
retired
- several summers ago. And has spent several years in his shed. It
looks practically, brand new.

So, of course, it won't start, we put in fuel - of course. And I
pulled the starter. Nothing. Not a spark or a sputter. Plenty of
oil.
Nice clean looking oil I might add. So, I replaced the spark plug
and
pulled again. Nothing. Not a spark or a sputter.

So, what do I need to do to try and get this engine to turn over? If
the mower was stored with fuel, which has evaporated, how do I clean
out the evaporated, gummed up fuel. New fuel lines? New fuel filter?

I'm thinking that replacing the drive belt may be the easier fix....

Try a spray of Starter Fluid in the air intake.

--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
To email, remove the double zeroes after @

That's my thought, lack of fuel. I doubt the OP actually checked for
spark, & is throwing around terms loosely. The likely cause is dried
fuel in the float bowl of the carb, a quick fix if you know what to
look for. Somewhere on the tube that accepts the bolt which holds the
bowl on, there is a pin hole that lets the fuel travel from the bowl
to the jet. It usually plugs up when the mower is permitted to sit
with fuel inside. A paper clip, bag tie, torch tip cleaner or such
will clean it enough to allow the fuel to get to the jet & let the
engine start and run. You just need to find it.

Throwing terms around loosely? Guilty as charged!

I replaced the spark plug and wouldn't know how to check for a spark.
Truthfully, I don't know if it is sparking or not. But it doesn't make
any sound at all that make it sound like it is trying to start.

Float bowl of the carburetor is a good place to look - that's the
information that I was looking for. Thanks.

---
take the plug out, lay it against the block, and pull the rope.- Hide
quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

take the plug out, *reattached the wire*, lay it against the block,
and pull the rope.-

Someplace dark.

Fixing an Abandoned, but New Mower
 

On Jul 16, 1:12*pm, wrote:
On Jul 16, 12:53*pm, ransley wrote:

Checking for spark, thats easy I can help you, remove spark plug, now
hold the spark plug wire in your bare hand and stick your finger in
the hole and touch the engine while someone pulls the starter rope. If
see a spark, and you get a big jolt like a stun gun just hit and
stopped your heart, you know it works. Or with plug out of motor, plug
the spark plug back into plug wire, ground it to the motor and pull
the rope, you should see a spark, and not jump as far when it shocks
you again. Its only 20-40,000 volts.

Hell, he probably won't even know what "ground it to the motor" means,
so you better explain that too...

That means lay the metal part of the spark plug against a metal part
of the engine.

My spark plugs have 2 separate metal parts. Are your's different?

Fixing an Abandoned, but New Mower
 

On Jul 16, 10:04�am, Commish wrote:
OK, the mower. The neighbor across the street moved and left his mower
with other neighbor across the street. It's a nice walk behind mower
with multiple walking speeds. Neighbor offered the mower to me while I
find the time to repair the broken drive belt on my old/current mower.
(Walk behind mowers are not meant to be pushed once the walk behind
function fails.)

OK, about the new, loaner mower. Neighbor 1 had a lawn service and
after buying a new mower and using it once or twice... it was retired
- several summers ago. And has spent several years in his shed. It
looks practically, brand new.

So, of course, it won't start, we put in fuel - of course. And I
pulled the starter. Nothing. Not a spark or a sputter. Plenty of oil.
Nice clean looking oil I might add. So, I replaced the spark plug and
pulled again. Nothing. Not a spark or a sputter.

So, what do I need to do to try and get this engine to turn over? If
the mower was stored with fuel, which has evaporated, how do I clean
out the evaporated, gummed up fuel. New fuel lines? New fuel filter?

I'm thinking that replacing the drive belt may be the easier fix....

99.999% of the time it is a clogged up carb. Get the carb cleaned by a
professional. If you try it yourself, you'll only wish you took it to
a professional later. They will do a thorough cleaning of the fuel
system and you're problem will be solved for many years.Probably
around $50

Hank ~~~professional small engine mech.

Fixing an Abandoned, but New Mower
 

Please try a squirt of ether on the air filter. that will
feed some vapor in, without risking damage to the mower. If
that helps, you likely have a carb problem with dried out
gasoline.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"Commish" wrote in message
...

Throwing terms around loosely? Guilty as charged!

I replaced the spark plug and wouldn't know how to check for
a spark.
Truthfully, I don't know if it is sparking or not. But it
doesn't make
any sound at all that make it sound like it is trying to
start.

Float bowl of the carburetor is a good place to look -
that's the
information that I was looking for. Thanks.

Fixing an Abandoned, but New Mower
 

I was just about to comment on that.

Time for someone to comment on do this in the shade, or
after dark. Daytime, you can't see the spark.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"DerbyDad03" wrote in message
...

---
take the plug out, lay it against the block, and pull the
rope.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

take the plug out, *reattached the wire*, lay it against the
block,
and pull the rope.-

Fixing an Abandoned, but New Mower
 

I should just quit this conversation. Y'all are ahead of me
so far....

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"Ulysses" wrote in message
...

take the plug out, *reattached the wire*, lay it against the
block,
and pull the rope.-

Someplace dark.

Fixing an Abandoned, but New Mower
 

Fixing an Abandoned, but New Mower
 

aemeijers wrote:
wrote:
On Thu, 16 Jul 2009 07:04:47 -0700 (PDT), Commish
wrote:

OK, the mower. The neighbor across the street moved and left his mower
with other neighbor across the street. It's a nice walk behind mower
with multiple walking speeds. Neighbor offered the mower to me while I
find the time to repair the broken drive belt on my old/current mower.
(Walk behind mowers are not meant to be pushed once the walk behind
function fails.)

OK, about the new, loaner mower. Neighbor 1 had a lawn service and
after buying a new mower and using it once or twice... it was retired
- several summers ago. And has spent several years in his shed. It
looks practically, brand new.

So, of course, it won't start, we put in fuel - of course. And I
pulled the starter. Nothing. Not a spark or a sputter. Plenty of oil.
Nice clean looking oil I might add. So, I replaced the spark plug and
pulled again. Nothing. Not a spark or a sputter.

So, what do I need to do to try and get this engine to turn over? If
the mower was stored with fuel, which has evaporated, how do I clean
out the evaporated, gummed up fuel. New fuel lines? New fuel filter?

I'm thinking that replacing the drive belt may be the easier fix....

Since it is "new" and doesn't have spark, I would start by inspecting
the government mandated kill switches.
My MTD/Honda had a problem letting go of the "kill" you get when the
handle was released. It stayed "killed". I ended up changing that
whole system over to a manual kill like we had for the previous 50
years.
I stuck a few strong magnets on my handle, and they grip the kill lever
well enough to keep the mower running till I want to turn it off. Quit
treating me like an infant, Nanny- I can operate power equipment without
your help.

As to OP's problem- I think it is dried up fuel in the plumbing, and
maybe a mouse nest in the air filter blocking the incoming air. Unless I
was gonna end up owning the mower, I wouldn't spend more than the cost
of a filter (if it is dirty) and a can of carb cleaner/starting fluid to
spray down the air intake. Just for giggle- has OP checked the fuel
shutoff valve, and cleaned the plug?
--
aem sends...
There's one thing I haven't read anyone tell you that might be the
problem, there is a aluminum key on the shaft that will shear to
protect the mower from damage when you hit something. It will keep
the mower from starting and running. Since they are aluminum they can
shear even when the mower doesn't hit something. They are easy to
replace, but, you will need to take part of the motor housing off to
get to the shaft. Someone who is familiar with your specific mower
can help you with that.

Fixing an Abandoned, but New Mower
 

On Jul 16, 6:23*pm, aemeijers wrote:
wrote:
On Thu, 16 Jul 2009 07:04:47 -0700 (PDT), Commish
wrote:

OK, the mower. The neighbor across the street moved and left his mower
with other neighbor across the street. It's a nice walk behind mower
with multiple walking speeds. Neighbor offered the mower to me while I
find the time to repair the broken drive belt on my old/current mower.
(Walk behind mowers are not meant to be pushed once the walk behind
function fails.)

OK, about the new, loaner mower. Neighbor 1 had a lawn service and
after buying a new mower and using it once or twice... it was retired
- several summers ago. And has spent several years in his shed. It
looks practically, brand new.

So, of course, it won't start, we put in fuel - of course. And I
pulled the starter. Nothing. Not a spark or a sputter. Plenty of oil.
Nice clean looking oil I might add. So, I replaced the spark plug and
pulled again. Nothing. Not a spark or a sputter.

So, what do I need to do to try and get this engine to turn over? If
the mower was stored with fuel, which has evaporated, how do I clean
out the evaporated, gummed up fuel. New fuel lines? New fuel filter?

I'm thinking that replacing the drive belt may be the easier fix....

Since it is "new" and doesn't have spark, I would start by inspecting
the government mandated kill switches.
My MTD/Honda had a problem letting go of the "kill" you get when the
handle was released. It stayed "killed". I ended up changing that
whole system over to a manual kill like we had for the previous 50
years.

I stuck a few strong magnets on my handle, and they grip the kill lever
well enough to keep the mower running till I want to turn it off. Quit
treating me like an infant, Nanny- I can operate power equipment without
your help.

As to OP's problem- I think it is dried up fuel in the plumbing, and
maybe a mouse nest in the air filter blocking the incoming air. Unless I
was gonna end up owning the mower, I wouldn't spend more than the cost
of a filter (if it is dirty) and a can of carb cleaner/starting fluid to
spray down the air intake. Just for giggle- has OP checked the fuel
shutoff valve, and cleaned the plug?
--
aem sends...

I stuck a few strong magnets on my handle

I use a velcro strap,"permanently" attached to stationary part of the
handle, and wrapped around the kill handle when mowing.

Fixing an Abandoned, but New Mower
 

On Jul 16, 8:21*pm, DerbyDad03 wrote:
On Jul 16, 6:23*pm, aemeijers wrote:



wrote:
On Thu, 16 Jul 2009 07:04:47 -0700 (PDT), Commish
wrote:

OK, the mower. The neighbor across the street moved and left his mower
with other neighbor across the street. It's a nice walk behind mower
with multiple walking speeds. Neighbor offered the mower to me while I
find the time to repair the broken drive belt on my old/current mower.

Fixing an Abandoned, but New Mower
 

"willshak" wrote in message
m...
on 7/16/2009 10:04 AM (ET) Commish wrote the following:
OK, the mower. The neighbor across the street moved and left his mower
with other neighbor across the street. It's a nice walk behind mower
with multiple walking speeds. Neighbor offered the mower to me while I
find the time to repair the broken drive belt on my old/current mower.
(Walk behind mowers are not meant to be pushed once the walk behind
function fails.)

OK, about the new, loaner mower. Neighbor 1 had a lawn service and
after buying a new mower and using it once or twice... it was retired
- several summers ago. And has spent several years in his shed. It
looks practically, brand new.

So, of course, it won't start, we put in fuel - of course. And I
pulled the starter. Nothing. Not a spark or a sputter. Plenty of oil.
Nice clean looking oil I might add. So, I replaced the spark plug and
pulled again. Nothing. Not a spark or a sputter.

So, what do I need to do to try and get this engine to turn over? If
the mower was stored with fuel, which has evaporated, how do I clean
out the evaporated, gummed up fuel. New fuel lines? New fuel filter?

I'm thinking that replacing the drive belt may be the easier fix....


Try a spray of Starter Fluid in the air intake.

--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
To email, remove the double zeroes after

Agree on the starter fluid...Clean the air filter and check the gap on the
new plug as well...I wouldn't put to much money in it...You can get a new
one for 200 bucks...Less for a used one from a small engine repair guy...On
second thought give it to the small engine repair guy and he will sell it
back to you for 100 bucks all running...LOL...JMHO....

Fixing an Abandoned, but New Mower
 

On Jul 16, 10:07*pm, "benick" wrote:
"willshak" wrote in message

m...





on 7/16/2009 10:04 AM (ET) Commish wrote the following:
OK, the mower. The neighbor across the street moved and left his mower
with other neighbor across the street. It's a nice walk behind mower
with multiple walking speeds. Neighbor offered the mower to me while I
find the time to repair the broken drive belt on my old/current mower.
(Walk behind mowers are not meant to be pushed once the walk behind
function fails.)

OK, about the new, loaner mower. Neighbor 1 had a lawn service and
after buying a new mower and using it once or twice... it was retired
- several summers ago. And has spent several years in his shed. It
looks practically, brand new.

So, of course, it won't start, we put in fuel - of course. And I
pulled the starter. Nothing. Not a spark or a sputter. Plenty of oil.
Nice clean looking oil I might add. So, I replaced the spark plug and
pulled again. Nothing. Not a spark or a sputter.

So, what do I need to do to try and get this engine to turn over? If
the mower was stored with fuel, which has evaporated, how do I clean
out the evaporated, gummed up fuel. New fuel lines? New fuel filter?

I'm thinking that replacing the drive belt may be the easier fix....

Try a spray of Starter Fluid in the air intake.

--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
To email, remove the double zeroes after

Agree on the starter fluid...Clean the air filter and check the gap on the
new plug as well...I wouldn't put to much money in it...You can get a new
one for 200 bucks...Less for a used one from a small engine repair guy...On
second thought give it to the small engine repair guy and he will sell it
back to you for 100 bucks all running...LOL...JMHO....- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

"I wouldn't put to much money in it...You can get a new one for
200 bucks"

My carb was shot, the front wheels were bald, the blade was dull and
the blade mounting assembly was cracked. Close to $150 if I did the
work myself.

For another $100 or so, I got a brand new self-propelled mulching
Honda with auto-choke and a 2 year warranty. Taking it out of the box
was a lot less work than trying to fix the other one. Well worth the
extra $100.

Fixing an Abandoned, but New Mower
 

Since it is a self-propelled mower, I vote for the suggestion someone wrote
about checking for a kill/safety switch or device.

Maybe you could look up the make and model on the Internet and download an
owner's manual/instructions. There may be inforamtion in there about a
kill/safety device.

"Commish" wrote in message
...
OK, the mower. The neighbor across the street moved and left his mower
with other neighbor across the street. It's a nice walk behind mower
with multiple walking speeds. Neighbor offered the mower to me while I
find the time to repair the broken drive belt on my old/current mower.
(Walk behind mowers are not meant to be pushed once the walk behind
function fails.)

OK, about the new, loaner mower. Neighbor 1 had a lawn service and
after buying a new mower and using it once or twice... it was retired
- several summers ago. And has spent several years in his shed. It
looks practically, brand new.

So, of course, it won't start, we put in fuel - of course. And I
pulled the starter. Nothing. Not a spark or a sputter. Plenty of oil.
Nice clean looking oil I might add. So, I replaced the spark plug and
pulled again. Nothing. Not a spark or a sputter.

So, what do I need to do to try and get this engine to turn over? If
the mower was stored with fuel, which has evaporated, how do I clean
out the evaporated, gummed up fuel. New fuel lines? New fuel filter?

I'm thinking that replacing the drive belt may be the easier fix....