If Your Lawnmower Won’t Start…

I have a few caveats before I proceed:

• The lawn mower should be relatively new, no more than 10 years old.
• The engine in this particular case is a Briggs & Stratton.
• If you don’t know what “Briggs & Stratton” is, you should just bring your mower to a repair guy.
• The mower should be in relatively good condition.

OK, throat clearing complete.

On the lawn mower is a fuel tank. Connected to the underside of the fuel tank is a little black piece of rubber hose. That little black piece of rubber hose leads to a little metal bowl. On the bottom of the bowl is the head of a bolt.

It is a very special bolt. Not in the “on a very special episode of the Big Ban Theory…” sense but in the “not a normal bolt” sense.

Unscrew that bolt from the bowl. Then look at the threaded side of the bolt. There will be a hole through the tip that comes out the side. It is a tiny hole, but it must be absolutely clear of debris. Blow through it to clear it out. Not just a puff either- so you can almost hear it whistling.

Reassemble the bolt and bowl onto the lawn mower and try starting it again.

You’re welcome.

Bonus wisdom: If you don’t like gas all over the place, drain the tank first. Don’t tip the mower because the lid is not liquid tight and the gas will flow through the lid and drip. Also, don’t do this on the grass.