Lawn mower won't start, help?

[Mick]

Last I cut my grass, I noticed the muffler guard had come loose. So I rolled the mower (21" Toro walk behind) into the garage, re-attached the muffler guard, and lubricated the rear wheels. When I went to take it out of the garage, it wouldn't start. Checking the usuals, it looked like the air filter got fouled with fuel, so I took it out, and tried to start it. It started, and ran kind of weakly, but it did run.

Last night, went to HD and got a new filter and a new plug. Put them in this morning, and now it won't start. Took out the filter, still won't start. I shot some starting fluid into the carb, no luck. Seems like somehow I lost spark?

As usual, suggestions, personal insults, and general tomfoolery are welcomed!

Thnaks.

[Tikiman]

Have your wife hold the spark plug wire just off the spark plug while you pull the cord to see if there is any spark.

[Torqaholic]

Originally Posted by Tikiman

Have your wife hold the spark plug wire just off the spark plug while you pull the cord to see if there is any spark.

My dad tried to get me to do that with a car he was working on. I was just a kid, but not dumb enough to fall for that. Already knew people were assholes at that young age

[Taurus]

Do what I do, go to HD and buy a new one, it's a great excuse.

[Mick]

Originally Posted by Tikiman

Have your wife hold the spark plug wire just off the spark plug while you pull the cord to see if there is any spark.

The plug wire has a thick rubber boot on it, so I don't think that will work. Can I take the plug out, put the wire back on, ground the plug to the engine case, and look for spark?

Originally Posted by Taurus

Do what I do, go to HD and buy a new one, it's a great excuse.

This mower became a maintenance issue during its 6th season, and is now on its 11th season. It's ready for a new blade too. Yeah, I'll play around with it for the next few days, and if I don't get it going in that time, that's exactly what I am going to do.

[Mike Mercury]

[Joey777]

I read somewhere that Honda is exiting the small engine market due to emission requirements. Always liked their engines so might be a good time to get one before they are gone.

[Mick]

Originally Posted by Joey777

I read somewhere that Honda is exiting the small engine market due to emission requirements. Always liked their engines so might be a good time to get one before they are gone.

I had a power washer with a Honda engine on it. Worst small engine I have ever owned. Thanks, but, no thanks.

[Onebadcad]

Originally Posted by Taurus

Do what I do, go to HD and buy a new one, it's a great excuse.

I did the same about six months ago.
The old honda push mower gave up its soul, even though I changed the oil, air filter and plug, I considered taking it to a repair shop, but at 15 years it was past it prime--I should have thrown it off the roof to see if that would have helped.

Got another honda, at HD, the only honda I will ever buy!!
The same function mower 15 years later only went up $100 to $500.

[Onebadcad]

Originally Posted by Joey777

I read somewhere that Honda is exiting the small engine market due to emission requirements. Always liked their engines so might be a good time to get one before they are gone.

https://www.protoolreviews.com/honda...-mower-market/

[Steve_R]

Originally Posted by Mick

The plug wire has a thick rubber boot on it, so I don't think that will work. Can I take the plug out, put the wire back on, ground the plug to the engine case, and look for spark?

Yes.

[Aerovette]

Water in the fuel bowl.

[Bruze]

Originally Posted by Steve_R

Yes.

Yupper. If it sparks, put plug back in, try to start, pull plug out, should be wet with gas. If not, then you have a fuel problem.

[Onebadcad]

This is too simple, buy the wifey a new mower for your anniversary!!

[8Up]

It aint got no gas in it....mmmhummm

[The_Dude]

@RED-85-Z51

[DJ_Critterus]

pull the bowl and see if there is fuel in it. If no, then there's a clog upstream, jet is clogged, or the float is stuck. Either way, I'd pull the carb and give it a good cleaning. That one's an easy job.

[TheRealBadger]

Originally Posted by Joey777

I read somewhere that Honda is exiting the small engine market due to emission requirements. Always liked their engines so might be a good time to get one before they are gone.

That is correct. But it’s more because the power range they are in is going electric.

[TheRealBadger]

The certification rating on a lawn mower engine is 100 hours.

You are past that. Feel lucky.

[Rob]

My guess is your carb is gunked up. pull that bowl and clean it out real good, check the floater that it is not busted and floats ok. Hit everything with some carb cleaner and spray a bit in the carb, reattach everything and try to crank it.