Nothing spoils a Saturday morning quite like a stubborn Toro mowing machine that just won’t start. You stand in early-morning sun, sweat beginning to bead on your forehead. You hold the pull cord in your hand and wonder what happened to this machine that hummed along through spring cleaning without a peep.
But it feels personal; as though the mower itself has decided to judge you for the timing. In reality, it’s always something much simpler; and more mechanical. Than that.
A little patience and time spent inspecting will cure most starting problem. But, where’s the problem? Most owners go directly to worst case scenario.
Before performing a simple check they automatically assume carburetor is shot or engine is blown. The result are unnecessary purchases of parts that don’t belong in machine and unnecessary trips to repair shop. Perform a regular check and save some money and time.
Turn a frustrating chore into a manageable maintenance task. Just look in right places. A mower that won’t start is most often the victim of fuel problem, particulary one left over winter.
Simple Steps to Fix a Mower That Won’t Start
Diagnosing Fuel System Issues
Gas go bad fast. It gums up and forms varnish that coats tiniest jets in the carburetor. If yours has been parked longer than a month, chances are the fuel is stale.
Maybe you topped it off before putting it away, right? But ethanol-blended gas soaks up water from air, causing fuel to separate into sludge that clogs engine. Draining old tank and refilling with fresh fuel is often all the repair required.
Add a few ounces of fuel stabilizer if stashing it again. You check your air filter next. That’s the one that just sits there at the point where the engine breathes.
Inspecting and Replacing the Air Filter
If it’s full of dust and grass clippings, then the engine can’t breathe well. The engine will have trouble getting the air it needs to operate. Not enough air mixed with the fuel means a too rich mix won’t burn propery.
It doesn’t take a mechanic to know that. Simply remove the filter housing. Is the paper element heavy and dark gray with gunk?
Replace. Airflow through a clean filter guarantee proper operation. It is a $20 part that makes a big difference in how well it performs.
If you don’t replace it, engine works harder and wears out sooner. Another simple inspection with significant impact are checking your spark plugs. Carbon deposits form on the electrodes and over time the electrode wear away.
Checking and Cleaning Spark Plugs
That creates a gap where the spark cannot jump and ignite the fuel mixture. To test for this, you simply pull the spark plug out and look at it. Is it sooty and black?
It is time for new one or a cleaning. Is the gap too large? The spark will be weak.
A good spark require a strong plug and they are cheap insurance. It is a little part with huge importance because it’s the heart of ignition system. Don’t overlook it.
If it isn’t mechanical, maybe it’s electrical. If you have an electric start Toro mower, then check your battery. Power won’t flow if one of the terminals has corroded.
Troubleshooting Electrical Connections
Battery may not have the needed cranking power even though lights light up. Use a wire brush to clean terminals. Make sure they’re snug.
A weak connection appears OK until under a load. It is an easy fix and sometimes overlooked. Last but certainly not least, check out your safety switches.
Verifying Safety Switch Functionality
Mowers like those made by Toro has kill switches that won’t allow them to be started unless someone is sitting on the seat and/or the blade is disengaged. The safety switch can become stuck or otherwise broken. Make sure the blade control is turned to neutral.
Then sit down hard on the seat. Try starting. If these kill switches don’t work, they won’t give the signal for the engine to crank.
It’s a safety issue that could of turn into a pain in the butt. Testing or resetting them may avoid a visit to the repair shop. Start with the basics.
Check the fuel first. Then the filter. Next the spark.
If you’re lucky, one of those three items are the issue most times. Don’t worry about replacing the engine. Usually just a little attention to the basics gets that Toro up and running again.
The grass can wait, but it’s worth the effort for your patience.