Common Causes No Start Video

By: Author John Cunningham. Published: 2020/10/16 at 9:41 am

This video shows you all the easy fix no-start common causes. Many of these repairs can be made in minutes.

Often the simple fix is the answer to a nonstarting mower, and this video is dedicated to eliminating all the low-hanging fruit first before the serious mechanical work starts.

You’ll find useful resources on this page, tips, and links to tools, parts, and supplies required to complete your repair.

Before working on your mower be sure to remove the plug wire to prevent accidental starting, see “Repair Safety Video”.

Tools & Parts

To nail this procedure, you may need the following tools, parts, and supplies.

B&S Tune-up Kit

Genuine Briggs & Stratton tune-up kit suitable for Quantum engine family. Picture links to Amazon.com.

Honda Tune-up Kit

Honda tune-up kit includes genuine Honda oil, air filter, and spark plug. Picture links to Amazon.com.

Ratchet Tool Set

Before we can do anything, we’ll need tools. I’ve selected this set as I own some Craftsman tools and while I have worn some out, they did do a lot of work. So I expect this set will last the occasional user quite a long time. This set carries both metric and standard sockets, and that’s important because some mowers will have both types of fastener sizes. Set includes spark plug sockets. Picture links to Amazon.com.

Gas & Oil Syphon

You’ll find this tool really useful if you need to drain the gas tank, and you will if the gas is stale. The siphon will remove it without fuss or mess, and it can be used for extracting the oil too. Picture links to Amazon.com.

Gas Line Clamp

Some small engines will have a gas tap, which is really handy when removing the carburetor, and stops gas flowing all over the shop. However, most engines won’t have one, these useful clamps simply squeeze the fuel line and prevent a spill while you perform surgery. Picture links to Amazon.com.

Gas Stabilizer

Mix this with the gas when winterizing your small engine. Gas isn’t what it used to be, it goes stale, in some cases after just one month. Bad gas causes gumming and that’s a carburetor killer. A stabilizer will save you money and stress in the long run. Picture links to Amazon.com.

Gas Can

Briggs and Stratton refuel can. These guys got it right, I like it a lot, it offers press button control, no fuss no mess and no funnel required. Picture links to Amazon.com.

Ignition Tester

This tool is used to check both the spark plug and the coil for spark. Sure you can check the spark without the tool, but it’s not as good, the tool is designed to stress the whole ignition system. Picture links to Amazon.com.

Drill/Screw Gun

I use a DeWalt screw gun (also a drill) in the workshop to speed up the process of removing engine covers, carburetor bolts, Armature bolts, etc. It’s a brushless motor and as tough as nails, I drove over it a few times – still works great! Batteries are interchangeable so if you have a DeWalt product already you won’t need the battery. Picture links to Amazon.com.

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