Riding mower carburetor replacement. 9 Steps to Clean Your Lawn mower Carburetor

Where is the Carburetor on a Lawn Mower? (Every Mower)

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I’ve always enjoyed using my cordless walk-behind push mower – no pesky cord to haul around and no gas to fill in the tank. But when I need a surge of power to complete larger jobs with ease, my go-to choice undoubtedly is my robust 140cc Briggs Stratton gas push lawn mower.

The downside however of using a gas-powered lawn mower is maintaining the many different parts like the air filter, spark plugs, hoses, and several other parts under the hood including the lawn mower carburetor.

Of all these aforementioned parts, the lawnmower carburetor is often the most overlooked but is in fact one of the most important parts of a mower just like a lawn mower engine that requires a fair bit of maintenance including annual maintenance.

What is a LawnMower Carburetor?

All gasoline-powered lawnmower engines are fitted with a carburetor. Similar to your car or truck engine, a carburetor helps run the small engine of a push lawn mower, self-propelled lawnmower, or riding lawnmower.

What Does a Lawnmower Carburetor Do?

The only goal of a lawnmower carburetor is to ensure that the right mixture of fuel and air enters the engine cylinder to trigger combustion.

This component of a lawnmower adjusts the balance of air and fuel based on myriad different factors including the amount of time the engine has been running, your speed, and the type of terrain you’re mowing.

Unlike automobile systems, a carburetor of a lawnmower doesn’t contain any throttle butterflies (a pivoting flat valve controlled by the gas pedal) but contains a rubber-type push bulb, through which fuel is primed when the bulb is depressed several times on a push-type lawnmower.

The fuel from the fuel tank flows through the bulb via a hose into the carburetor, which typically allows gas to drip into the carburetor bowl.

The engine creates a suction on the carburetor which mixes the gasoline with air at a specific ratio. After the carburetor has been primed, you can use the pull rope to start the engine.

What Does a Lawnmower Carburetor Look Like?

Most lawnmower carburetors look similar, with a small metal component complete with levers and springs and a distinct bowl shape under the carburetor body.

The carburetor float bowl accommodates the fuel and provides a continuous supply of fuel to the carburetor mixture as required.

The float bowl of a lawnmower carburetor can be drained with either the onsite drain bolt or screw without dismantling the whole system.

Where is the Carburetor on a Lawnmower?

This depends on the type of lawnmower you’re using, whether push, self-propelled, or riding lawnmower.

Where is the Carburetor on a Push Lawnmower?

Just as the name suggests, a push mower is any type of mower that you walk behind and push. The carburetor of a push mower is tucked away neatly behind the air filter at the side of the machine.

If you can locate the air intake filter or air filter of a push lawn mower, you’re one step closer to finding its carburetor. Depending on the machine, the air filter of a push mower is typically encased within a metal or plastic shroud and secured by a screw or with snap fittings.

Where is the Carburetor on a Riding Lawnmower?

The carburetor of a riding lawnmower is located just beneath the hood under the engine blower assembly so you’ll have to undo the hood latches of the engine hood to access it.

Similar to walk-behind mowers, the carburetor of a riding lawnmower is located behind or below the air filter, so once you remove the filter, you can spot it easily.

Signs a Lawnmower Carburetor is Dirty or Damaged

Old Gasoline

Old gasoline is the biggest enemy of a lawnmower carburetor regardless of the type of engine whether Briggs Stratton or brands including John Deere.

Your lawnmower will still run on old gasoline but it won’t offer the same top-notch performance that you’re used to.

This is why it’s highly important to empty the lawnmower gas tank when storing the machine for the off-season because old gasoline creates what is known as shellac in the fuel system.

This shellac blocks the inner workings and the air and fuel jets in the carburetor, which further prevents the fuel and air from passing through it.

A clogged gas line can be detrimental to the entire fuel system including the fuel filter, and mower air filter, and may even emit black smoke, which indicates that the machine is “running rich,” or burning too much gasoline.

The only solution for a gummed-up carburetor is a thorough cleaning, which involves removing the carburetor – a task you can do at home rather than visiting a lawn mower engine repair shop.

How to Get Rid of Old Gas in Lawnmower?

Before getting rid of the old gasoline from the lawnmower, check to see if it’s contaminated by pouring some in a glass container, pouring some fresh gasoline in another container, and then comparing them alongside.

If the old gasoline is darker or has a sour smell than the fresh gas, it is probably losing or has lost its efficacy.

Ideally, it’s best to get rid of the old gasoline from the lawnmower completely, but you can try diluting it with fresh gasoline to see if the performance improves.

You can transfer the old gasoline from the machine with a funnel into a jerry can or plastic can jug.

Engine Won’t Start

There could be several reasons why your lawnmower engine won’t start, most notably a dirty air filter, loose, dirty, or disconnected spark plug, and/or fuel not reaching the engine, which may be caused by a faulty carburetor or fuel filter.

If you’ve cleaned the air filter and checked that the spark plug and spark plug cable are connected securely, and you’re still facing the issue, making a few adjustments to the carburetor may help.

There may be many issues with the carburetor such as it’s dirty, the diaphragm is cracked or distorted, and/or it’s simply not getting the proper mixture of air and gasoline.

Your lawnmower’s carburetor and engine are protected against debris, dirt, and grass clippings by air filter guards. It is always a good idea to ensure they are clean and in perfect working condition:

• Check and clean the air filters and reinstall them in the machine.
• Next take a look at the vented fuel cap, which is designed to release pressure, allowing fuel to flow from the tank to the carburetor. Remove the gas cap to break the vacuum, then reattach it to see if this resolves the issue.

Engine Hunts at Idle or High-Speed

If your mower revs erratically, also dubbed as hunting or surging, the most likely cause is an incorrectly adjusted carburetor.

The good news is that most lawnmowers including John Deere have two screws that allow you to make adjustments to the carburetor yourself.

One screw adjusts the idle mixture while the other controls the idle speed. Since every lawnmower is different, refer to your owner’s manual for the location of the idle adjustment screws, start the mower and allow it to run for roughly 5 minutes, and make the screws looser or tighter until the machine runs and idles smoothly.

Lawn Mower Leaking Gas

A lawn mower leaking gas could mean several maintenance issues such as an open carburetor cover, carburetor housing, or carburetor float.

Another reason for carburetor fuel overflow is a stuck carburetor float, which is engineered to regulate the flow of fuel into the carburetor bowl through a simple mechanism.

There are a few potential fixes for this issue including adding a carburetor cleaner to your fuel, tapping the carburetor bowl light with the rear end of a screwdriver, and blowing compressed air through the carburetor bowl drain hole.

Engine Lacks Power at High Speed

Apart from old, bad fuel, another reason why the engine of your lawnmower may lack power at high speed is a dirty carburetor. In most cases, cleaning your lawnmower’s carburetor should resolve the issue.

How to Clean Lawn Mower Carburetor?

Experts say that you should check and clean your lawnmower’s carburetor at least a few times a year. The reason for this is simple – as you use your mower, grass, twigs, and other debris can make their way into the lawnmower’s carburetor, and eventually into the engine.

However, your carburetor will suffer breathing issues if the air filter is dirty, so the first thing to do is check the air filter to ensure it is free from any dirt and debris.

How to Find Your Lawmmower’s Carburetor?

Since every lawnmower isn’t built the same, the best way to find your mower’s carburetor is by referring to the user guide that came along with the machine. But here are a few simple steps to locate the carburetor of your lawnmower.

Before getting started, it’s important to ensure that the mower is in a stable position and safe location and will not roll off.

• Place the mower on a flat surface and make sure it is turned off completely. If you’re trying to locate the carburetor of a riding lawnmower, set it in a gear or engage the parking brake just like you would when parking a vehicle on a slope.
• Next, release anything that is making the mower’s internal components inaccessible such as hood latches. Most, if not all push lawn mowers don’t have a hood so can skip this step. This step applies to riding lawnmowers.
• Locate the air intake and the air filter, which are usually found on the side or top of the engine. The air intake and filter are set within a housing, which is either square or round shaped and has slits or holes in the top.
• Detach the filter housing which is attached to the carburetor via latches or screws.
• Locate the fuel line that comes from the gas tank to the carburetor. Undo the small clamp to detach the fuel line from the carburetor.

How to Remove a Lawnmower Carburetor?

To clean a lawnmower carburetor, you’ll have to completely remove it from the machine. You can usually do so with tools such as an adjustable wrench and/or a pair of needle-nose pliers. You may have to remove the engine cover as well depending on your lawn mower model.

• Turn off the fuel valve or make a crimp in the fuel line, and remove it from the carburetor. A little fuel may spill out at this time so you should dress appropriately for the job.
• Detach the choke and throttle linkages from the carburetor throttle lever, and remove the carburetor from the mounting bolts using a sliding motion.
• Unthread the screw to remove the carburetor bowl.
• Release the float pin and carburetor inlet needle.

How to Clean a Lawnmower Carburetor?

Once you’ve removed the carburetor from the lawnmower, you can use a carburetor cleaner to remove grime and fuel, and a dry rag to clean the external parts of the carburetor.

If you notice any signs of rust, get rid of them with sandpaper or a rust remover. Allow all the parts to dry and reinstall them and the carburetor back on the lawn mower.

If your carburetor is showing signs of physical damage, you may have to replace it with a new one instead of reinstalling the old one back on the machine.

How to Clean Lawn Mower Air Filter?

If you keep your lawnmower’s air filter clean, you will have less dirt and debris getting into the carburetor.

Your lawn mower’s air filter is in fact the first line of defense against dirt and debris that stems from the mowing process and prevents dirt from entering the engine via the carburetor.

It’s a good practice to clean your lawn mower’s air filter every 25 working hours or whenever you notice a dip in performance. Replace the air filter if damaged or after 300 hours of operation.

• Shut down the mower before getting started with the cleaning process, and make sure all the parts have come to a complete stop and have cooled down. Note: You should never operate a mower without an air filter as doing so will cause serious damage to the machine and yourself.
• Disconnect the spark plug wire and remove the protective screw that secures the mower’s shroud (covering) over the air filter. The exact location of the air filter could vary by model but most commonly is located near the top of the engine, and is protected by a shroud.
• Remove the air filter and take a closer look at it. Your lawnmower could be fitted with one of three different types of air filters:

• Foam air filter
• Paper air filter
• Dual-element air filter.

If you have a paper air filter, gently tap it on a flat surface to knock off any loose dirt and debris. Next, hold it up to a bright light source and if the paper blocks a considerable amount of light, then it’s time to replace it but don’t try and clean it further.

A foam lawn mower air filter should be replaced if there are any signs of crumbling or visible brown or yellow staining. If it’s in good condition, you can go ahead and clean it.

For a hybrid air filter, refer to the manufacturers cleaning guidelines. But usually needs to be replaced if it’s become stiff, brittle, or significantly stained.

Cleaning a Lawnmower’s Foam Air Filter:

• Washing: You can wash your lawnmower’s foam filter in the wash sink or with a garden hose to get rid of stubborn dirt. If it’s extremely dirty, use dish detergent to remove the dirt but be sure to rinse the soap out thoroughly.
• Drying: Let the filter air dry under the sun, after which you can oil it. You can apply oil with your hands or directly pour it over the foam filter. But don’t get carried away as you don’t want the oil dripping into the mower.
• Re-installing: Before reinstalling the air filter, clean the housing and the shroud with a dry cloth and not with a compressor because it could force dirt and debris into the carburetor and engine. Reinsert the air filter and make sure it fits snuggly into its dedicated slot. Lastly, replace the shroud but be careful not to tear the filter. Don’t forget to reconnect the spark plug, so you can start your lawnmower.

How to Perform Lawn Mower Maintenance?

Maintaining your lawn mower will improve both its performance and service life. Lawnmower maintenance can be carried out at any time of year but the two best times are before the first mow of the season and at the end of the season when it’s time to retire the mower.

Many people choose to take their mower to a professional repair shop for maintenance but these simple checks and fixes can be performed in the comfort of your home.

Since every lawnmower model is different than the other, it’s best to refer to your owner’s manual for maintenance instructions but here are some common tips to keep your mower in tip-top shape.

Replace the spark plug

Removing the spark plug ensures that the mower doesn’t accidentally start. A lawnmower spark plug should be changed every mowing season, after 25 hours of use, or if the mower won’t start.

• Start by disconnecting the spark plug lead.
• Clean the area to prevent any debris from seeping into the combustion chamber when you remove the plug.
• Use an appropriate spark plug socket to remove the spark plug.
• If there are any light deposits on the plug, clean them with a soft cloth.
• Replace the plug if there are any damaged electrodes.

Change the oil

You should ideally change the oil in your mower every 50 hours of operation or after every mowing season. Most mowers come with a drain plug that allows you to drain the oil from the mower. If your mower didn’t come with a drain plug, simply flip the mower over on its side and allow it to drain via its fill hole.

Make sure to replace the oil with the right type of lawnmower oil, but 10W30 is the grade suitable for most lawnmowers.

Drain the fuel tank

If your lawnmower won’t start, the common culprit is old gas. Lawnmower gas can go stale and lose its volatility in as little as 30 days and leaving gas in the tank when not in use can eventually corrode the fuel tank.

Remember to drain the fuel tank at the end of each season and refill it in the spring, and take all the necessary precautions while performing this task.

Clean the mowing deck

The mowing deck is perhaps the most used component of a mower but is also the most overlooked when it comes to cleaning and maintenance.

It’s a good practice to clean the mowing deck every time you finish cutting the lawn. Dirt, cut grass, and debris can accumulate onto the area above the blades, aka the mowing deck, and once it dries, becomes incredibly hard and difficult to remove.

You should perform a thorough mower deck cleaning at the end of the growing season, which entails removing the spark plug and cleaning the mowing deck and blades thoroughly.

Check the tires

Regardless of the type of mower, whether walk-behind mowers or riding lawn mowers, it’s important to check the tires to ensure they’re in good condition and are free from chips and damage.

Here’s an informative video on how to remove a lawnmower carburetor and the steps to maintain and repair a lawn mower:

Steps to Clean Your Lawn mower Carburetor

At the start of the new mowing season, many people suddenly discover their Lawn mower that was working perfectly at the end of last year now doesn’t want to start. There could be several reasons for this, including old fuel, a dirty spark plug or many others. However, one of the most common causes for a mower to stop running properly is that it has a corroded or blocked carburetor.

Carburetors are not so hard to fix, but many people don’t feel confident taking an engine apart, preferring to take it to a repair shop – even though a dirty carburetor is something most people will be able to fix themselves.

If you want to save yourself some cash when your mower won’t start, here’s how to clean a Lawn mower carburetor at home.

If you want a preview, here’s a video that shows many of the steps we’ll be talking about.

Step-by-step guide to cleaning lawn mower carburetor

Here’s our step-by-step guide to cleaning a Lawn mower carburetor. If the carburetor is the problem, follow these steps to clean it yourself without needing to call in a professional.

Of course, this only applies to gas mowers and not to others like cordless electric Lawn mowers or battery-powered self-propelled Lawn mowers.

An important tip – if this is your first time cleaning a carburetor or you are not sure about how to put it back together, take photos with your cell phone at each step when you remove something. This way, you will have a guide when it comes to putting it back together.

Step 1. Safety first

Whenever carrying out repair work of any kind, safety should always be your primary concern. Since old fuel can be highly noxious, when taking apart a carburetor, the most important thing is to make sure you are working in a well-ventilated area.

If you are working in a garage, open the door and any Windows. If possible, also use a ventilation fan. If your garage or workshop doesn’t have Windows or doors you can open, you should consider working somewhere else.

Step 2. Check to see if the problem really is the carburetor

Sometimes when diagnosing a problem with machinery, some people can be too quick to jump to conclusions. For example, there might be a temptation to attribute the fault to a bad carburetor when actually the problem is something much simpler.

For this reason, before you start dismantling your Lawn mower, the first thing is to check a few other possibilities first.

Does your Lawn mower have fuel in it? Ok, so this might sound extremely obvious, but many people still forget to look.

If the mower has fuel in it, check the ignition switch is in the right position and also make sure the spark plug is attached properly and isn’t dirty.

Finally, have a look to see if the air filter is clean and free of debris.

If all of these are in order, shoot some carburetor cleaner into the carburetor and try starting the mower. If it starts or even splutters after you do this, it’s a good indication you really do have a carburetor problem and you need to remove it and give it a clean.

Step 3. Remove the outer casing and air filter

How to do this depends largely on your model of Lawn mower, but in general, it should simply be a case of unscrewing a few screws and removing the outer paneling to reveal the Lawn mower’s innards. Remove the air filter and you will find the carburetor.

Step 4. Unbolt the carburetor and remove it from the fuel line

The carburetor itself should be bolted in place. Unbolt the carburetor and then ease out the fuel line.

At this stage, some fuel should spill out of both the carburetor and the fuel line so it’s best to be ready with a piece of rag to catch the liquid.

If no fuel spills out, it may mean you have a different problem – this could be an indication that you have a fuel line blockage, so at this point, you might want to check that the fuel line is clear.

Step 5. Unbolt the bowl and clean the nut

The carburetor bowl is held in place by a single nut. First, clean around the bowl with carburetor cleaner then unscrew the nut and remove the bowl. This nut is actually a jet with a hole, and you need to make sure the hole is clear of any obstructions.

You can do this simply by poking a paper clip or piece of wire inside. Having a small piece of debris inside the jet is one of the most common reasons for a carburetor to stop working, and simply cleaning out the hole could fix your problem.

If the gasket is old, some of it may also be stuck to the nut – so give it a clean by scraping it off. Finally, spray the nut with some carburetor cleaner. Here’s a video that shows these steps clearly.

If the bowl is damaged or particularly dirty, you should replace it rather than try to clean it.

Step 6. Replace the needle

Once you remove the bowl, you will see the float attached to the carburetor with a pin. Remove the pin and replace the needle.

Inside the carburetor, there is a small gasket where the needle sits. You should also replace this, taking care to fit the new one the right way around.

Step 7. Spray the carburetor with cleaning fluid and clean inside the holes

Once you have removed all the parts, you should clean the carburetor by giving it a good spray with carburetor cleaner.

You will also need to clean inside the various holes in the carburetor. This can be done with a paperclip or piece of wire like with the nut in Step 6. Make sure that all the holes are clear and free of debris.

Step 8. Replace the main gasket

When you take the carburetor apart, it’s always a good idea to replace the main gasket that goes between the carburetor itself and the bowl. Simply remove the old one and fit a new one in its place.

Step 9. Reassemble and reattach

Using the photos you took at each step on your cell phone, put the carburetor back together and reattach it to the engine.

Once everything is back in place, add fuel to the tank and start it up. If you have fixed the problem, it should now start up easily.

A relatively easy issue to fix

Even for those who aren’t experienced in working with machines and engines, fixing a clogged or dirty carburetor is relatively easy and can save you money. However, if you follow all these steps and the mower still doesn’t go, it might be time to think about taking it to a repair shop.

How To Clean A Carburetor On A Lawn Mower Without Removing It

Machines have a lot of fast-moving parts that work together for the machine to function.

Just like a car, a lawnmower has a machine called carburetor that is responsible for the movement of the blade that cuts the grass.

A carburetor is a device that injects air into the fuel to have internal combustion. The combustion is what will power the blades.

Carburetors are present in large machines like commercial planes and to small ones like your trusty lawnmower.

Today, we discuss how to clean the carburetor in your lawnmower without removing it. This can be a good option if you do not have the technical knowledge and the right tools to do a thorough cleaning which requires removing the carburetor from the machine.

After all, sometimes all it needs is just a bit of cleaning.

• 1 Types of lawnmowers
• 2 Common issues and symptoms of a faulty carburetor
• 3 Why you should not (yet) remove the carburetor when you clean it?
• 4 Essential tools you need
• 5 how to clean lawn mower carburetor Step-by-step

• 5.1 Step 1: Turn off the lawnmower
• 5.2 Step 2: Do an initial check-up
• 5.3 Step 3: Remove air filter then clean it
• 5.4 Step 4: Closely look at the insides with a flashlight or a headlamp
• 5.5 Step 5: Look at the connecting wires in the carburetor
• 5.6 Step 6: Remove all the dirt with an air-compressor gun
• 5.7 Step 7: Spray the insides with an aerosol cleaner
• 5.8 Step 8: Remove all the gunk and deposits manually
• 5.9 Step 9: Inspect everything before finishing

Types of lawnmowers

These are the usual types of lawnmowers you can see at your local hardware depot.

• Traditionalpush-reel lawnmower. This one does not use an engine but rather relies on the kinetic energy provided by the turning wheels. A set of 5 to 8 blades work together to provide a basic cut. Do not expect fast or precision cutting with this one.
• Walk behind lawnmower. This one is the most popular due to its efficiency. You just push the lawnmower towards the uncut grass and everything is cut nicely and evenly after. The blades are located at the bottom which is powered by a small carburetor.
• Ride-on lawmowers. This one is operated similar to a car or a golfcart. Instead of pushing it, you sit on the machine and steer it. Usually, this machine is used on stadiums and large greenfield which requires faster cutting without tiring the person.

Common issues and symptoms of a faulty carburetor

The issue with any gas-power machine is you should regularly use it but not overuse it. Leaving it unused for a long time can lead to complications.

Liquids inside may harden and cause blockage in some parts. The grease may get gunky and cause the moving parts to be stuck.

You will easily know when the carburetor is acting up when it shows the following signs:

• Weaker engine and performance. If you notice that your lawnmower cannot any more cut evenly or have a hard time cutting denser grasses, the carburetor is definitely in bad shape, and attend to it immediately.
• Emission of black smoke. This means that the carburetor is consuming unusually high amounts of fuel. You will end up spending more on gasoline. Also, exposure to black smoke could lead to respiratory and dermatological problems.
• Overheating. Usually, this means that there is a poor mix or ratio of air and fuel. The engine exerts more effort to work.
• Suddenly shutting down. Simply put, any lawnmower should have no problem being used for an hour or two. When it suddenly shutdowns, it is an obvious sign that your carburetor needs some cleaning or fixing.
• Jumpy starting. Whether it is started via a push-button or pulling a cord, a lawnmower that has a hard time starting means that the internal parts are not at their optimum status.

Now you know how to spot a faulty carburetor. Let us now talk about whether you should remove it from the lawmower or not.

Why you should not (yet) remove the carburetor when you clean it?

Before you do anything, you should assess your technical know-how with small machines. If you are a mechanic who deals with this problem regularly, then removing the carburetor and putting it back would be easy.

If you are just a casual homeowner, better keep it intact and clean it from there.

You may successfully remove it and clean it, but you may end up having a hard time returning it. What is a clean carburetor if you cannot use it anymore.

Essential tools you need

Before you start cleaning, take a look of everything to assess how you will proceed with the cleaning. If you see exposed wires, a rat may have chewed on it.

If you see patches of rust, the carburetor may have been exposed to water and was not dried out fast.

Things like these should be taken into account before you do anything whether it is just a simple cleanup or a full-on disassembly.

Remember, if you lawnmower is still under warranty, make sure to ask the company whether your machine is eligible for a clean-up.

Step 2.1: Take photos of the carburetor before you do anything

You may not see this step in other guides but you need to have photos of the machine before you do anything.

The reason for this is to have a reference later on what the machine should look like when you put everything back in case you fumble in putting back the parts together after.

Also, this is good for warranty purposes to show that your machine has acquired damage and unusual wear-and-tear even under normal usage.

Step 3: Remove air filter then clean it

All the air that is sucked inside goes through the air filter. Unless you are using your lawnmower in a clean and empty room, your filter will have a lot of dirt and sediments on it.

You can just use a damp rag if there is minimal dirt but use the blow function of your vaccuum to remove the dirt.

If the air filter on your lawnmower can be removed, it is better to remove it and clean it on its own.

This way, you can clean both sides and leave it for it to dry. You can now proceed without waiting for the air filter to dry.

Step 4: Closely look at the insides with a flashlight or a headlamp

Other people skip this and just glance at the internals. With a flaslight or a headlamp, you can FOCUS on all the parts one-by-one to you know what you are dealing with.

You do not want any surprises like an exposed wire which you can leave unattended if you have not seen it with a flashlight.

Also, most carburetors have a dark paint or gets dark over time. You miss out the rust, moss, or other discoloration inside if you do not use a flashlight.

Step 5: Look at the connecting wires in the carburetor

Wires are important, but they are delicate. Any slight tug of it could snap it and render the machine useless (for a while until you get a replacement wire or patch it up).

It can also cause serious injuries when an exposed wire touches another wire or some dried grass (which are flammable).

This is also a good practice in being a better homeowner and a “DIY mechanic.” You will be familiarized with how a machine works.

After all, once you understand the machine of a lawnmower, you will be familiarized with other machines like electric generators, motorbikes, and electric fans.

A common issue of a failing carburetor are old spark plugs. The coating may have worn out due to aging and does not receive electricity optimally.

Step 6: Remove all the dirt with an air-compressor gun

Over the days (or months) you have used with your lawnmower, there could be a build up of dirt and gunk inside and outside the carburetor.

Some are placed in hard-to-reach areas so instead of squeezing your hands in, why not use an air-compressor gun?You can easily dislodge any debris with this tool. However, you should not use it with the highest setting or even use an industrial air-compressor gun that are meant for heavier cleaning.

Step 7: Spray the insides with an aerosol cleaner

Do not be confused to use water in cleaning your carburetor. That would just ruin the machine for good. An aerosol cleaner is a machine-friendly that sticks to the surface for longer protection.

Now, this step requires turning on the machine. The reason is you need the cleaner to go through the machine so that even the internal parts are cleaned.

On the center of the carburetor, spray in pulse the lawn mower carburetor cleaner like this one while the machine is running. You can do this in 10-15 pulses and leave the machine running for a minute to ensure maximum coverage.

Turn off the engine and spray the carburetor’s throat thoroughly. The lower plate will also have dirt so give it a good spray after.

Step 8: Remove all the gunk and deposits manually

After blowing off the dirt with the air-compressor gun and spraying the aerosol cleaner, now is the time to use your hands and manually clean off leftover dirt.

Make sure your rag is damp, and not soaking wet, to easily wipe off any solid dirt. Also, after every wipe of a major dirt, rinse the rag and squeeze out the water to avoid spreading the dirt further on the carburetor.

Step 9: Inspect everything before finishing

When everything is done, make sure to check everything and spot-check important parts using a flashlight. You can see the photos you have taken earlier to see if everything is matching.

Test it and let it run for 5 to 10 minutes to see if anything has been affected by the cleaning. Usually, you will notice a smoother start (no chugging sound or shaking).

Additional tips

Here are some final tips for you to consider before cleaning the carburetor

• Maintain a regular schedule of partial cleaning (like this article is saying) and deep cleaning (removing the carburetor).
• Before you take the lawn mower that won’t start for repair or cleaning to the shop, make sure you know what the problem is. Some shops will exaggerate the problem and ask for a more expensive service fee.
• Use the right aerosol cleaner. A general purpose cleaner is fine in most situations but if you want the best cleaner, get the one dedicated to lawnmowers or small carburetors. The cleaner for your over or your bathroom’s disinfectant spray are not suitable for this type of cleaning.

Conclusion

At first, cleaning the carburetor can be intimidating. After all, not everyone is proficient with machines or have previous experience with it. This guide is to give you an overview of how the process works.

However, as some lawnmowers are built differently and some have different usage, the process may vary.

In some gas-powered weed eater trimmers, you may have the same issues. So you can do the same checks like the above. The differences may be that you have a 2-cycle or 4-cycle engine.

Always remember that cleaning without removing the carburetor is not a replacement to deep-cleaning the carburetor by removing it and even dismantling the parts.

Maintain your lawnmower and it will serve you and even your kids well.

Lindsey Hyland grew up in Arizona where she studied at the University of Arizona’s Controlled Environment Agriculture Center. She continued her gardening education by working on organic farms in both rural and urban settings. She started UrbanOrganicYield.com to share gardening tips and tactics. She’s happy to talk about succulents and houseplants or vegetables and herbs – or just about anything in a backyard garden or hydroponics garden.

Knowing how to locate and clean the carburetor on your lawn mower can keep it running smoothly for years to come.

By Timothy Dale | Updated Jun 3, 2022 11:19 AM

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A common problem encountered by many homeowners is finding that their lawn mower engine won’t start when they try to mow after a long winter season. This can be a sign that your mower’s carburetor is gummed up or even corroded, so it’s important to perform annual maintenance at the beginning of the mowing season to address any problems that could have been created over a long period of disuse.

Other signs of a dirty or restricted carburetor include the engine starting but stalling during use, the muffler emitting black smoke, a significant increase in fuel consumption, or the engine running rough during regular use. Keep reading to find out how to clean a lawn mower carburetor, as well as how to diagnose if you need lawn mower carburetor cleaner or more involved carburetor repair.

• Screwdriver
• Needle-nose pliers
• Nut driver
• Socket set
• Gloves
• Carburetor cleaner
• See full list «
• Bucket
• Compressed air

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BEFORE YOU BEGIN

In the event a dirty carburetor isn’t the reason your lawn mower won’t start, it’s important to first make sure something else isn’t causing the issue. Double-check that there’s fuel in the tank, the fuel valve is on, and the spark plug is in decent condition before spraying aerosol lubricant or carburetor cleaner into the throat of the carburetor. After spraying the carb cleaner, attempt to start the engine. If the engine runs at all, then the issue is with the fuel system. If the engine refuses to start after several tries, however, then the problem may be more serious. In that case, take your mower to a small engine repair shop.

STEP 1: Clean the outside of the lawn mower engine.

The purpose of learning how to clean a carburetor on a lawn mower is to remove any dirt and debris that could be causing the engine to run rough, so begin the lawn mower carburetor cleaning process by cleaning the outside of the engine while it is turned off. This makes it easier to keep the internal parts of the carburetor clean during disassembly.

Also, it’s necessary to take the time to clean your work area, which should be well-lit to avoid losing any small parts while you work. Have a clear space on your workbench where you can disassemble, clean, repair, and reassemble the various parts of the carburetor.

STEP 2: Remove the air filter to access the carburetor.

In order to access the carburetor in your lawn mower, you need to remove the air filter housing. The air filter typically sits overtop of the carburetor. Inspect the air filter to determine if it’s attached with clips or screws, then use a screwdriver to loosen the fasteners and place them in a safe location for reinstallation. Next, remove the air filter. It’s a good idea to inspect the air filter and either clean or replace it if necessary. If you have difficulty removing the air filter, you should be able to find detailed information in your lawn mower’s manual to help with this part of the process.

STEP 3: Remove the carburetor.

Wearing durable gloves for skin protection, use a carburetor cleaner for lawn mowers to spray into the throat of the carburetor or clean the part’s exterior. To clean the internal pieces of the carburetor, though, you will need to remove it entirely from the engine. Use a nut driver or socket set to remove the two bolts that hold the carburetor to the engine, then disconnect the throttle and choke linkage cables from the carburetor.

Make sure to place any fasteners or small pieces in a safe location for reinstallation, and note (or photograph) the location of any cables or hoses so you can put them back in the proper place. Prepare a bucket or bowl to catch the fuel before removing the fuel lines from the nipples of the carburetor housing with needle-nose pliers. If no gas comes out of the fuel line, you may have a plugged fuel line or fuel filter, which will have to be addressed before reassembling the lawn mower.

Once the carburetor is disconnected, pull it off of the mounting studs, taking care to avoid damage to the main gasket between the carburetor and the engine. Also, make a note of the position of the carburetor so that you don’t reinstall it upside down. Place the carburetor in a bucket to allow any fuel to drain.

STEP 4: Disassemble the carburetor.

A key reminder before disassembling your carburetor is that every piece you remove needs to be put back in the same position. Prepare an appropriate place to disassemble the carburetor if you haven’t already, and consider taking pictures while you work to prevent confusion during reassembly.

With the carburetor in the middle of your clean work area and while wearing gloves, start the disassembly process by cleaning around the bowl with a carburetor cleaner. Next, unbolt the fuel bowl and ensure the hole in the nut is clear of any obstructions by poking a paper clip or piece of thin wire through it. Then, remove the float, which should be attached to the carburetor with a hinge pin, and also remove and replace the needle, if necessary. Keep all of the parts grouped together.

STEP 5: Replace any worn-out parts.

Even the best carburetor cleaner cannot repair worn-out parts. Should you spot significant wear and tear on any parts, including the float, pin, needle, or gaskets, then you should get a carburetor repair kit for your specific carburetor to make necessary repairs. Some carburetor parts, like gaskets, wear out more quickly than other parts. When planning your annual carburetor cleaning, it’s recommended to have spare parts ready on hand to avoid taking the carburetor apart more than once. Simultaneously replacing the mower air filter also helps to streamline the maintenance process.

STEP 6: Clean the carburetor and carburetor parts.

With the carburetor disassembled and your gloves on, you will be able to spray carburetor cleaner inside the carburetor housing and clean the various parts. Carb cleaners come in aerosol cans that are great for quick, efficient cleaning, but you can also purchase carburetor cleaner in a bottle or jug.

If you prefer to use a liquid carburetor cleaner over a spray cleaner, then you will need to pour the cleaner into an empty bucket where the parts can soak. Wire the larger parts of the carburetor together, then carefully lower them into a bucket filled with carb cleaner. Use a piece of aluminum screen or a fine-mesh basket to wrap the small pieces of the carburetor before placing them in the bucket, as well. Leave the parts to soak for about an hour before removing them from the cleaning solution.

STEP 7: Reassemble the carburetor.

Rinse the carburetor parts with water to remove excess carburetor cleaner. Then, blow dry the parts with compressed air or let them air dry. It’s essential that the parts are completely dry before reassembly.

When you’re confident that the carburetor parts are dry, you can begin putting the carburetor back together. Use any pictures you took during disassembly to ensure that you are correctly reassembling the parts.

Once the carburetor is reassembled, mount it on the lawn mower, reattach the throttle and choke linkage cables, and reinstall the fuel lines. Fasten the bolts on the carburetor and reattach the air filter to the mower.

STEP 8: Test the lawn mower.

After you have reassembled and reinstalled the carburetor and air filter, add fuel to the gas tank and start the lawn mower to ensure that the maintenance was a success. Ideally, cleaning the carburetor should allow the engine to start up easily, but if you continue to experience problems with starting your mower, take the lawn mower to a small engine repair shop for further diagnosis.

Final Thoughts

To get the longest life possible out of your mower, it’s necessary to perform regular maintenance throughout the year. This includes cleaning the carburetor at the beginning of the mowing season, winterizing your lawn mower at the end of the mowing season, and changing oil, replacing spark plugs, and sharpening blades as needed. If you neglect regular mower maintenance, it may break down in a relatively short period of time, costing you more in expensive repairs.

How to Clean Your Riding Mower Carburetor: Step-By-Step

Your riding lawn mower carburetor controls the amount of air and fuel mixture to form combustion in your engine.

When the carburetor isn’t functioning correctly, it can cause your riding mower to sputter, stall and not start. Most of the time, your carburetor problems can be solved by cleaning them.

If you are a little mechanical and don’t mind working with small parts, you can follow my instructions below to clean the carburetor yourself. Your local small engine repair shop is an option to have your carburetor cleaned or rebuilt if you don’t want to tackle the job.

Symptoms of a Bad Carburetor on Your Riding Lawn Mower

When a riding carburetor is acting up, you will notice these symptoms due to your mower running with the incorrect fuel-to-air mixture or having a blockage:

• Engine won’t start
• Starts and then dies
• Backfires from running lean
• Engine is sputtering and running rough
• Engine is surging
• Mower is consuming too much fuel

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Follow all safety instructions provided in your equipment operator’s manual before diagnosing, repairing, or operating. Consult a professional if you don’t have the skills, or knowledge or are not in the condition to perform the repair safely.

Steps to Clean Your Riding Mower Carburetor

Spray Carburetor Cleaner in the Air Intake: You don’t want to take your carburetor apart if it isn’t causing your problem. To identify if you need to take your carburetor apart, remove your air filter from the filter housing.

Spray carburetor cleaner into the air intake and start your riding mower. If your mower starts and then dies, you must take apart your carburetor and clean it.

Gather Tools and Items Required to Clean the Carburetor

• Pliers
• Screwdriver
• Socket/ratchet set
• Carburetor cleaner
• Thick wire
• Needle nose pliers

Take Photos for Reassembly

I highly recommend taking photos during the disassembly of your carburetor. There are so many small parts to your carburetor that it can be hard to remember where every part to when you reassemble it.

Most people have a cell phone available to take photos and easily access them. If you have a camera or phone, take photos of your carburetor before you remove it and during each step of taking it apart.

Shut off Your Fuel Supply

Use your fuel shut-off valve to stop fuel flow. You will find this valve at the bottom of your fuel tank. If you don’t have a shut-off valve, crimp the line to stop fuel flow. Remove the fuel line from the carburetor.

Remove the Throttle Choke Cable

Remove your throttle and choke cables.

Detach the Filter Housing

Remove the hardware that attaches the carburetor to the air filter housing.

Remove the Springs on Your Carburetor

Next, you need to slowly remove the springs. Be careful to not stretch out the springs. You may have to twist the carburetor a bit to get the springs to come off.

Be careful not to tear the gasket located between the engine block and the carburetor. If you do tear it, you will need to replace it with a new gasket.

Remove the Bowl from Your Carburetor

The carburetor bowl stores a little gasoline inside your carburetor. The bowl is located on the bottom of your carburetor and is held on by a screw. Have a rag available to catch any remaining gas in the bowl.

Go ahead and remove the screw and the bowl while taking care not to damage the gasket that sits between the bowl and the carburetor.

This gasket looks like a rubber Band. You don’t want any substance such as carburetor cleaner to get on the gasket or you will need to replace it.

Check the Stem for Clogged Holes

There is a little piece that hangs down from the center of your riding mower’s carburetor. This is known as the stem. There are holes in the stem that can become clogged from running old fuel.

When this happens, the stem will not draw fuel up to the jet. Use a flashlight to better see the holes in the stem. Clean the holes with a thick wire to unplug the holes.

Check Your Carburetor for White Crusty Buildup

Check out the carburetor and its parts for a white crusty buildup which is the result of fuel additives including ethanol. Try to remove as much of this crusty material as possible using carburetor cleaner. It is almost impossible to remove all the crusty deposits.

Use the carburetor cleaner to clean any parts that are sticking or clogged.

Reassemble Your Carburetor

Once you have cleaned your carburetor and ensured the float and float needle are moving freely, it’s time to reassemble it. Reference the photos you took earlier when putting your carburetor together to make sure all the small parts get put back in the right places.

Reattach components to your riding mower carburetor including the springs, filter housing, throttle and choke cables (if the mower uses them), and the fuel line.

Fill Your Fuel Tank with Fresh Gas with a Fuel Additive

Start your fuel flow. Use fresh gasoline mixed with a fuel additive, like Sea Foam Motor Treatment, in your riding mower’s fuel tank. Give the fuel a chance to fill the bowl of your carburetor and start your engine.

Read more about why I choose to use Sea Foam to stabilize and clean my fuel system with my article on the advantages of Sea Foam here.

Replace or Rebuild Your Carburetor

Sometimes cleaning your carburetor doesn’t get the carburetor working again. You may have too much buildup or parts of your carburetor may become stuck or damaged. In this case, you will have to rebuild or replace your carburetor.

Check the price for a carburetor rebuild kit and the price for a new carburetor. Sometimes the aren’t that far apart and you may choose to replace your carburetor instead of rebuilding it.

When purchasing parts for your carburetor, have your engine’s make and model number available. Many lawn tractors use another manufacturer’s engine so you need to have the engine information on hand to ensure you get the right parts.

Riding Mower Problems Could Be than a Carburetor Problem

A dirty or bad carburetor can be a cause of your riding mower not starting, quitting after starting, and leaking fuel. There are many other items that can cause these problems. To find out more about these causes and how to solve them, check out the links below.

Still Having Problems With Your Riding Mower?

As a lawn mower owner, when you own it long enough, you are going to run into different types of problems. This may include problems where your mower is smoking, cutting unevenly, losing power, not starting, leaking fuel, and more.

Check out this handy guide including charts for common mower problems and solutions:Common Riding Lawn Mower Problems Solutions.

If you are unable to fix your mower or don’t want to attempt a more complicated repair, have your local lawn mower dealership or repair shop for assistance.

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