I recently got a Mountfield HP185 lawnmower last summer, and even invested in a fuel additive that's supposed to keep it from getting gunky for two years. However, when I took it out yesterday after a winter in storage, it started but then immediately died. I've done some research online, and many sources suggest that the carburettor might be clogged. My old mower never had this problem, so it's a bit frustrating! I'm wondering if it's straightforward to remove and clean the carburettor myself? I found some general cleaning videos but nothing specific to my model. Any advice would be appreciated!
3 Answers
I actually paid someone £85 last week to clean mine! But honestly, you should definitely give it a shot yourself first!
You might only need to clean the jets, and that's usually pretty simple. Just search for cleaning videos on YouTube by entering your lawnmower's full name and model along with 'cleaning carburetor jets.' I found loads of examples that should help!
Absolutely, I've cleaned my Honda's carb a few times. I suggest trying a simpler method first: there's a nut on the bottom of the carb's bowl. If you undo that and let about 100ml of fuel run through, it could clear out any bad fuel and gunk. If you do need to take it apart, just be cautious of the fuel—make sure to either drain the tank or clamp the fuel line to prevent spills. When it's open, I usually use a pin to clean the jets, but you can also buy tiny brushes made for that purpose.
Thanks for the tips! I have locking pliers to stop the fuel flow, but will I still need to remove the carb to access that nut?
Yes, you'll need to take it off to get to the nut, but that will save you from having to disassemble it completely.
Haha, seeing that makes me want to try cleaning it myself even more!