I've got a Bilt Hard 4-cycle lawn mower that I picked up cheaply from a thrift store, and I knew there was a chance it wouldn't start. There was no fuel, and the oil was old and black when I got it. I've drained out the old fuel and oil, replaced them with fresh stuff. I checked the carburetor, and it looks like new—no corrosion or gumming whatsoever. The spark plug seems new too; no markings or wear on it. I even changed the fuel line since it was dry rotted. Now, I have fresh fuel and oil, the fuel flow to the carb is good, the carb is clean, and the spark plug is brand new. But after all this work, the mower doesn't even try to start! I'm hesitant to open up the engine case since it's sealed with silicone, and I don't have the torque specs or the confidence to put it back together properly. Do you guys think there's an internal issue? What would you do in my situation?
2 Answers
I don't mean to poke fun, but did you check if the mower actually turns over? Try flipping it over and see if you can move the blade. It might give you some better leverage than the pull cord if it’s stuck.
When you say it won't even try to start, do you mean the motor isn't cranking at all? If that's the case, the problem might be with a safety switch. There are usually safety features that prevent it from starting unless certain conditions are met, like being in the right position or having the brake engaged.
Got it! Pushing mowers are pretty straightforward. Sounds like you've checked a lot already, but sometimes the pull cord mechanism can get jammed, preventing any crank. Just a thought!
I get that! Just didn't know if it was a riding or push mower. Glad to know it's a push mower since it's easier to troubleshoot. So you're saying there's no crank at all, like no sounds or anything?