Bad mower spark plug

The job of a spark plug is to ignite the fuel and air mixture that the carburetor sends to an engine cylinder. The energy created from this combustion process is what powers your equipment. If the spark is weak, this process cannot happen effectively. The most common symptom of a bad spark plug bad mower spark plug that equipment is harder to start than normal.

Due to carbon build-up and a weakened electrode, a small engine spark plug will degrade over time. Fortunately, the spark plug is one of the easiest engine components to replace. This step-by-step guide will teach you how to tell if a lawn mower spark plug is bad along with tips for testing other garden equipment. The ignition process relies on a suitable balance of fuel and air being drawn through the carburetor into the engine, a properly operating ignition coil , and a functioning spark plug. The flywheel has permanent magnets built into it, and as it moves past the ignition coil a magnetic field is created which induces electricity, allowing the ignition coil to send a high-voltage pulse to the spark plug. When the piston reaches the top of the cylinder, the spark plug ignites the compressed fuel and air mixture, forcing the piston back down. The spent fuel exits an exhaust port, fresh fuel enters the intake port, and the combustion process is repeated to keep the engine running.

Bad mower spark plug

Thriving Yard is an affiliate for companies including Amazon Associates and earns a commission on qualifying purchases. Sometimes identifying if it actually is the spark plug that is the problem can be a challenge. Read on to see what makes a spark plug go bad, how to tell if yours has reached the end of its life, how to reinstall one, and when it needs replacing. Lawnmowers can have a variety of problems, and it can sometimes be difficult to diagnose which part is to blame. There are some key things to watch for that will let you know that the spark plug is the culprit. An overly worn or dirty spark plug will not spark as quickly and can take more work to get it functioning. Spark plugs may be inconsistent or unreliable if they are damaged or worn. Although they are demonstrating on a push mower, the symptoms and solutions are the same for a riding mower:. You can also tell that you have faulty spark plugs if your fuel tank is running out of gas much faster than usual, and you have to refill it too often. The spark plug may not be burning all of the fuel if its spark is weak, allowing too much fuel to move through the chamber without being burned and utilized, thus causing you to refill it sooner. Source: Champion Auto Parts. If you discover that your spark plug is not functioning correctly, there are a few things you can do to move forward. If your spark plug is damaged or too worn down for continued use, the best option is just to get a new one. If your spark plug is not damaged or overly worn down, then you could consider cleaning and reinstalling it.

The troubleshooting steps are pretty much the same for any mower.

The air is warmer and the grass is growing — time to break out the lawn mower. Unlike your car, your lawn mower and other lawn and garden equipment are not used regularly and the time spent sitting in storage can lead to problems with them running properly. When you take your mower out for the first time, you may encounter a variety of situations. If you are lucky, the lawn mower will start with the first pull of the cord. Unfortunately, after months of sitting around, it is likely your lawn mower may not run smoothly, or even start at all. Before you give up, here are some things you can do to troubleshoot the problem.

Are you experiencing problems with your lawn mower? Our team has a wealth of experience in diagnosing and fixing such issues. We can guide you through the steps to identify and fix the problem, ensuring your lawn mower is back in action as soon as possible. A bad spark plug in a lawnmower causes hard starting, poor performance, stalling, misfiring, and increased fuel use. Check the gap, and clean or replace the plug. Use the same type and gap.

Bad mower spark plug

Knowing how to test a spark plug on a lawn mower is something that can really come in handy. The best part is, once you know how to test one spark plug, you know how to test them all. The main signs that potentially indicate a bad lawn mower spark plug are:. In order to give your spark plug a quick examination, you will need a couple of tools. Let me go through a very broad description of how to test a spark plug on a lawn mower before I dive into detail. The process of removing a lawn mower spark plug is pretty straightforward with the right tools. Pop the spark plug hood off, secure the ignition cable away from the plug, and get your socket set on it.

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If you do not see a spark, unclip the tester from the spark plug and attach it to a good grounding location like a bolt on the engine valve cover. Integrated Systems Batteries Battery Storage. Sources: Manitoba University , Champoinautoparts. Careers About Us. Check out the steps below which outline how to determine why your spark plug is no longer working correctly. About Us. Fuel Stabil Spark plugs are not one of those parts, unfortunately. All spark plugs eventually wear out and need replacing. Spark plugs may be inconsistent or unreliable if they are damaged or worn. Residential Engines. You can also tell that you have faulty spark plugs if your fuel tank is running out of gas much faster than usual, and you have to refill it too often. PowerProtect View all Models. Lawnmowers can have a variety of problems, and it can sometimes be difficult to diagnose which part is to blame. Fortunately, the spark plug is one of the easiest engine components to replace.

If you have spent any length of time using a gas-powered lawn mower, you may have come across the problem of a bad spark plug.

Privacy Policy. If the engine tries to turn over even for a second and dies, then you have spark. Paul Brown. Check the air filter The job of the air filter is to remove dirt and debris from the air before it enters your engine. That is what we do and highly recommend you do too. If the engine does not turn over at all, then there may be a problem with your ignition system. If your spark plug is not damaged or overly worn down, then you could consider cleaning and reinstalling it. It can also work itself loose, causing issues. Find a Dealer. How do I check, clean and change small engine spark plugs? Check the oil Check the amount, color and consistency of the oil. Spark Plug Wrench S. If this is the first time you have tried to start the engine since last fall, fresh fuel may be in order.