To clean it you simply loosen the long, threaded bolt that holds the lid in place. With some older, gas-powered trimmers and lawnmowers, the air filter is little more than a piece of soft flexible foam. When it is functioning properly, the air filter is tasked with catching any dust and airborne debris before it makes it into the carburetor.Īs debris starts to buildup, it can rob the lawnmower of the air it needs to efficiently ignite the fuel-air mixture in the engine’s combustion chamber.Įxcess fuel and other debris can then damage or corrode the spark plug. Cleaning Or Replacing the Air FilterĪir filters naturally clog over time. Not only can this impede the passage of fuel into the system, but it can also start to clog the lawnmower’s fuel filter. If you run the tank low or completely dry during a long mowing session, this debris can be sucked into the fuel line. Can Dust And Debris In The Fuel Tank Cause A Problem?Īt the same time dust that gets into the fuel tank through the breather on the gas cap or when you open the cap to refill the tank can become a problem.Īs it settles lower into the tank these tiny particles can start to collect and congeal. When this happens the fuel-air ratio in the engine’s combustion chamber can lead to premature carbon buildup in the carburetor or around the spark plug. Dust and even excessive airborne pollen can start to clog the air filter. Beware Dust And Debrisĭusty, dry conditions can potentially affect how a lawnmower performs. It’s also worth bearing in mind that seasonal maintenance is just as important as periodic in-season maintenance. However, making sure that you properly maintain the lawnmower’s engine and other components can reduce the conditions that can prematurely shorten the spark plug’s lifespan. So, it’s unrealistic to expect it to last forever. How Can I Maintain My Lawnmower’s Spark Plug? It’s not uncommon for the model numbers to wear off on a sparkplug over time. If you no longer have the lawnmower’s owner’s manual, you should write down the model number and put it somewhere safe. Don’t over-tighten it beyond this point, or you will risk cracking the plug. Then give it another quarter turn to make sure it is sealed tightly. At that point, use the appropriate sparkplug socket and ratchet to tighten the plug down until it stops. Insert the new spark plug into the clean hole and then finger-tighten. Still, it would be wise to double-check it with a spark plug gauge to make sure it matches the manufacturer’s specifications. Most are “Pre-gapped” to match your specific engine. If the electrode looks dry, or there is a strange powdery material on it, there might be a problem with the carburetor, which could be depriving the engine of the fuel it needs. Step 3: Examine the sparkplug, paying close attention to the electrode. Give it ten minutes or so to soak into the tight spaces around the plug. If it doesn’t move with a reasonable amount of force, you should spray it down with a little WD40 or some other type of penetrating lubricant. Sometimes the plug can be a little stubborn. Step 2: Use the spark plug socket to carefully remove the spark plug. While doing so, take an extra minute or two to clean around the plug and wipe away any debris with a paper towel or shop rag. Step 1: Disconnect the lawnmower’s sparkplug wire. Just about any reputable hardware or automotive store can point you in the right direction. Once you get comfortable with it, you will find it’s actually pretty easy, and relatively straightforward. how to change a spark plug in a lawn mower?Ĭhanging a lawnmower’s sparkplug might seem a little intimidating the first couple of times you need to do it. While this might work once or twice, to get you through a mowing session, you should still consider replacing the plug. In a pinch, you might be able to lightly clean the plug and gently adjust the gap between the electrodes. If you take the plug out and it looks rounded on top or there are some cracks, then it’s probably wise to replace it.Īt the same time, some bad spark plugs will also look black from carbon or degraded excess gasoline. Physically the center of the electrode should have a flat top. This could even cause a lingering smell of raw gasoline while you are mowing.Ī truly bad sparkplug might also show visible signs. If you are paying attention, you can usually notice if a lawnmower’s sparkplug is starting to go bad.Ī pull mower might take an increasingly longer number of pulls, or a riding mower might take longer than usual to start when you turn the key.Ī lawnmower with a bad sparkplug might also start to develop performance issues or consume more fuel than usual.
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