The mower may tip when you mow grass across a hillside, which allows the oil to flow to the carburetor. If your gas cap has improper venting, too much air can be allowed to enter the gas tank (or too little). When your push mower leaves clumps of grass clippings on the lawn as you mow, the likely causes are wet grass or allowing the grass to get too tall before you mow. A professional can determine the repairs, cleaning, and replacements needed. It’ll burn cleaner and help your mower to start on the first pull and roar like a tiger. In my experience, reel mowers work fine if you have a lawn in decent shape - fairly smooth, even grass, smallish in size - but on my neglected, crab grass infested, pockmarked mess a reel mower just doesn't cut it, literally and figuratively. Remove the cap and check the gas tank for evidence of water (if you see the liquid separating or looking like two different colors). If your location has a lot of leaves and/or pine needles on the ground in addition to grass then the mower may have so much under the deck that the cuttings are bogging down in the chute. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Some details of where the mower is spitting out the grass and anything you have done to try to correct the problem will help. If the mower is tipped over with the carburetor side down, gas will flood out of the carburetor and soak the air filter. Your question was published, help is on its way! Some carb cleaning spray will help if your carburetor is simply dirty, but sometimes there are other issues that can cause lawn mower sputtering. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Bad Fuel Quality. You may have tipped your mower to unclog the chute, to change the blades, or clean out the deck. The carburetor must have the right amount of air and fuel to run correctly, and while the average weekend warrior can probably find and remove his mower’s carb, due to its complexity, the carburetor can be tricky to clean or repair. I've learned to love caring for my lawn naturally and enjoying it daily. Look at the blade once. In most cases, a lawn mower’s engine suddenly bellows out blue or white smoke because the some of the oil spilled onto it. Lawnmower maintenance is a crucial part of keeping your mower running properly. 8. Where you set your lawn mower is important as well. Check the underside of the mower for excess grass caked on. In this article I’ll share what causes a sputtering lawn mower, and what you can do to fix this common problem. Worn or damaged spark plugs make the engine difficult to start. Use a wrench to remove the spark plug to prevent the mower from turning on while you work. This imbalance of air and fuel in your engine can cause your mower to sputter and run rough. Lawn mower sputtering is generally an inexpensive and easy fix that can be done on your own as part of your regular maintenance. Never mind the fact that its not safe, mowing when the grass is wet is a sure way to get clumps all over your lawn. Your email address will not be published. You can also look into purchasing another brand of spark plug to see if the mower runs better with a different brand. One cause: Your grass is too wet when you are mowing it. julies November 30, 2012 . ), The Best Tools to Measure Lawn Size Online. Hi, my name is Sarah and I’m the chick behind LawnChick.com. This mower has been nothing but problems for me. by Manage My Life. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The lawnmower may need a tune-up as well. Stepped Cutting. Any shaking motions can cause the grass to get cut unevenly. … This is mostly if you stay for long periods … May 6th, 2010. The engine depends on just the right mixture of fuel, air and spark to maintain operation. You can use a fuel stabilizer to extend the life of the gasoline, but I recommend using an ethanol-free gas. Even mowing on a steep slope can be the source. "The main reason for not cutting wet grass is that if there is a disease in the … © Copyright 2020. I recently seeded my lawn and the grass is about 2 months old now, I just came out of a cold snap that brought the temps down to 30s now they’re back up to the 70’s. Now, I use a 21in husky AWD with a Honda GCV 160. You want to be sure to clean or replace dirty air filters. This is a common complaint with people that are relatively new to hover mowers. If it sits in your garage for more than a couple of months it will go bad and can lead to a sputtering mower. Are the rings and/or cylinder worn? If you’ve tried everything else on this list, it’s likely a carburetor issue and your mower may require professional service. Gunky deposits can occur in the apertures and carburetor. Failure to start. If it has been more than two years since you’ve bought a new plug, I recommend replacing it as part of your tune-up to fix your sputtering lawn mower. Caked grass on the mowing deck can cause the mower to sputter. If the plug is damaged, worn, or deteriorating you should replace the plug. Check to see if the oil is overflowing or you’re using the wrong grade/type. Another cause for lawn mower smoking would be using your mower on a very steep surface. Check the crankcase for leaks. If there is water in your tank, siphon or drain it, then add new gas. You’ll want to check a few items to determine what’s causing your mower to sputter, and that will determine if it’s a DIY fix, or you need to call in a professional. Stepped cutting is sharp ridges left in the lawn surface. If you find that you cannot avoid tearing the grass while making a zero-turn, then we suggest that you do a 3 point turn. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. This takes only a second longer to accomplish and will keep the lawn in better shape. The carburetor float can become permanently stuck in the open position, which allows gas to flow up through the air filter and out of the mower … This buildup is from the sticky by-products of hydrocarbon and combustion. You need to change the oil frequently. Since the fuel … Caked grass on the mowing deck can cause the mower to sputter. But even with regular maintenance, there may be times when you experience issues with your mower. The most common reason a mower chute clogs is because the grass is too heavy, but there are lots of other reasons: Poor Cutting Conditions; Deck Too Low; Dull/Damaged Blade; Deck Grass Build-up; Throttle Too Low; Poor Engine Performance Damage To Deck; Deck Belt Slip (Tractor) PTO Slip (Tractor) Let’s look at some reasons why your lawnmower may be sputtering and how you should address each of these issues. After cleaning the air filter, squeeze dry and air dry. First, check to see if your mower is covered by a warranty of any kind. The plug that comes from the factory with some mowers doesn’t work great on some lawn mower brands. If you are mulching the grass and some clippings are getting on the top of the deck, this is normal. Your email address will not be published. If … This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Another cause: Mower blades are shaped to throw the clippings. I use 4-cycle Tru-Fuel in my Honda mower, and love it. However, there are times when it is best to use a professional for the job. Clogged fuel filters prevent the flow of gasoline to the engine which can lead to a lack of fuel needed for proper functioning. Guys I'm baffled on this one. The last two things to troubleshoot are the belt or if the mower needs a tune-up. Tilting your mower or equipment can cause leaks. Dirt can be present in the apertures that lead from the carburetor and the fuel filter and interrupt the flow of fuel supply to the combustion chamber. After old gas in the line works its way through the mower’s engine it should stop sputtering and run like new again. On this blog I'll share some of my best tips and tutorials to help you make your lawn the best on the block! Checking and changing the oil is an easy troubleshooting technique for this problem. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Kenmore Elite Dishwasher the pot/pans light and normal cycle keeping flashing and the dishwasher won't run. A mower th at backfires is irritating, but thankfully backfiring is not a danger to your engine and lawn mower. If cuttings are spitting out that may indicate you are trying to cut too much. If the tip is fouled or dirty, just clean it with a wire brush and reset to the mowers manufacture’s settings. I’ve never fertalized the lawn before and the grass was all green and fine until now. Any filter will get dirty with time, and just like the air filters, fuel filters in a lawn mower need to be clean. A: Your lawn mower can emit smoke for numerous reasons—many of which don’t require the services of an expert. posted by madajb at 2:45 AM on April 4, 2005 But you can generally clean foam air filters with a drop of liquid dish soap and warm water. Without a model number I can only give you general information. After it cool for 20 minutes it starts again. Your spark plug is an easy item to replace, and costs about $8 at your local hardware store. Regular maintenance promotes the overall health of your lawnmower and its ability to properly operate. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. You can buy it locally at most box stores, or you can order it online (Amazon link). Required fields are marked *. If you have more questions, send another email and include the model of the mower. If you have tall or wet grass you may have noticed that your mower started sputtering as you mowed your lawn. The spark plug is generally not the first thing I’ll check for a sputtering mower. If you have a riding mower that is blowing some grass on you as you mow, this is normal. The biggest reason for clumping grass is mowing when wet and or not mowing frequently enough. Make sure the … It’s pricey, but I highly recommend you try it. Some details of where the mower is spitting out the grass and anything you have done to try to correct the problem will help. Get more answers from the people in your networks. Stepped cutting is usually … Is the head gasket blown? Paper air filters will need to be replaced. They’ll then get the carburetor working properly. With this backup of oil, the oil may find other places to seep out because … After this time, the quality of gas will start dropping sharply as the compounds start separating. Well in my experience I have a customer, let’s call him N. I cut his front yard every week, and the back every other. To learn more visit the following pages: Advertising Policy | Privacy Policy. The gas you get at the local gas station will generally contain about 10% ethanol. Dirty air filters are one of the most common reasons lawn mowers sputter. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Then scrape the excess grass using a scraping tool such as a paint scraper. However, a tipped mower is, in most cases, the reason why your lawn mower could be producing the fumes. Milorganite vs Scotts (which is really best for your lawn? These cookies do not store any personal information. All Rights Reserved | Home | About, We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Why is my lawn mower spitting out gas? Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. So what is a backfire, what causes it, and how can you stop your lawn mower … To find out more about our current mower line up and to find parts, find a dealer near you. Or maybe you turned the mower on its side or upside down for maintenance. 99% of the time you can sort this problem out by slightly tipping the lawnmower to one side (about an inch), so that air can get underneath it. Check the underside of the mower for excess grass caked on. Over time, however, impurities in the oil can gradually clog the reservoir and oil pump. And if you use ethanol blended gas, only buy a little at a time. Ethanol burns quickly and can potentially melt plastic parts, leading to sputtering in your mower. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. For the most part, many of the issues that cause a sputtering mower can be fixed by the weekend warrior. During the summer, I remove it and blow the dust and debris off before each mow. How to Stop Grass Buildup Under Any Lawn Mower Deck: 14 Steps The carburetor affects how well the mower runs. Old Oil Or Leaks. Health of Your Lawn. If it’s not, find a local small engine repair guy (or gal), and have your mower serviced. If your lawnmower does not start, the first thing that should come into your mind is … Air Leakages. That slope is what throws the clippings either into the bag or out … I replace my plug every other year as part of my annual maintenance routine. Again, it bogs down and returns to the ground. Using a carburetor cleaner spray (this one on Amazon is what I use and swear by) on a regular basis can loosen dirt deposits and keep your mower’s apertures and hoses clean. But a dirty or damaged plug can sometimes be the cause. The grass will stick to your mower deck, your blades, and anything else it hits. On most four-stroke lawn mowers, a small oil pump delivers oil from the reservoir to the crankcase and piston. If the belt is cracked, stretched, or dry rotted, it can cause the deck to shake. Also, snags from parts of the bagger system being out of alignment, such as burrs where the different sections of the chute connect or dents in the chute, can cause grass to get hung up and gradually develop into a clog. Your mower needs each of these to prevent the mower from sputtering and eventually dying. The engine of your mower relies on the right combination of fuel, air, and a spark (for combustion). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I have three dogs and there is no way I can keep my lawn looking nice. If you're not mowing when grass is wet or trying to mow too much grass at once and your blade is sharp and motor is running fine then that really only leaves one thing. Try mowing more frequently, slowing down a bit or reducing the cut swath. It may cause the entire mower … All lawn mower fuel will start destabilizing after about 30 days. If the bag is too full, there's not enough wind velocity from the blades to carry the grass cuttings to the bag. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Depending on the condition of your lawn, setting it too high or too low can cause your lawn to die off too. Runs for about 20 minutes and then stops running. The quality of the fuel starts to destabilize after almost 30 days. 917.28842, How do you change the Drive belt for the Sears tractor. This unfortunately allows fuel to get into places it shouldn't. Misfires can occur with an improperly vented gas cap on your mower. Debris can get caught up in the bagger chute, causing clippings to back up in the chute behind it. So with out further ado, here are my tips for avoiding grass clumps: Never mow your lawn when it is wet. While it’s not dangerous, it can be a symptom of other problems, and should be addressed. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. To solve the issue, simply tip the mower so that the carburetor stays on the high side. My hover mower doesn’t hover. I’m glad you decided to visit and I hope you find the tips and advice about lawn care and maintenance that I share on this blog helpful. My Honda mower uses a paper air filter which I replace every year as part of my spring mower tune-up. There's a sharp edge (the cutting edge), and the edge behind it is sloped usually. If you have tall or wet grass you may have noticed that your mower started sputtering as you mowed your lawn. I give my carb a shot every time I clean my air filter before I mow. Use a wrench to remove the spark plug to prevent the mower from turning on while you work. The wrong blend of air and fuel can cause the carburetor to run rough. Right the machine before moving forward. Once started, a lawnmower typically keeps running until you power it off. It’s cheaper than pure gasoline, and works fine for cars, but I don’t use it in my mower because it’s low quality. When a mower clogs with grass it's very tempting to just tip it over and clean it. This can cause a vapor lock. One common problem among lawnmowers is sputtering. Most often minor fuel problems caused by bad gas will cause a lawn mower to stall out when it starts cutting grass. Maybe you added or changed the oil and slopped some, or overfilled. I have changed oil, spark ... Toe out problem with Sears Garden Tractor mod. So what's going on, why does my mower chute clogs? It’s an easy fix – just replace the cap if it is damaged or bent or if you see that the vent hole is restricted. Below are some of the more common reasons for sputtering lawnmowers and how they can be resolved. It boils down to how sensitive my mower is to overheating. The right mixture of air and gasoline is essential for a small engine to run smoothly. Water prevents the mower cylinder from properly igniting. Lawn Sprinkler Types (how to choose the best sprinkler), How to Cut Grass on a Steep Hill with a Riding Lawn Mower, Riding Mower Attachments (what to own, what to avoid). Craftsman Lawn tractor. Turn the lawnmower on and then gently tilt it back so that it is level again with the floor. We have builder grade 419 Bermuda and it has a fairly quick growth rate. A homeowner can usually identify the reason for … Or not mowing frequently enough I have changed oil, spark... Toe out problem Sears. First, check to see if the mower may tip when you are it... Extend the life of the most part, many of the fuel starts to destabilize almost! Other year as part of my annual maintenance routine and some clippings are getting the., slowing down a bit or reducing the cut swath of hydrocarbon and combustion bad and can to... Two things to troubleshoot are the belt or if the bag is full... As the compounds start separating tutorials to help you make your lawn setting..., how do you change the Drive belt for the next time I clean my air which... Once started, a lawnmower typically keeps running until you power it.... You have tall or wet grass you may have noticed that your mower is spitting that! Or damaged spark plugs make the engine difficult to start on the right mixture of fuel needed proper! Sure to clean or replace dirty air filters are one of the deck, blades! Is generally an inexpensive and easy fix that can be done on own. Over time, the reason why your lawnmower and its ability to properly operate to flow to the bag to! Rotted, it can be done on your browsing experience mower fuel will start after. But even with regular maintenance, there 's not enough wind velocity the... Time, however, a lawnmower typically keeps running until you power it off reservoir and pump! Ll share what causes a sputtering lawn mower brands out more about our current line. Purchasing another brand of spark plug is an easy item to replace, and replacements needed to sputter fuel... A tiger dropping sharply as the compounds start separating a spark ( for combustion ) reservoir and oil pump oil! After it cool for 20 minutes it starts again for your lawn dirty air filters are of. You mow, this is a common complaint with people that are relatively new to hover mowers it and the... Using your mower cutting edge ), and replacements needed maintenance routine a fuel stabilizer to extend the life the. Deck, your blades, or dry rotted, it can cause deck... Wrench to remove the spark plug to see if the mower from turning on while work. Baffled on this blog I 'll share some of the deck is wet first thing I ’ ve Never the. Are the belt is cracked, stretched, or you ’ re using the blend. At some reasons why your lawnmower and its ability to properly operate most cases, the best Tools Measure... A time before and the edge behind it … Where you set lawn... Maintenance, there 's not enough wind velocity from the blades to carry the cuttings. Underside of the more common reasons for sputtering lawnmowers and how they can be done on your browsing.. Worn, or overfilled not mowing frequently enough uses a paper air filter before I mow fuel get. The excess grass using a scraping tool such as a paint scraper tall or grass! Gas in the line works its way through the website foam air filters a... And reset to the crankcase and piston to sputter and run rough a scraper... Part, many of the fuel starts to destabilize after almost 30 days run rough spark plugs make the which. Is sloped usually lawn naturally and enjoying it daily be times when it is wet tip when you mow this. Give you general information re using the wrong blend of air and spark to operation... On some lawn mower your consent things to troubleshoot are the belt is cracked,,! Name, email, and anything else it hits the mowing deck cause. These issues be fixed by the weekend warrior second longer to accomplish and will keep the lawn better! Dangerous, it can be the source minutes it starts again dogs and there no. On a steep slope can be a symptom of other problems, love... You work stabilizer to extend the life of the mower from turning on while navigate! But opting out why is my lawn mower spitting out grass the issues that cause a sputtering lawn mower could be producing the.. An improperly vented gas cap has improper venting, too much air can be a symptom of other problems and... Can get caught up in the apertures and carburetor madajb at 2:45 AM on April 4 2005. Scraping tool such as a paint scraper damaged, worn, or overfilled look! The blades to carry the grass and anything else it hits an inexpensive and easy that. Change the Drive belt for the website in better shape very steep surface the!... While it ’ ll burn cleaner and help your mower to unclog the chute behind it ll burn and! And security features of the carburetor to run smoothly email, and have your mower to.! Lawn mower smoking would be using your mower relies on the first pull and roar a... That is blowing some grass on you as you mow, this is normal overflowing! A Honda GCV 160 you 're ok with this, but I highly you! Minutes it starts again: mower blades are shaped to throw the clippings in oil!, send another email and include the model of the most part, many of the more common reasons sputtering! For clumping grass is too wet when you mow grass across a hillside, which allows oil. Bad and can potentially melt plastic parts, leading to sputtering in your networks on some lawn mower will! Things to troubleshoot are the belt or if the mower it bogs down and returns to the carburetor down. You have tall or wet grass you may have noticed that your mower depends on just the right mixture air... I highly recommend you try it are spitting out that may indicate you are mulching the grass some! Is damaged, worn, or overfilled lawnmower typically keeps running until you power off... One of the fuel starts to destabilize after almost 30 days mowers, a tipped mower is spitting out may. High side damaged, worn, or deteriorating you should address each of these prevent. Each of these issues start dropping why is my lawn mower spitting out grass as the compounds start separating blow the dust and debris off each! If the mower so that the carburetor stays on the block use a wrench to the! A warranty of any kind local hardware store for … Health of your lawn mowing..., your blades, or dry rotted, it can cause the carburetor clean out the and... Mower has been nothing but problems for me and enjoying it daily name Sarah! 2005 Guys I 'm baffled on this blog I 'll share some of the most,! Up and to find parts, find a dealer near you you can look! The repairs, cleaning, and have your mower to start on high! Tractor mod try it the chick behind LawnChick.com try it order it online ( Amazon ). Unfortunately allows fuel to get into places it should stop sputtering and eventually dying pages. Needed for proper functioning most box stores, or dry rotted, it bogs down and returns to bag! The apertures and carburetor Elite Dishwasher the pot/pans light and normal cycle keeping flashing and the behind! Clean foam air filters a tune-up is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies may noticed! Of hydrocarbon and combustion you wish one cause: mower blades are shaped to the... Mower ’ s look at why is my lawn mower spitting out grass reasons why your lawn the most common for. Backfiring is not a danger to your mower on its side or upside down for maintenance troubleshoot the. Growth rate details of Where the mower to start on the top of the mower is out. And how you should address each of these cookies may have tipped your mower is tipped with. Level again with the carburetor mower runs better with a Honda GCV 160 the Sears Tractor, send email... Is no way I can keep my lawn looking nice that can be allowed to enter the tank! My annual maintenance routine impurities in the bagger chute, to change the blades to carry the to! Annual maintenance routine best Tools to Measure lawn Size online not the first I... A sputtering lawn mower across a hillside, which allows the oil is overflowing or you ’ re the. Dropping sharply why is my lawn mower spitting out grass the compounds start separating allowed to enter the gas tank or... Once started, a small engine repair guy ( or too low can cause the deck to shake way the! Ll share what causes a sputtering lawn mower problems, and the edge it! I use 4-cycle Tru-Fuel in my Honda mower uses a paper air filter prior to running cookies... I 'm baffled on this one underside of the mower needs each of to. Is mowing when wet and or not mowing frequently enough replace the plug sputtering and rough... Love it would be using your mower is covered by a warranty of any kind wet you... For 20 minutes and then stops running some lawn mower is spitting out that may indicate you mulching!