How to clean lawn mower carburetor. Lawn Mowers often get clogged up with dirt, debris, and even leaves over time, which can affect the engine’s ability to handle air and fuel in a way that both do their job effectively. Over time, this could cause other issues like reduced performance (among others).
As such, it’s worth checking your mower’s carburetor regularly to make sure it doesn’t get too dirty or worn down over time.
Thankfully, you can clean your carburetor without having to remove it from the mower – cleaning should be able to be done by using things like simple rubbing alcohol (you might need a q-tip or some cotton buds), an old toothbrush or paintbrush with a set of new bristles applied onto the brush head.
In addition to cleaning, it is also advised that you replace any dirty air filters as part of the process as doing so will ensure your lawnmower is always working at optimum capacity.
How to clean lawn mower carburetor
Maintaining your lawnmower is critical to ensuring that it performs well and effectively cuts grass over the summer. However, not cleaning out the gas tank can result in serious damage or even the failure of an engine.
Cleaning a lawn mower carburetor may seem intimidating, but there are many simple steps you can take before even getting started.
Check the mower’s carburetor
Checking the mower carburetor is an important step when dealing with a mower that doesn’t start.
The carburetor may have been flooded from rain or may have been in use for too long and needs to be cleaned in order to prepare it for proper operation in the future.
After checking and cleaning the mower carburetor, you should refresh yourself with information on how to change it.
Remove the air filter cover and cool the engine
Now keep the push mower power switch in “Of,” and pull out the lawnmower’s plug. (Don’t wait too long, though: If you wait until the blade is completely still or until it has become cool, that will give you an opportunity to remove the air filter cover by using a driver.)
Then, when the engine is no longer hot and can no longer harm you – see if you can use a driver to remove the air filter cover.
Fuel bowl and nut should be cleaned
For safety purposes, do not mow the lawn without first unclogging the bowl. To unclog the bowl, lay your mower on its side and remove the bowl from the carburetor.
With a socket wrench, remove the bolt securing the center of the bowl and lift away any excess dirt. Then replace and secure both parts before mowing.
The Float Should Be Checked
After removing the float bowl, you will notice a flotilla. The flotilla basically controls the supply of fuel to the engine. Check the movement of the float.
If it moves freely, then your flotilla is working fine and should stay where it is. However, if it renders faulty service and does not move as easily as it should, then your flotilla can very well become defective.
So take this opportunity to pull out the faulty flotilla from its place in that carburetor and replace it with a new one from one of our wide collections of brands, such as Patriot Garage.
Needle Replacement
Once you remove the bowl, you will see the float attached to the carburetor with a pin. Remove the pin. You’ll also need to remove the old needle and replace it when you install the new one.
Inside the carburetor, there is a small gasket where the new needle sits. Be sure not to throw it away until your replacement arrives; in fact, if possible, use pieces of wood or something similar to keep it in place until then.
Fitting this new gasket is all part of installing your new carburetor – make sure it covers up any gaps around its edges so no water enters while you are driving down the road.
Your drive’s smoothness will be dependent upon how well this new piece fits. That’s why the installation is key.
You should use a carburetor cleaner
Now, take a carburetor cleaning spray. Spray the liquid in every part of the carburetor. Check all connections and holes to ensure they are completely free of dirt.
Once the cleaning process is complete, reassemble using the reverse process by reconnecting the fuel tube with the mower carburetor. Reconnect the mower spark plug as well.
Reassemble and reconnect
Attach the carburetor to the engine using the photos you took at each step on your cell phone.
After everything has been reinstalled, add fuel to the tank and start the vehicle. Hopefully, the problem has been resolved.
The Fix Is Relatively Easy
Even if you have no previous experience working with machines or engines, fixing a clogged or dirty carburetor is relatively easy and can save you money.
When you have followed all these above steps and the mower still won’t go, you might need to take it to a repair shop.
