If the lawn mower won't start, sputters or smokes, a dirty carburetor is the culprit. As a gross motorist, you can solve the problem yourself. This guide explains how to properly clean the carburetor on a petrol lawnmower.

The lawn mower runs poorly with a dirty carburetor

Material requirements and tools

Although the specific structure of a carburetor depends on the lawnmower model, the cleaning procedures are largely the same. Competent manufacturers offer repair kits for do-it-yourselfers with all important spare parts, such as seals and O-rings. Please provide the following materials and tools:

  • Lawn Mower Carburetor Repair Kit
  • Carburettor cleaner or white spirit
  • compressed air source
  • rag
  • vat or large bucket
  • screwdriver, torque wrench

If the manufacturer of your lawnmower does not offer a repair kit, you can purchase the required spare parts, such as sealing rings, from the nearest hardware store.

Step-by-step guide - How to clean the carburetor

Disconnect the spark plug cable in advance. As a precaution, keep the wire a safe distance from the spark plug. Then remove the air filter and turn off the fuel tap. On engines without a fuel valve, the fuel line is ideally clamped off with a clamp. Proceed as follows:

  • With the carburetor still connected to the governor, loosen the mounting screws
  • If there is a problem, refer to the manual for the mounting screw locations
  • Do not remove governor springs until their location has been marked
  • Pour benzine into a tub
  • Soak the carburettor in it together with all plastic and metal parts
  • Alternatively, rub or spray the components with carburetor cleaning agent

While the lawnmower carburetor is soaking, blast jets and lines with compressed air to dislodge debris. The air filter and spark plug should also be cleaned on this occasion. Wipe the carburetor and any remaining intact components dry with a clean rag. Please replace damaged or worn parts.

Installing and adjusting the carburettor - this is how it works

Install the clean carburetor and cleaned air filter, reconnect the spark plug wire to the spark plug, and open the fuel tap. To do this, refer to the manufacturer's operating instructions to understand the exact positions of the components. In the final step of the cleaning action, reset the carburetor. That is how it goes:

  • Start lawn mower
  • Run for a few minutes to allow the engine to warm up
  • Screw in the engine speed adjustment screw 1 to 1 1/2 turns
  • Engine speed increases
  • Adjust the idle mixture screw so that the engine runs smoothly and smoothly

Finally, the engine speed is fine-tuned for the perfect idle speed. Ideally, you have a tachometer for measuring engine speeds available for this purpose. The optimum values range from 1200 rpm for an engine with a cast steel cylinder liner to 1750 rpm for an engine with an aluminum cylinder.

tips

A carburetor will stay cleaner longer if you start the lawnmower properly. As soon as the engine has warmed up, the fuel supply should be throttled using the gas lever (choke). Otherwise, harmful deposits will form in the carburetor and other components because not all of the gasoline is burned.

Category:

Garden design