Starting a lawnmower when it’s cold outside can be a challenge. This is a common issue for people who use their lawnmowers to clear snow or operate them in the early morning or late evening during the spring and fall. Several factors can prevent a lawn mower from starting in the winter.
We have made a list of all the possible reasons why a mower won’t start, including those specific to cold weather. Although these problems may have surfaced on a chilly day, they are by no means limited to that season.
In cold weather, a lawnmower may be difficult to start if the choke is not closed to prevent the engine from overheating, the wrong oil viscosity is used, the battery is dead, the battery is dead, the air filter is clogged, the gas tank is empty, or the engine is not starting, clogged, the fuel system is clogged, the carburettor is dirty, a switch is broken, a spark plug is broken, or the starter solenoid is not working.
This article will explore the reasons behind this common issue and provide valuable tips to help you overcome it.
The Main Factor That Makes Lawn Mowers Difficult To Start In Cold Weather
When it’s cold outside, getting a lawn mower going cannot be easy because the oil thickens.
Oil flow is reduced at low temperatures, making life difficult for your mower’s engine.
Because it keeps everything inside the engine running smoothly, engine oil is crucial.
Mowers may be more difficult to start or experience initial sputtering when operating in colder temperatures, which can negatively impact their ability to do their job. When the engine is warmed up, the oil flows more freely, resulting in improved performance.
As a result, it’s crucial to keep the oil at the “max” level specified by the manufacturer, especially in the winter. A full reservoir is preferable to a partially full one because it improves oil flow and simplifies the mower’s operation.
Incorrect Setting Or Faulty Choke
By reducing the amount of air going into the carburettor, the choke makes it possible to force a more concentrated fuel mixture into the cylinder. For a cold engine, this is a must.
The choke’s opening and closing mechanisms may be stuck due to a misaligned cable or a stuck linkage. When it’s cold outside, this can prevent a lawn mower from starting.
Take off the cover of the air filter and look for the choke valve.
The choke lever must be moved to check if it opens and closes properly. The choke should be closed when the lever is engaged and open when disengaged; therefore, adjust the cable and oil choke connection as needed.
Insufficient Power Or Loose Terminals
Unless it has a recoil start, every lawnmower needs a battery. The cables and terminals can become disconnected. Corrosion of the terminals is another potential source of connection disruption.
If a battery isn’t charged properly and left in cold temperatures, it can eventually die or freeze and lose its ability to hold a charge. Your battery could freeze if you don’t keep it charged to at least 20% and the temperature outside drops below 20 degrees.
Be sure all connections between the battery and the device are tight. Use a baking soda solution (two cups water to three heaping tablespoons of baking soda) and a wire brush to remove any corrosion from your terminals. Assuming the connection checks out, move on to the battery.
Use a multimeter to check your battery. The target value is around 12.7 volts. If your battery level is below this, you should charge it. Here you will find additional details on the subject of battery charging. You should get a new one if your battery is dead or not holding a charge.
Loose Connection Or A Defective Spark Plug
Mowers that won’t start in the cold often have spark plugs that are either dirty or have been improperly gapped. Carbon buildup on the spark plug can interfere with its ability to produce a spark.
A wire brush can be used to remove the accumulation. Because spark plugs are cheap and critical to the mower’s optimal performance, they are the part most often replaced.
With the spark plug out of the engine, you can check for problems like carbon buildup, a broken porcelain insulator, or a charred electrode. Spark plug replacement (s).
Ensure the spark plug wires are properly attached, and the gaps are set per the manufacturer’s guidelines. The manual for your device should contain this data.
Wrong Oil Viscosity
The engine’s ability to function smoothly depends on the oil’s viscosity when the engine’s internal components are lubricated with excessively thick oil, friction and wear increase, which may lead to engine problems, which could prevent your lawn mower from starting.
The required oil viscosity can be affected by the temperature you are operating your mower, so be sure to keep an eye on the thermometer.
The recommended oil viscosity can be found in the user manual. If you’re using oil that isn’t suitable for the outside temperature, you should change it out.
Fuel That Is Either Bad Or Old
If you let gas get old in your lawn mower, it can restrict the fuel flow and wear out the fuel system. Ethanol, a fuel derived from corn, is included in most gasoline varieties. While this product may be eco-friendly, it could be better for your lawnmower’s little engine.
Ethanol’s sticky residue, which it leaves behind when it evaporates, along with the moisture it attracts, can prevent fuel from flowing through the mower.
Gasoline can degrade as soon as 30 days after purchase, so it’s best to use it quickly or stabilise it to extend its shelf life.
Use a fuel syphon to get rid of the old gas. You can clean out your fuel system, lower moisture levels, and stabilise the fuel by adding new fuel with a fuel additive.
Inefficient Charging System
It’s not the charging system to blame when your lawnmower doesn’t start in the cold; it’s the battery.
The inability to start the lawn mower due to a dead battery usually results from a malfunctioning charging system.
If the battery dies quickly and you have to recharge it before each mower use, the charging system may malfunction.
The issue with your charging system may be due to a faulty stator, alternator, or other electrical components.
If you need help with the charging system on your lawn mower, a professional service centre can help you figure it out. There are a lot of expensive electrical parts that could be to blame for your car not starting.
If you have no background in charging systems, you are likely to throw parts at your mower, hoping to find one that works. Costs can quickly mount because most stores will only accept returns on electrical components if they turn out to be necessary.
Fuel Pump Issues
When the mower’s carburettor is above the fuel tank, the mower requires a fuel pump. You’ll need the fuel pump to get gas from the tank to the carburettor. The components of the pump can deteriorate from prolonged exposure to old fuel and cause the pump to fail.
Examining your vacuum fuel pump for cracks is the first step in spotting a failing fuel pump. If fuel is leaking from the fuel pump or there are cracks in the pump, the fuel pump is no longer producing the necessary pressure to pump fuel.
If your mower has a fuel shut-off valve, you can use that, or a pair of pinch pliers, to halt and restart the fuel flow. The flow must be intermittently stopped and started to ensure fuel is reaching the pump. Once you’ve established that fuel is reaching your pump, remove the fuel line from your carburettor and place it in a container to see if fuel is flowing steadily or pulsating.
Get the mower going. If fuel is flowing steadily or pulsing out of the fuel line, the pump is functioning properly. If the fuel pump is malfunctioning, replace it.
Fuel Filter Plugged
The fuel filter prevents debris from polluting the engine. It is common practice to install an inline fuel filter between the fuel lines of a lawn mower after the fuel has left the fuel tank but before any fuel components.
If you don’t change your fuel filter once a year, or if the fuel is particularly dirty, the filter may become clogged with debris and prevent fuel from flowing through. This could be the case if you need help starting your lawn mower in the winter.
Clear out the fuel filter if it gets clogged. On the side of the filter, you will see a tiny arrow. To ensure proper fuel flow, the filter’s arrow should be aligned with the fuel’s flow direction during installation.
Bad Safety Switch
There could be a number of switches on your lawn mower that work together to detect whether or not the operator is present. When the operator gets out of the seat with the mower deck active, the switches are programmed to cut power to the motor.
If the mower doesn’t start, check the switch that detects whether or not the operator is seated. To learn more about the various safety switches installed on your mower, consult the manual.
To determine if a safety switch is malfunctioning, it can be temporarily disabled. For your safety, only start a mower after first installing the safety switch. Maintain functional safety switches at all times. Switch out a broken one.
Filter Air Plugged
A lawn mower can’t function without oxygen-rich air. The air filter safeguards the engine from dirt and debris that might otherwise enter the intake system. Significant engine damage, such as cylinder scoring and gasket failures, can be caused by dirt entering the engine. Only use your mower after first locating a new air filter and installing it.
If the air filter on your mower is plugged in, it won’t start because air can’t flow through it. The air filter should be inspected and cleaned on a consistent basis.
You can avoid a costly engine repair by regularly inspecting, cleaning, and replacing this cheap component.
To prevent any debris from entering the air intake, Take out the air filter from the housing for the air filter. Carefully. A clean cloth should be used to remove any dirt that has accumulated inside the housing. To clean your air filter, use the appropriate method below.
A Paper Air Filter Should Be Cleaned
- To remove excess dust from the filter, tap it against a hard surface.
- Check if the light passes through the paper element by holding the filter to a light.
- You can reuse it if you can still see the light through the filter. If you need to, a new air filter should be installed.
- Please put in the air filter and cover it up.
A Foam Air Filter Should Be Cleaned
- Find out if your filter can be used again before you clean it. A new filter should be used if the old one has developed dark spots or has become dry and brittle.
- If it is in good condition, you can clean your filter by washing it in a sink full of water and mild dish soap.
- The filter should be washed and dried flat. Putting it in direct sunlight outside will hasten the procedure.
- After the filter has dried, or if you are using a brand-new foam filter, lightly saturate it with clean engine oil. It should not be drenched in oil.
- Replace the cover after you’ve installed the filter.
What To Do If It’s None Of These
After eliminating these and other more obvious causes, the possibility that the mower won’t start due to cold weather becomes more likely. The context necessitates consideration of two additional factors.
Is The Oil You’re Using Appropriate For Cold Weather?
The oil you’re using in your mower, be it a riding Lawn mower or some other gas-powered model, isn’t up to snuff.
Different oils are more optimal for use at various temperatures because their viscosity changes depending on the ambient temperature.
Because of this, oil that functions well during the warmer summer months might not be up to the task during the colder winter months.
Oil selection is also engine-specific. Single-grade oils, such as SAE30, are designed for use in engines designed before the 1970s and operate best between 40 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Multi-grade oils, on the other hand, are optimised for use in today’s engines.
Before the advent of multi-grade oils, vehicle owners were forced to change their oil at different intervals of the year depending on the age of their engine and the type of oil they were using.
If you try to start your lawnmower in the winter when temperatures are still low, you may have trouble because you are using oil designed for use at higher temperatures.
If you want to see if switching to a cold-weather oil helps, give that a shot. Some specialised oils can be used to start an engine even when the temperature is well below freezing, making them useful for situations such as this.
Changing the oil is another option to try. This may fix the issue if you haven’t done it in a while.
Valve Problems
When all other causes have been ruled out, the problem may lie with the valve. A valve that functions perfectly when heated may not do so when cold because of the expansion and contraction of metals when heated.
A casual gardener new to engines will have a harder time diagnosing and fixing this problem. This is something else to look into if you know what you’re doing; otherwise, it might be best to get an expert involved.
The Type Of Oil You Use Is Important: Some Work Better In Colder Weather Than Others
Lawnmowers can run on a wide variety of oils, some of which perform better in chilly weather. Try a 5W-30 or 10W-30 oil in a lawn mower that is difficult to start when cold. Before purchasing the oil, consult the owner’s manual to ensure it is safe for use in the mower.
These oils stay fluid even at low temperatures, allowing for instantaneous circulation in the engine upon ignition.
Conclusion
In cold weather, starting a lawnmower can be challenging due to various factors, including the oil thickening, incorrect setting, and faulty choke. The oil is crucial for maintaining engine performance and should be kept at the “max” level specified by the manufacturer. A full reservoir is preferable to a partially full one, as it improves oil flow and simplifies the mower’s operation.
Incorrect setting or defective choke can cause the engine to overheat, making it difficult to start. Check the choke’s opening and closing mechanisms to ensure proper functioning. If the choke is stuck, adjust the cable and oil choke connection as needed.
Insufficient power or loose terminals can cause the engine to freeze or die. Check the battery’s connection and terminals with a baking soda solution and a wire brush to remove any corrosion. If the battery level is below the target value, charge it. If the battery is dead or not holding a charge, replace it.
Loose connections or defective spark plugs can also cause the mower to not start in cold weather. Check for carbon buildup, broken porcelain insulator, or charred electrodes with a wire brush. Replace spark plugs as needed.
Wrong oil viscosity can affect the engine’s ability to function smoothly, leading to increased friction and wear. Check the user manual for the recommended oil viscosity. If the oil isn’t suitable for the outside temperature, change it out.
Oil that is either bad or old can restrict fuel flow and wear out the fuel system. Ethanol, a corn-derived fuel, can be better for your lawnmower’s engine due to its sticky residue and moisture. Use a fuel syphon to remove old gas and stabilize the fuel system.
Inefficient charging systems can also cause the lawnmower to not start in cold weather. If the battery dies quickly and needs to be recharged before each use, the charging system may malfunction. If the issue is due to a faulty stator, alternator, or other electrical components, seek help from a professional service center.
Fuel pump issues can occur when the carburettor is above the fuel tank, requiring a fuel pump to transfer gas from the tank to the carburettor. The components of the pump can deteriorate from prolonged exposure to old fuel, causing the pump to fail.
The first step in spotting a failing fuel pump is to examine the vacuum fuel pump for cracks. If fuel leaks or cracks occur, the fuel pump is no longer producing the necessary pressure to pump fuel. If the fuel flow is steady or pulsating, the pump is functioning properly. If the fuel pump is malfunctioning, replace it.
The fuel filter is a crucial component in preventing debris from polluting the engine. It is recommended to install an inline fuel filter between the fuel lines of a lawn mower after the fuel has left the fuel tank but before any fuel components. If the filter becomes clogged, it may prevent fuel flow. If the filter becomes clogged, clear it with a clean cloth and replace it.
Another issue is a bad safety switch on your lawn mower. It can detect whether the operator is present and can be temporarily disabled if the switch is malfunctioning. Maintain functional safety switches at all times and switch out a broken one.
Another issue is the air filter, which protects the engine from dirt and debris that might enter the intake system. If the air filter is plugged in, it won’t start because air can’t flow through it. Regularly inspect, clean, and replace the air filter to avoid costly engine repairs.
To clean the air filter, use a paper air filter and a foam air filter. If the old filter has dark spots or becomes dry and brittle, clean it by washing it in a sink full of water and mild dish soap. If the filter is in good condition, wash it in a sink full of water and mild dish soap.
If the issue persists, consider switching to a cold-weather oil. Some specialized oils can be used to start an engine even when temperatures are below freezing, making them useful for situations like this. If the issue persists, consider changing the oil.
Valve problems may lie with the valve, as a valve that functions perfectly when heated may not do so when cold due to the expansion and contraction of metals when heated. If the valve is not functioning properly, it may be best to consult an expert.
In conclusion, if the lawn mower is unable to start due to cold weather, it is essential to check the oil and oil type to ensure proper functioning and prevent costly repairs.
Content Summary:
- Starting a lawnmower when it’s cold outside can be a challenge.
- Several factors can prevent a lawn mower from starting in the winter.
- We have made a list of all the possible reasons why a mower won’t start, including those specific to cold weather.
- In cold weather, a lawnmower may be difficult to start if the choke is not closed to prevent the engine from overheating, the wrong oil viscosity is used, the battery is dead, the battery is dead, the air filter is clogged, the gas tank is empty, or the engine is not starting, clogged, the fuel system is clogged, the carburettor is dirty, a switch is broken, a spark plug is broken, or the starter solenoid is not working.
- When it’s cold outside, getting a lawn mower going cannot be easy because the oil thickens.
- Take off the cover of the air filter and look for the choke valve.
- Be sure all connections between the battery and the device are tight.
- Use a baking soda solution (two cups water to three heaping tablespoons of baking soda) and a wire brush to remove any corrosion from your terminals.
- Assuming the connection checks out, move on to the battery.
- Use a multimeter to check your battery.
- The recommended oil viscosity can be found in the user manual.
- Use a fuel syphon to get rid of the old gas.
- It’s not the charging system to blame when your lawnmower doesn’t start in the cold; it’s the battery.
- The issue with your charging system may be due to a faulty stator, alternator, or other electrical components.
- If you need help with the charging system on your lawn mower, a professional service centre can help you figure it out.
- Examining your vacuum fuel pump for cracks is the first step in spotting a failing fuel pump.
- If fuel is leaking from the fuel pump or there are cracks in the pump, the fuel pump is no longer producing the necessary pressure to pump fuel.
- If the fuel pump is malfunctioning, replace it.
- Clear out the fuel filter if it gets clogged.
- To learn more about the various safety switches installed on your mower, consult the manual.
- To determine if a safety switch is malfunctioning, it can be temporarily disabled.
- For your safety, only start a mower after first installing the safety switch.
- Maintain functional safety switches at all times.
- Only use your mower after first locating a new air filter and installing it.
- To prevent any debris from entering the air intake, Take out the air filter from the housing for the air filter.
- To clean your air filter, use the appropriate method below.
- Check if the light passes through the paper element by holding the filter to a light.
- If you need to, a new air filter should be installed.
- Please put in the air filter and cover it up.
- Find out if your filter can be used again before you clean it.
- After the filter has dried, or if you are using a brand-new foam filter, lightly saturate it with clean engine oil.
- Replace the cover after you’ve installed the filter.
- After eliminating these and other more obvious causes, the possibility that the mower won’t start due to cold weather becomes more likely.
- The oil you’re using in your mower, be it a riding Lawn mower or some other gas-powered model, isn’t up to snuff.
- Oil selection is also engine-specific.
- Before the advent of multi-grade oils, vehicle owners were forced to change their oil at different intervals of the year depending on the age of their engine and the type of oil they were using.
- If you try to start your lawnmower in the winter when temperatures are still low, you may have trouble because you are using oil designed for use at higher temperatures.
- If you want to see if switching to a cold-weather oil helps, give that a shot.
- Try a 5W-30 or 10W-30 oil in a lawn mower that is difficult to start when cold.
- Before purchasing the oil, consult the owner’s manual to ensure it is safe for use in the mower.
Frequently Asked Questions ABOUT Lawn Mowing
Can Using A Fuel Stabiliser Help With Cold Start Issues?
Yes, a fuel stabiliser can be beneficial in preventing fuel-related problems during cold starts. It helps maintain the quality and stability of the fuel, making it easier for the engine to start in cold weather.
Should The Mower Be Warmed Up Before Mowing The Lawn?
It is generally recommended to allow the mower’s engine to warm up for a few minutes before starting to mow. This allows the engine to reach its optimal operating temperature, ensuring smoother performance and longevity.
What Should I Do If The Pull Cord Breaks?
If the pull cord of your lawn mower breaks, it will need to be replaced. It is advisable to consult the manufacturer’s instructions or seek professional assistance to ensure proper replacement and avoid any damage to the mower.
Is It Necessary To Drain The Fuel After Each Use?
Draining the fuel after each use is optional, especially if you plan to use the mower again soon. However, it is recommended to use up or drain the fuel if the mower will be stored for an extended period, such as over the winter, to prevent fuel deterioration and potential starting issues.
Can Using A Higher Octane Fuel Improve Cold Start Performance?
Using a higher octane fuel than what is recommended by the manufacturer does not necessarily improve cold start performance. It is best to adhere to the fuel recommendations provided in the lawn mower’s manual to ensure optimal starting and overall performance.
