How to Repair a Lawn Mower Carburetor
Edwin Budding invented the first lawnmower in 1827. Most homeowners today own one or more lawnmowers for lawn maintenance purposes. Unfortunately, lawnmowers break down and require maintenance, especially the carburetor. The following instructions should assist a homeowner to repair a carburetor on a lawnmower.
Items Needed:
- Five gallon bucket
- Gasoline
- Hammer
- New paint stir stick
- Paper towels
- Screwdriver
- Small plastic bowl
- Socket wrench
- Towel
- Wire brush
- Start with a cool engine on the lawn mower. Attempting to repair the carburetor with a hot engine will result in burns.
- Pour one gallon of gasoline in the five-gallon bucket.
- Turn the screws on the engine housing with a screwdriver, and place the screws in the small plastic bowl.
- Remove the housing from the engine and lift the primer bulb cover off, and set both aside. Uncouple the springs from the housing, and place in the small plastic bowl with the screws.
- Examine the engine housing for cracks or dents. Remove dents in housing by placing a folded towel over the inside of the housing and tapping with a hammer. If cracks are present, consider replacing the housing.
- Locate the clips that connect the primer bulb to the mower, and push the clips inward.
- Search the primer bulb for damage or leaks.
- Look at the side of the carburetor for the breather. Remove the screws connecting the breather, while securing the breather with the opposite hand. The breather may be placed in the small plastic bowl with the screws.
- Utilize the socket wrench to remove the bolts from the carburetor.
- Locate the L-shaped tube leading from the carburetor to the engine, and remove it. Use the socket wrench to remove the two bolts connecting the gas tank and carburetor, but leave the gasket on the gas tank. Place the bolts and spring in the small plastic bowl.
- Clean the parts from the small plastic bowl in the gasoline poured previously in the five-gallon bucket. Dry the parts with a paper towel and replace into the small plastic bowl. Dispose of the dirty gasoline properly, and pour another gallon of gasoline into the five-gallon bucket.
- Replace the screen located over the gas intake if damaged or worn.
- Clean the carburetor by placing it into the gasoline in the bucket until completely submerged. Stir the gasoline in the bucket with the new paint stir stick to dislodge residue. Dry the carburetor with a paper towel when clean. Dispose of the old gasoline properly.
- Pour new gasoline into the tank, and close the gas tank. Shake vigorously to clean the inside of the tank, and then properly dispose of this gasoline. Excessive build-up may be removed with a wire brush.
- Reassemble the carburetor parts in the order the parts were removed. Place the carburetor back on the engine along with the spring and bolts that attached the carburetor to the gas tank. Replace the L-shaped tube and attach the breather. Lastly, tighten all bolts and screws.
- Replace the lawn mower housing, and start the engine.