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Yard Machines Lawn mower is hard to start

If your Yard Machines lawn mower is hard to start, the most common problem is a clogged carburetor caused by old fuel turning gummy inside the bowl and passages. That sticky buildup can make a lawn mower difficult to start, cause mower hard starting, or make a lawn mower take many pulls to start. Start by draining stale gas and cleaning the carburetor with carburetor cleaner. If cleaning does not help, you may need a carburetor repair kit or a complete carburetor replacement. Next, check the primer bulb, since a cracked bulb can let air into the fuel system and make the engine hard to start. A worn or fouled spark plug is another likely cause, so inspect it for carbon buildup or damage and test it with a spark plug tester to confirm strong spark. On some Yard Machines models, a weak fuel pump can also lead to a small engine hard to start condition, especially if the pulse line, diaphragm, or check valves are failing. Enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact Yard Machines carburetor, primer bulb, spark plug, fuel pump, or other replacement part that fits your mower.

01 - Yard Machines Lawn Mower Carburetor

The carburetor might be clogged. A clogged carburetor is most commonly caused by leaving fuel in the hedge trimmer for a long period of time. Over time, some of the ingredients in the fuel may evaporate, leaving behind a thicker, stickier substance. This sticky fuel can clog up the carburetor and make the engine hard to start. If the carburetor is clogged, try cleaning it with carburetor cleaner. If cleaning the carburetor isn’t effective, rebuild or replace the entire carburetor.
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02 - Yard Machines Lawn Mower Primer Bulb

Over time, the rubber of the primer bulb can become brittle and cracked. If the primer bulb is cracked, air will get into the fuel system and cause the engine not to run properly. If the primer bulb is cracked, replace it.
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03 - Yard Machines Lawn Mower Carburetor Repair Kit

The carburetor might be clogged. A clogged carburetor is most commonly caused by leaving fuel in the hedge trimmer for a long period of time. Over time, some of the ingredients in the fuel may evaporate, leaving behind a thicker, stickier substance. This sticky fuel can clog up the carburetor and make the engine hard to start. If the carburetor is clogged, try cleaning it with carburetor cleaner. If cleaning the carburetor isn’t effective, rebuild or replace the entire carburetor.
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04 - Old or Bad Gasoline

There may be old or bad fuel in the carburetor float bowl. Over time, some of the ingredients in the fuel may evaporate, leaving behind a thicker, stickier substance. This sticky fuel can clog up the carburetor and make the engine hard to start. If the carburetor is clogged, try cleaning it with carburetor cleaner. If cleaning the carburetor isn’t effective, rebuild or replace the entire carburetor.
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05 - Yard Machines Lawn Mower Spark Plug

Inspect the spark plug for signs of wear or damage. If the porcelain insulator is cracked, an electrode is burned away or damaged, or there is heavy carbon buildup at the electrode, replace the spark plug. To determine if the spark plug is defective, use a spark plug tester. You should see a strong spark between the tester’s terminals when the engine is cranking. If there is no spark, this indicates that the spark plug is defective and should be replaced.
Highly Likely

06 - Yard Machines Lawn Mower Fuel Pump

The fuel pump has three ports: the gas in port, the gas out port, and the pulse port. The pulse port is connected to the engine crankcase by a small rubber tube. As the engine runs, air inside the crankcase alternately pressurizes and depressurizes the air in the tube. This pressurized air moves a diaphragm inside the pump and pumps the gas. If the engine oil is overfilled, oil can enter the pulse port line, preventing it from working properly. The fuel pump also has two small check valves on the input and output ports. The check valves prevent fuel from reentering the gas tank. These check valves can fail. To determine if... the fuel pump is defective, check the pulse port line, check valves, and the diaphragm inside the pump. The fuel pump is not repairable—if the fuel pump is not working properly, you must replace it.
Highly Likely

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Yard Machines lawn mower hard to start?
My Yard Machines lawn mower takes many pulls to start. Should I clean or replace the carburetor?
Can bad gas make a Yard Machines push mower not start easily?
How do I know if the spark plug is causing my Yard Machines lawn mower hard starting problem?
How do I find the right Yard Machines lawn mower part for my model?

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