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HomeRepair HelpYard-Man Mower RepairYard-Man Lawn mower is hard to start Repair
Yard-Man Lawn mower is hard to start
If your Yard-Man lawn mower is hard to start, the problem is usually in the fuel system first, not the engine itself. On a Yard-Man mower hard starting complaint, the most common cause is a clogged carburetor from stale fuel that has thickened and left varnish inside the passages. Cleaning the carburetor with carburetor cleaner may help, but if it is badly gummed up, you may need a carburetor repair kit or a complete carburetor replacement. A cracked primer bulb is another common cause because it lets air into the fuel system and makes the engine difficult to start. Old or bad gasoline in the carburetor float bowl can create the same restriction and should be drained and replaced with fresh fuel. If the fuel system checks out, inspect the spark plug for carbon buildup, worn electrodes, or a cracked insulator, and confirm spark with a spark plug tester. On some models, a weak or failed fuel pump can also make a small engine hard to start. Enter your Yard-Man model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact replacement part that fits your lawn mower.
01 - Yard-Man 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-Man 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-Man 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-Man 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.
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06 - Yard-Man 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...
Highly Likely
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Yard-Man lawn mower hard to start?
My Yard-Man mower takes many pulls to start. Should I clean the carburetor or replace it?
Can a bad primer bulb make a Yard-Man lawn mower difficult to start?
My Yard-Man lawn mower has spark but is still hard to start. What should I check next?
How do I find the right Yard-Man lawn mower part for my model?
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