Petrol lawn mower not starting up

Fiskar

Need ideas on why my mower won't start up.

It is a Honda IZY start! 6 years old. I let it run out of old petrol before the winter, filled it with fresh petrol bought to day.

Tried to start it but is won't turn over, spits and farts after about 7 to 10 pulls of the starter, tries to start but bombs out.

Had same problem last year and it was very difficult to start in march to april, no problems during the summer or autumn, now same problem today. Arm is hanging off.

Did remove the plug a few times, checked the gap as per manual (0.7mm), dried it and 2 / 3 times it instantly tried to start.

Is it the magnetic coil for spark?

Any suggestions appreciated. Temp was a lowly 7 to 8 C today.

blackharvester

take out air filter and try to start without it. replace spark plug with new one. make sure blade is not loosen,

CJhaughey

When you say you let it run out of old petrol, did you just let the petrol get low or did you actually run the tank and carb dry?
If there was any petrol in the carb over winter it will have evaporated off and probably left a residue in your carb that is preventing the mower from starting.
You might find the new petrol will dissolve the residue over the next few days or the carb may need to be cleaned.

Fiskar

CJhaughey wrote: »

When you say you let it run out of old petrol, did you just let the petrol get low or did you actually run the tank and carb dry?
If there was any petrol in the carb over winter it will have evaporated off and probably left a residue in your carb that is preventing the mower from starting.
You might find the new petrol will dissolve the residue over the next few days or the carb may need to be cleaned.

Plug is plenty wet when removed. I let it run out completley so carb empty. Did find last year that colder weather starts were an absolute pain so not eusre what is going on.

Fiskar

blackharvester wrote: »

take out air filter and try to start without it. replace spark plug with new one. make sure blade is not loosen,

Did try the air filter bit and was surprised it did not work, will try the new plug and air filter removed. Even tryed heath the plug with a blow torch!

Tefral

Fuel air and spark.

A little trick is to soak the air filter sponge in petrol and try that. When was the last time the plug was changed?

Fiskar

cronin_j wrote: »

Fuel air and spark.

A little trick is to soak the air filter sponge in petrol and try that. When was the last time the plug was changed?

Will do, plug never changed, never ever have I seen a plug change do the trick but willing to try!

Tefral

Fiskar wrote: »

Will do, plug never changed, never ever have I seen a plug change do the trick but willing to try!

Ya to be honest it's normally not the plug but your confident the cylinders are filling with fuel so the only other thing is spark and air.

Try turning it over with the plug out and near earth, if you see the spark jump then you know the plug is ok.

Discodog

It might be the auto choke but Honda's are normally excellent starters. You could try warming the carburettor with a fan heater/hair dryer. If it starts & runs then it is the choke.

Wheelnut

Are you by any chance trying to start it in the lawn? If so the blade can't turn freely because the grass is too long (you're trying to give it a first cut!). Place it on your driveway, get it started and run it for a few minutes. Then move it into the lawn.

Fiskar

Wheelnut wrote: »

Are you by any chance trying to start it in the lawn? If so the blade can't turn freely because the grass is too long (you're trying to give it a first cut!). Place it on your driveway, get it started and run it for a few minutes. Then move it into the lawn.

Not the problem, I'm a seasoned grass cutter.

irelandspurs

I had this problem last year and rang makers of the mower and she asked me if i had fuel cap on to tight,so loosened it and started first time.

Discodog

I just noticed that you didn't replace the plug. Izy's have a reputation for the plugs failing. Some of the plugs have a resistor built into the plug & it can fail. It might have an "R" on the plug. I would go to you Honda dealer or a specialist to ensure that you get the correct replacement plug.

Fiskar

Discodog wrote: »

I just noticed that you didn't replace the plug. Izy's have a reputation for the plugs failing. Some of the plugs have a resistor built into the plug & it can fail. It might have an "R" on the plug. I would go to you Honda dealer or a specialist to ensure that you get the correct replacement plug.

Discodog, you're spot on the money. Got a bosch replacement from a motor factors and the bloody thing started 1st pull. Had tried the air filter soaked in petrol and every thing else.
Amazed, never had a plug fail before.

Thanks to all, BTW the new plug only cost 3€ :eek: after all the time I spent yesterday on the thing. One to remember

Discodog

Your lucky because I till I read your OP I had assumed that you had changed the plug

moceri

If you get a cardboard roll from a toilet roll or something of a similar size and place over the Petrol fill (with cap removed). Blow hard to force some of the fuel through the carburettor. Try starting. I have a 16 year Honda:- works for me.

Fiskar

Discodog wrote: »

Your lucky because I till I read your OP I had assumed that you had changed the plug

Went for the plug first as the cheapest option, lad in the motor factors looked at the old plug, gave me the new plug and said that will work. He must have known about the resistor as well, then I read your email so am happy to know what the hell was up.

Got my gardens done so am a happy chappie, they are a great little mower IMO

Discodog

I know quite a few contractors who are using them. You can buy two Izy's for the price of a commercial Honda ! I have a 21'' Honda Pro Roller but I use my Izy more as it is so light & manoeuvrable.

Fiskar

Discodog wrote: »

I know quite a few contractors who are using them. You can buy two Izy's for the price of a commercial Honda ! I have a 21'' Honda Pro Roller but I use my Izy more as it is so light & manoeuvrable.

What are these retailing at today? Got my at B&Q a few years ago but they don't seem to be in their catalog. PM a dealer and price if you can.

Discodog

Fiskar wrote: »

What are these retailing at today? Got my at B&Q a few years ago but they don't seem to be in their catalog. PM a dealer and price if you can.

I am very surprised that B&Q ever sold them. Honda only sell through licensed retailers & this is part of the warranty - the mower has to be dealer PDI'd & the service book stamped.

I buy from ebay in November & I go for graded stock.

Fiskar

Discodog wrote: »

I am very surprised that B&Q ever sold them. Honda only sell through licensed retailers & this is part of the warranty - the mower has to be dealer PDI'd & the service book stamped.

I buy from ebay in November & I go for graded stock.

Got it 6 to 7 years ago in B&Q Newry. Seen them on ebay, they fetch a high price in sterling. You using an Irish or UK supplier? What is graded stock, is it hire equipment put up for sale in the off season?

Discodog

UK supplier. Graded stock is shop soiled but as new with full warranty. They are not easy to find & appear around Oct/Nov.

Oscar Bravo

Always stuck with Rover,well built solid machine!! Although noisey!

Eugbug

Sometimes if an engine spits it could be due to a valve stuck open and the mixture exploding out through the carburettor or the exhaust. A valve can get stuck over winter, but usually its caused by a engine stored with one valve open and this can seize up if the engine is left sitting for years. If you take the plug out and shine a torch into the cylinder, you might just be able to see whether the valves are opening and closing. Alternatively if you take the cover off the valve chest or remove the OHV valve cover, you should be able to see whether the valves are closing properly.
Other than that, lack of a spark due to bad points or a failed thyristor module will prevent starting. Blockages along the fuel line due to clogged filters, or a float bowl which isn't filling or which overflows and floods the carburettor can also cause problems.

See my troubleshooting link on lawn mowers for more info:

http://eugbug.hubpages.com/hub/Why-Wont-That-Lawnmower-Start