Can you flood a lawn mower engine

You pull the machine out onto the lawn and give the starting cord several tugs. When nothing happens, you turn on the choke and continue pulling until you detect the familiar smell of gasoline, which means the engine is flooded.

The conventional remedy for a flooded engine is to let it set for 15 minutes or so to give the carburetor time to dry. You can do this, but there are quicker solutions. Pull off the spark plug wire and unscrew the spark plug with a spark plug wrench. The plug terminals are probably moistened with gasoline. Dry them by spraying alcohol-based starter fluid on the plug or simply wiping them with a dry cloth. Crank the engine a few times while the plug is out to draw air through the carburetor and dry it out.

Replace the plug, turn off the choke and crank the engine. If it sputters, crank a few more times until it starts. If not, add some. We won't tell. Give it a rest. An engine that's getting gas and not starting probably has a flooded carburetor or cylinder soaked with gasoline.

Often your nose can make the diagnosis: Flooded engines reek of unburned fuel. Park the mower on level ground, and wait about 15 minutes for the gas to evaporate. Then try starting it again, with the choke off. Freshen the fuel. After turning the engine over with oil in the cylinder, install a new plug or carefully clean and regap the old plug if it is still in good shape. Install the spark plug using the correct torque.

You will need to replace the air filter and remove any water in the carburetor. If the engine has a fuel filter, replace it. Clean and drain the fuel lines before installing a new filter.

If the machine has a transmission case, check for water. If any water is present, drain the case, dry it and replace the gear oil. After thoroughly cleaning and drying everything, add clean engine oil and fresh gasoline, then try to start it. Running it will warm it up and help dry any spots you missed. Search Search. If the engine has an electronic ignition module, that might have to be replaced also.

You just might be able to save your small engine! Your Name.