Lawn Mower Maintenance

[themechanic]

My oldest sister told me her fairly new Craftsman lawn mower would run fine then shut off when it got hot. She told me she had zero maintenance experience; that would prove to be an understatement. This woman graduated high school as valedictorian and never earned a grade less than an A. It just goes to show book smarts does not equal practical experience.

I brought her mower home to fix it and left her my mower. I bought one of the $20 tune-up kits at Home Depot that includes an air filter, spark plug and oil. I also bought a new blade. It seems the answer to any problem with a lawn mower, at least according to my sister, is to add oil. The oil was all the way up the dip stick. She didn't know you are suppose to keep the deck clean, replace the air filter and sharpen the blade or anything like that. The mower now runs like new and does not shut off when hot.

You guys will appreciate the following before photos of my sister's lawn mower.

 

[steve from staten island]

Your a good brother

 

[themechanic]

Thanks, Steve. I forgot to mention the blade was broken on both ends on opposite side of the cutting edge. I could not explain that one. I also forgot to take photos of that.

 

[fratzog lover]

HO-LE-COW! Never saw an air filter that bad on an engine that would actually start. Keep going with the education. You never know. I'm educating my wife on what a camshaft does. She grasped the whole piston/rod lecture pretty well, so I figured why not.

 

[themechanic]

I explained a lot to her; hopefully she retained some of it since she was also learning how to use my mower which is somewhat different than what she's use to.

I sent her the photos and told her to remove the air filter and tap it free of loose dirt and grass before each mow.

BTW, her mower has one of those useless water hose connections on the deck which she said she used. Hers was clogged. Other people have said they don't work on a clogged deck after a wet mow. That explains a lot.

 

[BeeKool]

I explained a lot to her; hopefully she retained some of it since she was also learning how to use my mower which is somewhat different than what she's use to.

I sent her the photos and told her to remove the air filter and tap it free of loose dirt and grass before each mow.

BTW, her mower has one of those useless water hose connections on the deck which she said she used. Hers was clogged. Other people have said they don't work on a clogged deck after a wet mow. That explains a lot.

I have several sisters. Youngest one is 30.
Cant any of them even check their oil or tire pressure. I told them they were on their own long ago.
Whats really bad is that one of thems husband (now ex thankfully) was also to stupid to do those things.

 

[themechanic]

I have several sisters. Youngest one is 30.
Cant any of them even check their oil or tire pressure. I told them they were on their own long ago.
Whats really bad is that one of thems husband (now ex thankfully) was also to stupid to do those things.

My sister has two grown sons. I told her never let them near her lawn mower again. They are the reason the oil tank was over filled.

 

[idrivemopar]

Good grief, that's about as bad as I have ever seen a mower. I usually inspect and clean mine in the spring after I finish doing dethatching. Clean the air filter, change the oil and check the plug and sharpen the blade. I do an inspection again mid summer and service as needed. Never have had a problem with my mower and its approaching 20 years old!

 

[dadsbee]

Hurry back for yours!!!

 

[BeeKool]

I dont see how it could have ran with the air filter plugged that badly.

 

[Slap Stick]

Odd this comes up today as I am prepping the mower for Summer. Needed the front wheels and the rubber sheet that seals the deck to the rear bag. Off I go to the big parts distributor and they have the wheels $14 ea. The rubber piece? NLA. Now the bagger won't work. Guess I have to make one.

Never seen an air filter like that.

 

[themechanic]

I also had to replace the front propulsion wheels. The gears were fine but the tread was worn off. How the heck do you wear off hard rubber/plastic on soft grass?

 

[themechanic]

That reminds me of an old joke about a woman who took her car in for repairs. The mechanic inspected the car thoroughly and said, "all it needs is a new owner and it will be just fine".

 

[Lets Roll]

That reminds me I haven't changed my lawnmowers oil in 4 yrs.

 

[gkent]

How the heck do you wear off hard rubber/plastic on soft grass?

I happens !! I bought a used Honda about fifteen years ago with no tread left and the owner had put wood screws all the way around each "tire". I finally got around to replacing them last year !! What the hell, they worked !! Yeah, I should change the oil this year !!

 

[themechanic]

That reminds me I haven't changed my lawnmowers oil in 4 yrs.

Yeah, I should change the oil this year !!

Black gold, Texas tea.

 

[themechanic]

Changing the oil on the Honda, Craftsman and Lawn Boy was easy. Just dump it out the oil spout and add fresh oil. They all have the Honda GCV160 engine.

 

[gkent]

Its easier to remove the bottom plug !!

 

[khryslerkid]

Its easier to remove the bottom plug !!

What bottom plug! Lol

You must have an older mower.

 

[fratzog lover]

BTW, her mower has one of those useless water hose connections on the deck which she said she used.

Useless as forceps to a wild boar.