If you are having trouble getting your lawn mower started, you can grab a spray can of engine starter fluid. Now, starter fluid isn’t going to fix the actual problem of why your lawn mower engine is not starting, but it will help you fire up the engine. So, where do you spray starter fluid on a lawn mower? Let’s take a look.
Using Starter Fluid on a Lawn Mower (The Short Explanation)
Starter fluid is a highly flammable liquid designed to be sprayed directly into the carburetor through the air intake to substitute the work of the fuel system. The starter fluid can be sprayed directly into the carburetor’s venturi past the choke valve and the throttle valve by removing the air filter housing and air filter.
Why Might You Need to Use Starting Fluid on Your Mower?
If you can’t get your lawn mower started for whatever reason, then starter spray could be your quick solution. There are several components of your lawn mower that can pose a problem during cold starts that can be bypassed by using starter spray.
For example, if you have a problem with your primer bulb, you might not be able to prime the engine and get fuel to the carburetor. Therefore, you can use starter spray instead.
Another example is that if you have a problem with your choke, you might not be able to get the additional fuel and reduce air into the carburetor. Again, starter sprays will bypass this process and get your lawn mower engine started.
Using Starter Spray as a Diagnosis Tool
If you are unsure where the problem lies with your lawn mower and unable to find the reason your lawn mower won’t start using the standard method, then starter spray is actually a good diagnostic tool.
If you can fire up your lawn mower using starter spray, there are several components you can eliminate as the root of the problem. If the engine runs fine once the engine is up and running, then you’ll be able to confidently eliminate items like the spark plug, coil, and ignition system.
This is because your lawn mower wouldn’t run if these items were faulty. So by eliminating these items, you can narrow down your diagnosis, knowing the issue lies within the fuel delivery system and the carburetor.
So, let’s take a look at where to spray starter fluid on your lawn mower.
Things You’ll Need on Hand (Equipment List)
First, you’ll need to gain access to the venturi of the carburetor, which is the big opening in the carburetor. To access the venturi, you’ll need to remove the air filter cover from the lawn mower’s filter housing.
Now, depending on your particular lawn mower, you might need to grab either a screwdriver or a small socket wrench. For you guys with quick-release filter covers, you won’t need any tools.
Where Do You Spray Starter Fluid on a Lawn Mower?
As mentioned before, you need to be able to spray the starter spray directly into the carburetor venturi. This means you’ll need to remove the air filter cover and then remove the air filter. Once you have the filter removed, you’ll be able to see into the carburetor and into the carburetor’s venturi. This is where to spray starting fluid on your lawn mower.
Next, let’s take a look at the process of starting your lawn mower with starter fluid.
How to Use Starting Fluid on a Lawn Mower (Step By Step)
Now that you have the air filter removed, you’ll need to grab your can of starter spray. So, position the nozzle of the starter spray close to the opening of the carburetor and give it a quick blast of the spray. You only need to spray for about ½ a second, nothing more.
Then, reinstall your air filter back on the lawn mower, followed by the air filter cover. Finally, make sure the lawn mower is switched on and the bail lever is engaged if you have one, then pull on the pull starter. This is how to use starting fluid on a lawn mower. Pretty simple really.
Where to Spray Starting Fluid on a Riding Lawn Mower: Is It Different?
If you are wondering where to spray starting fluid on a riding lawn mower, then it’s the same place as a regular walk-behind mower. The only real difference is that some riding lawn mowers, including zero-turn lawn mowers, have a different design for the air filter housing.
You’ll often find these types of lawn mowers have separate filter housings that are connected to the lawn mower’s carburetors via a pipe. This means you can’t see into the carburetor, and you can’t see where you are spraying.
The lack of visibility really does not matter as long as you are spraying into the carburetor. Usually, when you purchase a can of starter spray for your lawn mower, it will come with a plastic straw that attaches to the nozzle of the can. This straw enables you to direct the spray in harder-to-reach places better.
So, connect the straw to your starter spray can nozzle, then direct the spray down into the pipe of the air filter housing. With the force of the spray, the fluid will reach the carburetor. Again, a ½ second spray should be fine.
Then, reinstall the filter and the air filter cover and give your engine a try.
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