April 26
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One fine day, I took out my lawn mower and tried to turn it on, only to find that it wouldn’t budge an inch.
Now, I had enough gas in the tank, the mower had been working fine last week, and I always take care to maintain it. So, what could be the problem? While I was puzzling over this, my engineer neighbor Mr. Cross spotted me standing confused in my yard and came over.
When I explained the situation to him, he immediately said it might be due to a faulty primer bulb. Then, step by step, he taught me all about lawn mower primers and how to start a mower without them.
Hi! I’m Stacy, and today I’ll tell you everything I learned about how to prime a lawn mower without primer. Once you’ve gone through the steps, you’ll be able to start the lawn mower without a primer bulb.
So, without further ado, let’s get going.
Before getting into the exact steps of starting a lawn mower without a primer, allow me to explain what a lawn mower primer is and how it works. It all starts with the lawn mower carburetor, which is much smaller than those in cars and other vehicles.
As a result, these carburetors dry up faster and hence can prevent the lawn mower from starting. This is where the primer comes in: its purpose is to send gas into the carburetor and assist the combustion so that the mower can start without any hitches.
Now, primers come in two types: automatic and push bulb. Their job is to push gas into the carburetor to aid the engine. However, if the bulb is cracked or the filters are clogged, the primer will stop working. Also, if a primer hasn’t been in use for long, it can stop functioning correctly.
Whatever the case, without a primer working, the lawn mower won’t start. That’s why it’s essential to learn how to prime a lawn mower even without the primer.
As I’ve already mentioned, primers can be either push bulb or automatic type. Since my mower had the push bulb primer, I’ll detail the steps for the same type. And make sure you have at least 30 minutes in hand before starting on the job.
You need to start by checking the fuel tank to see if it has gas in it. Then, removing the top covering of the mower, take a look at all inside parts such as the fuel lines, filters and carburetor. Ensure that everything is connected correctly and there are no faults or disconnections.
Next, you’ll have to find the primer bulb. It’s usually positioned under the carburetor and is either black or red. Once you’ve found it, check to see if it’s damaged in any way. If it is damaged, like it was in my case, you’ll have to prime the mower bypassing it.
After you’ve ascertained that the primer is faulty, look at the air filter in your mower. This is usually located by the engine, and you need to remove it from the mower. But first, remember to take off the cover and ensure there’s no damage done to it.
Why do you need to remove the air filter? It’s because the filter usually blocks the location where you have to spray starter fluid to prime the mower. Removing it will make the task easier and more hassle-free.
In most lawn mowers, the air cleaner is inside a housing, which is screwed onto the mower chassis. Carefully unscrew it, and take the filter out; be sure to remember the exact location of where every part goes, as you’ll need to put it back together later.
Now that you’ve removed the air filter, it’s time to add the starter fluid to the mower. This is usually available in a spray bottle, and you just need to point it into the air filter opening and spray the liquid.
Remember to spray in a single, decisive squirt; the fluid should go into the carburetor and reach the bowl for combustion.
To ensure effective combustion, you’ll now have to put the air filter back in. Before doing so, I recommend giving it a good clean. Then place it back in position, reattach the housing, and close it all up exactly as before. Make sure you do this fast; otherwise, the starter fluid might evaporate.
Finally, turn on your mower as you usually do. It might not start immediately, so be sure to give it 3-4 tries before giving up. If it doesn’t start even after multiple attempts, repeat the above process and start the mower.
And that’s it! If done rightly, the mower should start without the primer.
Frankly speaking, I’m grateful to Mr. Cross for showing me this process, and I’m glad I could share it with you all. I tried it later by myself, and it worked without a hitch after a few iterations.
Just keep one thing in mind: the starting fluid required for the task is a combination of chemicals intended to replace the fuel. It’s usually rather thick and can cause the airflow to get restricted. So, be sure to use it carefully and don’t spray more than is needed.
That’s all I have to say for today. Do let me know your experience of priming your lawn mower without the primer. I’m sure that after a few tries, you’ll be able to take care of it yourself.
Till then, take care!
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