Why Does Your Lawn Mower Take So Many Pulls to Start?

Lawnmowers have a lot of parts that can impact how long they take to start. If your mower is sputtering or the ignition won’t work, it could be caused by all sorts of issues. The first thing you should consider is whether you have a push mower or a riding mower. So, why won’t it start on the first pull?

Your lawn mower takes so many pulls to start because the fuel filter is filled with debris, the spark plugs aren’t working, the battery is damaged, or there’s not enough gas in the tank. A damaged engine can make the mower take more pulls to start because it won’t combust the oxygen and fuel.

Throughout this article, we’ll show you how many pulls most mowers take to start, when you should look under the hood to find out what’s wrong, and what causes it to happen. We’ll also provide a few suggestions to fix a lawnmower that won’t start and why the pull might be harder than expected.

How Many Pulls Should It Take to Start a Lawn Mower?

A lawn mower should take between three to four pulls to start. Push the mower a few times to get the wheels turning, then pull the handle quick and far back. Pulling it at the proper distance and speed is crucial for getting it to start as soon as possible.

If you feel like your mower won’t start after pulling it a few times, there’s likely an internal issue. Fortunately, most lawnmower problems can be fixed by adding fuel or switching filters and spark plugs. These minor repairs make a world of difference since a mower can’t run without them.

For example, if you’re lawnmower fuel filter isn’t full, it can lead to improper oxygen: gasoline ratio in the combustion chamber. In other words, there shouldn’t be more than a small bubble in the filter’s housing. If there’s a lot of air inside, it’ll limit the amount of fuel getting into the engine.

Let’s dive into a few more explanations below.

Why Does My Lawn Mower Take Forever to Start?

Your lawn mower takes forever to start because you aren’t pulling it fast enough, there’s not enough fuel in the tank, the spark plugs need to be replaced, or the battery is dying. A dirty air filter will limit the amount of oxygen entering the combustion chamber, which makes it take longer to start.

Here’s a list of four reasons your lawnmower takes forever to get going:

• Leaving a lawnmower in the rain can cause mechanical failure. The water will get into the fuel, oil, and spark plugs. diluted fuel won’t start the engine, which makes it take longer to start. Additionally, the rain can rust the deck and blades until they corrode.
• According to Bob Vila, many lawnmower owners simply forget to put the right type of gasoline in the tank. If you use the wrong gas or oil, the engine won’t start. In some cases, it’ll overheat and cause the mower to smoke. If this happens, turn off the lawnmower immediately. Always check what type of fuel you’re supposed to use.
• Dirty filters make mowers start slower. Most lawnmowers have fuel filters, air filters, and oil filters. Each filter is designed to keep debris out of the mixture. If contaminants find their way into the engine, they’ll lead to overheating or slow starts.
• If you have a battery-powered lawnmower that takes forever to start, test the battery with a multimeter to ensure it’s charged. Low-powered batteries won’t start quick enough, if at all, much like car batteries. Keep a spare lawnmower battery just in case you have to switch it out.

There are many other reasons your mower takes so many pulls to start, such as a clogged deck, a full grass bag, or improper pulling techniques. If you want to make it a bit easier, read on.

How Can I Make My Lawn Mower Pull Easier to Start?

To make your lawn mower pull easier to start, fill the gas tank all the way to the fill line, replace all of the filters, test the spark plugs, and lift the mower while pushing it. Elevating the mower makes it easier for the engine to get more oxygen and spin the blades.

Check the mower’s spark plugs by removing the wire and cover over it. They should be replaced annually to prevent the engine from dying. Alongside the spark plugs, the filters are another easy, cheap part to replace. If the filter is made of paper or nylon, it can’t be washed and reused.

These simple fixes will help your mower start easier. The pulling cord is always going to be a little tough because you’re starting an engine. You can give it a little push and lift while pulling the cable to help the blades spin. Lean the mower on its back wheels, push it about half a foot forward, and pull the cable quickly.

If you have a riding lawnmower, all of its problems will be under the hood or in the gas tank. Check if the tank is full and top it off if it’s not. Ensure the gas meter isn’t broken if it always says it’s at the same level. Pop the hood and test the battery, spark plugs, and other components mentioned above.

How Do You Start a Stubborn Lawn Mower?

To start a stubborn lawn mower, clean under the deck, remove all of the debris from the grass bag, and replace the filter. Push the mower while pulling the cord until it starts. Don’t forget to replace old gasoline if it’s sat in the fuel tank for longer than a couple of months without being used.

Gold Eagle suggests looking into the fuel tank for water. If water is in the tank, it’ll ruin the fuel and make it unusable. This common issue occurs during rainstorms, leading the gasoline to enter the engine and overheat because the water boils.

If your lawnmower has a clogged deck full of leaves, grass clippings, and other debris, there’s no way the blades can rotate. Turn off the engine, set the push mower on its side, and remove all of the deck. The deck should be spotless, as should the grass bag.

Stagnant gasoline thickens and becomes unusable. Much like the water in the tank, it can cause overheating or engine failure. This same issue can happen with the oil, so don’t forget to check the oil’s level and color. If the fuel or oil look like they have debris or are low, it’s time to replace them.

Note: Hose leaks can rapidly drop the fuel and oil to make them drain quicker than they should. If you find you’re always having to top off the fluids every time you use the mower, check the hose connections for hairline cracks or holes.

Why Is My Mower So Hard to Pull?

Your mower is so hard to pull because there’s too much debris in the way, the blades are loose, or there’s not enough fuel in the tank. If the lawnmower is too close to the ground, the blades will catch on the grass and soil, preventing the engine from starting.

Like all engines, lawnmowers need a lot of maintenance to prevent slow starts or stubborn performances. We recommend routinely checking the fluids, cleaning the blades and grass bag after each use, and testing the battery (if there is one) and the spark plugs.

Drain the fuel tank and oil if you know you won’t use the lawnmower for the next couple of months. Pooled oil and fuel are useless and can cause a mess in the engine. Store the drained lawnmower under a tarp or preferably in a shed or garage to keep it away from the rain, snow, and wind.

Wrapping It Up

Lawnmowers always seem to have maintenance issues, but following a routine schedule will keep them at bay. If your lawnmower won’t start on the first few pulls, it might be time to inspect the filters, check the spark plugs, or have the engine repaired. Also, make sure you’re using the right fuel for the mower.