starter on my petrol lawn mower

[conkarin]

After checking the jungle i have decided to go for it and cut the grass. Filled the darn thing with petrol and it started fine, brilliant, away we go, it worked for about 3 minutes then cust out,, fine,, i can start it again with the pull cable,, but no the pull cable will not pull,, rather than coming out to its full 20 inches or so it hardly comes out at all.. anyone can help? i was thinking that i may have overfilled it with petrol and as a safety it wont start.. Just a thought.. Thanks

[woodchopper]

Erm, did you check there was oil in it too as well as petrol ?

First dip it for oil if it is empty pull, your hair out and curse.

Sounds like you siezed the engine - take the spark plug cap off and turn the mower upside down and try to turn the blade assuming it is a rotary mower - if it doesn't turn the engine is siezed or there is something else jamming it.

[conkarin]

this mower is a bit like a car engine to me... always put petrol in and never oil... sorry but that bit is too technical... sorry to sound like a dumb blonde but i cant see a cap for the oil...... help me................ i will have another go.. thanks for that... chopper

[Jay70]

I agree with woodchopper - alot of people with petrol mowers dont check the oil level let alone change it as you're supposed to do after a certain amount of operrating hours.

You will normally find a little screw cap on the area where the engine mounts on the chassis of the mower. if you unscrew this the bottom of the cap has a stick on it with a line on it.

[rugeleyboy]

can i ask a simple question.................. when you tried to restart the lawnmower. did you take it off the grass?

sometimes people try to restart them on wet long grass and the blade gets stuck, giving you the jammed feel?

[conkarin]

thankyou thankyou and once again thankyou.... I found out... and none of you lot told me............ wait for it.... 2 stroke..... ring any bells.. oops i dit it again.... anyhow i asked the next door neighbour to have a look, (male) sorry ladies,, but men are a darn sight better than us for those kinda things......... I admit it i am a hopeless female.... thankyou gents... This is when i really miss a man about the place... hey ho...