Mower Starting Trouble? Here's Where To Spray Starting Fluid On A Lawn Mower.

Where to Spray Starting Fluid on a Lawn Mower

 If you’ve tried several times to start your mower and it still won’t fire up, you might need to use a starting fluid to get it running. However, using starting fluid requires some knowledge to avoid damaging your lawn mower engine. In this article, we’ll guide you through where to spray starting fluid on a lawn mower.

What is Starting Fluid?

Starting fluid, also known as ether, is a highly volatile liquid that’s used to help start gasoline and diesel engines. It contains a blend of chemicals that evaporate quickly and ignite easily, producing a combustible gas that helps the engine turn over.

However, it’s important to note that starting fluid should be used sparingly and only as a last resort. Overuse of starting fluid can damage your carburetor or  engine and lead to costly repairs.

Where to Spray Starting Fluid on a Lawn Mower

Now that we’ve covered the basics of starting fluid, let’s move on to where to spray it on a lawn mower. The location of where to spray starting fluid on a lawn mower varies depending on the type of lawn mower you have.

For a Push Lawn Mower

If you have a push lawn mower with a four-cycle engine, the carburetor is usually located on the side of the engine, near the air filter. To spray starting fluid, follow these steps:

Step 1: Remove the air filter cover.

Step 2: Locate the air filter and remove it.

Step 3: Spray a small amount of starting fluid into the air intake port. Do not spray too much, as it can flood the engine and cause it to stall.

Step 4: Reinstall the air filter and cover.

Step 5: Pull the starter cord to start the engine.

Pro Tip: Here's an example of location of air cleaner on a pushmower.

If the engine doesn’t start after the first attempt, wait a few minutes before trying again. If it still doesn’t start after a few attempts, you may need to take your lawn mower to a professional for a tune-up.

For a Riding Lawn Mower

If you have a riding lawn mower with a four-cycle engine, the carburetor is usually located under the seat or near the front of the engine. To spray starting fluid, follow these steps:

Step 1: Remove the air filter cover and air filter.

Step 2: Spray a small amount of starting fluid into the carburetor through the air intake port.

Step 3: Attempt to start the engine, Once running make sure to rev the engine and let it run for a few minutes before shutting it off and moving to Step 4 

Step 4: Reinstall the air filter and cover and start the engine.

Pro Tip: Here's an example of location of air cleaner on a Toro Mower

If the engine doesn’t start after the first attempt, wait a few minutes before trying again. If it still doesn’t start after a few attempts, you may need to take your lawn mower to a professional for a tune-up.