Lawn mower repair: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What lawn mower repair is

Lawn mower repair services mowers that will not start, run rough, cut unevenly or lose power. A pro cleans the carburetor, replaces the spark plug, filter, belts and blades, changes the oil and checks the fuel system. People usually call when the mower starts hard, bogs down in tall grass or leaves the lawn scalped and ragged.

Signs you need it

  • The mower cranks but will not start, or it starts and dies within seconds
  • The engine runs rough, smokes heavily, or loses power when it is under load
  • The cut is ragged or tears the grass, which often points to a dull or bent blade
  • The deck belt slips, squeals or has cracked edges
  • Fuel leaks from the tank, the carburetor or the fuel line
  • The mower leaves a stripe in the grass or cuts unevenly across the deck

What the pro does

  • Check the oil level and condition, the air filter and the spark plug
  • Inspect the fuel line, the fuel filter and the carburetor for varnish, debris and leaks
  • Clean or rebuild the carburetor and its jets, and set the idle and the mixture as the manual states
  • Inspect the deck belt, drive belt, pulleys and the blade for wear and damage
  • Sharpen or replace the blade and balance it on a blade balancer
  • Replace the spark plug and the oil, then run the mower and check the cut and the idle

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Walk-behind versus riding mower, since riding units have more systems to check
  • Whether the carburetor needs cleaning or full replacement
  • Blade condition, and whether it needs sharpening, balancing or replacing
  • Deck belt and drive belt wear
  • Brand and model, and whether parts are stocked
  • Age of the mower and whether the repair is worth doing

What a written quote should spell out

  • Mower make, model, engine type and serial number
  • Each service item by name, such as carburetor cleaning, spark plug, air filter, oil and blade
  • Which belts, blades or fuel lines are replaced, and the part numbers
  • Whether fuel system cleaning or fuel stabilizer is included
  • Warranty on the parts and the labor, in writing

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Did you clean the carburetor, or are you replacing it?
  • Is the blade sharp, balanced and correctly mounted after the service?
  • Do you use the oil and spark plug the manufacturer specifies?
  • What fuel do you recommend for the mower, and will the fuel be stabilized?
  • Does the warranty cover the carburetor and the labor?
  • Will you check the deck belt and the drive belt for wear?
  • Will you run the mower and check the cut before I pick it up?

Red flags

  • A carburetor replaced without a test of the fuel line and the filter
  • A blade replaced without balancing before it goes back on
  • No check of the oil level or the air filter
  • A quote with a general engine repair line and no part names
  • No test run of the mower before it leaves

What you can do yourself

You can change the oil, clean or replace the air filter, check the spark plug gap and sharpen or balance the blade. Disconnect the spark plug wire before you work on the blade or the deck, and do not run the mower indoors. Call a pro if the carburetor needs rebuilding or the engine has internal damage.

Licenses and permits

Lawn mower repair is generally not a licensed trade. Electrical work on electric mowers may need a licensed electrician, so check with your state or local licensing agency or business office.

Lawn mower repair questions

Why does my mower start and then die?

A mower that starts and dies often has a clogged carburetor, a bad fuel line, a blocked fuel filter or an air filter that is dirty. A pro checks the carburetor and the fuel system first.

How often should I change the oil in my mower?

Follow the schedule in the owner's manual. Change the oil sooner if the mower runs in dusty conditions or has been run hard.

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About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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