Can you remember the last time you changed your spark plugs? Have you thought about your spark plug recently? I ask my employees some of these questions because of the roles spark plugs play.
Spark plugs are a very important component of your engine. The spark plugs ignite the mixture of air and fuel in the engine’s cylinders. This is what runs the vehicle. It is necessary for the vehicle’s ignition system. Will the lawn mower start if the spark plug is bad?
I will highlight some of the things you should know about spark plugs:
Checking Small Engine Spark Plugs
For the electrodes of the spark plugs to produce the powerful spark required for ignition, they must be clean. If your spark plug is old and dirty, you will need to apply more energy to make it produce enough spark to start the engine.
Your mower engine will not start if you have not turned it recently.
You may have to tug it many times to make it start. It may be a result of a bad plug. As you are tugging the engine to start, you are consuming fuel, depositing specks of dirt on the cylinder head, and diluting the oil.
It is not difficult to replace spark plugs. They are not costly too.
When To Check & Replace Spark Plugs
If you want to properly maintain your lawn mower and small engines, to keep them standard, always check the spark plugs and replace them when necessary.
Following the Operator’s Manual, when your lawn mower or outdoor power equipment does not start will help you know where the problem may be coming from.
How will you know if it is a problem with a bad spark plug?
You must look out for common signs to know if the spark plug is bad. Go through the list below to know why your spark plug is malfunctioning.
Step 1 – Remove the spark plug lead. Clean the spark plug area so debris will not enter the combustion chamber.
Step 2 – Use a spark plug socket to loosen and bring out the spark plug.
Step 3 – Check if there are stubborn deposits on the plug, if the porcelain is cracked or if the electrodes have been burned away. If you see any of this, change the spark plug to a new one.
Step 4 – Check the gap in the spark plug and adjust it if necessary.
Step 5 – If you think that the spark plug is still good, put it back. Do not over-tighten it, and put back the spark plug lead.
If the engine starts, even for a second, and stops, that means there is a spark. This means that the problem is from other places like the fuel, carburetor, valves, and other places, not the spark plug.
On the other hand, if the engine did not start at all, it means there may be a problem with the ignition system. First of all, change the spark plug.
How To Clean Fouled Spark Plugs
If you want to give your spark plug a perfectly clean, use a wire brush or spray-on plug cleaner which is specially designed for this ignition part.
Note: Do not use a shot blaster or abrasives to clean your spark plug.
Changing Spark Plugs in Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers & Equipment
You have to replace your spark plug with a new one if it did not pass the tests we stated above. That means it has gone bad. This is the easiest way to maintain your lawn mower or small engine.
If you think of pre-season tune-ups and end-of-season storage, think of the Briggs and Stratton engine tune-up kit. It is an all-in-one kit that has everything you need. It comes with spark plugs, an oil filter, air filter, lawn mower oil, fuel stabilizer, and a lot more that fits your engine.
Get the proper spark plug, adjust the gap to be properly set, remove the plug lead, and use the spark plug socket to remove the spark plug.
Put back a new spark plug, and do not over-tighten. Let the tightening be between 15 ft. lbs. / 180 in. lbs. (20.3 Nm). Put back the spark plug lead.
Signs Your Spark Plugs Are Failing
Engine Has A Rough Idle
Know that your spark plug is failing whenever you hear your engine sounding rough and jittery when running at idle. The vehicle will start to vibrate. If not checked, it will result in more damage.
Trouble Starting
If your car can not start in the morning, and you are in a hurry to go to work, you may suspect low battery or low fuel, never giving any thought to the bad spark plug. You will remain there if the spark plug does not give you that much-needed spark for ignition.
Engine Misfiring
When your car engine cylinders are not firing correctly, the engine misfires, and it momentarily cuts out and jerks. You will not enjoy the ride, and the car will emit much carbon.
Engine Surging
Engine Surging will make your ride uncomfortable and risky. It is a sign that the engine is malfunctioning. It shows that the quantity of air sucked into the engine for the combustion process is more than required. The vehicle will continue to stop soon after it starts.
High Fuel Consumption
Do you refuel your tank more frequently than you used to? A bad spark plug consumes a lot of fuel. Change the bad spark plug to save your fuel.
Lack Of Acceleration
When you notice that your vehicle is not responding and is not accelerating, think of changing the spark plugs to get it corrected.
FAQs
Will the lawn mower start if the spark plug is bad?
Your lawn mower will not start if it has a bad spark plug. The spark plug can get loose as the mower works, causing another problem. If the spark plug is well positioned, and the engine refuses to start, replace it with a new one. That little money you will spend will get your small engine back to work.
What are the symptoms of a bad spark plug?
If your engine is sounding rough when idle, it shows that your spark plugs are failing. The engine will be sounding rough and jittery.
- Trouble shutting.
- If the battery is low.
- If the engine is misfiring.
- If the engine is surging.
- If it has high fuel consumption.
- If it is a lack of acceleration.
How to test a spark plug on a lawn mower?
You need to put in more power to start your engine if the spark plug is worn out or dirty. If it has been a long you started the lawn mower, it will not start at the first tug. You have to tug it many times for it to start. Check if the spark plug is bad.