Outdoor Power Equipment Repair Guides
Chainsaws, trimmers, snowblowers, and pressure washers
Browse by Brand
All Guides
Honda — Lawn Mower Won't Start
A Honda lawn mower needs three things to start: spark, fuel, and air. When it will not start, the problem is almost always one of those three. Stale gas left over from last season is by far the most common cause of a mower that cranks but will not fire.
STIHL — String Trimmer Won't Start
STIHL trimmers are two-stroke engines that need proper fuel mix, spark, and air to run. The most common no-start cause is old or improperly mixed fuel. These engines are very sensitive to fuel quality. If it has been sitting for more than a month, start with fresh fuel.
Husqvarna — Chainsaw Won't Start
Husqvarna chainsaws are two-stroke engines with the same three requirements: spark, fuel, and air. Old fuel is the number one cause of a no-start. However, chainsaws are also commonly flooded by pulling too many times on full choke without switching to the run position after the first pop.
ECHO — Leaf Blower Won't Start
ECHO leaf blowers are reliable two-stroke machines, but they suffer from the same fuel-related issues as all small engines. If yours sat unused with fuel in it for more than a month or two, old gas is almost certainly the problem. The fuel system on these blowers is straightforward and easy to service.
Karcher — Pressure Washer Has No Pressure
When a Karcher pressure washer runs but produces little or no pressure, the issue is usually a clogged nozzle, an air leak in the water supply, or a worn pump component. Start with the simplest causes before assuming the pump has failed — most no-pressure situations have an easy fix.
John Deere — Riding Mower Won't Start
John Deere riding mowers have multiple safety interlock switches that must all be satisfied before the engine will crank. If you turn the key and hear nothing at all, the most likely causes are a dead battery or a safety switch issue. If the engine cranks but will not fire, look at fuel and spark.
Toro — Snow Blower Won't Start
Snow blowers sit idle for months and then need to work on the coldest day of the year. Old gasoline left in the tank over spring and summer is the number one reason snow blowers will not start when winter arrives. The carburetor gets gummed up by stale fuel, and cold temperatures make starting even harder.
Briggs & Stratton — Lawn Mower Smoking
A smoking Briggs & Stratton lawn mower is alarming but rarely means the engine is destroyed. White or blue smoke almost always means oil is burning in the combustion chamber. Black smoke means too much fuel. The most common cause is simply too much oil in the crankcase, which is easy to fix.
Husqvarna — Chainsaw Chain Keeps Coming Off
A chain that keeps coming off is usually too loose, mounted on a worn bar, or is the wrong size for the bar. This is a common issue that is almost always easy to fix. It is also important to fix it promptly — a chain that comes off during cutting is very dangerous.
Craftsman — Lawn Mower Blade Won't Engage
On a Craftsman riding mower, the blades are engaged by a PTO (Power Take-Off) switch or lever that activates a clutch and belt system underneath the deck. When you engage the PTO and nothing happens, the problem is usually a broken or slipped belt, a faulty PTO switch, or a seized blade spindle.