A diverse range of factors are responsible for the improper functioning of a Ryobi lawnmower. These can range from technical defects to maintenance issues and the use of poor-quality fuel. However, a proper solution to the problem of lawn mowers being unable to start properly can not be proposed until the reason for the issue has been diagnosed.
For this purpose, troubleshooting is required. However, not all users are aware of the reasons and solutions to fix the starting problem of a lawn mower. Thus, we have come up with a guide on why a Ryobi lawn mower won’t start: Reasons and how to fix it? So, keep reading the article to identify the issue your vehicle might be facing.
Ryobi Lawn Mower Won’t Start: Reasons And How To Fix It?
1. Spark Plug
The spark plug can be a reason that your lawn mower is not working properly. This might be because of cracking inside the plug, which can damage the porcelain insulator that is mainly present with the electrode. It can also lead to burnt electrodes that can impact the normal functioning of the vehicle. To test this, you can use a start plug tester to identify if it has been damaged or not. If the tester does not light up, it indicates that the plug has been damaged and needs immediate replacement.
2. Old Gasoline
Old fuel can also lead to issues with the carburetor float bowl, which can lead to performance issues in the long term. Oftentimes the fuel evaporates and leaves behind a thick gel-like substance that can stick at the bottom of the tank and prevent the engine from starting.
In addition to this, it might also lead to carburetor clogging, which must be cleared as soon as possible to minimize the damage. If you observe the fuel is producing a foul smell or has started turning black, you should immediately replace it with the new one. This can be carried out by removing the existing gasoline, followed by tank cleaning, and then filling it with the new oil.
3. Ignition Coil
If the above two problems have not been observed in your vehicle, then there might be issues with the ignition coil. The main task of this coil is to send the voltage to the spark plug when the engine is running. Over the years, we have observed that the engine does not work properly if there is some problem or defect in the ignition coil.
To check whether the coil is defective are not use an ignition coil tester and ensure that the spark plug is not damaged. In case of a defective coil, replace it immediately with a new one to carry on your lawn mowing activity. This will help you solve the problem at hand and perform the regular tasks easily.
4. Problems with Carburetor
The most common problem associated with the carburetor is clogging. As mentioned earlier, a carburetor gets clogged due to the presence of residual oil in the engine for a long period of time. A clogged carburetor prevents the engine from starting properly and significantly impacts the performance of your lawn mower. If you observe such clogging inside the carburetor, clean it gently using some cleaning agent to eliminate dust and debris from the area.
It will most likely solve the problem for you; if not, you can always replace the old carburetor with the new one for the best results. Apart from this, various carburetor repair kits are also available in the market that can be used to remove the clog material from the specified region and ensure the normal functioning of the Ryobi lawn mower.
5. Fuel Filter
Similar to the carburetor, the fuel filter can also get clogged because of the leftover fuel inside the tank. This might be because of old or poor quality fuel, which can leave behind gel-like substances after evaporation. The sticky fuel inside the tank can also prevent the engine from starting and must be cleaned on a regular basis to ensure the outstanding functioning of the lawn mower.
For this purpose, you can gently clean the filter to remove the clogged material. However, you should be extremely careful while doing so, as harsh treatment can immediately damage the filter. Similarly, you can also remove the filter and wash it properly to eliminate the contaminants. After washing, dry the filters completely before inserting them back inside the tank. Also, monitor whether the filters require replacement on a regular basis to save yourself from major maintenance issues.
6. Recoil Spring
The role of a recoil spring is to recoil the rope into a pulley when the starter rope is pulled inside a lawn mower. In case of a broken or damaged recoil spring, the rope can not be recoiled back onto the pulley monitoring the recoil spring on a regular basis to check for potential defects.
In case you detect any major problem with a component, replace it using specialized tools to carry on with your daily tasks. The majority of the users preferred using recoil starter assembly to turn over the engine. The same kit can also be used to identify the extent of the damage that has been caused to the recoil spring as a result of improper vehicle functioning.
7. Issues With the Battery
Sometimes all the other components are working properly, and your Ryobi lawn mower might not be working properly because of the power interruption. This might be due to issues in the battery that can affect the functioning of the whole vehicle.
First and foremost, check if the battery is charged completely before you start your mowing activity. If the engine still acts up even after complete charging, then check whether it is properly connected with the vehicle. Most of the time, users face issues while starting a lawn mower due to improper battery installation.
8. The Fuse Key
The fuse key is a hidden culprit in most cases and must be looked out for if the vehicle is acting up. The job of the fuse key is to complete the electric circuit inside the motor. This further distributes the power in the entire machine. Usually, the key slot is located near the battery and is used to start the mower. Another advantage of the fuel key is to prevent the mower from accidentally turning on during the maintenance phase.
So, if the key is not placed properly or gets damaged due to various environmental factors, it can impact the power supply of the vehicle and may prevent it from starting. Contrary to this, it may also accidentally turn on the mower during maintenance leading to severe consequences. Thus, it acts as a two-edged sword and must be handled carefully for best results.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to do if your Ryobi lawn mower won’t start?
If your Ryobi lawn mower stops working in the middle of the task, there might be some technical issues associated with it. You should look out for potential issues by troubleshooting the vehicle. Some common reasons for improper engine functioning might be clogging of the carburetor or fuel tank.
Similarly, you might also observe problems with the battery or the fuse key that can prevent the engine from working properly. It is highly important to identify the actual reason behind the poor functioning of the vehicle to propose a suitable solution.
Can Ryobi batteries be fixed?
There are different types of battery cells available in the market that can either be replaced or not, depending on their nature and style of construction. You can check the label on the battery of the product you are using and check if it can be replaced or not. Mostly the nickel-cadmium or the nickel-metal hydride cells can be replaced. However, the cells inside the Lithium-ion batteries can not be replaced, and you need to replace the whole battery in case of damage or other related issues.
How long do Ryobi batteries take to charge?
The charging time varies with the size and the type of battery used inside a Ryobi product. The majority of the batteries used inside the products developed by the Ryobi trademark take around 55 minutes to charge completely. At the same time, others might take around 3 hours to charge. All of this depends on the type and the power of your battery.
Wrapping Up
There are various factors responsible for the improper functioning of a Ryobi lawn mower, including the clogging of major components and filters, defective keys and coils, issues with the recoil spring, and improper battery installation. All these factors can affect the normal starting procedure of a lawn mower and must be monitored carefully to avoid performance issues.
The article has provided a detailed account of the issues why a Ryobi lawn mower won’t start, along with major reasons and solutions to fix those problems. So, next time you face such issues make sure to try our solutions for the best results.