After failing to start my lawn mower yesterday, I went to the store and bought a new spark plug.
Sometimes the end of the spark plug gets coated with carbon from when the engine is running.
Other times the spark plug fails altogether and simply needs to be replaced. Regardless of why your engine won’t start, beginning with a new spark plug is often the first step in the process of diagnosis. When the new spark plug didn’t work, I consulted with my neighbor, the car mechanic. Lawn mower engines are elementary compared to the cars with computers that he works on everyday. He first showed me how to remove the carburetor from the lawnmower engine. Next he taught me how to replace a small rubber membrane that controls the flow of fuel to the carburetor. Once the engine was reassembled, I pulled the cord to see if it would start. I was overcome with joy when the engine started to roar like it was brand new. But as soon as I finished mowing the lawn, I realized that I hadn’t yet called the heating and cooling company about my gas valve on my central furnace. Even though I wasn’t planning on using the furnace for another two months, having the gas valve working ahead of time is crucial. A faulty gas valve could expose you and your loved ones to toxic gases that are odorless and colorless. I made an appointment for a full HVAC inspection and service visit. After repairing the gas valve for my central furnace, my air conditioner and furnace technician refilled the coolant in my central a/c. Now I don’t have to worry about either my furnace or my air conditioner for at least another year.