Are you wondering why your Toro Recycler 22 won't start? At this stage, will you still be able to fix it? All your questions will be answered with the information we have researched for you.
Among the usual reasons why your Toro Recycler 22 won't start are the following:
- Using old fuel
- The spark plug is not in good condition
- Dirty air filter
- Low battery
- Defective start switch
- Broken flywheel
When this happens, here are some troubleshooting tips for you:
- Check the spark plug for signs of damage.
- Inspect the carburetor for clogs.
- Examine if the fuel pump is working.
- Check for electricity at the start switch.
- Inspect the integrity of the flywheel.
- Replace the ignition coil.
- Drain old fuel from the tank.
In the sections that follow, you will learn the troubleshooting details of Toro recycler 22 and how to avoid an inconvenient start. If you want up-to-date information on this subject, keep reading.
How To Troubleshoot Toro Recycler 22 That Won't Start?
Toro products are reliable and sturdy. Unfortunately, even a good-performing brand has its No-Nos. Otherwise, you risk damage to the equipment. For instance, when a Toro mower fails to start, you can do a few things to ascertain why.
Check the spark plug for signs of damage.
Spark plugs that are worn lose their ability to ignite engine combustion. Look for signs of damage such as cracked porcelain insulators, burned electrodes, or heavy carbon accumulation on the electrode. If the spark plug shows any of these signs, you must replace it.
It is also possible that the plug has no signs of wear. To determine if it is still functioning, use a tester. When the engine is cranked, a functional plug will produce a spark between the tester's terminals. If the plug shows no electric activity, you must replace it.
Replace the ignition coil.
If the spark plug is clean and is working well, the ignition coil is your next stop. To test the ignition coil, use an ignition tester. Replace if the ignition coil is defective.
Inspect the carburetor for clogs.
Fuel contains ethanol that can congeal its liquid form, clogging your carburetor if left unused for long periods. In such instances, try using a carburetor cleaner to clear the clog.
See this carburetor cleaner for lawn mowers on Amazon
This product cleans gum, varnish, and contaminants on the surface of the carburetor. Its quick action removes buildup without leaving any residue. If your carburetor still won't work after being cleaned. Consider the item for replacement.
Examine if the fuel pump is working.
A fuel pump's check valves can be faulty. When these valves fail, it can cause gas to reenter the gas tank.
Another possible problem source in fuel pumps is overfilled engine oil. Oil can enter the pulse port line and leave insufficient room for air to move the diaphragm that pumps the gas. In other words, your engine can suffocate from too much engine oil.
To make sure your fuel pump is working fine, check your pulse port line, the diaphragm inside the pump, and the check valves. If there should be any indication that your pump is working improperly, it will need to be replaced.
Check for electricity at the start switch.
Make sure that electricity is flowing to your start switch. For this, you can use a multimeter. Before testing the switch, don't forget to turn your multimeter's dial to the lowest ohm rating. The switch with continuity will give a zero rating when activated. If the multimeter gives a reading more than zero indicates a faulty switch.
Inspect the integrity of the flywheel key.
A flywheel key that is damaged even slightly will fail to engage the flywheel. This can happen if your lawn mower hits a tree or rock. The only way to know if your flywheel key is damaged is to open your mower and remove the flywheel. This can be a tricky task and will require some level of mechanical deftness.
If you want a video demonstration on how to check the flywheel key, you watch this.
Drain old fuel from the tank.
If you have old fuel left in your Toro Recycler 22 after the long winter months, empty your tank of the old fuel first. Remove as much gas as possible into an appropriate receptacle. To do this, follow these steps:
- Prepare materials for draining such as protective covering, protective gloves, siphon pump, large metal storage container, small tin can, rags, and fuel stabilizer.
- Spread the covering over the work area, and place the mower in the center.
- Remove the gas cap from the tank. Make sure to wipe along the inside of the cap before setting it down on the cover.
- Insert the intake end of the siphon into the tank and the output end into the large metal container. The output end of the pump should be inserted far enough into the receptacle to avoid splashes later on.
- Pump the fuel from the tank to the container by squeezing the siphon bulb. Keep doing this until you have pumped out most of the fuel.
- With your rag, wipe the rim of the gas tank and close with its cap.
- To remove the remaining fuel, run the mower until it stops on its own.
- Look for a small metal cylinder on the engine, the carburetor bowl. On the edge of this cylinder is the drainage bolt, which you will need to remove. Place a small can beneath the carburetor bowl to catch the additional drained fuel.
- Wipe the mower thoroughly with a rag to remove any trace of gas from its surface and parts. You can use cat litter or other absorbent material to absorb fuel spills on unprotected surfaces and dispose of them properly.
You can watch this video for a more detailed description of how to drain gas from a lawn mower.
How To Avoid A Dead Toro Recycler 22?
Your trusty lawn mower is your greatest ally when it comes to keeping a well-manicured front yard. To avoid the hassle of a no-start mower, Toro shares a few tips for you:
Use fresh fuel.
When refilling your mower's gas tank with fresh fuel, keep in mind the following simple safety precautions:
- Choose an open area when filling your tank. Even when outdoors, avoid prolonged exposure to fuel vapors.
- Before adding fuel to the tank or removing its cap, make sure to shut off the engine and let it cool first.
- Store excess fuel in approved containers.
- Wear the necessary protective gear to keep fuel away from your eyes and skin.
Add fuel stabilizer/ conditioner to fresh fuel.
When storing the machine after its last run for the year, add fuel stabilizers to the remaining fuel as recommended on the label. Fuel alone can not be stored beyond 30 days without stabilizers. You also have to take note of the stabilizer's shelf life and recommended duration of the manufacturer.
Charge batteries at the beginning and end of the season or as necessary.
For electric-start models, the battery needs a 24-hour first charge and then after every 25 starts or as necessary. When charging the mower, the equipment should, ideally, be in a room with a 22ºC temperature.
Below the start switch, you will find a wire harness where the charger will be connected. When the charge is connected, plug it into the outlet. You will know that the item is fully charged when the LED display light is green. A red light means the battery is charging, and an alternating flash between red and green means the charging is almost done.
Before storing at the end of the season, charge the battery for 24 hours and store it in a cool place. If the storage area is warm, charge the battery every 90 days.
Replace the fuse.
You also need to check your fuse if your mower doesn't start. If your fuse is blown, replace it with a 40A plug-in type fuse. Follow these very simple steps to replace a blown fuse:
- Look for the battery compartment and remove its cover.
- Remove the battery and the damaged fuse.
- Replace the new fuse.
- Return the battery and the cover to its place. Also, know that your machine may come with a spare fuse in its battery compartment.
You may also find this article about why your Toro Mower Keeps Blowing Fuses – Why And What To Do? helpful.
Disconnect the spark plug.
As part of the preparations for long storage, you should disconnect the spark plug from the wire. If your mower is equipped with a retaining post, connect your wire there.
After disconnecting, remove the spark plug and add 30mL of engine oil through its hole. Pull the recoil-starter rope multiple times. This distributes the oil all over the cylinder to protect it from corrosion. Loosely replace the spark plug after.
Follow recommended maintenance schedule.
Every year, the air filters need to be replaced. Other annual maintenance activities should include changing engine oil, sharpening the blades, and cleaning the engine of dirt and debris from its top and sides. In dusty areas, these activities should be done more frequently.
Summary
To wrap up, your Toro Recycler 22 won't start because of mechanical or electrical failures. However, you can get around this dilemma if you follow the recommendations made in this article.
Other related topics: