Lawn Mower Stalls When Tilted – What To Do?

When mowing your lawn using a mower, you could run into the problem where the mower won't start after it has been tilted. When users tilt lawn mowers to replace blades or do some other maintenance, it is normal for the mowers to cease working. If you are facing this problem, there is no need to panic as we have consulted with experts for solutions, and here is what they have to say.

Check if your lawnmower suddenly stops working when you're trying to tilt it. If the carburetor runs low on fuel or air, you'll have to do some cleaning. If you notice that the mower only stalls when the gas tank is tilted, you may need to move or replace the gas line in the tank.

Keep reading to learn more about other problems that might make your mower not work when tilted and how you can stop it from stalling.

Man using his lawn mower at the backyard, Lawn Mower Stalls When Tilted—What To Do?

Why Does My Lawn Mower Stall When Tilted?

Once in a while, a lawnmower will start and run for a short period and then stop when tilted. For your benefit, you need to understand the potential sources of the problem and the alternative solutions to try. Here are some of the causes.

A lawn mower on the garden

Air Filter Problem

The carburetor's breather tube has oil in it. Oil can soak into the air filter and cause the lawnmower to not start after tilting or running full of fuel. Because of this, the lawnmower may be emitting black smoke.

Because you can't tilt the lawnmower, the air filter is facing downwards instead of upright. When tilting the mower, ensure the air filter always faces upward. Because the air filter has become saturated with water, there is nowhere for the air to enter; hence the mower will not start. When this happens, you can change the filter in the mower.

Malfunctioning Fuel Cap

The lawn mower's fuel tank cover is called a "fuel cap." Air cannot enter the gasoline tank if it is not properly vented. For the tank to drain properly, the gap it leaves must be filled with air.

Vacuums are created when the gas stops flowing because no air can fill them. To determine if the gasoline cap is working properly, fill the gas tank and reinstall the cap. Then you will need to prepare a bucket and unhook the fuel line from the fuel tank.

Immediately after the gasoline line is disconnected, the gas will begin to flow into the bucket. Not venting the fuel cap will cause the gas to slow down or stop before emptying the tank.

When you take off the cap, you should check the gas level inside, and you should also observe whether or not extra gas comes out when you do this. Remove the old fuel cap and replace it with a new one.

Carburetor Issues

For those of you who have a lawn, you're undoubtedly familiar with the use of a lawnmower. It is simple to operate and requires little upkeep. But even with regular maintenance, one issue many people run across is figuring out how to fix it when the lawn mower doesn't start after it has been tilted.

Carburetor problems are the most typical reason a lawn mower fails to start. Fuel leaking from the carburetor could cause engine and air filter problems.

The lawn mower would not start when it was tilted because it was flooded. It is also possible that something has become lodged in the lawn mower's carburetor, which keeps it from starting after its use. 

At this time, the exhaust from the lawnmower is beginning to reach quite high temperatures. The noise that the lawnmower makes will then be significantly more unpleasant. You can resolve this issue by allowing the carburetor to dry out on its own or replacing it.

Faulty Spark Plug

Spark plugs are essential in all engines. There is no combustion in the engine if the spark plug isn't operating, and that's what keeps it running. Remove the spark plug wire to inspect the spark plugs. 

Remove the spark plug by unscrewing it using a spark plug tool. Simply by looking, you can tell if the spark plug has been damaged. If the porcelain insulator or electrode is broken or damaged, a replacement spark plug is necessary.

After ensuring the spark plug is undamaged, you can retest its operation by reattaching the spark plug wire and starting the mower. A strong blue spark should appear if the spark plug is functioning properly. Replace it if necessary. 

How Do I Stop My Lawnmower From Stalling?

Man using his lawn mower in his garden

It would be best if you inspected your lawnmower every year to keep it running smoothly and extend its lifespan. Your lawn mower's oil, spark plugs, and air filter should be changed periodically.

It is best to consult your owner's manual for exact instructions for your model. Make sure you don't cut corners on these maintenance activities to keep your mower running smoothly and free of issues.

Can a Bad Battery Case a Lawn Mower to Stall?

Yes, it can. Battery-powered wireless electric lawn mowers require a power source to recharge their lithium batteries. If your battery is completely dead, you'll need to plug it in and let it recharge for two to three hours before using it again. Then, you'll be able to mow your lawn.

You can get a new one for those whose lithium battery has failed and can no longer be charged in their lawnmower. A few electric lawnmower manufacturers sell battery replacements on their websites. Check out this MMG Lithium ion sealed battery on Amazon.

Why Does My Lawn Tractor Stall When Mowing Uphill?

Man using the lawn mower

There are many reasons your lawnmower could stall while mowing uphill, but the most common is that it doesn't have enough power to get the job done.

Another possible reason for this to happen is due to engine problems. Also, old or tainted fuel can build up in the engine of a lawn mower if it isn't used for an extended length of time or if gas isn't added regularly.

Should a Lawn Mower Fuel Filter be Full?

It is important to ensure that the fuel filter on your lawnmower is full to stop air from getting into the combustion chamber through the fuel line.

If air is allowed to pass through the fuel filter, the lawnmower's engine will erroneously burn the fuel, resulting in overheating and smoke. You will need to bleed the line to remove surplus air from the fuel filter.

Why is My Riding Mower Losing Power?

Clogged air filters, filthy spark plugs, clogged carburetors, dull blades, and worn-out or tainted gas are the most typical reasons for the power loss of riding lawn mowers. Other potential causes include unclean gas and blocked fuel filters.

Is It Okay to Hose Down a Lawn Mower?

After each usage, metal parts can be eaten by decomposing grass if not cleaned thoroughly. Using a hose to clean up your lawnmower is okay, but you should never use a pressure washer or saturate the engine with water.

Why Does My Lawn Mower Backfire While Running?

Man using a lawn mower in his lawn

If the gas in the lawn mower combustion chamber backfires, you'll hear a loud explosion since the gas was ignited in a place where it wasn't supposed to be. Starting, running, or shutting off the lawnmower all have the potential to result in this.

An incorrectly adjusted carburetor or a sheared flywheel key can cause a lawnmower engine to backfire. Other typical causes include abruptly shutting down the mower's engine or using the wrong type of gasoline.

Will The Riding Mower Run Without Battery?

Yes, it will. The engine of riding lawnmowers is started with a battery contained within the mower. If your battery dies, you'll need to jumpstart your engine to get your mower started again.

In addition, there must be sufficient charge in the battery for it to be able to deliver a strong spark to the spark plug. If it does not, the engine will either operate roughly or not. If your battery is old and seems to have died fast, it is probably advisable to replace it rather than try to revive it.

You should make an effort to recharge your battery before you decide to replace it, even if doing so is likely to take some time. If you need to mow your lawn immediately and can't wait for the battery on your lawnmower to charge, you might want to try jumpstarting your lawnmower.

To Wrap Up

Man using his lawn mower at the backyard

The most important thing to remember while inspecting your lawn mower is to be thorough. Keep an eye out for any malfunction that can be readily fixed. A well-maintained lawn mower has a far longer lifespan and is less likely to develop problems in the future if you give it regular attention and maintenance.

For more on garden equipment, check out these interesting posts: 

Oil in Lawn Mower Carburator - What to Do?

Should Lawn Mower Blade Spin Freely?

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