Six Engine Starting Tips

We use engines all the time.  Many of them are pretty reliable, especially in cars, but they can be difficult sometimes.  Smaller engines, like lawn mowers and chain saws are often very hard to start.  If you’re having a hard time, try these 6 engine starting tips.

1.  Check the Fuel Valve

This is a very common, yet extremely simple problem.  Most engines have a valve somewhere in the fuel line.  This can often be turned off, either by accident or by someone else, who knew what they were doing.  If it is turned off, then no fuel can get to the engine.  Many people don’t know about this, and spend lots of time and sometimes money trying to solve a very simple problem.  Start at the gas tank, and try to follow the fuel line.  The valve(s) will most likely be near any filters or the carburetor, if it has one.  If the handle on the valve is perpendicular to the fuel line, the valve is closed, and needs opened.  Don’t worry if you can’t follow the line all the way.  The valve will probably not be too hard to access, so if you lose track of the line, don’t bother digging around.  It’s possible there are no valves, so don’t spend too much time looking.

2.  Check Filters

This is another common problem.  All filters will eventually clog up, so make sure you check them, especially on older engines.  First, look for the air filter.  It is usually in a plastic casing, probably with some clips or screws.  Look for any obvious dirt or dust.  Even if it looks okay, brush it out a little bit, and see if that helps.  The engine may work for awhile after a filter cleaning, but you will want to get a new one as soon as possible to avoid further complications.  You will also want to check the fuel filter.  Look for this in the fuel line, just like in step one.  This can be a bit harder to check and clean, so don’t worry about it unless none of these other tips seem to help or if you have suspicions about the fuel (maybe bad gas, or a rusty tank).  You will need to turn off the fuel valve (again, check step one) then probably loosen a few clamps or unscrew the filter.  Look for any solids in the screen, and remove them.

3.  Check Oil

Oil should be checked often, even if the engine runs fine, but low oil can still prevent an engine from starting.  Look for either a dipstick handle, or a cap that looks similar to the fuel tank cap, although usually a little smaller.  When you remove it, there will be a dipstick attached.  Make sure the engine is level when you do this.  Wipe off the stick with a rag, and put it back in the engine.  When you remove it again, look at the end to see where the oil level is.  If it is below the full line, you will need to add more.  Check the engine’s manual to see just how much and what kind of oil to add.

4.  Prime and Choke the Engine

Almost all engines will have one or both of these.  Usually only small engines will have a primer.  It’s like a small rubber bubble.  Push it in a few times, until its full of fuel, and then a few more times.  This will ensure fuel is actually in the line and the engine, not just stuck in the tank.  Then choke the engine.  This can be very different on different engines, but it is sometimes similar to or near the the throttle.  It will either move freely, or have 3 levels for full choke, half choke, and off.  Start will full choke.  Try to start the engine until it turns over a little bit.  Then flip to half choke and try to start it again.  When it starts, turn the choke to off and it should run smoothly.

5.  Battery

If the engine has an electric starter, the battery could cause problems.  If you turn the key and nothing happens, or if the engine turns over very slowly or weakly, then the battery is probably low or dead.  Hook it up to a charger for a few hours, or you can jump start it.  If you do get it started, let it run for awhile so the battery can charge on its own.  If you continue to have low battery problems, then it may need replaced.

6.  Spark Plug(s)

If a spark plug is dirty or broken, then the engine cannot ignite the fuel to get going.  Different size engines will have different numbers of spark plugs, and even one bad plug can cause trouble.  Spark plugs are screwed in to the side of the engine, and they are usually white, with a metal end.  They will have a wire attached at first, so remove that (it should just pull off) and unscrew the plug.  You will probably want a ratchet with a deep socket to reach all the way down the plug and unscrew it.  When you unscrew it, look for any black soot on the threads or at the end.  This will need brushed off.  When you’re confident it’s clean, screw it back in, remember to reattach the wire, and try to start the engine again.

If none of these engine starting tips work, you may have a more serious problem.  You can do a little more poking around, but your best bet would probably be to take it to a repair shop and have them deal with it.  Good luck!