Lawn mower won't start. There is oil coming out of the breather and oil on the spark plug when you remove it.

Answer 1

IT IS NOT A PLUG omg every time there is a problem with a small engine every one says it is the plug, it is not. it sounds like you put too much oil in and it is coming out through the breather. check the oil and dump some out if it is too full. take a vice grip or a small clamp and clamp the fuel line, or just drain the fuel tank and find your carb. there is a large brass bolt on the bottom of the carb. remove it. it holds up the mowers fuel bowl. some gas will dump out so have some rags to soak it up. check for oil in the carb and if it is there use wd 40 to clean the ports on the carb. finaly, take the spark plug out and cycle the engine a few times. take a lighter and hold the flame to the spark contacts on the bottom of the plug to burn any oil off. then take a wire brush or some sand paper and take the black carbon deposits off of the plug. make sure that you dont bend the contact arm or you will have to recheck the spark gap. put the flame in the chamber of the engine to make sure that there are no exess fumes in there. be carefull to not be burned if it makes a small flare up. put it back together and try starting it. if it still wont start, try making sure that it is creating spark. use a spark checker, or take the plug out, put the wire back on the plug, and hold the outside of the plug against the head of the engine. have someone pull the cord as if to start the engine and make sure that there is a strong blue spark. if it is weak you may need to make the spark gap slightly smaller. if there is no spark then you may need a new key. remember that while turning over the engine, if you dont have it tight to the head it will shock you. it is not dangerous, but it does hurt. if you still get spark and the engine still wont spark you may need to do better cleaning on the carb. if you simply cannot get it to fire, then take it to a shop for some overpriced, yet effective service.

Answer 2

Ok here may be the problem, When a mower is turned on it's side, (to clean out the deck, or sharpen the blade). You must make sure that the air filter faces up, not down toward the ground.
You're going to have to replace the air filter and clean or replace the spark plug.

Answer 3

I know what you did , Do not turn the lawnmower on its side , Oil will seep in to your cylinder and when you put it back on the ground the oil will run out, Here is another Don,t over fill the mower it will cause to much pressure in the cylinder and wont start, Now you have a lot of cleaning to do , Get you a can of carburetor cleaner that will help clean the craburetor , Let it sit when you get finished, New plug air filter clean spray a little C. cleaner in carb, and fire it up good luck, let me know if I can help again.

Answer 4

If there is oil on the spark plug when you remove it you may have a serious problem. It sounds like the engine has a blown gasket. If this is a cheap lawn mower I would replace it. If it cost more than $350.00 new it is worth taking into a shop to get it fixed.

Answer 5

If you have oil coming out of the breather you have to much oil in the case did you leave it out in the rain? sometimes the case of the motor fills with water forsing the oil up so when you try to start the oil has no where to go, drain the oil and change or clean the plug as long as the motor has good compression (does not spin easy and fast when trying to start) the motor is fine, we had the same thing happen to one of our paving boxes

Answer 6

change the oil,plug,and filter clean the carb with some carb cleaner wait about 20 mins then spray a shot of starter fluid in the carb and it should start. must lawnmower engines are very durable don't give up on her yet!

Answer 7

change the oil if u can and get a new spark plug. Also check the air filter....