How To Clean Lawn Mower Carburetor

How To Clean Lawn Mower Carburetor? (Step-By-Step Guide)

6 minutes

A carburetor is an inextricable part of a lawnmower if you want to run your lawn mower flawlessly. However, when it is damaged or blocked with dirt and debris, it isn’t able to respond properly in the time of lawn mower starting. 

That’s why you need to clean it. I guess you face the same sort of issue. Right? If so, then throw out all of your worries. I will provide you the accurate guideline that you are actually looking for. 

Basically you know without an accurately working carburetor, the mower engine can’t get proper power from the carburetor for the starting purpose of the lawnmower. 

That’s the reason you need to keep a good working carburetor. In this article, I will try to give the right guideline on how to clean lawn mower carburetor. 

So, without delay, let’s see how to clean it. 

How To Clean Lawn Mower Carburetor

The Process To Clean The Carburetor Of The Lawnmower

You know cleaning the carburetor of the lawnmower is really simple maintenance rather than the other maintenance of the lawnmower. It approximately takes 20-30 minutes to complete the entire task.

You can clean the carburetor in two ways. One is removing the carburetor from the mower and the other is without separating it from the lawnmower. We will discuss both ways for your convenience. 

First, let’s look at the cleaning process by removing the mower carburetor from the lawnmower. For this, you require some tools. Let’s see what you actually need to complete the task. 

Required tools: 

  • Screwdrivers
  • Socket wrench
  • Carburetor cleaner
  • A steel wire

Now, follow the steps by step process to clean the mower carburetor effortlessly.

Steps to follow: 

Step #1: Check The Mower Carburetor Before Cleaning

Before starting the cleaning process, check the mower carburetor properly to identify where the actual problem occurs. If you find any fault in the mower carburetor, then you may proceed to start the cleaning process. 

Step #2: Cool The Engine and Remove Air Filter Cover

Now, turn off the lawnmower power and remove the spark plug from the mower. Wait for a while until the mower engine is completely cool. 

When the engine becomes cool, take a screwdriver and remove the air filter cover by using it. This will help you to access the mower carburetor easily. 

Step #3: Detach The Carburetor From The Lawn Mower

Take a socket wrench and remove the bolts that attach the carburetor with the mower. Remove the connection of the fuel tube from the mower carburetor also. 

Place a pan under the mower carburetor because when you disconnect the mower carburetor from the fuel tube, some liquid spills out from there. 

If no liquid spills out, then there may be a problem in the fuel tube. Sometimes the fuel tube is blocked with the dirt and it isn’t able to supply an adequate amount of fuel towards the mower carburetor. 

Step #4: Clean The Fuel Bowl and Nut

You will find a bowl attached to the mower carburetor. Now remove the bolt that holds the bowl with the carburetor. Use a socket wrench to remove the center nut of the bowl. Clean the bowl if you see any dirt in the bowl. 

There is also a hole in the nut. Use a small steel wire to clean the hole of the nut. Keep the nut and the bowl in a safe place for reinstallment. 

Step #5: Check The Float

After removing the bowl, you will see a float. The float basically controls the supply of fuel towards the engine. Check the movement of the float. If it moves freely, then the float is good in condition. 

If the float can’t move freely, then remove it by removing the pin that holds the float with the carburetor. You have to replace it with a new one. 

Step 6: Use Carburetor Cleaner

Now, take a carburetor cleaning spray. Spray the liquid in each and every part of the carburetor. Check all the connections and holes to ensure that they are completely free of dirt. 

When the cleaning process is completely done, then reassemble all parts by following the reverse process. Connect the fuel tube with the mower carburetor. Connect the mower spark plug also.    

Now it’s time to focus on the cleaning process of the mower carburetor without separating it from the lawnmower. Let’s see how to do this. 

How To Clean Lawn Mower Carburetor

Follow the steps outlined below to complete the task conveniently. 

Steps to follow: 

Step #1: Turn Off The Lawn Mower

Turn off the power of the mower and wait until the mower is completely cooled down. 

Step #2: Check The Air Filter

Check the mower air filter and ensure that the filter is completely free of dirt and debris. If you find anything, then bring out the air filter and clean it. 

Because sometimes this is the mere fact for which you can’t start the lawnmower. Now, use a screwdriver to remove the air filter cover. This will help you to access the carburetor easily. 

Step #3: Check The Connections

Check and test every connection. Sometimes the connections became blocked and they failed to supply adequate power towards the mower carburetor. 

Step #4: Clean The Carburetor

Now, it’s time to clean the mower carburetor. Check the mower carburetor carefully to remove any kind of grass, dirt, or debris from it. 

Basically dirt and debris block the mower carburetor and hinder the right mixture of air and fuel inside the chamber of the carburetor. 

You can also use a carburetor cleaner to clean it. For this, you have to start the mower. Spray an adequate amount of liquid right in the carburetor center when the mower is in running position. If anything is clogged inside the mower carburetor, that can be easily come out in this process. 

That’s it. Now the mower carburetor will work accurately and support the mower engine to run flawlessly. 

Safety measures

  • Don’t overflood the mower carburetor with a carburetor cleaner. Just spray an adequate amount to clean it. 
  • Don’t touch the mower carburetor when the mower is running. 

Final thoughts

I think now cleaning a lawnmower is a piece of cake for you. You know you don’t need any expertise to clean a lawn mower carburetor. 

If you do this at home, it really saves your money as well as your annual maintenance cost of the lawnmower. 

I hope this article has given you a clear idea of how to clean a lawn mower carburetor. 

Now, clean it and enjoy mowing!  

Todd L Miles
Lawn Mowers Enthusiast
I started "Landscape and Lawns Care" to provide clients with lawn care with better service, better products and, most importantly, better ethics. My promise to every customer is to give the greenest grass possible while controlling weeds, insects, and diseases! The most important thing is that I strive to always do the right thing for you, your lawn and your wallet!