Dr weird lawn mower. 10 remarkable things about The Lawnmower Man

remarkable things about The Lawnmower Man

Our occasional series of journeys back into the weirder films of the past continues with 1992’s VR horror thriller, The Lawnmower Man.

After an opening slab of text warns us about the perils of virtual reality in the coming millennium, The Lawnmower Man takes us deep within the bowels of Virtual Space Industries, a science facility of high-tech, arcane experiments and oppressively dark blue lens filters.

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As the camera prowls down one of the lab’s long corridors, we hear a voice Echo among its walls. “They’ve got to understand,” says the voice. “My treatments are making him smarter at an incredible rate. It’s more important than training him for war.”

This voice belongs to one Doctor Lawrence “Larry” Angelo (Pierce Brosnan), a scientist bent on using computers and virtual reality to expand the horizons of the mind. Although Larry’s a sworn pacifist, the shadowy government military types funding his research are not – they want to use his virtual reality experiments to create a new wave of super soldiers.

It’s then that we realise that the opening sequence is largely seen from the perspective of a chimpanzee. And that the chimpanzee appears to be dressed in a RoboCop outfit.

The RoboCop outfit consists of a computer-augmented headset, which allows the chimp to play virtual reality games which, along with a course of injections, somehow expand his intelligence. Unfortunately, the experiment has a nasty side-effect: while Larry’s at home asleep, the chimp picks the lock to his cage, steals a gun and attempts to shoot his way out of the facility.

As amusing as it sounds, this hairy take on The Terminator – complete with first-person digital views of said chimp shooting a security guard directly between the eyes – is a foreshadowing of events to come.

Because if you think a clever chimp’s scary when it loses its temper, wait until you see the havoc a power-mad Jeff Fahey can cause.

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Pierce Brosnan smokes, drinks, and enjoys solo gaming experiences in his basement

Directed by Brett Leonard, The Lawnmower Man came a full four years before Pierce Brosnan would strap on a Walther PPK for the role of James Bond, and his character here couldn’t be much more different. Larry’s bespectacled, obsessed with computers and a bit too fond of a drink and a smoke for his own health, though to be fair, there’s a good reason for that: his refusal to use his research for military means sees his project reach an abrupt dead end.

And then he gets the phone call from his crisply-suited colleague Timms (Mark Bringelson) informing him of the monkey business at the lab.

“Larry? It’s Timms” the colleague says. “Your chimp’s dead.”

Thereafter, Larry spends long hours in his basement, adrift in the psychedelic virtual space of his own making. “Falling, floating, flying?” Larry’s wife Caroline scolds, clearly irked by the pleasure he takes in his lone VR pursuits. “What’s next? Fucking?”

Actually, Caroline’s not too far off the mark, though we have about an hour of exposition and villain introductions to get through before we get to the cyber sex. Too impatient to wait, Caroline throws the script down, grabs her coat and disappears forever. If you had to recite lines like this, you’d probably do the same:

“I’m not going to become a recluse just for you. Come back to reality reality, Larry. Not this artificial reality.”

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The film stars Dean Norris’ massive face

Yes, it’s Dean Norris – here in his pre-Hank-out-of-Breaking-Bad days, and still looking pretty much exactly like Hank out of Breaking Bad. In The Lawnmower Man, he’s a shadowy corporate type who’s known solely by the name of Mr Director. We can tell he’s one of the villains because he talks with a slightly stiff posh accent, and has his face projected on a massive screen in an under-lit boardroom.

Mr Director is the financier behind Larry’s VR mind expansion, and he’s determined to coax the peace-loving scientist into creating the ultimate big-brained super soldier. Watch Norris’ eyes throughout the film – he never blinks, not even once.

Jeff Fahey’s mind is a clean hungry sponge

Fifteen minutes into the film, and finally – finally – we get the scenes of actual lawn mowing action we’ve been waiting for.

This particular lawnmower belongs to Jobe Smith (Jeff Fahey). A wide-eyed young man with an unspecified learning disability, Jobe spends his days gardening with kindly boss Terry (Geoffrey Lewis) who’s afflicted by every Irish stereotype you can think of (“You can hear the pan pipes of the little people in the grass there!” he chortles).

In the evenings, Jobe sleeps in a shed owned by Terry’s brother Father Francis McKeen (Jeremy Slate) who’s one of those violently devout religious types you often see in the movies.

When Jobe’s not being brutally punished with a leather strap by Father McKeen, or mowing lawns with the boozy Terry, Jobe trades comics and chats to a young boy in the neighbourhood, Peter Parkette (Austin O’Brien, who’d star in Last Action Hero one year later). Like Jobe, Peter’s a vulnerable innocent who’s treated cruelly by a grown-up – in this case, his violent, alcoholic father, Harold.

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It’s Jobe’s incessant mowing of lawns that attracts the interest of Dr Larry. He’s just wondering who he can perform his experiments on when he hears the chug and hum of Jobe’s custom red lawnmower outside his basement window, and before you know it, he’s whisked Jobe inside, shot him with some chemicals, and plugged him into his virtual reality mind gymnasium.

Jobe becomes too intelligent for comic books

In a modern movie landscape dominated by billion-dollar grossing comic book movies, this particular point becomes all the more glaring. Before Dr Larry’s experiments, we see Jobe cheerily chatting about comics to his friend Peter, and we even see the cover of one, which is called Nuke Masters.

During Jobe’s course of mind-expanding VR treatments, however, things begin to change. He stops wearing dungarees and buys a tight-fitting pair of jeans, and combs his unruly mop of Kurt Cobain/Ishmael Boorg hair into something closer to a smooth mullet. As Jobe’s intellect grows, the movie makes a point of slotting in a scene where the character proudly renounces comic books.

“Want to go pick up some comics?” Peter asks excitedly.

“Nah, I gave them up,” Jobe says. “As a matter of fact, I have my whole collection in the crate in the back of that truck and I’m giving ’em to you…”

Now, it could be said that The Lawnmower Man’s makers have snuck in a dig at adult comic book readers here – which is slightly disingenuous, because it’s very much like a comic book itself. But then again, there could be an alternative explanation.

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Because the moment Jobe renounces comic books is also the point where things begin to get out of hand for him. He begins to experience headaches, wild distortions in reality, and even the faint, buzzing echoes of other people’s thoughts. The cautionary message, surely, is to never stop reading comic books.

It’s here that Jobe’s newly-acquired dress sense, plus his habit of mowing lawns topless like a Diet Coke bloke, attracts the randy attention of town singleton Marnie Burke (Jennifer Wright). We can tell she’s randy because all her lines are innuendos (“Would you check my fluids”; “I’d like you to mow my lawn sometime”), and also because, within a few minutes of seeing Jobe, he’s dragged him into her bedroom.

In case you’re too young to remember, it was a legal requirement that all 90s films contain at least one gratuitous sex scene. This is a family site, so we can’t tell you much more about The Lawnmower Man‘s bedroom antics than that. Instead, here’s a picture of some rabbits.

Hilariously, Dr Larry had hoped to keep his experiments on Jobe a secret, and hadn’t reckoned on the possibility that, once his intellect improved, people might notice his subject quoting extracts from Chaucer while filling in the latest Times crossword puzzle.

“Just try not to draw attention to yourself,” Larry advises Jobe, seemingly oblivious to the fact that Jobe has transformed himself into a cross between Professor Brian Cox and a model from a Davidoff commercial.

Jobe squeezes a tube of toothpaste with his mind

Mind you, Jobe’s new girlfriend Marnie Burke doesn’t seem to notice his burgeoning powers, either. “I can read your thoughts” Jobe tells her. “Yeah right”, she replies, failing to spot that he’d just said that without even moving his lips.

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In plain sight, Jobe’s powers are growing apace, as illustrated in the scene where he uses his convulsing brain to squeeze out the contents of a toothpaste tube with his telekinetic powers. It’s an impressive demonstration, but a terrible waste of toothpaste.

Cyber sex

In the run up to its release in 1992, The Lawnmower Man was marketed on its then state-of-the-art computer graphics. These were created by Angel Studios, which would later become Rockstar San Diego, the developer best known for such games as Midnight Club and its numerous sequels, and Red Dead Redemption, which it created with Rockstar North in Scotland.

The Lawnmower Man will remain memorable for featuring what we’re fairly sure is the first CG love scene in film history. In the story, an excitable Jobe drags his new squeeze Marnie to the lab at Virtual Space Industries, where they hook up on the digital plane for a bit of cyber naughtiness.

Perhaps realising that even a digital sex scene can’t be too graphic, the film’s makers illustrate the experience through some far-out symbolic imagery instead – such as a dragonfly soaring over a mercury sea. It’s an arresting sequence, even if it does look a lot like a naughtier version of Dire Straits’ Money For Nothing video from the 80s. That is, until the dark part of Jobe’s subconscious takes over, turning him into a howling orifice monster and scaring Marnie so much that her mind is literally blown.

Thinking about it, female characters don’t fare very well in The Lawnmower Man. Marnie’s one of only four women in the whole film – the others being Larry’s wife, who leaves in the first reel, young Peter’s mother, who’s terrorised by her abusive husband, and a woman who works in a coffee shop and is heard to remark, “I hope he doesn’t puke on my counter.”

It’s a cyber remake of Carrie, Village Of The Damned and Flowers For Algernon

Horror writer Stephen King wasn’t best pleased about this big-screen non-treatment of his short story of the same name. Beginning life as a script called Cyber God, The Lawnmower Man only took on the title and some scant elements from Stephen King’s tale, and otherwise, had nothing to do with King’s brief piece of work.

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King sued to have his name taken off the film’s credits, and New Line Cinema eventually relented. Interestingly, The Lawnmower Man bears a greater resemblance – coincidentally, we’re sure – to another of King’s stories: the best-selling Carrie.

Like Carrie, The Lawnmower Man is about a put-upon character who acquires supernatural powers and goes on a murderous rampage, as Jobe turns the tables on his tormentors one by one. Remember the nasty priest we mentioned earlier? He’s stripped of his cassock and set on fire.

Jake, the bullying guy who works at the garage? He has his mind turned to a pulp by Jobe’s VR lawnmower.

Peter’s violent, alcoholic dad? He’s attacked by Jobe’s killer lawnmower, which runs amok like the car out of Christine (another King story).

To be fair, The Lawnmower Man also contains elements of the novel Flowers For Algernon, Village Of The Damned (more on this later), Frankenstein, and just about any 50s science-on-the-rampage B-movie you could care to name. It’s a busy digital stew and no mistake.

The movie has its own Chief Wiggum

Seemingly thrown in as a bit of light relief after all the murders mentioned above, this cheerful police officer is The Lawnmower Man’s own Chief Wiggum – a portly lawman who accepts all the mayhem going on around him with a shrug. When Dr Larry asks the cop what’s going on – perhaps with a growing realisation that he’s the inadvertent cause of it all – the cop rambles:

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“Now, the lab guys say someone chased Parkette through the house with a power lawnmower. Schizo-fuckin’-frenia all over town last night. Someone torched poor old Father McKeen with a flamethrower. Probably a Satan cult or something. Either that or that weird spontaneous human combustion. That’s been known to happen, you know. And Marnie Burke was found roaming the streets this morning, buck naked, laughing her ass off. I don’t believe she’ll ever stop laughing. Helluva thing…”

“Where’s the rest of Mr Parkette’s body?” a second cop asks as he wanders by. The first cop’s reply is little short of brilliant.

Jeff Fahey goes all thin and wobbly

By this point, Dr Larry realises that his treacherous colleague Timms – under the orders of Dean Norris’ giant head – has secretly switched the drugs in Jobe’s treatment. This means that Jobe’s been taking the same drugs that drove that chimp gun-crazy at the start of the film, which explains why Jobe’s been offing people all round town and saying things like, “Cyber Christ!” and “I am God here!” – he’s been set to evil.

That Jobe’s dangerously unstable and growing ever stronger matters not a jot to the shadowy head of Virtual Space Securities. When Mr Director sees two of his men reduced to a collection of small shuddering balls on Dr Larry’s front lawn, he merely sees another business opportunity: “He’s created a fantastic energy weapon, and I want it!”

Now intoxicated by his own towering intellect, Jobe ties Larry to a chair, and informs him of his intention to upload himself to the internet and dominate the world’s computer systems in cyberspace.

Lawn Mower Engine Surging – Check this easy fix first!

Lawnmower engine surging is a right pain in the Jacksie; it’s an engine that runs erratically and revs up and down by itself uncontrollably. In some cases, it may only happen under certain conditions, for example, only after the mower gets hot or only when the fuel level gets low.

So what causes the lawnmower engines to surge? The most common reason for a surging lawn mower engine is a blockage in the fuel supply, but there are other possibilities:

Often you’ll find playing around with the throttle helps or applying some choke. You are not on your own; this is a regular complaint. In this guide, we will cover the diagnosis, likely causes, and solutions.

Try the easy fix first – replacing/cleaning gapping the spark plug before attempting carburetor work. If your mower engine is a Honda or Kohler, the fix is simple. Honda and Kohler’s surging is commonly caused by a blocked idle jet see “Gas starvation” towards the end of the page.

If you need more help, check out the “How to fix a surging mower video.”

If your surging mower is a Honda, check out the “Honda mower surging video.”

For many mowers, the fix is to replace the carburetor, and as carburetors are inexpensive, it just makes sense to swap it out and save a ton of messing around. You can check out the quality carburetors available and conveniently delivered to your door by Amazon.com.

Need more info on the fuel system, carburetor components, and how they work, you can check them out here.

Briggs Stratton Surging

Surging BS Classic 450, 500, or 550Some engine types are famous for surging; the Briggs Stratton 450, 500, and 550 series engines are fitted with a metal fuel tank and priming bulb-style carburetor. If you have one of these types of engines and it’s surging – You’re in the right place.

If you don’t have this type of carburetor, skip this section and jump to “Surging Test” below. These engines are fitted with a metal fuel tank and carburetor combination. The gasket sandwiched between the tank, and carburetor distorts over time, allowing a vacuum leak.

The vacuum leak causes the surging; replacing the gaskets and cleaning the carburetor/tank will leave it like new, I promise. In this tutorial, we’ll remove the tank/carburetor unit, clean it and replace the gaskets. Just some basic tools are needed, but get yourself a can of carburetor cleaner; it makes the job a lot easier.

In the workshop, I use WD40 carb cleaner, and you can check out all the tools and parts I use here on the “Small engine repair tools” page.

Tools You’ll Need

Here’s a short list of tools you’ll find useful to complete the task of fixing your surging mower. These tools aren’t essential, but they do make the whole job a ton easier; you’ll need:

Fuel treatment – Every small engine owner should use gas treatment. Most people don’t know gas goes off, and gas left in small engines can cause real problems, as you already know.

Using a gas stabilizer will keep the gas in your mower and your gas can fresh for up to two years.

Carburetor gasket – If you’re fixing the BS Classic engine, then you’ll need this gasket set.

Complete carburetor – As an alternative to replacing your BS Classic carburetor gasket, replace the complete carburetor instead; it includes the replacement gasket.

Manifold – This will only be needed if you have confirmed it has failed. Note there are a few different types of manifold pipe, so be sure to check before ordering.

You can check out all these tools on this page “Carburetor Surging Repair Tools.”

This carburetor style is fitted to a few engines and is prone to gasket failure. The job of replacing is simple and will solve the surge. The process is as follows:

Remove the spark plug wire – prevents the mower from starting.

Remove – Remove and clean the air filter and filter housing – Clean it using soapy water, and when dry, smear some engine oil over the surface of the foam. This helps trap dirt.

Remove tank bolts – They hold the fuel tank to the engine.

With fuel tank bolts removed – pull the tank unit straight out gently and remove the governor control link.

Remove the black rubber elbow crankcase breather pipe. Remove the manifold seal and keeper ring. Sometimes they will come loose and get stuck on the manifold pipe.

Remove – Remove carb screws from the carburetor and set aside.

Using a can of carburetor cleaner – clean all the ports on the surface of the fuel tank.

Empty the tank and rinse it out with fresh gas.

Pull the Siphon from the carburetor; they can be stubborn. Remove both gaskets and use carburetor cleaner to clean the siphon metal filter and all ports of the carburetor. Check the primer bulb for damage; mice like to eat them.

Spray – Spray the carburetor with carb cleaner.

Remove – Remove old gaskets and discard them.

Careful of this spring; it lives under the gaskets, and it can drop off and be tricky to find, as I know only too well.

The gasket is a two-part kit; the rubber-type gasket faces the tank. (carb fitted here for demo only)

The Siphon pushes back into the carb with a click. If you don’t hear the click, it’s not right – try again.

Refit the carburetor to the tank. Don’t over-tighten the screws, as this will distort the gasket. Fit manifold seal and keeper. Smear a small amount of oil on the seal; it helps it seat.

Clean the intake manifold. The grey tube in this shot is manifold. Inspect it for any signs of damage; they are prone to cracking. This will also cause a surge.

To fully inspect the pipe, you need to remove the pull assembly.

I would only do this if there was obvious damage to the manifold or if I had replaced the carburetor gasket and the engine was still surging.

This manifold is cracked and will cause a surge.

Before refitting the tank, fit the keeper ring and O-ring seal. Lube the seal before refitting the gas tank.

Offer the carb/tank unit up to the manifold and attach the governor link and spring. Now push the unit firmly onto the manifold. Fit both bolts.

Refit the air filter and spark plug wire. Use only fresh gas; make sure your gas can is clean. Gas older than three months is stale.

If, after fitting the gaskets, you still have a surge – Replace the Manifold.

Surging Test

As you know, gas starvation causes an inconsistent flow of fuel which in turn causes erratic running. And you also know a vacuum leak will cause erratic running, but it is a much less common cause; however, some carburetors are prone to vacuum leaks.

As engine manufacturers strive to make their engines more efficient, they have also made the carburetors more likely to clog; this has become a common issue.

To quickly diagnose which problem you have, a clogged carb or vacuum leak, follow this simple test.

You will need a helper to hold the bail lever or improvise with duct tape. CAUTION careful where you place your fingers and toes; the engine will be running, so the blade will be spinning.

Your mower will have a Manual choke, Auto choke, or a Primer bulb. Identify which type your mower has; the test is slightly different for each.

If you have a manual choke – apply half choke with the engine running.

If the engine now runs without surging – Gas starvation is the likely fault. If it runs just the same – A vacuum leak is a more likely fault.

If you have an Auto choke – Remove the air filter cover and filter – place a clean rag over the intake while the engine is running.

If the engine now runs without surging – Gas starvation is the likely fault.

If the engine runs just the same – A vacuum leak is the more likely fault.

If you have a primer bulb – you can still do the test – while the engine’s running (need a helper); give it some extra gas by pressing the bulb.

If the engine now runs without surging – Gas starvation is the likely fault.

If it runs just the same – A vacuum leak is a more likely fault.

Gas Starvation

If the test revealed gas starvation, it also showed that your problem is likely a dirty fuel jet in the carburetor, or the gas may be stale or contaminated by water.

Cleaning the main jet usually does the job.

Idle Jet Surging – Honda and Kohler use a relatively easy-to-access idle jet that clogs up and causes surging. The Kohler is easier to access than the Honda.

The Kohler is easier to access than the Honda.

Briggs has fitted a plastic carburetor to a range of engines which also clog up and cause surging.

All of these carburetors can be repaired by cleaning, which I’ve covered previously in videos (links below). Videos cover step-by-step removal, cleaning, refitting, and adjusting your carb.

Fixing this is not difficult. Sometimes you can get lucky by just draining and cleaning the gas bowl, which only takes a few minutes.

I have written a complete guide to Carburetor cleaning with pictures; it includes the gas bowl clean-out, which, as said, is worth trying first.

If cleaning doesn’t work out for you, go ahead and swap out the carburetor for a new one. Check out “New lawn mower carburetors page,” here, I’ve listed good quality replacement carburetors for all the most popular engines.

Carburetors aren’t expensive; messing around with them doesn’t make sense.

You might find this page helpful too – “Carburetor repair tools” I’ve listed some really useful tools that make the job easy. Some of these tools I’ll bet you already have some.

But do try cleaning the gas bowl before removing the carburetor.

Finding a Vacuum Leak

Air that enters the combustion chamber without passing through the carburetor is un-metered. This means the fuel-to-air ratio is unbalanced and, in turn, causes erratic engine performance.

When air sneaks in like this, it causes the engine to run lean (lacks gas). A lean engine runs hot, which isn’t good for an engine, especially an air-cooled one.

Vacuum leaks usually occur because of damaged gaskets. Gaskets are sealing materials fitted between the mating surfaces of engine components. Their function is to create an airtight seal.

They are commonly made from paper, felt, cork, Teflon, neoprene, metal, and rubber. The material type is dependent upon where the gasket is to be used.

Gaskets wear out and break down, and that causes surging.

Extreme Caution – You need to be careful, the engine will need to be running, and so the blade will be spinning when running this test.

A vacuum leak check is performed with the engine running and a can of carburetor cleaner; WD40 works, too, (is there anything WD can’t do?)

Spray the cleaner around all carburetor gaskets anywhere the carburetor meets the engine. The trick is to hear an instant change in engine note; that’s the sign of a vacuum leak.

This can be challenging; you must train your ear to notice the instant change in engine note (and not the surging).

Just do a small section at a time; this will allow you to pinpoint the failure area. Jumping the gun and replacing gaskets without finding the actual leak may work out for you or leave you with the same problem after the rebuild.

You’re right in thinking carburetor gaskets usually cause the problem, but other components, such as manifold pipes, can crack or become loose, causing surging.

Fixing A Vacuum Leak

If a leak is detected, replace all carburetor gaskets, and as you have the carburetor removed, go ahead and clean it. Replacement gaskets are available online; you will require the make and model numbers from the engine.

All manufacturers will have a model number printed on a sticker placed on the body or on the engine. Have a poke around; you’ll find it. Most engine manufacturers will stamp the model numbers in an accessible area. Briggs Stratton stamp their numbers on the metal engine cover.

A new carburetor comes with new inlet gaskets; I like to fit original parts where I can; they fit and are guaranteed.

If, after replacing the carburetor gaskets, the engine still surges, you’ll need to go a little further and replace the manifold intake and gasket.

It’s not a big job, and they don’t give a lot of trouble, but they do crack as they get older. I wrote a step-by-step guide showing you everything you need to know – “Briggs Manifold Replacing.”

Related Question

Honda lawn mower surging fix? To fix a surging Honda lawn mower engine, clean the carburetor, gas tank, and fuel filter. Use fresh regular gas or e10. What causes a lawnmower to run slowly? The most likely cause is a throttle linkage bent out of shape by bumping into the shrubbery or a throttle spring has detached itself.

Hey, I’m John, and I’m a Red Seal Qualified Service Technician with over twenty-five years experience.

I’ve worked on all types of mechanical equipment, from cars to grass machinery, and this site is where I share fluff-free hacks, tips, and insider know-how.

And the best part. it’s free!

Lawn Mower Sputtering? Here’s How to Fix It

Lawnmower maintenance is a crucial part of keeping your mower running properly. Regular maintenance promotes the overall health of your lawnmower and its ability to properly operate. But even with regular maintenance, there may be times when you experience issues with your mower. One common problem among lawnmowers is sputtering. Lawn mower sputtering is generally an inexpensive and easy fix that can be done on your own as part of your regular maintenance.

In this article I’ll share what causes a sputtering lawn mower, and what you can do to fix this common problem.

About Lawn Mower Engines

The engine of your mower relies on the right combination of fuel, air, and a spark (for combustion). Your mower needs each of these to prevent the mower from sputtering and eventually dying.

For the most part, many of the issues that cause a sputtering mower can be fixed by the weekend warrior.

However, there are times when it is best to use a professional for the job.

You’ll want to check a few items to determine what’s causing your mower to sputter, and that will determine if it’s a DIY fix, or you need to call in a professional.

Let’s look at some reasons why your lawnmower may be sputtering and how you should address each of these issues.

Identifying the Cause of a Sputtering Lawn Mower

Below are some of the more common reasons for sputtering lawnmowers and how they can be resolved.

Old Fuel or the Wrong Fuel

The gas you get at the local gas station will generally contain about 10% ethanol. It’s cheaper than pure gasoline, and works fine for cars, but I don’t use it in my mower because it’s low quality.

Ethanol burns quickly and can potentially melt plastic parts, leading to sputtering in your mower. And if you use ethanol blended gas, only buy a little at a time.

If it sits in your garage for more than a couple of months it will go bad and can lead to a sputtering mower.

You can use a fuel stabilizer to extend the life of the gasoline, but I recommend using an ethanol-free gas. It’ll burn cleaner and help your mower to start on the first pull and roar like a tiger.

I use 4-cycle Tru-Fuel in my Honda mower, and love it. It’s pricey, but I highly recommend you try it. You can buy it locally at most box stores, or you can order it online (Amazon link).

Clogged or Dirty Air Filters

Dirty air filters are one of the most common reasons lawn mowers sputter.

Dirt can be present in the apertures that lead from the carburetor and the fuel filter and interrupt the flow of fuel supply to the combustion chamber.

You want to be sure to clean or replace dirty air filters.

Paper air filters will need to be replaced. But you can generally clean foam air filters with a drop of liquid dish soap and warm water.

After cleaning the air filter, squeeze dry and air dry.

My Honda mower uses a paper air filter which I replace every year as part of my spring mower tune-up.

During the summer, I remove it and blow the dust and debris off before each mow.

Dirty Fuel Filters

Any filter will get dirty with time, and just like the air filters, fuel filters in a lawn mower need to be clean.

Replace yours if they’re dirty.

Clogged fuel filters prevent the flow of gasoline to the engine which can lead to a lack of fuel needed for proper functioning.

This imbalance of air and fuel in your engine can cause your mower to sputter and run rough.

A Bad Gas Cap

Misfires can occur with an improperly vented gas cap on your mower.

If your gas cap has improper venting, too much air can be allowed to enter the gas tank (or too little). This can cause a vapor lock.

It’s an easy fix – just replace the cap if it is damaged or bent or if you see that the vent hole is restricted.

That Carburetor is FILTHY

Gunky deposits can occur in the apertures and carburetor.

This buildup is from the sticky by-products of hydrocarbon and combustion.

Using a carburetor cleaner spray (this one on Amazon is what I use and swear by) on a regular basis can loosen dirt deposits and keep your mower’s apertures and hoses clean.

I give my carb a shot every time I clean my air filter before I mow.

Water in the Fuel Tank or Fuel Line

Water prevents the mower cylinder from properly igniting. Remove the cap and check the gas tank for evidence of water (if you see the liquid separating or looking like two different colors).

If there is water in your tank, siphon or drain it, then add new gas.

After old gas in the line works its way through the mower’s engine it should stop sputtering and run like new again.

Check the Spark Plug

Worn or damaged spark plugs make the engine difficult to start. If the plug is damaged, worn, or deteriorating you should replace the plug.

If the tip is fouled or dirty, just clean it with a wire brush and reset to the mowers manufacture’s settings.

You can also look into purchasing another brand of spark plug to see if the mower runs better with a different brand. The plug that comes from the factory with some mowers doesn’t work great on some lawn mower brands.

The spark plug is generally not the first thing I’ll check for a sputtering mower. But a dirty or damaged plug can sometimes be the cause.

Your spark plug is an easy item to replace, and costs about 8 at your local hardware store.

I replace my plug every other year as part of my annual maintenance routine. If it has been more than two years since you’ve bought a new plug, I recommend replacing it as part of your tune-up to fix your sputtering lawn mower.

Your Carburetor Has Issues

Some carb cleaning spray will help if your carburetor is simply dirty, but sometimes there are other issues that can cause lawn mower sputtering.

The carburetor affects how well the mower runs. The wrong blend of air and fuel can cause the carburetor to run rough.

The carburetor must have the right amount of air and fuel to run correctly, and while the average weekend warrior can probably find and remove his mower’s carb, due to its complexity, the carburetor can be tricky to clean or repair.

If you’ve tried everything else on this list, it’s likely a carburetor issue and your mower may require professional service.

A professional can determine the repairs, cleaning, and replacements needed. They’ll then get the carburetor working properly.

First, check to see if your mower is covered by a warranty of any kind. If it’s not, find a local small engine repair guy (or gal), and have your mower serviced.

It’ll be cheaper than you expect.

A Dirty Mower Deck

Caked grass on the mowing deck can cause the mower to sputter.

If you have tall or wet grass you may have noticed that your mower started sputtering as you mowed your lawn.

Check the underside of the mower for excess grass caked on.

Use a wrench to remove the spark plug to prevent the mower from turning on while you work. Then scrape the excess grass using a scraping tool such as a paint scraper.

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by Sarah The Lawn Chick

Sarah’s blog, Lawn Chick, is read by over 2 million homeowners each year and she is regularly cited as an expert source of lawn care knowledge by major publications. Her goal is to meet you where you are, and help you achieve a yard you’ll be proud of. Ready to take the next step toward improving your lawn? Grab her free lawn care cheat-sheet: What to Do When. Take the Guesswork Out of Lawn Care, or upgrade your garage by browsing her favorite DIY lawn care products.

thoughts on “ Lawn Mower Sputtering? Here’s How to Fix It ”

I am a 62 year old female just having to learn how to care for my own mowers, riding push. Your article was more informative than the many others I’ve read! Thought it was sputtering due to the spark plug but now I’m sure it’s the carburator. FYI, when my husband was the main mower man both mowers spent more time in the shop than on the lawn and the cost of repairs would have bought me a brand new one. If it didn’t start immediately off it went to the shop. It never cost less than 100, usually more plus 60 for a 1 mile pick up. I really think the repair man had my husband pegged for a sucker and that may be accurate. That’s the main reason I decided to care for them myself. Since I became the main mower lady and actually read articles like yours it’s smooth riding! Lol Thank you so much for your help.

Thanks, Teresa! Your article made my day – I’m so glad you found this helpful and are tackling these projects yourself!

My Lawn tractor Craftsman R1500 30″ deck, Mod.#247.29900 by MTD, sputters (like running out off gas) after 20-25 minutes of operation and eventually dying. After cooling off for 30 minutes or so, it starts and run again. It is frustrating! Can you please help my with my problem? I installed new fuel filter, put new gas. (I run out gas as season changes). What else can I check to make it work? Thank you in advance Mick T.

Hey, Mick – It sounds like you may have a clogged gas cap vent. The gas cap on most lawn tractors has a small hole in it which allows air to get into the tank. This is important because as your mower burns fuel, that empty space in the tank needs to be replaced with air for the correct mixture of fuel in the engine. If air can’t enter the tank as your mower burns the fuel backward pressure is created and your engine will struggle to get enough gas, which is why you may hear your engine surging or sputtering the same way it would if it was running out of fuel. Typically when I hear that the mower works well at first, then this issue happens after 20 minutes or so, this is the culprit, because that’s when you’ve used enough of the fuel for the pressure imbalance to become an issue. A good way to trouble-shoot and determine if this is definitely the issue is to run the mower, and when this happens and your mower won’t start, open up the gas cap and then put it back on. This will relieve the pressure, allow air in the tank, and get things back in balance. If the mower starts up right afterward and runs fine, you’ve identified the problem. Clearing the vent is easy – just find something small enough to slide through the vent hole and clear out any dirt or debris that’s in there, and you’re good to go. If it’s cold where you are, you may need to bring the cap inside to warm it up first as the solids in there may be frozen, making them tougher to remove. Hope this solves your problem!

Great help. My lawnmower was starting and sputtering and dying in a couple of seconds. Tried NEW GAS (the one in the tank was a year or more old) and it WORKED.

Why is My Lawn Mower Smoking?

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Leaking oil from the exhaust is the usual cause of blue, white or black smoke from a lawn mower. Learn to assess and fix a sputtering, smoking lawn mower.

Gas-powered lawn mowers can be full of surprises. Perhaps the most startling one happens when you pull the mower cord and the engine sputters into action, only to be followed by clouds of smoke from the motor and under the mower deck. What’s going on and what should you do about it?

Why is My Lawn Mower Smoking?

There are several reasons your lawn mower could be bellowing out smoke. While it looks kind of intimidating, like something bad is about to happen, in most cases, it’s nothing to be worried about, and it’s not usually hard to fix.

Oil spilled onto the engine: If you changed your lawn mower’s oil recently or added more to the oil reservoir, some may have spilled out onto the engine. Mowing on a steep slope in the yard, or turning it over to adjust the blade, could also cause some oil onto the engine. When that happens, the oil will burn off, causing blue or white smoke. It’s best just to let it burn off, so when you start up again, the oil will be gone.

Overfilled oil reservoir: Too much oil in the reservoir can also cause a lawn mower to smoke. The lubrication systems in most mowers are not well sealed, and usually there’s an overflow oil reservoir with a relief outlet where excess oil can leak. Check the oil level in your mower, and if there’s too much in there, consult the manual for how to drain some out until it’s back at the proper level.

Mower burning too much gasoline: The carburetor regulates the ratio of gasoline and air in a lawn mower engine. If the carburetor isn’t getting enough air, that means the mix is heavy on gasoline, which can cause black smoke from the exhaust. Often times that’s caused by a dirty air filter, which is preventing enough air from getting to the carburetor.

Different Types and Colors of Smoke

If the smoke is black, there may be an engine problem behind the smoke. In such cases, your first step after the mower cools down should be to check the air filter. If it’s clogged, the combustion chamber may not be getting enough oxygen, resulting in a too-rich fuel mixture that will cause the engine to run poorly and even spew smoke. The solution is to change the air filter, a relatively easy task.

Blue and white smoke is the result of oil on the engine. If there’s too much oil in your oil reservoir, you may want to drain some of it out. If it’s just some oil spilled onto the engine, all you have to do is let it burn off.

When to Take a Smoking Lawn Mower to the Repair Shop

If your smoke problems persist, chances are the oil seals in the engine lubrication system or around the pistons are the issue, or you may even have a cracked crankcase. These are repair jobs for a small engine pro, unless you’ve got experience working on engines.

There is also a chance the smoke is simply the result of a carburetor that needs cleaning or adjusting. If you’re up for it, most owners’ manuals include instructions on how to adjust and clean the carburetor.

Remember, it’s important to tune up your lawn mower at the start of the season, which will help make sure it’s running properly and prevent potential problems like a Cloud of smoke following you around the yard.

Troubleshooting and Fixing the Mower

Mark Johanson is an experienced home and garden writer/editor/publisher. He has written several books and hundreds of magazine articles. He has edited and directed more than 400 DIY and gardening books, including the BLACKDECKER® Home Improvement Library series and two of the best-selling gardening books in North America. He is an experienced DIYer and enthusiastic gardener.

Why your lawnmower is louder than usual (with fixes)

Lawnmowers have a reputation for being loud machines, but over time, a lawnmower can get louder than usual to the point where it becomes difficult to use it. While we can’t do much about the engine’s normal sound, some noises, such as grinding sounds, squeaking, and knocking, are not normal and need to be fixed. Some common reasons why your lawnmower is louder than usual include:

• Your blade assembly might be loose, which creates a loud rattling noise
• The build-up of grass and debris under the deck of the mower and on the blade can produce a loud clunking sound
• The damaged or rusted muffler can increase the sound of the engine
• Not changing the engine oil regularly can cause a knocking sound from the engine

Any unusual sound coming from your lawnmower should be looked into immediately. If your lawnmower is running louder than usual, it can also cause permanent damage to your mower and reduce its life if you ignore the noises. That is why we will tell you about the causes of why your lawnmower has gotten loud and how you can fix them.

Loose blade assembly

One of the most commonly experienced noises from a lawnmower is a loud rattling sound resulting from a loose blade assembly. If the blade assembly is loose, it will move around during startup and keep rattling as the lawnmower runs. Sometimes the blade itself can be bent or damaged, which can cause a lot of noise and put a lot of strain on the drive shaft itself.

Fixing a loose blade assembly

You can fix a loud blade assembly yourself by following these steps below:

• Step 1: Take precautionary measures: Disconnect the spark plug wire before you tip the lawnmower on its side and ensure that all power switches are in the off position. This precaution will ensure that the mower doesn’t start up accidentally when looking at the blade assembly.

• Step 2: Check the bolt tightness: Tip the mower on its side, get a wrench, and see if the bolt holding the blade is tightened up or not. If the bolt feels loose, get a piece of wood to jam the blade in place and turn the bolt clockwise until it is tight.

Note: If your blade assembly is not loose and the bolt is tight, but you still hear vibrations and rattling from underneath the lawnmower’s deck, then chances are your lawnmower’s blade is the source of the noise. If the blade is out of balance (one side is lighter than the other), you can use a mower blade balancer to balance both sides of the blade, or if the blade is severely bent or damaged, you might have to replace it.

Damaged or worn out muffler

A muffler is used to suppress the engine exhaust’s sound, reducing the engine noise significantly. But if the muffler gets damaged or is not properly sealed with the engine, the noise will not be suppressed properly, and you will hear a lot more noise coming from your mower’s engine. Sometimes, the muffler’s damage may be visible in the form of holes or cracks, while other times, the muffler may not fit properly with the engine outlet. Luckily most lawnmowers come with easy-to-remove mufflers that are relatively cheap to replace and install. You can buy a decent muffler for your lawnmower for between 20 to 40, and replacing a worn-out muffler should reduce engine noise significantly.

Fixing a damaged lawnmower muffler

Since lawnmower mufflers are not too expensive, it is recommended to replace the muffler instead of trying to fix it because even if you put some sealant on the hole or crack, it will come off in no time. Replacing your lawnmower’s muffler is a pretty straightforward task, and it can be done in a few easy steps.

• Step 1: Let the engine cool: Before starting the muffler replacement process, ensure the engine is not hot. If you have just used the mower, it is wise to wait a few hours before replacing the muffler. Wear a pair of work gloves for protection and turn the muffler counterclockwise to make it loose. Keep turning the muffler until it comes off.

Note: Sometimes, the muffler may be stuck due to rust, and to unscrew it, you will need a pipe wrench to get it unstuck. Most lawnmowers can be removed by simply turning them, but some mowers have an exhaust pipe with the muffler attached to the pipe’s end. If the exhaust pipe itself is damaged, you will have to replace it as well, which is a bit difficult compared to removing the muffler, and you might need professional help to avoid damaging your mower’s engine.

• Step 2: Buy the new muffler: Don’t throw away the damaged muffler just yet because you will need to buy a matching muffler that fits your lawnmower. So take the old muffler to the store to find a similar new muffler to install on your mower.

• Step 3: Install the new muffler: Putting the muffler back on is as simple as taking it off. All you have to do is put the threaded end of the muffler into the engine’s exhaust outlet and turn it clockwise until it is nice and tight. With a new muffler installed, your lawnmower should run quieter now.

Not changing the engine oil frequently

While lawnmower engines are small, they still require regular oil changes every 30 to 40 hours of use or twice a year. Engine oil lubricates different moving parts of your lawnmower’s engine; over time, heat and friction can burn up the oil. After a certain time, the engine oil loses its ability to lubricate the engine properly. This causes the engine’s moving parts to rub against each other, making the lawnmower louder than usual when running, and a loud knocking sound can be heard coming from the engine. Luckily some lawnmowers have a built-in low engine oil alert, which lets you know when to change the engine oil, but even if you have a mower that doesn’t have a low engine oil alert, you can easily check and change the engine oil using the method explained below:

Changing engine oil

You should change the engine oil of a lawnmower at the start of every mowing season and again during the mowing season if the mower engine starts getting noisy and the oil turns dark in color.

• Step 1: Warm the engine up: You will want to warm up the lawnmower’s engine before changing its oil because warm oil flows out easily.
• Step 2: Place an oil container: Place a pan underneath the oil fill to catch the old oil and tip the mower to its side so that the oil fill cap points downwards with the pan directly under it.

• Step 3:Drain the old oil: Now remove the oil fill cap with the lawnmower tipped to its side and let the oil drain out for a minute or two.

• Step 4: Add fresh oil: Pour fresh engine oil into the mower’s engine and make sure to pour the correct amount of oil into the engine.

Note: You can find the correct type of oil and the correct quantity of oil in the owner’s manual of the mower.

How loud is too loud for a lawn mower?

If your lawn mower is louder than usual, it will cause a lot of distraction in your society, especially if you’re mowing early morning, late evening, or weekend. If you ignore these sounds and allow yourself and your neighbors to be exposed to them for several hours, it will cause permanent hearing loss by killing some important cells inside your ears. The decibels of sound varies by the fuel, type, model, and size of your lawn mower.

Remember that humans talk at just 60 decibels and ensure that the surrounding sounds don’t exceed 85 decibels, which is harmful. I recommend installing sound measuring applications on your smartphone or using a manual sound meter. As soon as you notice that the sound of your lawn mower is over 85 decibels and you are exposed to it for over 90 minutes, it would be best if you use hearing protection. Personally, I would always wear it, also when the duration is much shorter.

If you find it challenging to use a decibel meter on your phone and don’t have a sound meter, you can also use this rule of thumb: if your lawnmower sound is such that you have to yell to talk to someone nearby, it is too loud.

Let me now categorize the average sound level of different lawn mowers based on the fuel that they run on:

• Gas-powered lawn mower: The normal sound of a gas-powered lawn mower is 85 decibels, so you must use properly licensed hearing protection if you plan to use it for a couple of hours or if you are working near a moving one.
• Electrical lawn mower: The average sound of a properly functioning and well-cared electrical lawn mower is just 75 decibels which is quite comfortable to use as compared to the gas-powered one. In the opinion of medical professionals, this level of sound will not harm your hearing.
• Riding lawn mower: This is the loudest type of lawn mower, producing over 100 decibels of sound, so exposure to it without proper hearing protection for just four to nine minutes can cause permanent hearing loss.
• Tractor: It produces 92 decibels, so you must not use it without hearing protection for 90 minutes. And if you are continuously around such a noise for eight hours, even with hearing protection, you are still at risk.
• Unpowered manual reel mower: It has no engine, so it makes minimum noise and is the safest option for those at a higher risk of hearing loss.

Ear muffs, canal caps, custom-designed ear plugs, reusable ear plugs, and roll-down foam ear plugs are all the best and most reliable ear protection gear, but make sure that they are produced by licensed manufacturers.

An alternative could be a suitable over-the-ear headset, which you can use to listen to music or a podcast while using your lawnmower.

Many states in the USA forbid homeowners to operate noisy lawn equipment before 7 a.m. or 8 a.m. and after 8 p.m. on weekdays and weekends. You will face penalties and other legal issues if you ignore these rules. Ask your neighbors if your task is unavoidable and discuss the time suitable to carry out such tasks.

Final remarks

With some care and proper maintenance, you can get rid of loud noises common in lawnmowers. Now that you know the possible causes, you can perform the necessary fixes by yourself. If anything is ambiguous or the noise persists, it is always better to consult a professional.