Topic: A new challenge

[Flunky]

Ok, to give some background. My grandad died a few years back, he was a very keen gardener and he had loads of stuff. i was talking to my uncle a few weeks back and he came down and saw the lottie for the first time. While chatting he said grandad had a lawnmower (petrol) and i could have have it. I am well chuffed. Not only do i now have a mower but it has been handed down which makes it even better.

Now for the challenge. It doesnt work. As you may know from my previous posts i am absolutely useless at anything that involves any technical ability. Thing is "I" want to get the mower going again and clean it up. My neighbour has said it looks ok and it has compression ?!?!? so should be ok. He asked if I could get any specs on the motor.

Do you guys have any knowledge of petrol lawn mowers (before anyone says get a new one.....i could'nt LOL) here is what it is.

Mountfield Petrol Mower.
Aspera Motor - Model No. = LAV30 / DA141
It has an Oil dipstick so I think it is 4 Stroke ?

Any advice or tips or if you know where I can find an instruction manual would very, very much appreciated.

Thanks for looking Flunky.

[erbie]

lol oh where to start.....
Basically if your friend says it has compression it means that the engine hasn't seized up.
If you locate the spark plug and remove it then put the top part of the plug back into the lead, place it on the head so that the bottom of the plug is touching metal and pull the pull start and watch to see if the plug is sparking that's a good start if it is you can pour a very small amount of petrol into the head (the hole where the spark plug goes) put the spark plug back in quickly connect it up and pull the start cord it should kick it into life.
First things first though, i would drain the petrol tank and fill it up with new fuel and buy a new spark plug. That by its self should work.
a lawnmower engine is pretty basic and Mountfield is a good make, so there's not alot that can go wrong.
If you do that and it still doesnt work you may need to remove the caurberetta (sp!) and take it to bits and clean it up, i can walk you through those steps if all else fails!
Good luck :)

[Melbourne12]

** erbie beat me to it, but this may add a bit, so I'll post anyway **

LAV30 is a Tecumseh engine, so parts will be readily available from lawn mower specialists.

Presumably it's been standing for a while.  These are pretty simple engines, so using the old wisdom, if you've got both petrol and sparks, it'll run.

I suspect that either the carburettor is gummed up with stale petrol residue, or the points (that create the spark) are stuck together, or both.

Start by cleaning the air filter (which will be a block of sponge inside a tin can secured (probably) by a bolt)

Spray some carb cleaner into the carburettor while the air filter is out.  You can buy this from car spares places.

Then empty the old petrol out, and refill with fresh.  Make sure that the air hole in the filler cap is free (they can rust up)

Then it's worth trying to start her up.  If it starts, you're fine.  If not, it's probably an electrical issue.

Test for sparks by removing the spark plug (you'll need a suitably sized plug spanner) and getting someone to pull the starting rope (gently) whilst you hold the threads of the plug against the metal casing of the engine.  Do this in a shaded place like a garage.  And be careful to hold the plug by the rubber or plastic cap, or you'll get a quite painful shock.  You should be able to see the sparks at the tip of the plug.

If the plug tip looks sooty or oily when you remove it, clean it with an old toothbrush.  It may be worth treating it to a new plug if it's an old mower.

If there are no sparks, you'll need to adjust or replace the points.  This is a bit more complicated, and you'll have to remove an engine cover to get at them.  If you're not familiar with engines, perhaps your neighbour might be able to help. But if not, any local garage or motorbike dealer will be able to do it for a modest charge.

There are other possibilities for reasons for not starting, but these are probably the most common.

Oh, and a change of oil won't do any harm.  Usually you drain the oil out of the filler hole, then refill with ordinary car oil (10W/40 or similar).  Be careful not to overfill - these are small capacity engines!

[Flunky]

Flippin heck,

erbie, melbourne12. many thanks. I will do as you say and see how we get on. I think it will start 1st time. :-X I think my optimism exceeds my ability.

Do you know where i could specs on this motor ?

[Melbourne12]

Provided it is indeed an LAV30 engine, you can get the manual from here http://www.m-and-d.com/manuals_TC.html

Several other firms supply it, but these guys do a downloadable version, so you can get it instantly on your computer.  And it's only around 4 quid.  :)

[Flunky]

Thanks again I will do that, any idea about the what the DA141 bit means ?

[Melbourne12]

I'm pretty confident about the motor reference.  Aspera was also used as a tradename for Tecumseh engines.

I assume that the DA141 refers to the Mountfield mower body and cutters.  But I can't find any proof of that.

[Flunky]

fair assumption and better than any guess I could make. Thanks. I could nt fins Aspera but finding loads on Tecumseh.

[telboy]

Flunky,
Aspera Motors was the name that Tecumseh obtained engines from way back (1960's).
It was an Italian Company. I have a workshop manual for LV/LAV/LVT/LAVT engines but I don't think this may be useful yet. The advice above should get it going. In my experience:
Replace fuel.
Replace plug.
Use carb. cleaner.
Above all - spray some 'easystart' into the intake prior to a good pull!
If it doesn't fire at all - then look at the points. They are not difficult to service - honest!
 8)

[OllieC]

I remember when, as a teenager I was playing about with the lawnmower (looking back, the fact that I was allowed to do this probably explains a lot!). I disconnected the spark plug whilst it was running, using my bare fingers on the clip... now that hurt!

Anyway, sounds like you're getting sound advice!

[Flunky]

Does'nt it just. Amazing what a belt a mower will give you. I just wish I could get this thing to spark. Tried to get it done yesterday. Got all of the above sat down to do it. Pulled the cap off the old plug. Left the top of the plug in the cap. Guess What ? ........... No pliers to take get it out.  ;D

Will be trying again this week. I WILL get it sorted out though. A BIG thanks to all those who have helped.

Regards

F.

[Flunky]

Gutted.  :-X Done all of the above. Took me ages. Friend suggested actually checking compression. Nada. Took the head off. Piston rings gone, valves gone. oil. EVERYWHERE.

However on a brighter note i now know how to take apart and clean a lawnmower engine.

Does anyone have any suggestions or advcie on how to proceed ?

[ceres]

Does anyone have any suggestions or advcie on how to proceed ?

Buy a new lawnmower  ;)