How to Fix a Lawn Mower That Doesn't Get Gas

Unscrew the gas cap and slowly tilt the engine, with the carburetor side going up, to drain the gas into an approved fuel container. Check the fuel cap for damage to the vent hole, which, if plugged, can stop fuel from flowing. Brush off the cap using a little of the gas.

Wipe off any excess gas with the rag. Check the cap seal inside the cap. Replace the cap if the seal is missing or if cleaning it doesn't remove the plug in the vent hole.

Reach into the fuel tank with a metal hook. Pull the fuel filter and fuel line, sitting at the bottom of the tank, up and into the tank opening using the metal hook. Pull the fuel filter off the end of the fuel tubing using your fingers. Check the fuel hose for signs of disintegration such as cracks or yellowing.

Replace the fuel hoses if they are damaged and insert a new fuel filter into the fuel hose. Fill the mower with fresh gasoline and see if these actions have resolved the problem.

Unscrew the air filter box, mounted to the side of the engine. Unscrew the choke cover plate to gain access to the carburetor. Unhook the main fuel line from the carburetor and tilt the engine slightly. If no gas appears out the line, or there are only a few drops, take the engine to a mechanic to check the carburetor.