My Scott's Lawn Mower Won't Start

Check Spark Plug

• The first thing a Scott's lawn mower needs for combustion is a spark. Without a high-voltage charge, the fuel won't ignite inside the combustion chamber. When the mower doesn't start, the spark plug is usually a good first place to start. Lift off the rubber boot, wiggling it back and forth to slowly disconnect it from the spark plug. Unscrew the spark plug from the cylinder and check the metal tip. Replace the spark plug if the tip looks broken, bent or blackened.

Check for Spark

• Inspect the rubber boot and its connection to the HT lead wire, making sure they're tight. Check the metal prong inside the boot to make sure no dust or dirt blocks the connection. Fit a test spark plug into the rubber boot and hook it up to a grounded metal point on the cylinder. Crank hard on the starter rope several times and watch the test plug for a blue spark. If the spark is only faintly visible or absent, allow a professional to perform further testing to the ignition system

Check for Gas

• Gas simply eats away at the plastic inside these mowers. Hoses, seals and the carburetor will break down under normal conditions. Old fuel, or gas older than 30 days, will speed up this disintegration and interrupt the flow of fuel to the carburetor. Begin at the tank and follow the flow, making sure it reaches the carburetor. Check for dirty fuel caps, plugged fuel filters and damaged fuel hoses. Replace any fuel system parts or allow a professional to service the carburetor and fuel system.

Seek a Professional

• More serious problems eventually terminate the life of any good lawn mower, including a Scott's. Problems in the interior of the engine, such as compression losses or broken seals, result in an engine that's hard to crank and start. When the problem can't be fixed through these methods, seek a professional, as a poor attempt to fix the engine may result in more serious damage, especially to the carburetor, cylinder, piston and crankshaft.