How to Troubleshoot a Lawn Boy Silver Series Lawnmower

Verify that there is still fuel in the gas tank. Add fuel as necessary. If there is gas you suspect has been left in the tank since the previous season, add a small amount of fresh gas to the tank and start the engine. Allow the mower to run until all of the gas burns off.

Fill up the lawnmower's gas tank with fresh fuel after pouring in a gas additive. This will ensure that the mower runs smoothly thereafter.

Open the plastic engine cover on the front of the lawnmower and check the spark plug. The thin, black plug wire should connect to the spark plug near the front of the engine. Reconnect it if it has come loose.

Disconnect the plug wire from the spark plug if the mower still won't run properly. Remove the old spark plug then connect a new spark plug to the plug wire.

Locate the engine's magnetic coil by following the plug wire to the rear of the engine. Directly behind the coil is the circular flywheel. Check the small space between the two parts. This is known as the air gap, and it cannot be less than 0.010-inch in width or greater than 0.015-inch. Measure the air gap.

Reposition the magnetic coil by loosening it with a wrench then pushing it incrementally closer to or farther away from the flywheel as necessary. Remeasure the air gap to ensure it is within specifications.