Official Wards gas lawn mower parts

Troubleshooting tips for your Wards gas walk-behind lawn mower when it won't start

When you can't start your mower, make sure the tank has fuel and that the fuel is fresh; stale fuel can become watery and won't ignite well. Tune up the mower's engine to give it the best chance of starting. Check the spark plug and replace it if it's covered with oil or other deposits.

If your mower uses a battery, charge or replace the battery if it won't power the starter to spin the engine. If you have to pull the starter rope to start the engine, replace the recoil starter if it doesn't spin the engine when you pull the rope. Replace the starter rope if it's broken. For additional help, watch our can't pull the recoil starter rope video.

Replace the safety switch or the ignition coil if the spark plug isn't getting current through the ignition system. The engine won't start if you hit a rock or stump and shear off the flywheel key, so replace the flywheel key if it's broken.

Carburetor problems often prevent a mower engine from starting. Replace or rebuild the carburetor if it's clogged.

Replacing the cutting blade on your Wards gas walk-behind lawn mower

• Disconnect the spark wire so there's no chance that the mower could accidentally start.
• Remove the fuel tank cap. Place a plastic bag over the fuel tank opening and reinstall the fuel tank cap to prevent gasoline from leaking out through the fuel tank cap vent.
• Tilt the mower back to lift the front wheels then secure the mower handle to your worktable to hold the mower steady.
• Wedge a block of wood between the mower blade and the deck to keep the blade from turning when you loosen the blade bolt. Loosen and unthread the blade bolt while holding the cutting blade to keep the blade from falling. Pull the blade, blade support and blade bolt off the crankshaft.
• Position the new blade, blade support and blade bolt on the crankshaft and hand-tighten the blade bolt into the crankshaft. Wedge a block of wood between the mower blade and the deck to keep the blade from turning when you tighten the blade bolt. Tighten the blade bolt to 500 in.-lbs. using a torque wrench. Remove the wood block. Release the mower handle from the worktable and lower the lawn mower to the upright position. Remove the plastic bag from the fuel tank.
• Push the spark plug wire back onto the spark plug.