How to Fix a Lawn Mower Carburetor

    Find carburetor repair kits and any lawn mower parts or maintenance by visiting our lawn equipment parts page.     Remove the Carburetor From the Mower

1. Remove the air box cover and filter

These can be pulled away from the air box.

2. Remove the air filter base

Use a socket wrench to remove the air box base from the unit.

3. Remove the fuel line from the carburetor

You'll need to use some clamps to close the fuel line and remove it from the carburetor.

4. Remove the fuel linkage

A pair of needle-nose pliers will make this easy.

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Cleaning the Carburetor

1. Inspect the carburetor gaskets

If they're in rough shape, replace them.

2. Clean the carburetor exterior

Use carburetor cleaner to clean the outside of the carburetor.

3. Remove the carburetor bowl

Use a wrench to remove the bolt on the carburetor bowl -- then pull the bowl away from the carburetor. Make sure to have a bucket to catch any gas still in the bowl.

4. Remove the float and metering needle

Pull the hinge pin out of the float, then set the float and metering needle assembly to the side.

5. Remove the main jet

Use a flat-head screwdriver to unscrew the jet from the carburetor.

It may help to use a pick to 'pry' the jet (while unscrewing) from the access hole on the emulsion tube.

6. Remove the emulsion tube

Simply apply pressure to the emulsion tube from the inside of the carburetor body to remove it from the carburetor assembly.

7. Remove the bowl gasket

Use a pick or screwdriver to remove this from the carburetor body.

8. Remove the pilot jet screw

First, you'll need to remove the idle screw from the carburetor body -- making sure to count the exposed threads on idle screw to know what depth is necessary for re-installation.

Then remove the pilot jet screw.

9. Thoroughly clean the carburetor

With the carburetor completely disassembled, you're ready to deep-clean. Use one of the following methods to clean both the carburetor and its components:

a) Use carburetor cleaner to clean every nook and cranny of your carburetor.

OR

b) Use a ultrasonic cleaner. This breaks up dirt very quickly and efficiently. Simply place the carburetor in the cleaner and let it work.

10. Dry the carburetor

Use an air compressor or a clean towel to dry the carburetor and its components.

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  Reassembling the Carburetor

1. Replace the pilot jet screw

Use a phillips-head screwdriver to re-secure the pilot jet screw.

2. Replace the idle screw

Use a screw driver to fasten this in its original location. Remember to only thread it back to the noted position from step 8.

3. Reinsert the emulsion tube and main jet

The jet will screw in the same way it was removed.

4. Reinstall the float and metering level

Place the metering level back onto the float -- then re-secure the float assembly to the carburetor with the hinge pin.

5. Install the new bowl gasket and bowl-screw gasket

We recommend replacing these whenever you perform maintenance on your carburetor.

6. Replace the carburetor bowl

Set it back onto the carburetor and secure with the bolt that was removed earlier.

7. Clean the gasket surface

Use a razor blade to scrape any leftover gasket from the brackets.

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  Reinstall the Carburetor

1. Replace the fuel line

Use a pair of needle-nose pliers to work the fuel line back onto the carburetor.

2. Reinstall the fuel-linkages

Simply hook these back onto your carburetor. Pliers may be helpful.

3. Install the new gaskets and air filter base

Slide the new gaskets into their proper locations -- then slide the air filter base onto the mounting bolts.

4. Secure the air filter base

Replace the bolts that were removed earlier with a socket.

5. Replace the filter and cover

The filter rests inside of the air box and the cover snaps in place.

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  Conclusion And that's how easy it is to maintain a carburetor in your lawn mower. This process should be completed at least once per year to ensure proper operation of the fuel system of your lawn mower.
If you're looking for parts for the Honda HRX217 mower used in this video, they can be found here.   [Back to Top]
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