Lawnmower Engine Starting Tips??

[sanddrag]

I still haven't gotten my mower running for longer than just a little bit. I still have to take the carb off again and take the yellow plastic fuel tubes out/apart and see if they are clogged or anything. Or maybe see if there's that valve thing Al mentioned a while back.

mtaman02, for your mower I have some answers. A spark plug wire is only one wire that goes to the plug electrode. The body of the plug is grounded through the engine block. Some mowers have a little metal "stop" tab on top of the head right next to the spark plug. (my 2hp b&s didn't have it, my 3hp one had it). You just flip it over (it is sort of hinged) so it touches the top of the plug. This shorts the iginition and the ground so no spark is produced. If your engine doesn't have a tab, you can short the top of the plug to the head with a screwdriver (the metal shaft of) to stop the engine. You probably want to hold the insulated end of the screwdriver to prevent getting a nice shock. I don't think it would hurt you (I've gotten a spark plug shock a few times) but I'm not totally sure, besides, it doesn't feel good to get shocked.

In any case, don't wire a switch in series with your sparkplug wire/cable. It is not necessary and probably not a good idea.

Also, usually you can pull the choke out all the way out and it will die in about 5 seconds or you can try putting your hand over the carb opening if there is no air cleaner on there, although that may take longer and might not work.

Last, by Engine Zone Cable I assume you mean throttle cable?