If your riding mower only runs on choke, it can be frustrating. After all, you don’t want to have to regulate the choke all the time while mowing your lawn. You just want your mower to start up and run smoothly. But the good news is that if your mower is running on choke, it’s not necessarily a major problem. It’s usually something that can be diagnosed and fixed fairly easily.
Quick Links
What is Choke and Why Does it Matter?
Before we jump into why your riding mower might only run on choke, let’s take a quick look at what choke is and why it matters.
A choke is a system that is used to restrict the amount of air going into the engine of a mower. This helps the engine to get going and run better. If you open the choke when the engine is cold, you’re allowing more air to enter the engine, which helps it to start more easily. However, if the choke is left on for too long, then it can cause the mower to run rough or even stall out.
Common Reasons Why Your Riding Mower is Only Running on Choke
Now, let’s take a closer look at why your riding mower might be only running on choke. Below are a few of the most common reasons:
Blocked Air Filter
A blocked air filter can prevent the engine from getting enough air
Dirty spark plugs are another common cause of mowers that run on choke. Spark plugs help the engine to run smoothly and, if they’re dirty, the engine will not be able to ignite the fuel and air mixture properly. So, make sure to check the spark plugs and clean them if necessary.
Low Fuel Pressure
Low fuel pressure can also cause a mower to only run on choke. This can happen if the fuel line is blocked or the fuel filter is clogged. Make sure to check the fuel lines and fuel filter, and clean or replace them if necessary.
Vacuum Leaks
Finally, vacuum leaks can also cause a mower to only run on choke. Vacuum leaks prevent the engine from getting enough air and can cause the engine to run roughly or not start at all. Make sure to check all of the vacuum lines for any leaks.
How to Diagnose and Fix the Problem
Once you’ve determined what could be causing the problem with your mower, it’s time to diagnose and fix it. Below are a few tips to help you get your mower running properly again:
Clean or Replace the Air Filter
If the air filter is clogged, then the engine will not be able to get enough air and will run poorly. To fix this, you’ll need to clean or replace the air filter.
Clean the Carburetor
If the carburetor is not functioning properly, then you
Check for Vacuum Leaks
Finally, if the mower is only running on choke, you’ll need to check for any vacuum leaks. Check all of the vacuum lines and make sure there are no cracks or gaps. If you find any, make sure to repair them.
Bottom Line
If your riding mower is only running on choke, don’t panic. It’s usually a fairly easy problem to diagnose and fix. The most common causes are a blocked air filter, a malfunctioning carburetor, dirty spark plugs, low fuel pressure, and vacuum leaks. So, make sure to check all of these components and clean or replace them if necessary. With just a little bit of troubleshooting, you should be able to get your mower running properly again in no time.