How to fix a mower with a stuck pull cord after tipping it over

This #diy video shows how your can #fix your lawn #mower if you can't pull the starter rope after tipping the lawn mower over. Tipping the mower over can fill the cylinder with oil and lock up the engine.

Transcript:
If you can't pull the starter rope on your walk-behind mower after tipping it over, the engine could be hydrolocked. This can happen if you tip the mower the wrong way and oil flows into the engine cylinder, keeping the piston from moving.

Don't worry—we can help you fix it.
1. Pull off the spark plug wire and move it out of the way then remove the spark plug.
2. Pull the starter rope several times to clear oil out of the cylinder. You'll see oil spray out of the spark plug hole.
3. Wipe off the oil and reinstall the spark plug. Then connect the spark plug wire.
4. Pull the starter rope to start the engine.
You’ll see a lot of white smoke as the engine burns off the oil inside the cylinder. Once the engine burns off the oil, the mower should run smoothly.

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[livingnthepast]

Saved my bacon! This was the fix for our mower this morning. Had to cut the lawn before we left on vacation; four hours to go. Went to start the mower and couldn't pull the cord. It was stuck; jammed! Quickly looked for a YouTube video for help and found yours. Sounded right, because we had just cleaned the bottom of the mower deck a few days ago. Sure enough, employed your directions and everything worked just as you explained. Thank you, thank you! Got the lawn done and left on vacation knowing the job was complete.

[johnbarry]

Brilliant, a 51 second video that fixed my problem - thanks for the video!

[susanmorris]

Thank you for this video it really helped me as I had tipped my mower the wrong way.

[brandonmundy]

Thank You So Much! Your the man. I didn't even know a mower could hydrolock and was losing my mind trying to figure out what happened when it was pulling right before I tipped it. It was exactly what you said. Thanks again.

[trentsteel]

Thank you. This fixed my issue immediately. I tipped it up to clean dog poo off the mower. This was a great video thank you again!

[MidwestGuy]

Thank you! This was my exact issue. Your video helped immensely.

[november]

Gave this a try. Doesnt seem to be my issue. The pull retraction mechanism doesnt seem to be working.

[johnwyman]

You might want to check and fill the oil before starting it.

[antwonefreeman]

Thanks for this video.. My lawnmower was hyper locked.. Thanks to you that's no longer a problem

[joecruz]

My problem is the cord seems to be stuck. I tried taking spark plug off and putting it back on but the cord does not pull up it seems to be stuck and moves an inch at a time. ideas what that might be?

[menjcps]

Thank you so much for this! Worked like magic 😊

[Mothership]

Your a Saint ty sir from the widowed community 😊

[princesa]

Thank you this solved my problem. Wow. Grateful

[ElohiSilverEarthVentures]

Wow thats cool, hopefully this fixes my issue

[jesusb.]

This video was very useful? Thank bud.

[mikep]

96% of the time the air filter is also saturated and the oil level needs to be checked before starting there's on 20 ounces in these small mowers

[Gator-]

Don't forget to refill the oil clean the sparkplug and make sure the air filter isn't full.of oil also

[kennethwoolever]

Remember this after you removed the spark plug if you still can't pull the engine over. You could definitely be screwed. Also check under the deck to see if something is jammed between the blade and deck, while the plug is out attempt to turn the engine with the blade. Turn in the cutting direction

[ringstwo]

What little hand held ratchet tool are you using to remove the spark plug?

[thamertanner]

Please help, my mower tipped over and I've done what you said but I still can't pull the cord, even with the spark plug removed. I can't find any video that actually says what to do in this situation, all the stuck pull cord videos just say to check for obstructions but the blade is free and clear and turns fine. Well not all the way it hits a point it won't turn past but I can turn the blade fully both ways just not past this one point but nothing is touching the blade, it's something inside. I don't know what to do.