Problem with Petrol Mower - Mountfield SP414

Hi all

I was hoping to solve this issue myself but I have drawn a blank with this now :( . My Mountfield petrol mower SP414 has started this year with problems. The year before I had no issues with it and did not have to do any maintenance to get it going.

However when I started it this time, it seemed fine, however after a short while of use the engine started to misfire and although at the time I was able to cut the lawn, now when I start it, it fires up misfires for about 30 seconds and then stops running.

So far I have drained all petrol and oil and replaced these but this has made no difference and I have taken the air filter off and cleaned it with little success.

My remaining option was to attend to the spark plug, however this is where I have hit a problem because it appears to be sealed in a metal casing and there seems to be no way to remove it. The manual gives no indication to how to take this casing off and just shows the spark plug without it on with a removal tool to unscrew it .

If anyone has any help or advice on this I would really appreciate it

Thanks

TimCS

 

Had a look at the manual and see exactly what you mean. There's a metal case at the front and a plastic pull-cord assemsbly on top of the engine with no obvious mean of removing the spark plug or lead

You mentioned the air filter comes off and it may be a long shot but get someone to pull the throttle lever a few times while you look to see if the carb air inlet opens so that you can spray some carb cleaner inside. It doesn't appear to have a choke, which would've made this easier.

If that makes no difference, personally I'd call service link on 0800 121 6585 (if they're open now). Would be very hesitant to reomove the pull-cord assembly on top as they can be a nightmare to put back together if anything falls out

 

Hi Mowerman , thanks for your swift reply!

Not sure if the air filter shows much going on in that way when it is removed , it is also very difficult to clip back on but I will look a this and see what happens, thanks.

Not sure which metal plate you are referring to, if you mean the metal section to the right of the plug I do not think that actual gives me any further access to it and being not a very "pratical" person with engines I do not want to take things apart that I cannot get back together!

I do think this mower was designed so that us mere mortals would have to call out an authorised repair engineer as I can find little online about how do to any of this. Also I have called all local companies and they are all booked up and I will have to wait another week before I can call back to see if there is any free slots for someone to come out . However in the mean time my very long and thick lawn is growing very quickly :(


Thanks

TimCS

 

The manual mentions removing the spark plug lead so if you can pull or gently prise the lead cap off, the spark plug should be accessible. The plug is hidden behind a weird plastic cover (possibly the lead cap itself?) and appears to sit at a right angle to the left side of the front metal casing, so imagine it would come of in a 10 'clock direction.

Even if your warranty has expired, it may be worth ringing service link ASAP to see if they'll give you some friendly advice.

 

Manuals Mountfield Lawnmowers

This link should give online chat although I didnt try it.
Ask them direct how to check the sparkplug.

 

I will try but I do not want to damage anything. I think Mountfield should really have mentioned this clearly in the manual .


Thanks for you post Scudo I will try this out. I could not include your message as quote because there was a link in it

Also from the sound of my problem that I have, would you suspect that it is the spark plug?

Thanks

TimCS

 

Possibly the carb is gummed up as a result of having old fuel in it over winter, or dirt in the jet.
If the engine starts and then stops possibly not the spark plug, my thinking is it wouldnt start if plug faulty.

 

OK thanks Scudo this could mean then I will need someone to take it apart and clean it no ?

Thanks

TimCS

 

Some times there is a diaphragm in the carb and can spilt

 

Personally I would have no hesitation in doing it myself but that depends on your level of confidence and DIY abilities.

Check these out, loads of others that may help.

 

On all the images I have looked at it looks as if the sparkplug lead just pulls off.

 

@Scudo
With regards that cable , I have tried to pull it off but the location of where it is makes it very difficult. Also from the replies, I get the sense that it is not the spark plug anyway

Thanks for all of your posts I will study the videos and advice , really appreciated everyones help here .

Thanks

TimCS

 

Hopefully you will get it sorted.

Where I have indicated is the spark plug lead that should just pull off to access the plug, ithas nothing to do with the silver `cover` to the right of it.
If you can be bothered upload an image of that section as indicated on the off chance your one is different.

 

@Scudo

This image is slightly different to the model I have, the black plastic cover on the top of the motor goes over the spark plug this is why it is diificult to remove it.

I cannot upload an image of my mower due to the time of day, (dark now here) and that the garden has no lighting where the mower is stored. Also I have looked on the net for an image but they all appear to be different to mine. If I do have luck finding one I will upload it or I will try and get a picture of mine.

Thanks

TimCS

 

Well I was going to include a link to a page but it seems because I have not done enough posts on this forum I cannot as it would have be helpful for me to include as it had a possible answer to my problem. I think it relates to what one of the videos that Scudo had posted as well.

. Now as requested here are pictures the main engine part of my mower:















I hope this will help in guiding me how to remove the spark plug and help figure out how to drain the carb.

Thanks

TimCS