2 Quick Ways to Prime a Lawn Mower Without Primer?

Sometimes all of a sudden lawn mower stops working, and no matter how hard you try, it doesn’t start.

If you’re facing a similar issue, the reason might be the broken bulb of the primer. That’s why you should know how to prime a lawn mower without primer. 

Luckily, it’s an easy process; there are two ways. You can use a syringe in place of the primer bulb and start the mower. Otherwise, if the bulb is broken, cover it with plastic wrap and tighten the screw, and you’ll be able to use the mower. 

Let’s take a closer look at both methods in detail below, but before that, you need to know about the purpose of the primer and why it stops working.

After knowing this, you’ll be able to solve this issue efficiently. 

What’s the Purpose of Primer & Why It Stops Working?

To understand why primer stops working, you must understand its purpose. The primer in a lawn mower is an important component in your mower’s engine. 

When you push the primer bulb, it ensures that fresh gas or air circulates in the mower carburetor.

Then the air pulls out the fuel, which goes directly into the carburetor bowl, resulting in a faster start of the engine.

Like any button, the primer bulb also has a lifespan. When the lifespan ends, the button will stop working, and sometimes it brokes too.

Whatever the cause is, you have only one way, which is to repair this button. 

After repairing, you can easily start the engine, but if you don’t want to repair it and need a quick solution, this guide is for you.

Below we’ll share the two cheapest methods to start a mower with the broken primer. 

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Two Best & Quick Ways to Prime a Lawn Mower Without Primer

Here are the two cheapest and quick ways to start the lawn mower without a bulb primer.

But before you go into the details, we suggest you check the mower’s fuel filter, fuel lines, and tank.

If the fuel filter or fuel line isn’t working, the fuel won’t come into the carburetor. In addition, the same thing will happen again if there’s no fuel in the tank.  

In case the fuel tank is full, and everything is well; then you can move forwards with our step-by-step guide.

Otherwise, fill the fuel tank, solve other issues of fuel lines, and check whether the mower starts or not. 

Use a Syringe to Start the Lawn Mower 

As stated, the primer bulb releases the air that circulates and pushes fuel into the tank to the carburetor, helping to start the engine.

So if you don’t have a primer bulb, whether it’s broken or lost, you can use its alternative, like a syringe. 

When you attach the syringe to the same spot where the primer bulb is supposed to fit and push the syringe, it will also release the air.

Then the same process happens, and the fuel goes into the carburetor. 

It’s an easy, quick, and cheap solution because all you need is a syringe. 

How to Start a Mower Without a Primer Using a Syringe?

1. Take a syringe and put it into the primer bulb place. 
2. Push the syringe two to three times.
3. Afterward, instantly try to start the lawn mower. 
4. If it doesn’t start, repeat this process, and the mower will work. 

Use Plastic Bags to Start Lawn Mower With Broken Primer Bulb 

One of the most common lawn mower problems people face is a broken primer bulb.

When it breaks, you’ll not be able to push it; as a result, it will not start.

So what’s the quick solution? Well, it’s pretty easy and doesn’t even cost a penny. 

The only thing you need is a plastic bag that’s easily available in almost every household. Once you get the plastic bag, then follow the step-by-step process written below. 

Also Read: What’s the Proper Angle to Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades?

How to Start a Lawn Mower With a Broken Primer Bulb Using a Plastic Bag?

1. Cut the plastic bag into small sizes, around 2 inches in width and 2 inches in length. 
2. Take a screwdriver and remove the screws around the primer bulb. 
3. After removing the screws, take the primer bulb out. 
4. Insert the plastic bag in the place of the primer bulb. 
5. Then insert the primer bulb into the plastic bag. 
6. Tighten the screws, and now you have a perfect working primer bulb. 
7. You can push the primer bulb, and the mower will work well. 

How to Replace the Broken Primer Bulb In a Lawn Mower?

What if none of the methods works? To be honest, the methods we’ve shared above are quite effective and work in almost all situations, but there’s still a possibility of failure.

In that case, the only thing you can do is replace the broken primer bulb. The good thing is replacing the primer bulb is possible without touching the air filter housing.

1. There will be two tabs besides the primer bulb. 
2. Hold the screwdriver and put pressure on both tabs so the primer bulb will come out. 
3. Once it comes out, use carb spray to clean the housing of the primer bulb. 
4. Wait until the housing dries completely. 
5. Put the keeper on the new primer bulb and insert it in the housing. 
6. Lastly, use a screwdriver to put some pressure so the primer bulb can fit with the tabs easily. 

How to Fix Lawn Mower Sputtering? (Reasons And Solutions)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do you prime a lawn mower that doesn’t have a primer?

The easiest way to prime a lawn mower that doesn’t have a primer is to use a syringe.

Take a syringe, insert it in the primer bulb place, and push it multiple times. Then try to start the mower, and it will work. 

Do all lawn mowers have a primer bulb?

Not all lawnmowers have a primer bulb, but the majority of them do.

If you have a mower that doesn’t come with a primer bulb, it must have an automatic primer that doesn’t need a manual primer bulb, as it will do all the work automatically. 

Can I start a lawnmower without a primer bulb?

Yes, you can start the lawn mower without a primer bulb, but to do this, you need an alternative to it, like a syringe.

Insert the syringe in the primer bulb place, and push it, the fuel will come into the combustion chamber, and this method will work.

Conclusion

Hopefully, we’ve clarified how to prime a lawn mower without primer. It’s not a difficult process; you can use a plastic bag or go with the syringe option; the choice is yours. 

The important point you need to know is the methods we’ve shared are quick and short-term solutions.

If you want a long-term solution, you need to change the broken primer bulb with the new one.