Mend > Lawn Mowers

Mend MTD 115-074-015 Mower Push Lawn Model

Is my mower gonzo?

I have a Servistar (MTD) gasoline-powered push lawn mower, Model #115-074-015, with a Briggs & Stratton 3.5hp engine, Model #90700. It is somewhere around 15 years old. This year it has proved impossible to start, even though I changed the spark plug and put in fresh gas; it runs very roughly for a few seconds, smoking badly, then sputters to a stop. The last time I tried, I noticed there was oil dripping from the muffler, which makes me suspect something terminal in the engine.

Mike
September 2005

MTD MTD 115-074-015 Garden Tools, Lawn Mowers Mower Push Lawn Model

Had the same problem, turned out the AIR FILTER was plugged.
Unscrew the cover to it and clean it out with a little gas to get rid of any oil. Be careful in the future to not tip the mower in the direction where oil/gas will spill into the air filter.

P A
September 2005

Rough start and lots of smoke could suggest that some water got into the gas tank. Try a fuel flush treatment before you give up and buy a new one

gayle reid
September 2005

Rough start and lost of smoke could suggest that some waster got into the gas tank. Try a fuel flush treatment before you give up and buy a new one

gayle reid
September 2005