Why The Spark Plug of The Lawn Mower is Wet? How To Fix It?

by Lee Safin

Have you ever experienced a wet spark plug of your lawnmower? Sometimes, it occurs when the spark plug comes in contact with gas or oil. In this post, we are going to reveal the reason behind a wet spark plug of your lawnmower.

Why is lawn mower spark plug wet?

Wet spark plugs in lawnmowers can occur for several reasons. According to experts, the most common reason is that the spark becomes excessively hot due to the inclusion of ethanol in the gas.

And, there is a flood of oil in the combustion chamber or, the engine is flooded with water/fuel.

Read More – Lawn Mower Spark Plugs VS Car Spark Plugs – Are They Same?

Why The Spark Plug of The Lawn Mower is Wet? How To Fix It?
Why The Spark Plug of The Lawn Mower is Wet? How To Fix It?

Why Is Lawn Mower Spark Plug Wet?

Spark plugs can become wet on a lawn mower for a variety of reasons. When the spark plug gets wet, you need to either clean it correctly or replace it with a new one.

Lawnmowers Parts 2 (Two) Genuine Champion Spark Plugs RC12YC Replaces Kohler 12 132 02-S; John Deere M78543
Lawnmowers Parts 2 (Two) Genuine Champion Spark Plugs RC12YC Replaces Kohler 12 132 02-S; John Deere M78543

But before cleaning or replacing it, first, you should know why your lawn mower spark plug is wet. Like other moving parts of lawn mower, spark plugs wear out eventually, leading to malfunction.

1. Engine Flooding

Why Engine Flooding Occurs In Lawn Mower Spark Plug?
Why Engine Flooding Occurs In Lawn Mower Spark Plug?

When you often had to try several times to start your lawn mower, it is an early indication of wet spark plugs. Trying this multiple times may lead to engine flooding, which ultimately drenches the spark plug. As a result, the engine is failing to generate any sparks and can’t start the engine.

So, why engine flooding occurs in lawn mower spark plug?

Your spark plug may encounter this issue during freezing weather conditions. In order to ignite the lawn mower engine with previously worn or fouled spark plugs, a higher voltage is required.

Under these circumstances, you should either let the plug becomes dry or take it off from the mower and clean it.

2. Injector Leaks

Leaking Cold Start Injector
Leaking Cold Start Injector

Though wet fouling is rare among the latest lawn mower engines, some mechanical problems can occur. Leaking cold start injector is one of the most common issues your engine may encounter.

When this happens, the engine compartment will likely be filled with a rich starting mixture, ultimately leading the spark plug to foul.

3. Worn Piston Rings

Piston Rings Or Cylinders Are Worn Out
Piston Rings Or Cylinders Are Worn Out

A study done by Mopar Magazine reported that fouling might occur when piston rings or cylinders are worn out in older lawn mower engines.

As a result, you may notice your lower mower engine is flooded with gasoline or too much oil. In addition, an ignition attempt may not be successful if a spark does not form.

In this condition, you can easily handle the spark plug by removing and cleaning it properly and then re-install it in the place where it should be.

Why My Lawn Mower Spark Plug Wet With Gas?

The main job of an electrical device like a spark plug is to source power to start your lawn mower. You always want to keep this electric device away from getting wet to perform consistently for generating sparks. However, it may often get soaked with gas or gasoline, leading to a flooded engine.

Why is my lawn mower spark plug wet with gas?

If a lawn mower spark plug becomes wet with gas, it can happen for multiple reasons such as lousy ignition cable, or engine flooding, or internal crack in the ceramic insulator, or dirt or moisture on the outside of the plug.

Aupoko 2 Sets Piezo Spark Ignition With Cable Push Button Igniter, Type Of 1 Out 2 Electrode 200 Degree Resistance Wire, Fit For Gas Fireplace Gas Oven Gas Heater Lgniter Ceramic Kitchen Lighter​
Aupoko 2 Sets Piezo Spark Ignition With Cable Push Button Igniter, Type Of 1 Out 2 Electrode 200 Degree Resistance Wire, Fit For Gas Fireplace Gas Oven Gas Heater Lgniter Ceramic Kitchen Lighter​

When spark plugs get wet with gas, it means the electrodes have not been ignited. If it happens due to a bad ignition cable, the components are unable to carry an appropriate amount of current under heavy load conditions. So, these are the reasons behind a lawn mower spark plug wet with gas.

Why My Lawn Mower Spark Plug Wet With Oil?

Why My Lawn Mower Spark Plug Wet With Oil?
Why My Lawn Mower Spark Plug Wet With Oil?

By looking at the spark plugs tips and other sports, you can have an idea about its health conditions and how well the engine can perform. You can also get an idea about other problems based on the appearance and color of the deposits.

Why is my lawn mower spark plug wet with oil?

If the spark plug is becoming excessively hot and the chamber is filled with oil, you may struggle to run the mower. There can be different reasons behind lawn mower spark plug wet with oil, such as using a spark plug for too long, excessive choke usage, or stucking issue with the float.

1. Using A Spark A Plug For Too Long

Lawnmowers Parts 2 (Two) Genuine Champion Spark Plugs RC12YC Replaces Kohler 12 132 02-S; John Deere M78543
Lawnmowers Parts 2 (Two) Genuine Champion Spark Plugs RC12YC Replaces Kohler 12 132 02-S; John Deere M78543

According to experts, a spark plug needs to be replaced or changed on average after two years. If you use your lawn mower heavily, you may need to replace it earlier.

2. Excessive Usage Of The Choke

Why My Lawn Mower Spark Plug Wet With Oil-Excessive Usage Of The Choke In Lawn Mower Engine
Why My Lawn Mower Spark Plug Wet With Oil-Excessive Usage Of The Choke In Lawn Mower Engine

There’s a possibility you have to exceed the choke usage, resulting in excessive fuel in the system. Also, make sure you don’t over-prime your mower as a primer is designed to improve combustion and freshen up gas.

3. Stucking Issue With The Float

Why My Lawn Mower Spark Plug Wet With Oil-float Chamber Of A Lawn Mower
Why My Lawn Mower Spark Plug Wet With Oil-float Chamber Of A Lawn Mower

An automatic liquid supply system runs efficiently with a float chamber, which controls the fuel delivered to the system. When the float fails to control the amount of fuel delivered, it may make the spark plug wet with oil.

What Causes A Spark Plug To Become Wet With Fuel On A Lawn Mower Engine?

What Causes A Spark Plug To Become Wet With Fuel On A Lawn Mower Engine?
What Causes A Spark Plug To Become Wet With Fuel On A Lawn Mower Engine?

It is called “fuel fouling” when the lawn mower’s spark plug becomes wet with fuel. A spark plug wet with fuel may prevent you from running the machine smoothly, and you may fail to cut the grass efficiently.

What causes a spark plug to become wet with fuel on a lawn mower engine?

One reason can be to adjust the throttle too aggressively or too tightly, which prevents the plug from having sufficient air. Or, you may have spilled fuel while the spark plug is seated beneath the fuel tank.

Complete Tractor 1103-3407 Fuel Tap, Grey
Complete Tractor 1103-3407 Fuel Tap, Grey

Until you repair the carburetor, turn off the fuel tap. You need to clean it to prevent fuel from leaking into the engine overnight. However, it is best to turn it off after you mow the lawn. Knowing what causes a spark plug to become wet with fuel on a lawn mower engine helps you treat the machine effectively.

What Happens If a Spark Plug Gets Wet?

Engine flooding is one of the most common issues you will notice for wet spark plugs. You flood your lawn mower engine when you try to start it more than once without getting a response.

What happens if a spark plug gets wet?

When the spark plug of your lawn mower gets wet, it is highly likely to misfire. As a result, the current typically flows over an insulator as the gas/oil/fuel conducts it instead of passing through the gap.

Knowing what happens if a spark plug gets wet helps you take preventive measures so that your lawn mower becomes excessively damage. You can improve the life of the lawn mower if you take precautions sooner.

What Happens If Water Gets In Spark Plug?

When your spark plug gets wet with water, it will hinder the engine’s ability to start. Though cleaning is the best solution to eliminate this problem, there is no guarantee the problem won’t come back.

ABN Pneumatic Spark Plug Cleaner – Spark Plug Sandblaster Plug Cleaner Tool With Abrasive, Universal Sparkplug Cleaner
ABN Pneumatic Spark Plug Cleaner – Spark Plug Sandblaster Plug Cleaner Tool With Abrasive, Universal Sparkplug Cleaner

Best spark plug cleaning kit has been mentioned above.

What happens if water gets in spark plug?

When water gets in your lawn mower spark plug, it gets wet. Additionally, the spark plug has the probability of getting a cracked head or blown head in the future. Most importantly, it will make the machine suddenly stop or firing inappropriately while mowing.

However, it is essential to note if the spark plug has water only on the outside surface. You won’t notice many problems until there is a loose fit between the boots and the plug body.

Should I Fix it Myself, or Take it to a Technician?

Should I Fix It Myself, Or Take It To A Technician?
Should I Fix It Myself, Or Take It To A Technician?

If you are already familiar with machine repair work, you can do it on your own. However, first of all, you want to figure out the actual problem of your spark plug and the best way to fix it.

You can take suggestions from a nearby local store or get some instructions for fixing it online. This could save you few bucks than hiring a professional.

However, it is well appreciated to take the spark plug to the nearby local store as they have all the necessary equipment and are professional to fix it quickly.

How Do You Fix A Wet Spark Plug?

  1. Whether your spark plug is wet with oil, fuel, water, or gas, you want to figure out the source of the “wet.”
  2. Then repair the wet spark plug
  3. After then, replace the old spark plug with a new one
  4. Replacing the spark plug may not solve the issue if you failed to understand the reason behind getting a wet spark plug

Read More – Lawn Mower Spark Plugs VS Car Spark Plugs – Are They Same?

Tips To Prevent Wet Spark Plugs

Serial No. Tips To Prevent Wet Spark Plugs
1 Make sure your mower is never left exposed to the rain
2 Be careful not to over-prime the lawn mower
3 If possible, don't mow when the grass is wet
4 Make sure to change the oil after a specific time (50 hours)
5 Makes sure there is no fluid build-up

Read More – Lawn Mower Spark Plugs VS Car Spark Plugs – Are They Same?

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Best spark plug cleaning kit - Etsy, eBay

Conclusion

So have you found the answer to this golden question: why is lawn mower spark plug wet? Surely, you need it! So take care of your lawn mower properly to ensure the best possible lifespan.

Last update on 2023-01-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

About Lee Safin

Lee Safin was born near Sacramento, California on a prune growing farm. His parents were immigrants from Russia who had fled the Bolshevik Revolution. They were determined to give their children a better life than they had known. Education was the key for Lee and his siblings, so they could make their own way in the world. Lee attended five universities, where he studied plant sciences and soil technologies. He also has many years of experience in the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a commercial fertilizer formulator.

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