Is it worth it to try and have our lawn mower repaired?

[Anonymous]

Our old, hand-me-down lawn mower stopped running over the weekend. DH and I don't know enough to know whether it's worth it to try and have it repaired, or whether we should just throw in the towel and buy a new one. Any advice? Is there a rule of thumb about this? TIA!

[Anonymous]

I'd look at the manual (find it online if you don't have it) and check the troubleshooting section to see if anything listed there sounds like the problem. No advice beyond that, sorry!

[Anonymous]

Guess it depends how old it is, then you can gauge whether it's worth it to spend $$ to repair it. We too have a hand me down lawnmower, but ours is on it's last legs. When it goes, we most definitely will be getting rid of it, that thing is a piece!

[Anonymous]

Last summer I was in your position. I took it to a repair guy who was honest with me - he told me to just go to Sears and get a new one.

[Anonymous]

Yes. They will give you an estimate and then you can decide. We just got one that conveyed w/our old house repaired for under a hundred bucks and it's a nice Toro. I'd ask my husband where, but we don't live in DC anymore. Definitely worth checking into repair.

[Anonymous]

Yes, of course. Go to EArls motors on Michigan Avenue in Brookland. He's really good. Family run business.

But before you do that, OP, lemme ask you a few questions. These are pretty entry level, so forgive me if this insults your intelligence, but I have to admit to not knowing I needed to do these things either.

Did you empty both the oil and the gas from the mower before the winter? If not, there's your problem. Completely empty the gas and oil and fill with new and it may start. Otherwise, another small issue that frequently goes wrong with mowers are the spark plugs.

An honest repair person will tell you when to cut your losses and buy a new one.

Generally speaking, a tune up (where they'll do all of this for you) will cost you about 70 bucks at earl's, plus parts if you need them.

[Anonymous]

Mowers have gotten less expensive - plus, if yours is gas, you may want to consider electric.

That said, there is a very good and honest lawnmower repair shop on Mill St in Vienna, right off of Church St.

[Anonymous]

Strosnider's in Bethesda does lawnmower repairs too but $$$$. The is also a hardware store / power equipment place out US29 somewhere near Briggs Chaney --- can't remember the name.

I have used Vienna Lawnmower (Mill Street) for annual maintenance/ tune ups for a lawnmower, chipper and chain saw. Bought the chain saw and a mini-tiller there. Like the person said, honest, straight up, but it will take time if you bring it in during the height of tune up season.