Here are a few signs that your lawn mower’s engine or head gasket is blown:

• There’s an oil leak.
• There’s smoke coming from the exhaust.
• The mower has low power and pressure.
• Your mower fails a compression test, or there’s diminished compression.

A lawn mower technician can confirm if your lawn mower is blown. Contact technicians near you today to set up an appointment.

To determine if it's better to repair or replace your lawn mower, consider the following:

• How much will it cost to repair vs. replace your mower?
• Does your lawn mower break down frequently? 
• Is your lawn mower more than 10 years old?

If it's expensive to fix your broken engine or transmission, buying a brand new lawn mower may be a better investment. And if it's old and requires constant repairs, it's probably time to consider purchasing a newer model. 

Don't hesitate to ask your repair technician if they recommend you repair or replace your lawn mow

Typically, a lawn mower tuneup includes at least the following: 

• Changing the oil
• Changing or cleaning the air filter
• Replacing the spark plug

Depending on the company or technician, a tuneup may also include sharpening the blades, cleaning the carburetor, lubricating the wheels and more. Contact lawn mower technicians near you to find out what’s exactly included in a tuneup.

Repairing a lawn mower requires a few skills and tools. The first step is to determine what's causing your lawn mower to malfunction and the type of repair needed.

Is your lawn mower not starting? Is it breaking down in the middle of mowing your lawn? Is it smoking or overheating? Depending on the issue, you'll need to follow specific instructions to troubleshoot and solve the problem.

If you don't have the experience, skills or knowledge needed to fix a lawn mower, consider hiring a repair technician instead of DIY-ing this task.

It may be time to replace your spark plug if:

• The engine is dying or failing.
• You have to add more gas than usual.
• The spark plug is visibly damaged and broken.
• You’re having a harder time getting the lawn mower to start. 

If you suspect your lawn mower's spark plug has gone bad, hire a pro to confirm your suspicions. A repair technician can identify the problem and perform repairs.

Read your owner's manual or manufacturer’s guidelines to find out how often you should service certain parts of your mower. For example, the manual may have information on how often you should change your oil, spark plugs and air filter. You may also need to sharpen your mower’s blades and add a fuel stabilizer. 

You may be able to perform some maintenance tasks on your own. But if not, don’t hesitate to contact a pro near you.

If you don’t change your lawn mower’s oil, it won’t perform up to its maximum capacity. Changing the oil is crucial. It helps prevent your lawn mower from failing, protects all of the moving parts and prolongs its life expectancy.

Lawn mower repairs cost $80-$100, on average. Some technicians may charge hourly rates. On average, the technicians charge anywhere from $45-$100 per hour. 

You should always get price quotes from at least three different repair technicians. That way, you’ll have a clear idea of how much repairs will cost.

The number of years your lawn mower will last often depends on the brand, manufacturer and how well it’s maintained. You can expect a lawn mower to last about 10 years if you properly take care of it.

Bring your lawn mower to a technician to get it fixed. A lawn mower technician or repair specialist will have the necessary equipment and expertise to troubleshoot your lawn mower, diagnose the problem and perform the repairs.