My lawn mower will not start. It's about a year old and has been used about 5-7 times. If I try long enough it will start for about 5 seconds and cut off again. What can I do to fix it?

Is it out of gas? I know it seems like that should be obvious but we all have those moments where we forget to check the obvious :)

Best guess, it was stored with fuel in the lawn mower over the winter. Because of the sputter, I'm suspecting a carb problem. You need to use a product such as Sta-bil when you get gas at the end of the season. Air cleaner and plug should be fine, but you need to inspect them.

I'd start by removing any old gas and use a small amount of high octane gas with Some Seafaom carb cleaner. You could also try replacing the plug.

You can also use ordinary spray carb cleaner as a lubercating starting fluid, by spraying it into the plug hole. This makes easy starts after long storage.

If it has a choke, make sure it's closing to start.

I need to re-iterate to all, that you must use Sta-bil nearthe end of the season for any new fuel purchased, Use high octane gas unless owners manual says differently, Change plug and filter yearly. Sharpen the blade and do an oil change at least yearly.

Check oil level, on each day that you start the engine.