Table of Contents
Winterize a Lawn Mower in 7 Steps Step 1: Empty the gas tank. Step 2: Disconnect the spark plug. Step 3: Remove the blade. Step 4: Drain the oil. Step 5: Clean the undercarriage. Step 6: Change the air filter. Step 7: Replace the spark plug. Step 8: Safely stow any combustibles.
What should I do to my lawnmower before winter?
How to Winterize a Lawn Mower It’s a good idea to remove your lawn mower battery for the winter and store it in a cool, dry place. Brush or hose off leaves, grass and mud from your mower. Store your mower in a dry, protected place such as your garage or a garden shed.
Is it necessary to winterize lawn mower?
Ideally, you should be in the habit of doing this throughout the season because keeping the blade housing clean helps to ensure optimal mower performance. But the task is essential before winter to prevent moisture in stuck-on grass clippings from causing problems.
Should you run the gas out of your lawn mower?
While draining the fuel tank may sound like a good idea, it could harm your engine. Running a lawn mower dry will make it harder for it to fire right up when it comes time to take it out of storage. This is true of all your outdoor equipment and tools, from mowers and blowers to trimmers and chainsaws.
Can a lawn mower be left outside in winter?
Can I store my lawn mower outside in the winter? You can store your mower outside in winter, but it isn’t ideal. If you must store your lawn mower long-term in your yard, make sure it is elevated, so that it doesn’t sit directly on the ground. This will allow air to circulate in order to keep it more dry.
Should I run my lawn mower out of gas for winter?
Unused gas left in a mower over the winter can get stale, gumming up the carburetor and inviting rust. Turn the mower off and allow the engine to cool, then siphon excess gas into a clean can. (You can put this gas in your car, provided it hasn’t been mixed with oil.).
How do you start a lawn mower after winter?
Give the spark plug wire a little tug to see if it’s loose. If it is, push it onto the plug and try starting the mower. If there isn’t any difference, remove the plug with a spark plug wrench and clean the gap with an emory board. If the plug looks worn, replace it with a new one.
How do I get my lawn mower ready for spring?
How to Ready Your Lawn Mower for Spring Tune It Up. For safety reasons, the first step in doing any work on your mower is to remove the spark plug. Change the Oil. Sharpen the Blade. Clean It Top and Bottom. Lubricate the Moving Parts. A Good Investment.
Can I leave oil in lawn mower over winter?
You can have oil in your lawn mower over winter, but you have to make sure it’s fresh oil. Old oil contains soot and chemicals that will damage the motor over the winter. If you add new oil to your mower, check it’s the right sort, then run the mower for a few minutes to coat all the parts with the clean new oil.
Can I mix old gas with new gas?
You can certainly dispose of old gas, but you can also reuse it by diluting it with fresh gas (see Step 2). However, if the leftover gasoline shows particles of rust, dirt, or discoloration, it may be contaminated. Do not reuse this fuel.
Can you use too much fuel stabilizer?
How Much Fuel Stabilizer is Too Much ? STA-BIL Storage, for instance, states that you can safely use up to 4 times the normal dosage of 1 ounce of fuel stabilizer per 2.5 gallons of gas, although it’s not recommended. So if you dumped a whole 8 oz bottle into 5 gallons of fuel, that should still be OK.
How long can gas sit in mower?
How long can gas sit in a lawn mower? Depending on the gasoline formula it can degrade in as little of 30 days. Properly treated gasoline can stay good for up to a year. To prevent this from happening, you have two choices: empty the gas tank or add a fuel stabilizer.
Is it safe to store lawn mower in garage?
Keep Your Space Safe When home garages turn into storage units, lawn mowers become tripping hazards. Pinholes in the fuel tank can fill the air with unhealthy fumes. A small break in the fuel line can spill combustible liquid on the garage floor.
Can you store a lawn mower in the basement?
Never store gas-powered equipment in your basement. While you might want to keep your gas-powered lawn mower or leaf blower in a covered space like your basement to protect it against the elements, doing so could cause serious harm.
Can you put a lawn mower in storage?
Combustible, Flammable, Toxic Basically anything that can catch fire, explode, corrode, and/or is toxic in any way. Tip: If you store a lawn mower or other gas operated equipment, empty out the gasoline and clean the unit before placing it in storage.
Should I change the oil in my lawn mower before winter?
Change the oil Old oil contains gasoline, moisture, soot and acids that can corrode internal engine components over the winter. Change the oil in your mower and run it for a few minutes to coat all the internal parts with clean oil. Then deal with the gasoline.
When should I use fuel stabilizer?
When your engine is in long-term storage, it is important to use a fuel stabilizer. STA-BIL® Storage is formulated to protect the fuel from deteriorating for up to 24 months, meaning that the fuel will remain at full strength and not varnish or gum up the internals of your engine.
