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Do what with mower when it's not used for 6 months

Posted by ginnyginny Zone 9 Calif (My Page) on
Mon, Apr 16, 12 at 12:09

I have a 10 year old Craftsman Rotary Lawn Mower. The past few years I've had a lawn service mow my lawn during the summer to lighten my load of home chores. I'm wondering in what state I should leave the mower before it's long rest in the garage and what I should do when I use it again once a month during fall and winter?

Right now it won't start and I'm guessing it needs a new spark plug or something else as I haven't had it serviced or done anything to it myself, for several years.

Thanks
Ginny


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: Do what with mower when it's not used for 6 months

  • Posted by RpR_ 3-4 (My Page) on
    Mon, Apr 16, 12 at 13:54

Either use ALL the gasoline in the tank, or add Stabil.

You might need a new plug depending on how old the old one is; a new plug with actully save a little gasoline if it is really old.

Otherwise put a little carb. cleaner in the gas tank, carb. cleaner not inj. cleaner and see if it starts.
A little Sea Foam in the gasoline is also very, very good for any internal combustion engine.


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RE: Do what with mower when it's not used for 6 months

  • Posted by baymee LehighValleyPA (My Page) on
    Mon, Apr 16, 12 at 15:30

Better yet is to get rid of all the gas in the tank with a turkey baster and run the engine until it stalls


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RE: Do what with mower when it's not used for 6 months

Thanks for your help with this.

I just went to the auto store to buy a spark plug but decided against it when I saw how much the spark plug socket wrench was.

I think I'm better off to have my mower professionally serviced once every couple of years.

I will do as you suggest and get all the gas out.

Thanks again,
Ginny


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RE: Do what with mower when it's not used for 6 months

  • Posted by baymee LehighValleyPA (My Page) on
    Mon, Apr 16, 12 at 20:59

Hold on! You must change the oil at least every season. You can easily do that. After it's warm, remove the oil fill cap, turn the mower on its side, and drain the oil into a pan. Fill with approx. 16 oz of 30W oil and add extra using the stick as a guide. There are many places to recycle the oil.


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RE: Do what with mower when it's not used for 6 months

Either drain the tank COMPLETELY or fill the tank COMPLETELY with stabilized fuel.
The dead air space on a partially filled tank expands and contracts as the temperature fluctuates.
Each time it contracts, it draws in a bit of moisture laden air.
The alcohol in the gas LOVES to absorb water out of the air.

I fill my tank to the brim when storing over the winter.
I also pull the starter rope until I feel the compression stroke starting.
This insures that the piston is "sealing off" the cylinder from the atmosphere and leaves the valves closed, releasing as much tension on the valve springs as possible.


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