A sputtering lawnmower could be the result of lousy Gasoline. If your lawnmower won’t start or is hesitant to start, there’s a significant probability due to faulty Gasoline or a faulty spark plug. After you’ve made sure the spark plug is in good operating order, the next thing to look into is the state of the fuel.
Make sure to check the mower for the sitting Gasoline in the tank for a long time before keeping this machine for the next season.
On the other hand, consider that fuel can be found inside the carburetor, and fuel lines can also have the fuel even if you cleaned the tank. If your lawnmower doesn’t start after a long period of inactivity, it could be due to faulty Gasoline. Before winterizing, it’s best to empty the gas tank and inspect it regularly.
If you don’t have a siphon pump, don’t panic; we are here to show you how to drain the tank with everyday household items.
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Why Do You Need To Drain Out The Gasoline?
You’ve been dutifully mowing your lawn for the past few months. However, now that the weather is turning colder, the grass has ceased to grow. This year’s mowing season is over. Putting the mower in the garage and leaving the petrol in the engine is a common blunder.
When it’s time to take the machine out in the spring, though, you’re having difficulties getting it to run correctly. It sputters and sputters continuously. It takes a moment to think. The machine will occasionally fail to turn on.
The deposits will settle to the bottom of the fuel tank, lowering the gasoline’s quality even more. When you start the engine, the old fuel clogs the fuel line and carburetor. Your lawnmower may become inoperable as a result of this. Drain the tank before putting the lawnmower away for the season to avoid such a costly mistake.
Steps To Drain The Gasoline From Tank With Siphon
Siphoning is a tried-and-true way to empty a tank of liquid. It’s ideal for equipment with fuel lines that are difficult to access and disconnect. This applies not only to lawnmowers but also to car tanks. A siphon can be used as a backup technique if necessary.
1) Check The Engine
A fuel stabilizer is a treatment that helps the gasoline in your engine last longer. The stabilizer’s chemicals keep the fuel fresh for longer by preventing it from breaking down into gummy deposits. Add a gasoline stabilizer and run the engine for a few minutes before draining the tank.
The stabilizer will be circulated via the fuel line, the fuel filter, the tank, and the carburetor. The treated gasoline that remains in these areas of the fuel system is still flammable and will not harm the engine.
2) Place The Mower On A Flat Surface
Allow the engine to cool down after cycling or passing the fuel through it. Whether using a push mower or a riding mower, be sure you’re working on a level surface. Oil from the oil reservoir will leak out and cover other motor sections if the unit is not on a level surface.
As a result, a flat, even surface is essential. Moreover, engage the emergency brake if you’re working on a riding mower to keep it from moving.
Placing the mower’s deck on two sawhorses is an easy way to guarantee to rest on a flat area. Place the saw horses close enough together to fit within the mower’s wheelbase. Get ready to do some hefty lifting.
3) Disconnect The Spark Plugs
Place the mower in a safe, flat area. To stop it from moving, apply the parking brakes. Disconnecting the spark plug cables is a wise safety precaution. This prevents the engine from starting by accident. Close the gasoline cap after turning off the engine.
This also prevents a spark plug from accidentally igniting a combustible liquid outside the tank. It can be triggered by a single spark, resulting in a potentially fatal explosion.
4) Use A Siphon Pump
A siphon pump is the safest and most convenient way to siphon gasoline. Some pumps are automatic, requiring only the flip of a switch, while others must be manually operated. It doesn’t matter the type of siphon pump you use; they all work in the same way.
Siphon pumps have clear tubing in the center with a pump in the middle. The pump creates the initial suction that allows the liquid to flow.
A siphon pump’s tubing has two separate ends that serve various purposes. As a result, make sure not to insert the hose backward. The brass end of the hose is usually the one that goes into the tank. Submerge the brass end in the petrol and place it in the tank. Squeeze the pump a few times to start the suction, then keep an eye on the liquid flow.
5) Go For Some Preventive Maintenance
Put a little fresh fuel in the tank and slosh it around to dislodge any remaining residual material if feasible. Then, exactly like you did with the old gas, drain it out of the engine. Allow a few minutes for the engine to dry.
There is always trim petrol left in the tank, no matter how completely you believe you’ve emptied it. The best technique to dry out the engine is to blast dry the interior of the tank with an air compressor. You can replace the spark plug and the spark plug wire after you’ve withdrawn all of the fuel.
Final Thoughts
When the cutting season is over, all lawnmower owners must put their mowers away. In addition, if their machines need to be tuned, they will always run into the difficulty of siphoning gas from the mower tank. Even if you don’t have a siphon, you can still efficiently drain out all the Gasoline from the mower’s tank.
However, you have to consider the discussed above points before draining out the gas from the tank with any method of your choice.
