Lawn-Mower-Shop.Com Newsletter
Semi-Annual Edition
A preacher was making his rounds to his parishioners on a bicycle, when he came upon little johnny trying to sell a lawn mower. "How much do you want for the mower?" asked the preacher. "I just want enough money to go out and buy me a bicycle", said little johnny. After a moment of consideration, the preacher asked, "Will you take my bike in trade for it?" Little Johnny asked if he could try it out first, and after riding the bike around a little while said, "Mister, you've got yourself a deal." The preacher took the mower and began to try to crank it. He pulled on the string a few times with no response from the mower. The preacher called the little boy over and said, "I can't get this mower to start." Little Johnny said, "That's because you have to curse at it to get it started." The preacher said, "I've been a minister for twenty-five years. I don't even remember how to curse." Little Johnny looked at him happily and said, "Just keep pulling on that string. It'll come back to ya."
Well we had our first freeze in Texas so it's time to put up the old mower until next year.
Here are a few tips to use to maybe help with spring starting.
1. Getting Your Mower Ready For Storage.
2. Some Additional Carburetor Help
Getting Your Mower Ready For Storage.
The importance of preparing you mower for storage is trying to have it start when you take it out of storage. Gasoline seems to start jelling after about a month and turns to varnish in about 3 months and guess what? If this happens you won't get the motor to start until you clean out the gas tank and the carburetor.
The easiest way is to run the engine out of fuel. If the carburetor has a float bowl you need to loosen the bowl nut and drain the left over gas out. Be sure to retighten the bowl nut after the gas is drained. There is always some gas left but in its reduced quantity is not as likely to cause problems. Also with no fuel in the tank there is the risk of air borne moisture condensation in the tank. If you live in a dry climate this is less of a concern. You will need to dry out the gas tank with a rag to store over the winter and cut down on the chances of condensation in the tank.
Next remove the spark plug and place 1 tablespoon of 30wt oil in the cylinder. For small 2 cycle engines use 1 teaspoon of 30wt oil. Pull the starter slowly a couple of times and re-install the spark plug. Find a safe, out of the way place to store your equipment where it won't be in your way, and inside the garage or shed if possible to keep the weather off of it.
Some Additional Carburetor Help
Small Engine Carburetor Tips is a e-book that can be ordered off of my site that is a good help when working on the carburetor.