How to clean out a lawnmower engine?

[djheater]

I want to do a tune up on my mother-in-law's machine, and I know she left gas in it over the winter. Is there a safe cleaner I can add to the tank? or best thoughts on how to degunk it?

 

[ScottFern]

suck it out through a hose.

 

[Toastedlightly]

seafoam!

 

[slatr]

Mix the old with about three times as much new gas.

 

[radioouman]

Start mower, mow grass until tank empty. Profit!

 

[Bryophyte]

My son had to restart our riding mower about four times the first time he mowed because we didn't do anything to prepare it for winter, but now it runs just fine.

My spouse is teaching me how to rebuild small engines. Yesterday, we tore apart an old edger we got off of craigslist.

 

[RiverDog]

Originally posted by: radioouman
Start mower, mow grass until tank empty. Profit!

It might be a little rough starting and running but will be fine. Perfect Solution!

 

[kitkat22]

water

 

[funboy6942]

Gas in tank for 4-5 months isnt going to hurt it all that much, just fire it up as others have mentioned and run it as normal. Now if it were a boat and it sat in there for a year or more, that be different.

 

[boomerang]

If it runs, you're all set.

If it won't, you'll have to disassemble the carburetor to clean it. Try carburetor cleaner. If the tank is gunked up, try carburetor cleaner.

I fill the tanks on my yard equipment to the top before winter. I fill them up to minimize condensation in the tank. I've never added any type of stabilizer and have had zero problems. YMMV

If it won't start due to fuel problems, you've got to take apart the carb to clean out all the small passages. Compressed air is helpful if not required.

 

[djheater]

Alright,

Thanks everybody.

I drain my own over winter, and was afraid that leaving it full would gum up the fuel lines. Seems like as long as it runs, it's not a big deal.

:thumbsup:

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Ok, 1st open the gas cap. 2nd, light a match and drop it in there, you need the best lighting in there so you can see what condition it is in. If it blows up, then the gas was fine.

 

[WHAMPOM]

Syphon out the old gas and check for lacquer build up in the tank. If you see any. Spray carb cleaner in the tank and turn the motor over a few times, let sit overnight. Fill with new gas and see if it runs.