Does anybody know how to winterize grass mowers for the winter?

Question

I'm needing help on what to do to keep my mowers in working condition over the winter so my repair man doesnt get my money yet again.

Answer 1

Run the engine until all the gasoline has been burned, or fully drain the tank.

Then disconnect the spark plug and drain the oil out. If your mower will be stored in a warm place you can put fresh oil in it, but if you don't put oil in make sure you leave a tag on it to remind you to put oil in before you start it again.

This is a good time to remove the blade and either have it sharpened or replace it.

If it has an electrical system you can also remove the battery and store it indoors.

Answer 2

I never run em out...... why? because theres always (even with a fuel stabilizer) a little fuel left that will dry...., and gum up.., also lets the seals dry out....

Use a fuel stabilizer per instructions...., run it for a few minutes till the treated fuel is in the carb..., fill the tank up to minimize water condensation and wrap the gas cap with tin foil if it has a breath hole on top...

If it has a fuel shutoff valve, turn it on....

Change the oil.... don't want acid filled, dirt filled oil sitting in there to be left to settle and sludge..., never leave it without oil during storage though....., this will leave the internals to possibly rust, and even if you put a reminder on, you may forget the oil next spring!!!, even new mowers come with tags like this and some forget.

If its to be set outside...., cover it with a tarp but allow that to vent... (i'd recommend a tarp underneath it as well, to prevent condensation from the ground) and spray all bare metal with a water displacer (wd-40, liquid wrench, 3n1 oil, etc)
If it has a battery, remove it and put in a warm place (not inside, thats a lead acid battery, explosive!!!) And change the air filter..., I'd just take the plug out, clean it and gap it..
You can put a couple mothballs under or on it.... to prevent mice, they love places like this, and the wires to eat.


You can also take the plug out, squirt a ounce of 2 cycle oil, or engine oil down the cylinder...., turn it over a few times to distribute and put the plug back in..... (turn the engine till you feel compression, thats to close the valves) or fogging oil down the cylinders will do..




any 2 cycle.... just fill it up with treated gas and leave it....., they are lubed through the gas (clean air filter, etc of course)

Answer 3

run the gas out with a little small engine 4 cycle gas conditioner additive (from your hardware/auotmotive store).Make sure you leave no fuel in it over winter.
Remove the spark plug , clean it, moisten the threads a little oil and replace finger tight.
Change the oil. wash all debris/grass off and dry all surfaces.
Next spring, check your plug, regap it or replace it- tighten only 1/4 turn past finger tight . Use fresh oil(overkill but for $ 3-5 buck s- why not. ), use fesh fuel and away you go. Total time in Fall and spring should be 30 minutes each. Use fresh plugs, oil, fuel and keep the body clean and it should last you years !

Answer 4

drain out the gas and then the oil,
cover it well and then,keep it in a dry place till your ready to use it again.