How do you store a lawnmower in the winter?

Question

I always mow my lawn for the very last time of the season on Halloween. I run all the gas out and put it in the garage for winter. My lawnmower NEVER starts when I pull it out of the garage in about May of every year. I pull on the crank and do everything I am supposed to be doing, but it never fails, it absolutely will not start and I end up hauling it in to the lawnmower man who charges me lots of money for whatever. How can I make sure its going to start next spring? How do I store a lawnmower?

It would be pretty hard to mow in the snowstorms here in Illinois, so I guess I could pretend its a snow blower and fire it up during the next big snow. I would probably trip, run over myself and the darned thing would cut my leg off.

Answer 1

Here is a link to the product "Sta-bil" - http://www.goldeagle.com/sta-bil/products.htm

This can be found at any hardware store, or in the hardware sections at the departments stores, like Wal-Mart.

Just add the amount as directed on the container, and it will help prevent fuel from gumming up in the system. Even tho you have "run all the gas out" in the past, some residue has been left, and it does get gummy over the winter.

Rather than draining all the oil out for winter, I prefer to drain it in spring, and start off with a very light oil, for the very first start. "Marvel Mystery Oil" for example, helps gets everything nicely lubricated, very quickly. I'll run the mower about 15 minutes and then switch to the recommended oil for the engine.

Also at spring, I replace the sparkplug, and check all the linkages, springs and wires. If necessary, I'll use a little bit of starting fluid to help it kick off on the first try.

If pull starting a mower is getting to be a continual problem (did for me eventually, hehe) you might want to consider actually switching to an electric mower. Corded, and cordless versions are abundant, and very easy to use... you just turn it on, hehehe. Ive got a Black and Decker electric mower now, that Ive used for 2 years. It runs on an extension cord, which you don't want to run over, hehehe.. but it has plenty of power, is very light, and can be stored anywhere, since there is no gas or oil.

Good Luck

Answer 2

The use of Sta-bil is the right thing to do, but there is one more detail you need to know. Not only is there gas in the gas tank, but today's lawnmowers have a carburetor with a bowl. This bowl also holds gas that can become foul as your lawn mower sits during the winter months. Therefore, after you have put the appropriate amount of Sta-bil into your gas tank, run the mower for a couple of minutes to get this stabilized gas into the carburetor bowl as well.

Answer 3

It's not as much how you store the mower rather how how well you maintain it all year.
In the spring the engine would be best served if you change the spark plug and oil. I don't rec' running the gas tank dry as condensation will most likely gather in the tank.... even slight moisture can make the engine sputter and run poorly and hard to start. The oil plug is under the deck.
PS- Generally, due to better technology almost all mowers built in the past 2 years are very good starters as comp' to only -say 4 years ago. (even the cheap ones).

Answer 4

Did you put the gas back in? Just kidding I'm sure you thought of that. When you dry out your mower and let it sit all winter all the gas drips out of the carburetor. You just have to fill your tank with gas and then tip the mower to get it into the carburetor. It should start then. If not try it a few more times and tip it different ways and shake it to get the gas into the lines.

Answer 5

Believe or not....I use to do the same thing until I heard about Stabilizit. Not sure on the spelling...but it's a gas stabilizer you can buy at Walmart or any auto store. Just mix a little in your gas can...and even a little in the gas tank on your mower. It keeps the gas fresh until spring. I can go pull in out of storage shed and start it on first pull.

Answer 6

I have two rotary push mowers, one new, one old. The newer one for the lawn and the older for overgrown weeds, brush and garden trash in the fall. The new one used to get a spot in the garage, the other a 5gal bucket over the motor outside. The pampered mower always gave more problems than the other so now they both get Sta-bil and the bucket. RScott

Answer 7

Drain the gas and oil and put a dab of oil on the threads of the spark plug. Cover the mower for the winter.

In the spring, put fresh oil and gas (and a plug if you want) and it should fire right up.

Usually condensation in the gas and oil make it a tough start the next season.

Answer 8

Maybe its because you run it all out of gas, you know kinda like a car in the winter if you let your gas get really low in the tank it doesnt want to start.

Answer 9

YOU should get some heavy duty hooks and put the lawnmower up in your garage.

Answer 10

Bob B is correct. That is what i do. Because I had the same problem.