If you’ve ever started your lawn mower and heard a sputter, or worse, nothing at all, you may have thought that the machine was too old to be of use.
But the real culprit may be something less expected — old gasoline. Old gas can settle in your mower’s tank and cause it not to start up properly. Let’s explore why.
Does Old Gas Cause A Mower To Not Start??
Gasoline is made up of organic compounds such as hydrocarbons, alcohol, and other chemicals that are derived from crude oil.
Over time, these compounds will break down due to oxidation and evaporation processes caused by heat and humidity.
This can lead to the formation of gums and varnishes, which will clog your engine’s fuel system, leading to a decrease in performance or even an inability to start the engine altogether.
Another consequence of old gasoline is its tendency to absorb moisture from the atmosphere. Many people do not realize that water vapor can enter an open container of gasoline; this is why it is important to store gas in a sealed container when not in use for long periods of time.
If enough water accumulates in your mower’s fuel tank, it can cause corrosion which will lead to further problems with starting your engine.
The Solution: Storing Gasoline Properly
Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to help avoid having old gasoline become a problem with your lawn mower.
First, always ensure that you store gasoline in an appropriate container—preferably made out of metal rather than plastic—with a good seal to prevent moisture from entering the container or air from escaping it.
Secondly, try not to leave fuel sitting around for more than two months; if you need to store it for longer periods, consider adding fuel stabilizers which will slow down the oxidation process significantly and help keep your gasoline fresh for longer periods of time.
Lastly, ensure that you drain any existing fuel from your equipment before winterizing them to help prevent damage caused by condensation buildup during cold winter months.
Fixing Your Mower
If your mower doesn’t start because you’ve been using old gasoline, you’ll have to remove the built-up residue that is choking the engine. Any gasoline still in the tank should be siphoned out, as attempting to use it will only make matters worse.
You should also clean out any sediment that has built up in your machine’s fuel line or carburetor; this will require disassembling parts of your engine, so proceed carefully or call an experienced mechanic for assistance. After these steps, you should fill up with fresh gasoline before restarting your engine.
Preventative Measures
You can avoid these issues by always using fresh gasoline when filling up your mower; never mix new and old fuel! Additionally, adding a fuel stabilizer such as Sta-bil will help keep unused gasoline fresh for longer.
If you’re going to be storing gasoline for more than two months, consider draining all remaining fuel from your machine before putting it away for winter storage; this way, there won’t be any nasty surprises when you fire up your lawnmower next spring!
Conclusion:
So there you have it; storing gasoline correctly can go a long way towards helping keep your lawn mower running smoothly throughout the year! By following these simple tips on how best to store gas for extended periods of time or between uses,
you should be able to avoid having old gas cause problems with getting your engine started or keeping it running correctly during those hot summer days when all you want is for things to just work without any issues! Do yourself (and your lawnmower) a favor by taking care when storing gas and avoiding potential issues caused by poor storage practices!
