How to Drain Gas From Lawn Mower? (With and Without Siphon)
If you are used to mowing your lawn, gasoline is something you must have grown accustomed to. However, this little-known fact goes unnoticed by lawn mower users and can lead to fatal accidents if not tended to in good time. Gasoline is a flammable liquid that, when left in a lawn mower’s engine for indefinite periods or stored improperly, can cause the lawn mower to break down.
You might not have considered it, but better late than never. There are instances when the gas needs to be drained out of your lawn mower to keep it working at its fullest capacity. What are the do-s and don’t-s, and most importantly, how to execute the do-s? In this article, we will be discussing how to get old gas out of lawn mowers. Without further ado, let’s dive right in!
Why Do You Need to Empty Gas from Your Lawn Mower?
Have you ever left your lawn mower in the garage for long periods during winters only to come back and find it sputtering, hesitating, and sometimes simply not firing up? This is quite a common issue if you leave your lawn mower with a tank filled with gasoline. Gasoline is a combustible fluid that relies heavily on volatile compounds to burn. Over time, these compounds tend to evaporate, leaving the fuel no longer combustible and nonfunctional.
When these compounds evaporate, they leave gummy-like deposits throughout the lawn mower engine’s fuel system. These deposits then sink to the fuel tank’s bottom and reduce the gas quality. So, when you try to fire up your lawn mower, the old fuel runs through the motor, only to clog up the fuel line, carburetor, and fuel filter. Simply put, your lawn mower will stop working altogether.
This is why it is important to drain your lawn mower’s engine when not in use for prolonged periods. Now, let’s try to understand how to empty gas from lawn mowers.
Steps to Drain Gas From Lawn Mower
Here’s how to remove gas from lawn mowers:
Park Lawn Mower on Any Flat Surface
After the last use, park the mower on any flat surface or set it on a few sawhorses to permit access to its underside. Please do not tip the lawn mower on its side, which can lead to fatal accidents. Oil has a chance to run from the reservoir to other motor parts, which can be detrimental to the future. Lastly, note that the parking brakes of the lawn mower are turned on while you park it.
Take Off Spark Plug
Do not forget to disconnect the lawn mower’s spark plug by pulling the spark plug wire from the cap. This is a necessary precautionary measure to avert hazards.
Drain Out the Gas
Place the clear end of the siphon in a jug and insert the brass siphon end into your lawn mower. Shake it vigorously- up, down, and sideways- till the siphoning process begins. The gasoline flows from the lawn mower tank seamlessly into the collecting jug. Keep repeating this step a few more times until the whole tank is drained.
Use Rags to Soak Leftover Gas
After most of the gas has been removed by the siphoning process, remove the brass end of the siphon and be on the lookout for leftover gas within the tank. Use rags to soak it up from the bottom of the lawn mower tank.
Add Fresh Gasoline
Add some fresh gasoline into the mower’s tank and slosh it around slightly. This will ensure the fresh gas mixes with the old leftover gasoline in the tank. Now, drain it off into a plastic container.
Check the Air Filter
Allow the tank to dry before you reattach the spark plug wire and fuel line. Ensure the air filters are not clogged, and if they are, clean them up or purchase their replacement.
Check Oil Reservoir
Make sure the oil reservoir is also full. Then, pull the lawn mower cord to start it. Let the mower run in idle mode till it stops. This is an important step to remove the remaining gasoline from the mower’s carburetor. But, first you need to find where a mower’s carburetor is located which most people struggle to find.
Refill Fresh Gasoline
Lastly, place the lawn mower on the ground and refill it with fresh and pure gasoline tank. Now, start the machine again. After initial sputtering bouts, it should run smoothly.
How to Drain Gas from a Lawn Mower Without Siphon?
If you do not want to use siphon pumps, here’s how to empty gas from lawn mowers:
Step 1- First and foremost, start the engine. Add fuel stabilizer before cranking it up. Doing this ensures that any leftover fuel in the engine is treated and avoids a breakdown during winters.
Step 2- If you are lucky, you might have a fuel line connecting directly to the carburetor, which is even easy to reach. Grab a container and disconnect the fuel line from the carburetor. You allow the fuel to flow from the tank into the receptacle through the fuel line. Once empty, attach the fuel line to the carburetor once again.
Step 3- Check the air and oil filters along with the oil level.
Step 4 – Alternatively, if you do not have a fuel line or a siphoning pump, try grabbing a turkey baster, putting it into the mower’s tank, and squeezing the bulb for suction. This will cause the baster to fill up with liquid which can now be drained into a receptacle. This could be a little time-consuming, but it is effective nonetheless!
Final Thoughts
Ensure you are always in a well-ventilated area while removing gas from your mower. The carbon dioxide can lead to toxicity and fatal accidents, so air out the area properly before starting to work on draining the gas. Always execute the steps mentioned above outdoors for safety concerns, and make sure you are at a safe distance from gasoline. Wash your hands properly, and ensure there is no leftover gasoline on your body.
We hope this article answered your query about getting old gas out of lawn mowers with and without siphons. Hope it helps!
