Regan Brown
A fuel tank is designed to keep your engine's fuel clean, vented, and secure. However, debris, water, or stale gas can sometimes find its way into the fuel tank of your lawnmower, causing the engine to sputter or fail to start. To clean out your lawnmower's fuel tank, you'll need to drain the tank, clean it, and then refill it with fresh fuel. This process can be done in several ways, including using a turkey baster, a water hose, or carburetor cleaner.
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What You'll Learn
Drain the gas tank
To drain the gas tank, start by removing the gas line from the carburetor. Then, take off the gas cap to speed up the draining process. If your mower has a fuel filter, you can remove it and secure it away from the plug. Disconnect the battery by first removing the negative lead, then the positive. Seal the fuel line where it attaches to the carburetor using a fuel line clamp or another smooth-faced clamp. Now, disconnect the line from the carburetor and the vent line, if your mower has one, holding the line over a bucket or fuel can as you release the clamp. Dispose of the fuel safely.
Once the tank is empty, check for debris and signs of damage, such as holes or cracks, with a flashlight. You can use a baster to remove loose debris. If your tank has a large gas cap, you may be able to reach inside with a rag and wipe it clean. Alternatively, you can use "cotton swap forceps" to wipe away any debris. If your tank is too small for you to reach inside, you can try blowing it out with air, or using denatured alcohol to swish around and dump out.
If you're replacing the fuel tank, use parts recommended by the engine manufacturer. Older model fuel tanks use a vented gas cap to prevent a vacuum or pressure from forming in the fuel system, while modern fuel tanks have a charcoal filter or charcoal venting system. If your fuel is leaking from the cap, a properly fitted replacement cap may solve the problem.
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Remove debris with water hose or rag
If your fuel tank has debris in it, it's time for fuel tank maintenance. Fuel and its vapours are extremely flammable and explosive, so always handle fuel with extreme care.
Before you start, make sure you have drained the tank. If your tank has a lot of sediment and dirt in it, you could disconnect the fuel line from the bottom of the tank and run a water hose through it to wash out the debris. However, it is important to ensure that the tank is 100% dry before refilling.
Alternatively, you could try draining the tank and getting someone with small hands to reach inside with a rag and wipe it clean. This method can be more straightforward than removing the tank. If you do decide to remove the tank, you could blow it out with air, or swish some denatured alcohol around inside, before trying air again.
Once your tank is clean, reattach the fuel line to the carburettor and then to the gas tank. Add fresh fuel to the tank and put the spark plug back in place. Start your engine—it should roar to life.
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Reattach fuel line and add fresh fuel
Once you've drained and cleaned your fuel tank, it's time to reattach the fuel line and add fresh fuel. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:
Reattaching the Fuel Line:
- Ensure the fuel tank is thoroughly cleaned and dried.
- Reconnect the fuel line to the carburetor. This is usually done by reversing the steps you took to disconnect it.
- Securely attach the fuel line to the fuel tank. Refer to your lawn mower's manual for specific instructions regarding the fuel tank and line attachment.
Adding Fresh Fuel:
- Purchase fresh fuel with an octane rating of 92 or higher. It's best to buy fuel in smaller quantities to ensure its quality.
- Add the fresh fuel to the tank. Be sure to fill it to the appropriate level, as indicated in your mower's manual.
- Before starting the engine, ensure that all connections are secure and that there are no signs of fuel leaks.
Starting the Engine:
- Put the spark plug back in place if you had removed it earlier.
- Start the engine. If it has been well-maintained and properly cleaned, it should roar to life.
- If the engine doesn't start, there may be other issues. Consider cleaning or replacing the air filter, or consult a professional for further troubleshooting.
Remember, always exercise extreme caution when handling fuel. Refer to your lawn mower's manual for detailed instructions specific to your machine, and always allow sufficient time for the fuel tank to dry before adding fresh fuel.
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Check for damage and replace parts
Once you have drained your fuel tank and cleaned it, it's time to check for damage and replace any parts that need it.
Firstly, check for debris and beads of light inside the tank that indicate holes or cracks. You can use a flashlight to do this. If you spot any holes or cracks, you will need to replace the fuel tank. It is important to note that you should never attempt to repair a damaged tank, as it may cause leakage, fire, or fuel contamination. If you are replacing the tank, use parts recommended by the engine manufacturer. These parts will attach securely to your engine in the space provided.
If your fuel tank is not damaged, you should still consider replacing the fuel line and filter, using original manufacturer's equipment. You can find the service part numbers for the fuel tank in the small engine manual. Typically, you will need the complete model number and type number to look up the correct parts for your engine.
If your fuel filter is located inside the tank, it cannot be replaced. Consult your local dealers on how to service in-tank filters. If the filter is located outside the tank, you can replace it yourself.
If your fuel tank is clean and intact, and you have replaced any necessary parts, you can reattach the fuel tank or install a new one, fastening it firmly with the cap screws.
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Preventative measures for the future
To prevent debris and dirt from building up in your lawnmower's fuel tank, it is advisable to buy gas in smaller quantities to ensure you are always using good-quality gas. The longer gas sits, the more it degrades. Buy just enough to last two to four weeks. If you're going on an extended vacation, consider adding a fuel stabilizer to keep things healthy.
Regularly letting your mower run out of fuel can also help prevent fuel degradation. Throw open the throttle while mowing so you use all the fuel up before putting the mower away. Doing this every month or so will ensure you never let the gas get stale in your tank. Stale gas degrades rubber lines and causes the inside of your tank to rust, generating debris that damages carburetors and other engine parts.
To prevent water contamination, always store your fuel in a dry place and ensure the cap is securely fastened. If your fuel is contaminated with water, it can wash oil away from the cylinder and rings, and dry out gaskets and diaphragms, causing engine problems.
If you are mechanically inclined, you can save yourself a trip to the repair shop by cleaning and rebuilding the carburetor. You can also clean the gas line and the gas tank by removing the gas line from the carburetor, draining the gas tank into a can, taking the bowl of the carburetor off and draining it, and then using fresh gas to rinse the tank.
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Frequently asked questions
If you spot debris in the gas tank or leaking gasoline, it's time for fuel tank maintenance.
First, drain the gas tank. Then, use a flashlight to check for debris and holes or cracks. Use a baster to remove loose debris. Rinse the tank by adding a cup of fresh gas to the tank, close it, and agitate the lawnmower so the gas sloshes around to fully rinse the tank. Drain this gas into a fuel caddy and dispose of it at a fuel recycling station.
Buy gas in smaller quantities to ensure you're always using good-quality gas in your lawnmower. The longer gas sits, the more it degrades. If you're going to let your mower sit for an extended period, consider adding fuel stabilizer to keep things healthy.
Fuel tanks are designed to keep your engine's fuel clean, vented, and secure. Never attempt to repair a damaged tank as it poses a risk of leakage, fire, or fuel contamination. If you're replacing a fuel tank, use only parts recommended by the engine manufacturer.
