It is a good idea to take some time to clean the inside of your lawn mower gas tank often. This will prevent it from getting old and cracking, can help you to know when it is time to replace the tank, and can keep all the debris and everything else out of it that may stop the system from working the way that you would like.
Cleaning the inside of the lawn mower gas tank just includes letting the gas out, cleaning out the debris, and replacing any of the parts if they look like they are falling apart or they have some cracks inside. When the parts are either cleaned out or replaced, it is then easy to fill the gas tank back up and get to mowing your yard in no time.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the steps you can take to help clean the inside of your lawn mower gas tank to prevent issues later on and to ensure you can keep mowing your yard when you would like.
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How to Clean a Gas Tank in the Lawn Mower
It is important to finish proper maintenance in your lawn mower often. This will help keep it clean and clear and can prevent some of the other potential issues that will show up along the way. Many people worry that cleaning out the gas tank in the lawn mower will be tough. But with these simple steps, you can get it done in no time while keeping your lawn mower in the best shape:
Step 1:
To start this process, you will need to remove the spark plug lead. Make sure that you secure it somewhere away from the plug. When that is done safely, you will need to disconnect the battery (if the lawn mower comes with one), by removing the negative lead first and then the positive one so it is no longer attached to the lawn mower that you would like to clean out. You do not want these sparks anywhere near the gas when you do the work through the other steps so make sure it is all unplugged before you start.
Step 2:
With the spark plug and the battery put safely away from the lawn mower, it is time to move on. You can use something like a fuel line clamp to help seal off the fuel line. You need to do this at the exact spot that it connects over to the carburetor. With this securely in place, you can disconnect the line away from the carburetor, holding the line over a bucket or some other kind of container before releasing the clamp. You can then dispose of all fuel in a manner that is safe.
Step 3:
It may take a few minutes for the fuel tank to empty. This will depend on how much fuel is in the tank to start with and how big the tank is. When you are certain that the tank is empty, you can grab a flashlight and do a little bit of investigating. You can look for beads of light or debris that will indicate there are some cracks or holes in the fuel tank.
For some of the loose debris, you should use something like a baster to help remove it. You need to get rid of as much of the debris as possible to help clean out the area and prevent issues with it later. And if you find that there is some damage, it may be time to make a replacement. Only replace the tank with some of the original manufacturer’s equipment to ensure that it fits with your lawn mower well.
Step 4:
It is important to inspect all parts of the fuel tank to make sure you get it all cleaned out. This includes checking the fuel filter for deposits and for debris to make sure that it is all removed and that nothing can get stuck in the fuel later. If you clean out the tank but forget the fuel filter, you will be right back at the starting point later on.
Step 5:
Once it is all cleaned up, it is time for you to put it all back together. You can reattach the fuel tank if it is still in a good condition. If there was a lot of damage to the original one, then it is time to install a new tank. Make sure that the cap screws are fastened onto it well so you do not get a big mess later because it can’t hold onto the fuel.
If you do decide to replace the fuel tank at this time, then you may want to consider replacing a few of the other parts as well. This will help make sure the whole lawn mower is in good working order and you do not need to fix it later. Consider replacing the fuel filter and the fuel line if they are starting to look a little worn down or bad in the process.
Note: If you do end up making some replacements when you do the work on your fuel tank, you need to be careful about which parts are going to work with your lawn mower. Not all parts will work on all lawn mowers. You can make sure that you get the right parts of fuel tank with the help of your owner’s manual. It can give you the exact part number to make it easier when doing a search. You can also ask a professional to help you make sure you get the right one for your machine.
Reasons to Clean the Fuel Tank
There are several reasons why you may want to consider cleaning out the fuel tank. While many homeowners may assume that it is not necessary and they will not take a lot of time to do this on a regular basis, it is an important part of maintaining your lawn mower over time. Some of the reasons why you should consider cleaning the fuel tank includes:
- Helps the lawn mower be more efficient.
- Clears out the debris that gets inside.
- Allows for new gas to get inside.
- Makes it easy to see when something needs to be replaced inside
It does not take too long to clean out the fuel tank, but it can make a big difference to how well your whole lawn mower is going to work when you need to mow your grass.
When to Clean the Fuel Tank
It is important to take care of your fuel tank and ensure that it looks as good as possible. Over time, old gas and debris that fall inside can start to gunk things up and can make a mess. It may even limit how well the lawn mower is able to work because the gas is not able to get through.
When you are worried that the fuel tank is dirty and needs a little bit of repair, take some time to go through the different steps above to get the tank cleaned and to help you keep your lawn mower safe.
