You should prepare your lawn mower for winter storage by cleaning it thoroughly, replacing essential parts like the spark plug and filters, changing the oil, and adding fuel stabilizer before putting it away. Neglecting these simple maintenance steps can lead to engine failure, rust, and expensive repairs when spring arrives. Proper off-season care not only extends your mower’s lifespan but also ensures it runs efficiently next season. In this article, we’ll break down 11 expert-recommended steps from RepairClinic.com for cleaning, lubricating, and inspecting your mower so you can store it safely and start it with confidence next year.
1. Read the lawn mower owner’s manual.
2. Clean the deck and undercarriage.
A hose, putty knife and car wash detergent are sufficient tools for clearing grass and debris from the deck and undercarriage. Clean it down to the painted metal.
3. Degrease.
Spray a degreaser on oil stains. Allow the degreaser to sit for 10-15 minutes before wiping with a clean cloth. Rinse with a hose.
4. Check the blade and replace, if needed.
Look for bends, dents and other damage to the blade. To prevent risk of injury, the blade should be replaced right away if any damage is found. Also, a sharp blade is important to a proper cut. Dull blades tear the grass, rather than cut cleanly. A blade should be sharpened every season and replaced every one to three years, depending on usage. A universal blade is not recommended, due to safety issues related to the metal used and problems with proper mounting. Only the blade recommended by the manufacturer should be used.
5. Clean the fuel cap.
Use a paintbrush to brush away particles and buildup on the fuel cap. Before closing the fuel cap, inspect blockage and replace it if there’s blockage.
6. Replace the spark plug.
“A spark plug should be replaced at least one per season, even if it appears to be working fine,” said Linderman. “People don’t realize how important the small spark plug is to the efficient operation of mowers.”
Over time, a spark plug’s performance will degrade due to carbon build-up and a weakened electrode. This degrades engine performance and requires the engine to use more fuel. Spark plugs are sold pre-gapped so installation is simple. Only the engine manufacturer’s recommended spark plug should be used, as using an alternative model can cause damage to the engine.
7. Spray lubricant on any bare metal undercarriage parts to prevent rusting.
8. Clean or replace the air filter.
Air filters prevent debris and dust from entering the lawn mower’s carburetor and engine. Foam filters may be cleaned with water and a small amount of detergent, but there is high risk of tearing. Pleated, paper air filters are known to deteriorate quickly so replacement is recommended.
9. Replace the fuel filter.
There is high risk of damage to fuel filters if cleaned so replacement is recommended.
10. Replace the oil.
“Engine oil should be replaced at least once per season or every 25 hours of use,” said Linderman. “Like vehicle engine oil, it should be golden or amber in color when you check it. It darkens with use, due to carbon from combustion of the fuel.”
Check the mower owner’s manual for the recommended way to handle oil replacement. Most small engine repair shops and auto parts stores have a free recycling program for used oil.
11. Add fuel stabilizer.
Add fuel stabilizer to fresh fuel to prevent carburetor build up or clogging. Follow the owner’s manual for instructions on leaving fuel in the engine during storage, as this varies by manufacturer.
RepairClinic.com has fuel filters, air filters, tune-up kits, oil, fuel stabilizers, blades and many more replacement parts and maintenance products.
RepairClinic.com’s free online, advanced troubleshooting and repair help system empowers do-it-yourselfers to fix common problems associated with outdoor power equipment, home appliances and heating and cooling equipment. DIYers can enter a model number to choose from a list of common symptoms for that particular model, troubleshoot and watch expertly-produced videos to learn the most likely causes and conditions and purchase the correct part.
###
RepairClinic.com® makes fixing things easy for millions of people. Founded in 1999, it’s North America’s trusted online store with replacement parts for outdoor power equipment, major household appliances and heating and cooling equipment. Free repair resources including more than 1,300 how-to videos empower people to fix stuff on their own. One million parts for 160 brands are stocked at its 86,000-square-foot facility in Canton, Michigan. Thousands of orders are shipped daily. Do-it-yourselfers appreciate its generous, no-hassle 365 Days. Period.® return policy. In-stock parts are guaranteed to ship the same business day. Visit RepairClinic.com for more information. Contact Jody Lamb, Public Relations Manager, at JLamb [at] RepairClinic.com.
All quotes from this release may be attributed to Jeff Linderman, RepairClinic.com’s landscaping and outdoor power equipment specialist.
Learn something from this post? Please share this! Click on the social share icons to the left. Thank you!
Comments are closed.