Old petrol lawn mowers. Bad Fuel Symptoms

Where to Take Old Lawn Mowers Near Me

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Like it or not, taking care of your lawn involves upgrading to a better machine over time. As you do this, it also means that you have to free up space in the storage.

Getting rid of your old lawnmower may seem the easiest option, but is there a proper way to do it? Here are the steps you can take according to our experts.

How to Get Rid of an Old Lawnmower: 4 Options

#1: Recycle the Old Mower

We all know that most mower parts are made of metal and tough plastic material, so recycling an old machine can be trickier than you think. However, you can easily solve this dilemma if there’s a local recycling store nearby or a Home Depot.

#2:Donate the Old Mower

Another viable option to consider is donating the mower to a local charity. However, our team only recommends this if the unit is still in good condition to be used by people who cannot afford to buy a new one.

You may not know, but some charities and non-profit organizations are open to picking up donated items for free. This way, you wouldn’t need to spend a dime on transportation.

But if that’s not the case, you must find an economical way to transport the mower to the donation center.

Nevertheless, this option is more environmentally-friendly than scrapping the mower altogether.

#3: Sell the Old Mower

The most economical way to get rid of your old lawnmower is to sell it. You’ll have no problem in selling old mower, assuming that the unit is still fully functional and there are no obvious damages.

If you’re well-versed in using the internet, you should know that there are many social networks you can try to sell old stuff [1]. Your options are limitless from eBay, Marketplace, Amazon, and even Craig’s List.

#4: Sell the Parts to a Scrap Dealer

When it comes to disposing of old lawn mowers, the first place that may come to mind is a scrap dealer. This option is suitable if the unit is no longer in good working condition and cannot be donated or sold elsewhere.

Disposing Old Gas and Oil From the Machine

Before choosing any disposal method, removing old gas and oil from the lawnmower is crucial if you intend to donate or sell the unit. Keeping stale gas in the tank for a long time will prevent your mower from functioning properly and damage its parts.

You can opt to take it to the repair shop and have someone drain it for you or handle it yourself by following the below instructions.

How to Drain the Mower Fuel

First, you must have a siphon hose ready at your disposal. It may be better if the hose has an attached hand pump. And then, ensure that the mower’s spark plug is disconnected to avoid sudden ignition before tilting the unit down.

Once the screws are off, carefully remove the blade and set it aside. From there, you can insert the oil sump and remove the fuel cup to start the draining process.

Free Lawn Mower Removal and Disposal Services

Rather than taking care of it single-handedly, entrusting it to companies that can help you recycle properly is the best way to save time and money. However, you can’t possibly leave your mower hanging on the sidewalk and wait for the local garbage disposal service to pick it up. For this, the best way to go is to contact professional garbage disposal companies.

Are old lawn mowers worth anything?

Old lawn mowers are worth something if the unit still works properly and has no obvious damages that may cause problems in the long run. Many people are still interested in buying a used riding lawn mower below 500, for instance, as they are obviously cheaper that new ones. So while it can decrease in value, the owner of these mowers can still sell and profit from them. If you’re not interested in profiting over it, you can also donate it to charity.

Does Home Depot recycle old lawn mowers?

Yes, Home Depot recycles old lawn mowers. Along with the RAQC, they even offer 150 vouchers to users who will choose to recycle and replace their old units at any participating Home Depot outlet. The only condition is it has to be a gas-powered mower replaced with an electric unit.

Bad Fuel Symptoms

You make your way to the garage or shed, ready to tackle the day’s yard work, only to find that your lawn mower won’t start.

Did you know that bad gas is one of the most frequent causes of small engines not starting? Read on to learn about how to diagnose and treat engines affected with bad gas.

How long can gas be stored before it goes bad?

Whether in a gas can or in your mower, gas can go stale and lose its volatility in as little as 30 days. Using Sta-Bil Storage Fuel Stabilizer can increase storage time up to 24 months. Of course, many factors contribute to how long gas can be stored, including storage location, temperature, condition of the fuel container, and more.

What are the symptoms of bad gas?

If your lawn mower is difficult to start, idles roughly, stalls out, or makes a “pinging” sound, you may have a case of “bad gas”. And no, we’re not talking about the after-effects of dinner at your favorite Mexican restaurant.

How can I tell if the gas has gone bad?

The easiest way to diagnose gas is to smell the fuel in question. Oxidized gas has a sour smell and is much stronger smelling than fresh gas. The other method is to drain a sample from your machine’s fuel tank or your gas can into a clear glass container. If the gas is dark in color, it has more than likely gone bad. See the image below for a comparison between the color of fresh gas (Left) to gas that has oxidized (Right) and should not be used in your equipment.

Note the color of fresh gas (Left) compared to gas that has oxidized (Right)

What should I do if my equipment has bad fuel?

The best solution is to drain the gas from your equipment and replace with fresh gas. Remember to properly dispose of the old fuel.

How can bad gas affect my lawn mower?

If fuel was stored in the unit for an extended period, areas such as fuel lines and the metering needle may have become gummed up from the old fuel mixture. As gas ages, hydrocarbons in the fuel mixture evaporate and the remaining fuel becomes tacky or varnish-like. This can cause deposits and blockages in your equipment’s fuel system. In severe cases, professional cleaning of the carburetor and a possible carburetor rebuild are the only cure for this situation.

To verify this condition, remove the spark plug(s). If you can’t smell fuel in the combustion cylinder or see or smell fuel on the bottom of the spark plug, the fuel passageways are likely obstructed. If the carburetor is clogged, the use of spray carburetor cleaner and pressurized air may clear the obstruction. If this fails, then you should contact an experienced engine service center to have the system professionally and thoroughly cleaned.

Get the Parts and Tools You Need to Maintain Your Equipment Here at MTD Parts!

Spark plug wrench or socket tool (common sizes are 5/8, 3/4 and 13/16)

How to Dispose of Old Lawn Mower Gas

Year after year, you faithfully cut your grass with the same old lawn mower. But this year, it’s time for a change. You’ve found a new model that you can’t wait to try out. So what do you do with the old one?

If you’re like most people, you probably just store it in the garage and forget about it. But if your old lawn mower is still running, there’s no need to get rid of it – you can recycle the gas instead.

Let us discuss a few tips on how to dispose of old lawn mower gas properly.

• How to Identify Bad Gasoline in your Lawn Mower
• How to Dispose of Old Lawn Mower Gas
• 1. Mix it with Good Gasoline
• 2. Use Bad Gasoline as Weed Killer
• 3. Burning Bad Gasoline
• 4. Leave the Top Off of the Lawn Mower
• How to Start an Engine that Has Been Exposed to Bad Gasoline
• Will a Lawn Mower Engine Start with Bad Gas?
• Will Octane Booster Help Bad Gas in a Lawn Mower?
• Can You Revive Old Gasoline?
• Author

How to Identify Bad Gasoline in your Lawn Mower

Bad gasoline can cause a lot of damage to your lawn mower. It can make the engine run hot, leading to damage or even a fire. It can also cause the carburetor to become clogged, which will make it difficult for the lawn mower to start.

So how can you tell if the gasoline in your lawn mower is bad? Here is what to look for:

• The gasoline should be a light color, like straw. If it’s darker than that, it might be bad.
• The gasoline should have a strong odor. If it doesn’t smell very strong, it might be bad.
• The gasoline should be free of sediment and water. If there’s sediment or water in the tank, it won’t burn entirely and cause problems.
• If you put the lawn mower out in the sun to get rid of bad gasoline, there shouldn’t be any signs of rust or corrosion on the outside parts of the machine. If you see rust spots, that indicates that the gasoline was bad because it likely contained water, which accelerated the metal corrosion.

The lawn mower should be used regularly. If it’s been stored for a long time and does not run often, that can also indicate bad gasoline because gas will evaporate and clog up the carburetor over time.

It isn’t always easy to identify bad gasoline in your lawn mower. If you’re not sure, consider taking the lawn mower to your local mechanic and asking them to look at it.

How to Dispose of Old Lawn Mower Gas

So what should you do if the gasoline in your old lawn mower is bad?

First, start by draining as much of it as possible from the tank into an approved container, such as a gas can or a plastic milk jug. Then, take the container to a place where you can legally dispose of it.

You can take it to a service station for proper disposal, but make sure to follow their rules and regulations first before doing so.

If you want other alternatives for disposing of old lawn mower gas, consider trying these tips:

Mix it with Good Gasoline

One easy way to get rid of bad gasoline is to mix it with good gasoline. Just pour the bad gasoline into a gas can then add an equal amount of good gasoline.

Shake the can well, then pour it back into the lawn mower tank. This will help dilute the bad gasoline and make it easier for the lawn mower to start.

Use Bad Gasoline as Weed Killer

Another alternative for disposing of bad gasoline is to use it as a weed killer. Just pour the gasoline onto the weeds and let it soak in.

The weeds will die within a few days, and you won’t have to worry about them taking over your garden. Just make sure to wear gloves and goggles while you do this, and follow all safety precautions.

Burning Bad Gasoline

You can burn off bad gasoline by pouring it into the lawn mower’s carburetor and operating the machine until all of the gas is gone. If there are any remaining fuel traces in the engine afterward, just let it sit for ten minutes. The engine should then be clear of any bad gasoline.

Leave the Top Off of the Lawn Mower

Or, better yet, remove it altogether. That’s right, just leave the top of your lawn mower off and let the bad fumes evaporate naturally. Just make sure to put it back on before you try to start the engine again.

How to Start an Engine that Has Been Exposed to Bad Gasoline

If you’ve been storing your lawn mower for a long time and the gasoline has gone bad, the engine will likely be difficult to start. Here are a few tips to help you get it going again:

• Make sure the lawn mower is in a well-ventilated area
• Remove the spark plug wire from the spark plug and attach it to the spark plug cap
• Pour a small amount (1/4 cup) of good gasoline into the fuel tank
• Turn the lawn mower on its side so that the gas can flow into the carburetor
• Once the gas has flowed into the carburetor, turn the lawn mower upright and reattach the spark plug wire to the spark plug
• Turn on the fuel and let it mix for a few seconds before you try starting the mower
• Add more gas, if necessary, then carefully pull the starter cord to start up your lawn mower

Will a Lawn Mower Engine Start with Bad Gas?

A lawn mower engine can start with bad gas, but it will not run well. The engine may stall or not start at all. If you try to start the engine with bad gas, you may also damage the engine.

Will Octane Booster Help Bad Gas in a Lawn Mower?

Octane booster is a fuel additive used to improve gasoline’s performance. It can help to clean out the old gas and restore performance. If you add octane booster to bad gas in a lawn mower, it may help the engine to run better.

Can You Revive Old Gasoline?

Yes, it is possible to revive old gasoline. Reviving old gasoline will not return it to its original condition, but it will be usable in a lawn mower.

You can clean out the old gas by adding an octane booster or another fuel additive. If the gasoline is dirty, you may need to drain it and refill it with fresh gas.

So now you know how to dispose of old lawn mower gas, as well as how to identify bad gasoline.

Be sure to keep this information in mind next time you’re ready to refill your lawn mower tank – and be sure to share it with any friends or family members who also have lawn mowers.

Author

Hi, I’m Ricky. I’ve been involved in lawn care and landscaping from when I was 15. To be honest, I didn’t like the idea of pushing mowers, collecting grass clippings, and maintaining flowerbeds at the time. But having seem the passion my parents had for gardening and outdoors and the effort they put in maintaining the health and beauty of our landscape, I couldn’t help but not only admire their hard work but also I became a part of it. As someone who loves to spend time with nature’s best, I find myself learning a lot more about gardening and outdoors on a daily basis. Not to mention I love to share the knowledge I’ve gathered over the years with my readers at We Mow Dallas. To be clear, I don’t have a Master’s degree in gardening or anything like that. Everything I’ve learned about gardening, landscaping, and lawn care spring from passion and engagement with my parents. And with a ton of free information out there, plus the ability to run tests and determine what works best for lawn care and landscaping, every day is an opportunity to learn and implement something new. My goal with We Mow Dallas is to teach you exactly how to maintain your lawn and landscape. And since I walk the talk in reality, you shouldn’t hesitate to join me in this wonderful world of landscaping and lawn care. View all posts

Lawnmower Won’t Start? Do this.

A lawnmower that won’t start, especially when taken from storage, is almost always due to one problem: bad gas.

Storing a lawnmower in the fall without adding gasoline stabilizer to the fuel tank can cause the fuel to break down and plug the fuel passages. If fixing that problem doesn’t help, there are a few others that can help fix a lawnmower that won’t start, as we explain here.

How to Fix a Lawnmower That Won’t Start

Replace the Bad Gas

Over time (like the six months your lawnmower sat in your garage over the winter), the lighter hydrocarbons in gas can evaporate. This process creates gums and varnish that dirty the carburetor, plug fuel passages and prevent gas from flowing into the combustion chamber.

The carburetor bowl below formed corrosion and deposits during storage, which can easily plug fuel passages and prevent the engine from starting.

Storing equipment without stabilizing the gas can lead to deposits that foul the carburetor or injectors.

Ethanol-containing gas can absorb water from the atmosphere, which can lead to phase separation, which occurs when ethanol and gas separate, much like oil and water. Ethanol that has absorbed enough moisture and has sat long enough can foul the fuel system and prevent the engine from starting.

No matter how many times you yank the pull cord and pollute the air with your advanced vocabulary, the lawnmower won’t start if it’s trying to run on bad gas.

In extreme cases, evaporation of lighter hydrocarbons can change the gasoline’s composition enough to prevent it from igniting. The gas may be fueling the engine, but it doesn’t matter if it won’t ignite.

Bad Gas in Your Lawnmower? Here’s How to Fix It

If you neglected to add gasoline stabilizer to the fuel prior to storage, empty the tank and replace with fresh gas. If the tank is nearly empty, simply topping off with fresh gas is often enough to get it started.

On some mowers, you can easily remove and empty the fuel tank. Sometimes that’s more trouble than it’s worth. In these cases, use a fluid extraction pump or even a turkey baster to remove the bad gas. You don’t need to remove all of it; but try to get as much out as possible.

Clean the Carburetor

You’ve replaced the fuel, but your lawnmower still won’t start.

Next, try cleaning the carburetor. Remove the air filter and spray carburetor cleaner into the intake. Let it sit for several minutes to help loosen and dissolve varnish and gums.

Remove the air filter and spray carburetor cleaner into the intake. Let it sit a few minutes to loosen deposits.

On some carburetors, you can easily remove the float bowl. If equipped, first remove the small drain plug and drain the gas from the bowl. Remove the float bowl cover and spray the float and narrow fuel passages with carburetor cleaner.

This kind of “quick-and-dirty” carburetor cleaning is usually all it takes to get the gas flowing again and your lawnmower back to cutting grass.

If not, consider removing the carburetor from the engine, disassembling it and giving it a good cleaning. Be forewarned, however: taking apart a carburetor can lead to nothing but frustration for the uninitiated. Take pictures with your phone to aid in reassembly. Note the positions of any linkages or the settings of any mixture screws, if equipped. If you’re at all reluctant, visit the servicing dealer instead.

Consider replacing the carburetor altogether. It’s a fairly simple process on most smaller mowers and it’s often less expensive than taking it to the dealer.

Direct compressed air from the inside of the air filter out to remove debris that may be reducing airflow and preventing the lawnmower from starting.

Clean/Replace the Air Filter

With the air filter removed, now’s the perfect time to clean it.

Tap rigid filters on a workbench or the palm of your hand to dislodge grass clippings, leaves and other debris. Direct compressed air from the inside of the filter out to avoid lodging debris deeper into the media.

Use soap and water to wash foam filters. If it’s been a few years, simply replace the filter; they’re inexpensive and mark the only line of defense against wear-causing debris entering your engine and wearing the cylinder and piston rings.

An incorrectly gapped spark plug can prevent the engine from starting. Set the gap to the specification given in the owner’s manual.

Check the Spark Plug

A dirty or bad spark plug may also be to blame. Remove the plug and inspect condition. A spark plug in a properly running four-stroke engine should last for years and never appear oily or burned. If so, replace it.

Use a spark-plug tester to check for spark. If you don’t have one, clip the spark-plug boot onto the plug, hold the plug against the metal cylinder head and slowly pull the starter cord. You should see a strong, blue spark. It helps to test the plug in a darkened garage. Replace the plug if you don’t see a spark or it appears weak.

While you’re at it, check the spark-plug gap and set it to the factory specifications noted in the lawnmower owner’s manual.

If you know the plug is good, but you still don’t have spark, the coil likely has failed and requires replacement.

Did You Hit a Rock or Other Obstacle?

We’ve all killed a lawnmower engine after hitting a rock or big tree root.

If your lawnmower won’t start in this scenario, you probably sheared the flywheel key. It’s a tiny piece of metal that aligns the flywheel correctly to set the proper engine timing. Hitting an immovable obstacle can immediately stop the mower blade (and crankshaft) while the flywheel keeps spinning, shearing the key.

In this case, the engine timing is off and the mower won’t start until you pull the flywheel and replace the key. It’s an easy enough job IF you have a set of gear pullers lying around the garage. If not, rent a set from a parts store (or buy one…there’s never a bad reason to buy a new tool) or visit the dealer.

My Lawnmower Starts But Runs Poorly

If you finally get the lawnmower started, but it runs like a three-legged dog, try cleaning the carburetor with AMSOIL Power Foam. It’s a potent cleaning agent designed to remove performance-robbing carbon, varnish and other gunk from carburetors and engines.

Add Gasoline Stabilizer to Avoid Most of These Problems

Which sounds better? Completing all these steps each year when your lawnmower won’t start? Or pouring a little gasoline stabilizer into your fuel tank?

Simply using a good gasoline stabilizer can help avoid most of the problems with a lawnmower that won’t start.

AMSOIL Gasoline Stabilizer, for example, keeps fuel fresh up to 12 months. It helps prevent the lighter hydrocarbons from evaporating to reduce gum and varnish and keep the fuel flowing. It also contains corrosion inhibitors for additional protection.

I have a five-gallon gas can in my garage from which I fuel two lawnmowers, two chainsaws, two snowblowers, a string trimmer, an ATV and the occasional brush fire. I treat the fuel with Gasoline Stabilizer every time I fill it so I never have to worry about the gas going bad and causing problems.

You can also use AMSOIL Quickshot. It’s designed primarily to clean carburetors and combustion chambers while addressing problems with ethanol. But it also provides short-term gasoline stabilization of up to six months.

Use a Good Motor Oil for Your Lawnmower

Although motor oil has no bearing on whether your lawnmower starts or not (unless you don’t use oil at all and seize the engine), it pays to use a high-quality motor oil in your lawnmower.

This is especially true for professionals or homeowners running expensive zero-turn or riding mowers.

Lawnmower engines are tougher on oil than most people realize. They’re usually air-cooled, which means they run hotter than liquid-cooled automotive engines.

They often run for hours in hot, dirty, wet conditions. Many don’t have an oil filter, further stressing the oil.

In these conditions, motor oils formulated for standard service can break down, leading to harmful deposits and reduced wear protection.

For maximum performance and life, use a motor oil in your lawnmower designed to deliver commercial-grade protection, like AMSOIL Synthetic Small-Engine Oil.

Its long-life formulation has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to safely exceed original equipment manufacturer (OEM) drain intervals in the toughest conditions. It provides an extra measure of protection when equipment goes longer between oil changes than is recommended by the OEM.