So I’m not good with gas powered vehicles. I left oil and some gas (I think) in my lawn mower this past winter thinking it wouldn’t be a big problem.
Well, now it is. It won’t start. I read on another question that I had to drain out the old oil (which is now an ugly gray color) but I don’t know how.
How do you drain it out without turning the mower upside down and shaking it? And is there anything else I need to do to get my mower up and running?
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October 25th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
First pull the spark plug wire off to make it safe. Prop up the mower and look under it for the drain plug.
If the mower will not start I take the plug out and put a teaspoon of gas in the hole, put the plug back and most of the time it will start. Sounds like you need to clean the plug with fine sandpaper or get a new one.
October 25th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
I just turn my mower upside down b/c it’s just a small push mower. If yours is bigger it should have a drain hole somewhere. Check your user manual. If you don’t have it, then look it up online.
October 25th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
there is a drain plug on bottom of engine under deck. sometimes they are hard to get out. make sure mower is level when draining or tilted so hole is lower. there is not tons of oil in it so you don’t need much of a drain pan.
October 25th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
well if it’s a push mower will will have to turn it upside down.I’ve never seen a push mower with bottom drain plug’s
October 25th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
Gray oil would normally indicate water contamination.
Scrape the dried grass from the bottom of the mower deck and make sure there isn’t a drain plug available.
You can also remove the oil with a suction syringe, found at any decent auto parts store.
You can do the same for the fouled gasoline.
Pull the sparkplug and replace. While it’s out, fill the fuel tank with new fuel and pull the starting cord a few times to get the new fuel into the system.
Replace your air filter and fuel filter. Replace your sparkplug, reconnect the lead to the sparkplug and crank the engine.
Doug
October 26th, 2009 at 12:08 am
Under the mower there is a drain plug that is covered by cut grass scrape away cut grass it looks like a bolt,Sometimes it is a hex head socket screw use a allen wrench to loosen.drain oil replace plug fill with new oil do not over fill. changing the oil will not help the starting problem. that is usually a fuel problem put fresh gas in tank . see if that works
October 26th, 2009 at 12:12 am
4 stroke engines have a drain plug either under the mower deck or right at the base. It’s a good idea to change the oil once a season but the grey color is a definite indication to get it done. Don’t turn the machine over.
If you left gas in without stabalizer the fuel system may need cleaning as well.
I’m thinking a local small engine shop will help you out with both.
October 26th, 2009 at 12:14 am
There is a drain plug, just like on your car, on the side of the motor toward the bottom. Take out the plug to drain and then just tilt the mower to help drain it all out.
October 26th, 2009 at 12:20 am
Most push mowers have a square head plug on the underside of the mower Just turn it over and scratch around you will find it. Take the plug out and allow to drain for a few minutes. Then replace the plug and add new oil