Mowing the lawn is a summer tradition, but what do you do if your mower has been hibernating all winter? This blog post will show you how to start mower after winter.
Even if you’re a novice at mowing the lawn, our instructions will make it easy for you to get started. So don’t put it off any longer – read on to find out.
Contents
- How to Start Mower After Winter
- 1. Start the Engine with a String
- 2. Check Carburetor Condition
- 3. Fill Your Gas Tank
- 4. Check the Mower’s Spark Plug
- 5. Change the Air Filter
- 6. Use a Cold Start Oil
- Best maintenance practices for keeping your mower in good condition during winter
- Frequently Asked Questions on Starting a Mower After Winter
- What Happens If You Leave Gas in the Lawn Mower Over Winter?
- Why Won’t My Mower Start When It’s Cold?
- How Long Can Gas Sit in Mower?
- Author
How to Start Mower After Winter
1. Start the Engine with a String
If you’ve tried to start your mower and it still doesn’t work, try starting it with a string.
Take some twine or dental floss and attach one end of it to the spark plug wire.
Attach the other end of the cord to a screwdriver handle or any similar object that will jump-start the mower.
With the string attached, turn the lawn mower so that it’s facing away from you.
Put your foot on the right side of the lawnmower deck and pull the cord as hard as you can to start it. If this doesn’t work, try it again, only pull harder.
2. Check Carburetor Condition
One of the most important things you can do to start your mower after winter is to check the condition of the carburetor.
If the carburetor is dirty or clogged, it won’t be easy to start the engine. So take some time to clean it off and ensure it’s in good working order.
If you’re not sure how to clean the carburetor, there are plenty of online tutorials that can walk you through the process. Or you can take your mower to a local mechanic and have them do it for you.
Once the carburetor is clean and in good working order, it’s time to start the engine.
3. Fill Your Gas Tank
Most lawn mowers need about one gallon of gasoline to start. If your tank is low, fill it up with gas and try starting the engine again.
A few things could be causing your mower to malfunction, but if you’ve tried cleaning the carburetor and starting the engine with a string without success, then maybe your mower needs a new starter.
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4. Check the Mower’s Spark Plug
A lawn mower can have problems starting for many reasons, but none of them are more frustrating than a bad spark plug.
A new spark plug can be expensive, so try to carefully remove and inspect yours before going out to buy a replacement.
If there is dirt or grease on the spark plug, replace it.
5. Change the Air Filter
In most cases, a dirty air filter is why your mower won’t start. Replacing or cleaning an air filter can be difficult and messy if you don’t know what you’re doing.
If you’ve tried replacing the battery and still nothing works, it might be time to bring your mower to a mechanic and ask them to replace the air filter for you.
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6. Use a Cold Start Oil
Lastly, you can use a cold start oil to get your mower started. Buy a bottle of cold start oil at your local store and pour it into the fuel tank while the engine is running.
This should lubricate the cylinder to run smoothly and start the lawn mower.
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Best maintenance practices for keeping your mower in good condition during winter
Keeping your lawn mower in good working order during the winter months is crucial to getting it started again come springtime.
Here are the best maintenance practices for keeping your mower in good condition during the cold months of winter:
- Keep your mower in a warm and dry location. This will keep it from rusting and keep moisture out of the carburetor, which can make it harder to start come springtime.
- Once or twice a month wipe down all of the metal parts on your lawn mower. This will prevent corrosion and keep dust and dirt from sticking and gumming up small parts so that they work much better when you try to start your mower.
- Once a month, check the spark plug for any excess debris or loose wires so that it can run smoothly come springtime.
- Once or twice a month, check the oil and put in new oil if it needs it to prevent rust and corrosion from damaging your engine.
- Remove any dead leaves or grass that have gotten stuck under the mower’s deck so that moisture won’t damage your lawnmower during the cold winter months. Replacing or cleaning an air filter can be difficult and messy if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Frequently Asked Questions on Starting a Mower After Winter
What Happens If You Leave Gas in the Lawn Mower Over Winter?
Leaving gas in your lawn mower over winter can cause several problems.
First of all, the gas will start to break down and form gum and varnish, which will clog the carburetor and make it harder for your mower to start in the spring.
Additionally, if you leave gas in your mower over winter, it will start to rust.
Rust can damage your lawnmower engine, so it’s essential to remove the gas tank and clean it out before storing your mower for the winter.
Also read: Lawn mower battery storage during winter
Why Won’t My Mower Start When It’s Cold?
If you live in a climate that gets cold during the winter, your mower may have trouble starting when it’s cold outside.
Most modern lawnmowers have an electric starter that turns the engine over. If your mower doesn’t start when it’s cold outside, check to ensure that your battery is fully charged.
You can also spray a little bit of dry gas into the carburetor to help it start more easily.
How Long Can Gas Sit in Mower?
Fuel in your lawnmower can last anywhere from one month to three months, depending on the type of gas you’re using.
If you’re using gas that has ethanol or any other chemicals mixed in with it, the shelf life of the fuel will be shorter.
Pure gasoline can sit longer without breaking down, so it’s best to use this type of gas if you want your mower to start in the springtime.
Now that you know how to start mower after winter, it’s time to get out there and cut the grass!
Make sure to follow all of the safety precautions we outlined in this post, and enjoy your well-maintained lawn.
Have any questions or need help? Leave a comment below, and we’ll be happy to assist.
