As soon as the mowing season ends, you’ll need to prepare your lawn mower for safe storage. Most users siphon fuel lines to empty the mower gas tank. But did you know that you can use a drain tube for this method?
Learn how to drain gas from a lawn mower without a siphon pump through this brief guide by our lawn care professionals.
Step #1: Get all the Necessary Tools and Materials
When preparing to drain gas from the fuel tank, the first tool you should have available at your disposal is an empty drain container that’s gas resistant. Along with this, don’t forget to include a drain tube in your list. If you have a lawn mower supplies store nearby, you can grab the typical plastic tubes or hoses displayed on the shelves.
It also helps if you have an empty can. Should that be an unavailable option, you can opt for a drain pan for collecting old gas from the lawnmower tank. Having a rag or towel could also be sanitary, especially during the actual draining gas operations.
Step #2: Park the Mower in a Safe Spot
Believe it or not, this draining task could end up damaging your fuel tank or the mower’s engine if handled incorrectly. We suggest parking the mower on a flat and stable surface to avoid this disaster from happening.
Step #3: Plug the Plastic Tubes
After you disconnect the spark plug, you need to plug the tubes into the mower tank. This will be the substitute method of siphoning gas. For better visibility of how the fuel runs, the hose must be transparent. Our lawnmower experts urge you to get one longer hose that can reach the bottom of the tank and one shorter tube for air pressure.
While you do this, don’t forget to put the drain container next to the gas tank. If you want a smooth collection of remaining fuel, the empty can must be located lower than the bottom of your tank.
And then, insert your longer tube or hose deep into the tank and get the other end of the long tube placed unto the drain pan. Once that’s done, grab the shorter tube and place it into the gas tank next to the other tube.
The shorter hose must not be submerged into the fuel remaining in the mower. Feeding it a few inches into the tank opening should be enough. Keep in mind that its only purpose is to blow air and make it circulate around the gas tank and fuel line.
You’ll need to create an airflow inside the gas tank, so the fuel caps where the tubes were inserted should be sealed. You can do this by using a wet cloth because this material sticks to the inlet better.
Step #4: Drain the Gas Tank
After setting it up, it’s time to start blowing air and take the too much liquid fuel out of the gas tank. This task can take time when done manually, so we highly suggest using an air pump to make the process faster and easier.
All the openings in the tank and fuel line must be sealed during this procedure. If you’re getting rid of old gas manually, be sure not to inhale the fumes too much as these components could be harmful to your health.
The fuel left in your tank will start to leak out from the hose during this process. You can stop blowing the tubes when the airflow and pressure seem more continuous.
Step #5: Disconnect the Carburetor Connections and Open the Drain Tube
One of the two ways to drain the remaining gas on your mower’s fuel system is by disconnecting the carburetor. To do this, you must remove the fuel line typically located behind the air filter. It may surprise you, but there’s usually leftover fuel in there when you drain the tank without a siphon pump.
Most lawnmowers have a drain plug or rube connected to the carburetor, so we do not doubt that you can easily spot it.
Step #6: Run the Lawnmower
No matter what kind of method you use, it’s normal to have some gas left on the bottom of the tank. So if you want to avoid a bad gasoline situation while your mower is in storage, remove all the tubes you inserted and take the mowing equipment out for a test run.
Safety Tips and Reminders
Tip #1: Drain in a Well-Ventilated Area
Tip #2: Clear the Area From Any Ignition Source
Don’t forget to disconnect the spark plug cables before you start. If you do this task with an active spark plug, you’ll be gambling your safety with unintentional engine ignition that could ultimately result in accidents and injuries [1].
Benefits of Draining Gas From a Lawnmower Without a Siphon
#1: Cleans the Sludge and Grime
#2: Routine Maintenance
Since you’re already prepping for storage, you might check other parts of the mower that need maintenance, like the fuel filter and many more. Trust our mowing professionals when we say that regular maintenance can extend the lifespan of your Cub Cadet XT1 mower.
#3: Fuel Line Inspection
Additional Tasks You Can Do
#1: Check the Fuel Line for Leaks
Any damage to the fuel line is an indication for component replacement, no questions asked. Even though the tubes only have cracks and not yet leaking, it could lead to further damage and undesirable accidents if you start using the mower again.
#2: Check the Fuel and Air Filter for Dirt
#3: Clean the Float Bowl
FAQ
How do you frequently drain gas from a lawnmower?
If you’re storing the lawnmower for more than two months before using the mower for the summer, you must drain its gas tank. Leaving unused gas in the fuel systems isn’t recommended because it can turn bad and lead to damaging other parts of the mower. However, if you have a gas stabilizer, there’s no need to do this.
What happens if I inhale gasoline fumes?
Conclusion
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