How to Properly Winterize Your Lawn Mower for Storage

Learning how to properly winterize your lawn mower for extended storage periods can prevent starting issues, come next spring. If you are located in an area that experiences a lengthy winter season, paying close attention to how you store your lawn mower, and adhering to some of the simple guidelines provided below, can pay dividends, when the time comes to fire it up at the start of the next cutting season. As we've mentioned before in previous posts, the majority of small engine repair calls stem from the improper storage and use of gasoline. Being aware of this, you can avoid the many avoidable pitfalls that neglecting this fact can bring, saving you both time and money.

Always store your lawn mower indoors, in a dry, clean place

Managing your Gasoline

By properly managing your fuel, you can avoid many, if not most, of the common lawn mower starting issues many experience

Despite the convenience of buying gasoline in bulk, and storing it in a safety-approved container in your garage, doing so can bring about many lawn mower maintenance headaches. A large quantity of gas stored in your garage over the summer season, begins to break down at an accelerated rate, due to the heat of the summer months. Furthermore, gasoline sold at the pump contains ethanol. When this gasoline is left in your lawn mower's fuel tank, for longer than 30 days, it begins to form something like a varnish build up, that begins to clog up vital openings in the fuel tank, fuel line and within your lawn mower's carburetor. It also undergoes what is known as 'phase separation,' where water that accumulates in the gas tank, whether that be from condensation, or outside contamination, essentially forms layers of water within the gasoline. If your lawn mower manages to start in this condition, it will not run properly. Avoid the majority of small engine and lawn mower running issues by buying and storing just enough gas that will be consumed within two mowing sessions. Furthermore, anticipate when your last mowing session will be and run the machine dry of fuel during this last mowing session. If this is not sensible in your situation, look to add a fuel stabilizer to your fuel. If you plan on following the remaining steps that involve tipping the unit, look to place plastic wrap under the fuel fill cap before closing the cap to prevent potential spillage of gasoline out of the fuel tank.

Drain the Lawn Mower's Crankcase of Engine Oil

Now that your lawn mower's oil is sufficiently warmed up to operating temperature after your last mow of the season, look to drain the lawn mower of engine oil by either removing the drain plug underneath the engine or simply tilting the machine and draining the engine oil out of the oil dipstick tube, into a oil safe receptacle. If you anticipate your hands coming near the cutting blade, look to disconnect the spark plug wire to prevent accidental start up in an unsafe position. Use local, environmentally safe methods for proper disposal of used engine oil in your area. Look to place a label on the unit saying "No Oil" to prevent accidental start up in a potentially engine-damaging no oil condition, next season.

Clean the Grass Catcher and Mower

If your lawn mower is equipped with a grass catcher bag, clean it of any grass clippings and hang it in a dry location. Next, clean the mower of grass cuttings, dirt and mud. If necessary, look to remove the engine cover to clean off the flywheel's cooling fins and engine cylinder head's cooling fins. Although this is a good preventive maintenance practice to do throughout the entire cutting season, it is a good habit to end the season with an inspection of this area as well. Look to clean underneath the deck of grass buildup and clippings. Use a small putty knife, and be careful not to gouge the metal underside. Apply some grease onto the cutting blade to prevent the formation of rust.

Lubricating Engine Internals

Remove the spark plug from the cylinder head using an appropriate spark plug socket. Look inside spark plug hole to determine that the piston is at the bottom of its travel. Squirt several drops of clean engine oil into the spark plug hole using an oil can, then slowly pull the start rope to distribute this oil on the cylinder walls, and piston. Next, reinstall the spark plug, first by hand, then using an appropriate spark plug socket and ratchet. Torque to spec. as outlined in the engine service manual. Do not over tighten. Keep the spark plug wire disconnected from the spark plug, (remember to reconnect this wire lead when planning to use the machine, come next season.) Next, using the pull rope, pull the handle until resistance is felt, then pull slightly past this point to close valves, effectively sealing the engine and preventing moisture from entering these entry points.

Lubricating Control Cables

Spray some silicone based lubricant (as it does not attract dirt) into the control cable opening and work this lubricant throughout the wire by engaging the bar or handles. This prevents the metal cables from seizing. These cables cannot be repaired, only replaced, in the event of complete seizure.

Look to spray silicone based lubricant into the areas highlighted with the green arrows

Setting Operator Controls for Storage

If mower is equipped, turn throttle lever to off, and close the choke. This aids in sealing the carburetor and engine intake for storage.

Proper Storage Location for Your Lawn Mower

Always look to store your lawn mower in a clean, dry place, out of the elements.

Never the Norm!

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