What Happens When You Leave Your Lawn Mower Outside?
Updated: Sep 10
Effective lawn mower maintenance involves more than simply changing the oil and sharpening the blade. It includes routine practices that, when consistently applied, will prolong the life of your machine. This article will outline various lawn mower maintenance tips you can implement to keep your equipment in optimal condition. Additionally, we will discuss what happens when you choose to leave your lawn mower outside.
Avoid leaving your lawn mower exposed to the elements for extended periods. Most gas caps feature a vent hole, and if water enters the gas tank, it can lead to tank corrosion and contaminate your fuel supply. This contamination can cause 'phase separation,' where the ethanol in the fuel absorbs water, resulting in layers of gas and water. Such water contamination can lead to hard starting, failure to start, running issues, and even potential engine damage. By keeping your lawn mower protected from heavy rain, you can prevent water contamination.
Leaving lawn mowers outside can lead to corrosion and seizing of the cables used for the blade engagement bail. These cables consist of metal encased in rubber. If they seize, they often need to be replaced, as they are frequently beyond repair.
Give Your Mower the Protection It Deserves
Leaving your lawn mower outside can expose it to moisture, dirt, temperature changes, and other conditions that can lead to rust, corrosion, engine problems, and premature wear.
But proper storage is just one part of keeping your mower running reliably.
Want to protect your mower and extend its life? The Ultimate Lawn Mower Maintenance Guide gives you practical advice on maintenance, seasonal care, storage, troubleshooting, and more—all in one easy-to-follow resource.
Get The Ultimate Lawn Mower Maintenance Guide today and give your mower the care it needs to keep running season after season.
Avoid mowing wet grass. Wet grass can lead to grass clippings and dirt sticking to the underside of your mower. If this buildup is left for too long, it can result in through-rot. If your lawn mower deck has any holes, you must replace the deck before using it. Rocks, stones, and other debris can be ejected through these holes! Deck replacement is often not cost-effective, and a new replacement unit is typically recommended. Prevent this issue by using a wire brush or putty knife to carefully remove grass clippings and dirt after mowing dry grass. Ensure you tip the lawn mower correctly as described here: How to Properly Tilt Your Lawn Mower On Its Side: You're Probably Doing It Wrong! Before doing this, disconnect the spark plug wire and be cautious of any spilled gas from a full gas tank.
It's also crucial to clean beneath your engine cover, where you'll find a flywheel functioning as a cooling fan. Small engines are known as "air-cooled" engines for this reason. Unlike your vehicle, which uses coolant for water-cooling, small engines like your lawn mower, depend on the free flow of air over essential engine parts, such as the cylinder head cooling fins, to disperse heat. Neglecting to keep these areas clean can lead to an overheated engine, causing it to wear out quickly and significantly reducing its lifespan.
Engine maintenance involves both the regular replacement of preventive maintenance parts and strategic cleanliness. By keeping your mower clean in important areas, you enhance its efficiency and extend its lifespan significantly!
Never the Norm!
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