How to Clean a Lawn Mower Gas Tank: Top 15 Tips

Need to boost your lawn mower’s performance? A clean gas tank can make a big difference. Our 15 expert tips will guide you through cleaning, helping you achieve optimal performance.

How to clean a lawnmower gas tank:

Drain old gas. Rinse the tank with fresh gas, shaking to clean the inside thoroughly. Replace the spark plug, fuel filter, and line. Regular cleaning improves efficiency, reduces emissions, and extends lawnmower engine life significantly.

Are you eager to boost your lawn mower’s performance? A clean gas tank can make a big difference. Our guide offers 15 expert tips to help you clean your gas tank. Let’s start and help your engine run more efficiently and last longer.

Steps To Clean a Lawnmower Gas Tank:

For your lawnmower to work smoothly, follow these steps to clean it yourself without calling in a professional. We have broken down the steps into simple and user-friendly instructions.

● Step 1. Examining the spark plug:

One of the most essential and core components of a gas tank is the spark plug. A spark plug serves the vital purpose of igniting the air-fuel mixture during combustion to keep your engine running.

The plug has two leads that create an electric arc, eventually producing the spark. Over time, carbon buildup can affect spark creation. Moreover, the electrode can also weaken due to wear and tear.

– Inspection of the spark plug:

Inspecting the plug for damage or wear and tear should help you check whether the component works. You should check for a considerable carbon buildup or any broken electrode.

– Ignition tester:

An ignition tester can check if the plug produces the spark. The tester’s terminals will show a vital spark, indicating that the component works correctly. No spark means that the plug is defective and must be replaced.

– Replacing the plug:

You cannot repair a defective spark plug. New spark plugs are not expensive and can make a considerable difference in functioning. As a general guideline, you should refurbish your spark plug every once a year.

This is just an additional preventive measure – by chance; some vapors remain sufficient to start the engine and rotate the blade when you’re cleaning the lawnmower as the tank. Do not clean the mower with the attached spark plug.

● Step 2. Drain the tank:

Before you get cracking, get ready with the gas container. Now, detach the fuel line attached to the carburetor. Put the gas container below the tank and drain the gas out.

When the tank is empty, use the flashlight to check for debris and beads of light that will show cracks or holes.

Use a baster to remove slack debris. If you find damage, substitute or replace the tank with the original manufacturer’s equipment.

● Step 3. Clean the carburetor:

The carburetor is a crucial component responsible for providing the correct air-fuel mixture and leading up to the combustion chamber. The clogging can cause the pipes to thin down, providing insufficient fuel. In extreme cases, the engine power drastically reduces and makes a gurgling noise.

– Steps to clean the carburetor: 

• Step 1: Remove the outer casing of the engine.
• Step 2: Check Air Filters and their housing.
• Step 3: Unbolt the carburetor and remove it from the fuel line.
• Step 4: Unbolt the bowl and clean the nuts.
• Step 5: Replace the central gasket.
• Step 6: Replace the needle.
• Step 7: Check All Connections.
• Step 8: Use Carburetor Cleaner.
• Step 9: Reassemble and reattach.

This video will give you an insight on how to follow the above steps:

– Preventive maintenance:

It is wise to do preventive maintenance to enhance your lawnmower’s lifetime and ensure your machine starts without problems.

Fresh fuel:

To ensure better performance and effectiveness of the carburetor, it is recommended that you should always use new gas for your mower. Gas will go bad after a few months.

Fuel stabilizer:

We also recommend adding a fuel stabilizer to the fuel tank if you plan not to use it for some time so that its quality does not deteriorate.

Carburetor cleaner:

Carefully spray carb cleaner into the intake hole from where the fuel goes into the carburetor. Spray the cleaner into the outtake hole and spray thoroughly in the inner part of the tank.

With all the grass, twigs, and debris, the need for the hour is to use a carburetor cleaner to clear out all the deposits within the carburetor, as these deposits can congest the passage of air and fuel and decrease the efficiency, thus stopping the engine altogether.

Carburetor repair kit:

You can also purchase a carburetor repair kit to help you repair and replace the defective parts.

● Step 4. Rinse the tank:

Never use water to wash the tank. Residual water can be an issue for fuel carburetors or injectors. As an alternative, rinse the tank with a small amount of gas. Now close the tank and shake it well so that gas can clean the inside of the tank thoroughly. Draw off this used gas into the old gas can.

This consumed gas could not be utilized in other operational engines because this used gas will clog or damage them. Discard all old and unused fuel safely.

● Step 5. Examine the fuel filter for dust and deposits:

The oil or fuel filter is the final shield before the fuel enters the combustion process. As the name suggests, the filter stops impurities, dirt, and harmful objects like insects and residues and lets only the fuel pass.

If lousy fuel comes in contact, it may cause the filter to get clogged up and lose functionality way before its everyday life. In all this, the engine action gets rough and causes cranking issues.

• Clean fuel: Using clean fuel with fuel stabilizers is always preferable when the pressure has to be used. Extra fuel in the tank will always cause problems.
• Replacement: Like all filters, fuel filters should be replaced annually unless the black residue is visible to the naked eye.

● Step 6. Reattach the fuel tank:

Reaffix an old fuel tank or mount a new one, fasten it vigorously with the cap screws. Now, it is good to change the filter and fuel line. Don’t ever try to overhaul an impaired tank.

It is vulnerable to leaks, fuel contamination, or fire. Many tanks use a vented gas cap to maintain the pressure difference between the environment and the fuel system. If the fuel leaks, a duly fitted backup cap can resolve the issue.

Additional Precautionary measures:

Before starting, operating, or servicing your engine, always read the engine and equipment manual or equipment to prevent property damage or personal injury.

• Fuel and the fumes of fuel are exceptionally explosive and flammable. Try to handle fuel with care.
• Fuel tanks should be made of corrosion-resistant material or glazed with a corrosion-resilient substance to withstand the harmful effects of alcohol, water, or salt. The tank should be replaced if it is damaged or corrupted. Use only the parts the engine manufacturer recommends if you are attempting to change the tank.
• Some engines, like those used on walk-behind mowers, use a fuel filter inside the fuel outlet tank. These cannot be replaced – consult your local dealers on how to service in-tank filters. A filter may also be outside the tank, midway along the fuel line.

Frequently asked questions:

1. How do you flush out a gas tank?

Remove the fuel pump from the tank (prevent residual debris from falling into the tank). Put the hose into the fuel tank and pour a clean, hot water stream. When the water is being filled, spray mild detergent in the tank. If opening permits, use a brush to remove debris from the sides of the tank.

2. How do you clean a metal gas tank?

A suitable cleaning solvent is acetone because of its affinity to vaporize quickly. The cleaner will help clean the interior of the tank free of anything that would stick. Close the tank cap, then thoroughly agitate it before pouring the solvent.

Steps to follow:

• Step 1: Draw off any gas inside the tank into a container that is safe to use.
• Step 2: Detach the fuel lines running from the tank to the engine.
• Step 3: Remove the fuel source from the top of the tank by rotating it anticlockwise until it breaks free.
• Step 4: Wash the tank with a garden hose.
• Step 5: Put on rubber gloves and eye protection.

3. How do you keep a gas tank from rusting after cleaning?

After that, you acid clean it, rinse it with baking soda water mixture, then use soap water for final cleansing, then put a little diesel fuel and splash it around; the fuel will coat the inside of the tank and prevent it from flash rusting, then as you pass gas through it. It will create a light, oily coating.

4. How do you get rust out of a metal gas tank?

Vinegar contains acetic acid that is used to clean corrosion. This can be done by filling the tank with water and then draining that. Next, plug the hole and fill the tank with the vinegar, leaving it for a night to dissolve and soften the rust.

Remarks

In the future, consider buying smaller quantities of gas to ensure you use good-quality gas. If the gas stays for a more extended period, it will decay. Buy only that quantity of gas that lasts for 2 to 4 weeks.

When you are on an extended vacation and letting your mower sit, add a fuel stabilizer to prevent fuel from degradation. When you are mowing, try to open the throttle so that you can help us with all the fuel before putting it back in the shed. When you do this regularly, the gas will not stale in the tank.

Stale gas decays, damages rubber lines, rusts the tank, and produces debris and junk that destroys carburetors. Cleaning a gas tank on a lawn mower often involves removing the spark plug and draining all the gas in your tank.

• The Importance of Cleaning the Carburetor and Tank

Then, you’ll need to clean the carburetor and tank thoroughly. After cleaning, fill up fresh gas, attach the fuel line to the carburetor, and return the spark plug.

Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. So, if your mower sits unused for long periods, consider using a fuel stabilizer to prevent the gas from becoming stale. The benefits of cleaning your gas tank:

• Improve efficiency
• Prevent costly repair
• Reduce emissions
• Extend the life of your lawnmower.

By following these steps on cleaning a gas tank on a lawn mower, you can ensure your mower runs efficiently and lasts longer.