Remove the gas tank from a Briggs and Stratton lawnmower

Have you ever found the gas tank of your Briggs and Stratton lawnmower to be leaking fuel? Or were you concerned about the buildup of old fuel deposits inside the tank? To fix these issues, you have to remove the gas tank from the mower’s body and perform a further inspection. If you aren’t sure how you should remove the tank from a Briggs and Stratton lawnmower, this article will take you through a step-by-step approach.

How to remove the gas tank from a Briggs and Stratton lawnmower, step-by-step:

• Step 1. Gather the necessary tools and disconnect the spark plug wire from the plug itself
• Step 2. Empty the gas tank
• Step 3. Detach the fuel lines that originate from the tank
• Step 5. Take the gas tank off from the mower’s body by removing the mounting screws
• Step 5. Protect the fuel lines to prevent the entry of dust into the carburetor

The Gas tank is fuel storage designed to keep the fuel clean, secure, and properly vented. The tank is made up of corrosion-resistant materials so that the corrosive nature of water and ethanol can be nullified. Occasionally, you might hit your lawnmower against a hard object that can cause some damage to the gas tank. When gas is kept in a gas tank for an extended time, it can also degrade and clog the tank’s vents. For all these reasons, you have to remove the tank first to assess the damage and get it repaired or replaced.

Please stay tuned as we provide you with a very comprehensive and step-by-step guide for removing the gas tank on a Briggs and Stratton lawnmower.

General Troubleshooting Guide: 

To remove the gas tank from your Briggs and Stratton lawnmower, you can use the following steps. It is always advisable to take some pictures or make a small video of how the various parts are connected. So when you have to reattach them, you can use them to know how each component is connected.

● Step 1. Gather the necessary tools and disconnect the spark plug cables

Removing the gas tank is not a difficult taks. You will need tools like:

• Fuel line clamps to hold the flow of fuel.
• An adjustable wrench to remove the fasteners.
• A siphon pump or empty gas container to drain the gas from the mower.
• A pair of safety gloves.

Disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plugs. This is a precaution to prevent the engine from unintentional starting.  Also, turn the ignition off.

● Step 2. Empty the gas tank

Ensure that the gas tank is empty before removing it from the Briggs and Stratton mower. You can do this in two ways. If there is only a minimal amount left, you can start the lawnmower and let it run until the fuel tank is empty. This will remove most of the gas in the tank, and there will only be a tiny amount left.

If there is more gas in the tank, you need to drain it. You can carefully disconnect the fuel line for this. Or use a siphon pump to get the gas from the tank. Store it in a suitable container. If the gas is still ok, you can use it later.

● Step 3: Remove the connections to the gas tank

The next step is to remove the gas tank that is usually mounted on top of the engine body. As the fuel flow requires, it lies close and at a height to the main engine. The first step is ensuring that your Briggs and Stratton mower is placed on flat ground, such as that of a driveaway. If possible, park it on a floor that can deal with some gas spillage. Engage the parking brakes if it’s a riding lawnmower.

Now, remove the mower hood if your tank lay under it. In most cases, it lies externally. Next, you need to remove the connections that emerge from the tank. Typically, these tanks have one opening form where you pour in the fuel, and they have one exit line which supplies fuel to the combustion chamber.

Briggs and Stratton lawnmowers have only one fuel line to carry the fuel to the carburetor. The exit line has a hose attached with fasteners or an adjustable tightening ring. Remove these fasteners to free the gas tank of any connections. You might have to remove a few seals and washers in doing so. Keep them safe with you to use in the future.

● Step 4: Remove the gas tank

The gas tank usually has at least two mounting bolts on its base to connect it to the rest of the main body. With the help of an adjustable wrench, you can easily loosen them by giving regular anti-clockwise twists. With this, you will have your removed gas tank with the fuel cap attached to its top (if it has one).

● Step 5: Protect the fuel lines to prevent the entry of dust into the carburetor

As a final step, you must make sure that removing the gas tank doesn’t leave the fuel lines bare open. Use a plastic sheet or cap to close the unprotected fuel line that previously was connected with the tank. This will protect the Briggs and Stratton fuel line from any dirt and debris buildup. Also, check if any components that were previously covered by the tank need to be protected.

Some safety tips

Before you operate or service your engine, always read the machine and equipment manual to prevent property damage or personal injury.

1. Take exteme care with gas: Fuel and the fumes of fuel are exceptionally explosive and inflammable. When working on the gas tank, keep all sources of spark and ignitions away.
2. Replace or repair a damaged gas tank: Fuel tanks are made of corrosion-resistant material or glazed with a corrosion-resilient substance to withstand against harmful effects of alcohol, water, or salt. The tank should be replaced if it is damaged or corrupted. Use only recommended parts by the engine manufacturer if you are attempting to change the tank.
3. Protect your hands: Use a pair of safety gloves when dealing with the engine body. These will protect you from any harm.
4. Keep some cloth ready: Keep a few rugs of an old cloth close by whenever draining the gas tank.

The following is a link to remove the gas tank from a craftsman lawnmower. It is quite similar to a Briggs mower in terms of the steps involved.

Frequently asked questions:

1. How do you clean a gas cap on a lawnmower?

Gas-powered lawnmowers can operate in rough outdoor environments. Different parts like the cap of the gas tank can get dirty. Use a dry cloth piece and to remove the clogged debris or dirt. You can then use the same cloth piece to clean the cap properly after dipping it in a bit of petrol. And make sure that the small hole in the gas cap is open. This is needed to let air in the tank when gas is used.

2. What happens if air bubbles get in your gas tank?

The gas tank supplies fuel to the combustion chamber. Sometimes, the flow lines may get clogged, creating a surge of air or drop of pressure in the tank. If a bubble of air gets trapped in the tank, it can make the engine run poorly. The air bubbles from the tank will eventually flow in the fuel lines. This can lead to delaying the start, or hiccupping may occur. It can even cause seizure issues if the air packet is too large and frequent. Usually, the engine takes a few jumps and then recovers from it.

3. How to open fastening bolts that are rusted or locked?

The lawnmower is always working in harsh environments. The exposure to moisture may cause the nut bolts to corrode and get locked in their position. If you are not careful with them, you might even break them. Here are a few solutions that you can try:

• Metal Plate: Try welding the locked nut bolt head to a metal plate. This elongates the moment arm making it easier to twist it open.
• File: You can use a metal file or ruler to create two perpendicular grooves on the bolt head, making a cross. You can use a long screwdriver, which makes it easier to turn.
• Cleaner spray: Sometimes, the problem can be solved as quickly as throwing in some cleaner spray and letting it rest for a while.

4. Is it preferable to repair a gas tank instead of replacing it?

It depends on the condition of the gas tank. They are made from quite sturdy and corrosion-resistant materials, but there is always a chance something happens with them. Mostly what may seem like a crack is only a body scratch that looks too severe. If the gas tank is not leaking, then it is always usable. If the damage is minor and can be treated by welding, adhesives, or a special coating, you can try repairing it. Or let a professional repair it. If the condition is really bad, or the fix only works temporarily, you should replace it.

Final remarks:

A gas tank ensures that the fuel stays clean and prevents it from degrading. Like all other lawnmower components, a gas tank may require repairing or cleaning at some point in time. Hence, removing it might seem a hassle if you haven’t removed it before. Removing the tank is a relatively simple procedure but requires some small precautionary measures to keep the rest of the components free from dirt. By following the steps above and seeing the reference videos, you can smoothly perform this task yourself.