How to deal with the left over gas inside the lawn mower?

[rdx]

Winter is coming, I guess I won't need the lawn mower soon. I heard I need to drain/use up all gas in the lawn mower before putting it into storage. Do I need to completely drain all gas? I just tried to mow the lawn the last time and used up all gas in there, but after I am done mowing, the mower is still running, so I was acting like an idiot to keep "mowing" the done cutting lawn for another 10 mins, but it still running........... I guess I shouldn't complain about the good "mileage" of the lawn mower.

Anyway, my question is that, do I need to keep it running till it stops? Won't it hurt the engine?

[fukngrvn]

Winter is coming, I guess I won't need the lawn mower soon. I heard I need to drain/use up all gas in the lawn mower before putting it into storage. Do I need to completely drain all gas? I just tried to mow the lawn the last time and used up all gas in there, but after I am done mowing, the mower is still running, so I was acting like an idiot to keep "mowing" the done cutting lawn for another 10 mins, but it still running........... I guess I shouldn't complain about the good "mileage" of the lawn mower.

Anyway, my question is that, do I need to keep it running till it stops? Won't it hurt the engine?

Don't really have an "expert" opinion, but I know when I store my car for the winter I use a fuel stabilizer additive available at Canadian Tire and then top up the gas tank... I believe that lawn mowers would use the same. Actually, I'm pretty sure that there's a picture of a lawn mower on the bottle of the additive.

Just found this: http://www.ehow.com/how_2101183_store-lawnmower-winter.html

[JAC]

Just run it empty, or drain it by detaching the fuel line, or turning it upside down.

[l69norm]

... I use a fuel stabilizer additive ..

The stuff does work, although I found that doing this puts constant pressure on the needle/seat assembly. It caused a grove to form on the needle so that it wouldn't seal anymore. The mower first started to run rich and eventually it got so bad that the gas was siphoning itself out through the carb (i.e. the mower tank would empty itself over a week)

The other problem is that the float in the carb is made out of cork. It can eventually will soak with gas, causing the carb to run rich.

I'd empty out as much gas as possible and then run the mower until it's dry.

[Grassgreen]

I run mine dry every fall

[coolspot]

I believe, putting and fuel stabilizer should be enough. This is what I do, with my snow blower.

[Dustbunny]

How about mowing a neighbour's lawn until you are out of gas? We have people here who do that and cut the boulevard or someone's yard they know would appreciate the help.

[eelfliw]

Another way to use up the gas is to mow your lawn again at a slightly lower height using a different walking pattern. This will give your lawn that chessboard look like baseball diamonds.

[rdx]

According to the instruction on the stablizer, it only lasts 6 months. That's why I didn't put it in when I bought the mower last month because I know I won't use it for 6 months this season. But I will definately put it in when next season starts.

Thanks for everyone's advice. I will try to run it dry. Not sure how do I drain the gas. For engine oil, I know there is a cap at the bottom of the mower....

[Drthorne]

ran mine dry today and removed the carb bowl to get the last little bit out

[Djayjay]

I have never ran mine dry, i just leave it, and it works fine every summer. I have had it for five years and no problems.

[Rudee]

I have never ran mine dry, i just leave it, and it works fine every summer. I have had it for five years and no problems.

I did the same thing with the last gas mower I owned. Kept the gas in it over the winter and it fired up fine in the spring without any problem whatsoever.

[Alcetic]

what about engine oil, does it need to be drained? if so how?