How to Fix a Push Lawnmower When You Have Trash in the Gas Tank

Lawnmowers require maintenance both at the beginning of the mowing season and before being stored for winter. One part of the maintenance is cleaning out the gas tank. Gas remaining in the tank turns into a gel, which can clog the tank and lines as well as corrode the inner walls. Cleaning out old gas helps keep the gas tank from aging too fast and needing replacement.

• 1

  Locate the screws at the top of the engine housing. Remove these screws to gain access to the engine and related parts. Lift the housing off the engine. Set the screws aside in a place where you won't lose them. Find the clips holding the primer bulb. Push the clips inward to release the bulb; pull the bulb loose with the screwdriver.

• 2

  Locate the valve for the fuel supply to the carburetor and the gas tank. It will be either on the underside of the fuel tank or on the fuel line where it connects to the tank. Look for a wing nut that can be turned using your fingers. Turn the valve either clockwise or counterclockwise depending on the directions of the mower manufacturer. This shuts off the fuel supply to the mower engine.

• 3

  Put a bowl under the clamps to catch fuel that drains out of the fuel line.

• 4

  Locate the clamps that connect the fuel line to the carburetor and the gas tank. Inspect the clamps to determine the screwdriver size needed to loosen them. Loosen the clamps. Twist the fuel line to loosen it from both the carburetor and gas tank. Do not remove the line.

• 5

  Allow the fuel to drain into the bowl until the line is empty.

• 6

  Locate the L-shaped tube that connects the carburetor to the engine. Remove this tube to free the carburetor and the gas tank from the engine. Take the carburetor and the gas tank off together as one unit.

• 7

  Remove the bolts holding the gas tank to the carburetor with a socket wrench. Note the location of the gasket at the bottom of the gas tank. Keep the gasket on the tank, but be alert should it slip off. Keep the spring from the carburetor on hand for reassembly later.

• 8

  Empty the fuel from the gas tank into a container approved for gasoline use.

• 9

  Examine the interior of the gas tank for grime or gunk lining the inner walls. Use the wire brush to clean the tank interior. Put fresh gas into the tank so the bottom of the tank is covered. Put the lid on the tank. Vigorously shake the tank so the gas agitates inside the tank. This loosens the debris still attached to the inside surface.

• 10

  Drain the gas into the same container used before.

• 11

  Reassemble the carburetor and gas tank in reverse order to how you disassembled them. Make sure the spring between the carburetor and gas tank is in place. Set the carburetor and gas tank in place on the engine. Bolt down the assembly. Place the boot in position on the carburetor. Bolt the carburetor and gas tank to the engine. Attach the breather tube.