Caring for Your Lawn Mower Engines

Caring for Your Lawn Mower Engines

Last Updated (Monday, 28 February 2011 14:29) Written by lawnmowerrepair Monday, 28 February 2011 14:28

Lawn mower engines are central to the overall workings of most mowers, unless they are of rotary design. Whether you are using a gasoline or electric powered mower, it is important know the proper way to take care of the engine to ensure longevity and effectiveness. If you are unsure what needs to done, consult with an expert at a hardware store or lawn care shop.

Gas Powered Lawn Mower Engines

Keys to caring for your gas powered lawn mower engine include basic upkeep that can be accomplished seasonally, such as changing the oil, changing the air filter, and tuning up the engine on an annual basis. If you do not know how to handle these things yourself, there are shops in most communities that offer these services.

For best results and to keep your engine running and starting smoothly year after year, be sure to run the gas out of it after its final use each fall. Leaving gas in the mower throughout the winter and running the engine with stale gas in it in the spring will gum up the workings of the engine. It is also best to store your gas in a plastic container, rather than a metal one. The gas you use will be pure and harbor no metal shavings or rust particles.

Electric Powered Lawn Mower Engines

Unlike gas mowers, the engines in electric power mowers are almost maintenance free. The deck and the engine should be kept clean, which can be done simply by hosing it down regularly, of course once it has been unplugged. If your mower is corded, be sure that the cord is not damaged in any way. A torn or damaged cord can be very dangerous to the life of the engine and to the health and life of the user as well.

Battery-powered engines rely on chargers to power and re-power the batteries. However, after a certain number of charges, the battery will begin to lose its ability to hold power and will need to be replaced. Beyond the replacement of the battery, there is truly no other maintenance necessary. If your mower is still not working once you have deemed the battery to be in working order, the problem is likely a damaged circuit board. This repair can easily be handled by a professional technician.

With proper maintenance, your lawn mower will last for years and years, reliably starting and mowing your lawn week after week. Mowers are conveniently and purposefully made to be low maintenance so that owners can count on them with little extra work required. Lawn mower engines require no special knowledge or skill to maintain, but simply the ability to follow some simple instructions.