A lawn mower can have problems because of gas in its tank. Many lawn mowers often leave gas for a long in their tank, especially during vacation or winter.
If you want to know what happens to the gas in your tank, you are not alone. Does lawn mower gas go bad? The answer is yes, gas can go bad.
Gas can cause a lawn mower not to start because old gas reduces combustibility. It also increases the temperature at which the gas is able to ignite.
Old gas will affect the engine as it is not able to provide enough heat to ignite the gas and this will not allow the engine to start.
Does lawn mower gas go bad?
Some of the ways you can tell if a gas is bad through visual observation include:
- Foul or bad smell
- Severe discoloration
If the gas cannot be inspected visually, then some common indicators of gasoline degradation include:
- Stalling while using the machine
- Slow engine startup
- Rough idling
Does gasoline expire?
Yes, gasoline expires and it does so within a very short period. As soon as gasoline is pumped at the gas station, it can expire within thirty to sixty days.
If the gas is used after this period, it may affect your machine negatively.
Why does gasoline expire?
Presently, gasoline expires faster than it used to in the past because of the addition of ethanol into the fuel supply.
In the bid to produce a more environmentally friendly fuel, ethanol was added to gasoline and it now occupies about 10% of the regular 87 octane gasoline and this causes it to expire faster.
Although creating an environmentally friendly fuel is quite beneficial as it is even cost-effective, the ethanol in your gasoline draws moisture from the air and water down to the gasoline.
Smaller engines like thousands in lawn mowers and snow blowers are more affected by this.
What old gasoline can do to equipment
- The lawnmower may not be able to function properly
- During operation, it may stutter or even die
- The lawnmower may not start
Solution
- If you notice that your machine can no longer start and you suspect the reason to be expired fuel, it is important that you remove the built-up residue which may be affecting the engine. Left over gasoline should be siphoned out till there is no trace of the old gasoline in the fuel tank
- After taking out all the old fuel, you can remove the carburetor and clean it properly depending on the type of mover you have and the amount of build-up residue
One of the biggest disadvantages of using ethanol-gasoline in lawn mowers is the fact that this equipment is not used regularly.
They can be used once a week thus making it easier for the gasoline in the lawn mower to expire.
Once the gasoline expires, it can affect your machine and damage some internal components like the carburetors, and also deteriorate fuel lines and seals.
In addition, expired fuel can cause a varnish build up and this could block the small fuel ports that are necessary for your machine to start and run.
New, high quality and fresh gasoline are required for the normal functioning of the machine.
As a way of making your gas more durable in your fuel tank, the addition of ethanol to the fuel supply is very important.
Expired fuel must be taken to a government-approved landfill and disposed of properly.
At the end of each mowing season, you can either drain out the old gasoline or run the remaining gas out of the machine to prevent any problems in the future.
Gasoline Breakdown
Gasoline breakdown is caused by several factors. Some of these may include:
Alcohol based octane boosters:
These boosters cause gasoline breakdown by increasing the volatility of the gas which causes it to evaporate this reducing the combustibility of the gasoline that is left
Water:
Water is able to degrade gasoline thanks to condensation from droplets of water in your gas tank or metal storage container. This combines with the gas and may further enhance degradation within 30 days or less.
However, gas that has been properly stored can last for three years as long as it is properly treated using gasoline stabilisers
Additives (example detergent):
Additives are able to break down with time and produce sediments
Potential Problems
Old gasoline in your lawn mower can lead to a lot of problems.
- As the volatility of the gasoline degrades with time, the mower will not be able to run efficiently. Most times, it can sputter or die while in use.
- If water has condensed in your gas can end up in the fuel tank as well.
- Sediment, debris, and other deposits can build up in the carburetor as well as the fuel line, making it difficult for your mower to start
- Over time, if the gasoline is not removed, this buildup will continue and prevent the mower from even starting.
Fixing Your Mower
Old gasoline in your lawn mower may be the reason that your lawn mower has refused to start. If you have left fuel in your lawn mower for a long period of time, then you must siphon all the fuel out and remove any built up residue which may be affecting the engine.
Using the same fuel again after fixing up your lawn mower will only cause more problems and damage your lawn mower severely.
You can also remove and clean the carburetor thoroughly depending on the type of lawn mower that you have and the amount of residue in the gasoline.
Replacing the fuel line should be done if you notice that it is blocked.
Reconditioning Gasoline
According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, having a container of old gasoline that may not be useful to you can be reconditioned for use in your lawn mower.
The regulations and rules guiding who can recondition gas vary in different states. The process of reconditioning gas involves the following:
- filtering of the gas through cotton fabric, nylons or other finely woven material l
- mixing the gas with fresh gasoline in with the percentage of the old gas lower than that of the new gas.
Reconditioned gas can only be used in engines that have carburetors. It is not recommended for engines that make use of fuel injection.
FAQs
Is 2 year old gas still good?
Gas that is older than a year can cause sputtering, engine knocking and clogged injectors.
Should I use premium gas in my lawn mower?
Yes! However, you’ll be wasting your money since it’s more expensive. Meanwhile, premium gas does not improve the performance of motor.
What happens if you put too much gas in a lawn mower?
It will cause gas to leak which can pose dangers and mask leaks that might signal parts failure.
How do you fix stale gas in a lawn mower?
- Park your lawnmower straight:
- Use a tarp
- Cleaning
- Check if all gas is drained
- Refill
- Start your mower
How can you tell if gas is bad?
- Pinging sounds.
- Difficulty starting up.
- Rough idling.
- Reduced fuel economy.
- Higher emissions.
Is it better to keep your gas tank full?
When you run low on gas, the fuel pump begin sucking in air, which can cause the pump to heat up to a dangerous level, resulting in expensive repairs