can someone tell me when mower season finished is it best to drain fuel from tank for winter and refuel with new at start of next season

al., October 2011

Stale fuel in small engines, such as lawnmower engines is the primary cause of difficult/non starting problems when they are wheeled out from storage for use in the Spring.

The shelf life of unleaded petrol is only somewhere between 3-6 weeks. After this time the petrol will deteriorate alarmingly and will start to take on a slightly yellow tinge. Very old petrol will smell "stale" and the smell will linger for a long time.

If left in an engine for extended periods, the fuel will decompose so much that it will lose its ability to ignite at pull-over speeds and will eventually go back to its raw state and will eventually gum up the insides of your carburettor- called varnish. This varnish is very difficult to remove and will prevent new, fresh fuel entering the ports and jets- thus preventing starting.

ALL manufacturers now recommend in the owners' handbook that no fuel is left in an engine for extended periods and all engines should be run "dry" prior to laying up over Winter.

Start with fresh fuel when you want to re-use the machine. Any fuel left in your fuel can will also go stale and should be used up or disposed of.

pleasant, November 2011

many thanks for reply will take advise on board cheers.al.

al., October 2011

there is no mowing season, grass can grow all year around, i work in the parks cutting grass , if the temp drops below 6 deg for two to 3 weeks it might slow it down,anyway,,if you feel like you want to stop cutting , thats fine , i would not change the oil or fule / till the spring, keep it the engin of the mower over the winter, it will stop any rust, or moveing parts locking up, but change it all on the week before your next cut in the spring, change the oil / fule / clean the airfilter, and sparkplug, and if you can sharpen the blade, take it off the body first, if you look under the mower you will see the drain hole for the oil, it should have a alen key nut on it, open it to drain into a tray, and refill with fresh oil,

p, October 2011