Monday, August 29, 2011

How to Tune-up Your Mower

By John Hilary


At the outset of the mowing season, you should ideally carry out a tune-up on your lawn mower. Begin by heating up the engine. Put plenty of gas in the gas container to get your lawn mower running. Next, start your engine and let it run right up until it runs out of fuel, then detach the spark plug wire to make sure that the engine can't start by mistake.

To change the oil stick to this very simple method. First ensure you buy the best kind of oil for your substitution oil, then wash off any grime around the upper part of the oil tank (the place you fill your machine with oil). An old toothbrush comes in handy for this job. Unscrew and pull out the dipstick.

After that, find the lower side of your oil tank - a plug which can be found on the underside of your machine. You should drain the unwanted oil; unscrewing this stopper can do just that. Prop up your machine properly with blocks, giving you with a tilt that should ensure that you have access to the stopper. Stick an oil dish or matching container underneath the plug to collect the oil.

Unscrew the stopper (you will require a socket wrench) by twisting anti-clockwise and let all of the filthy oil pour out. Obviously, you do not want to be wearing your favorite outfit whilst performing a lawn mower tune up - rags and overalls are your best bet, but a well used shirt will be enough. Twist the drain plug back on by means of a clockwise action. Don't over-tighten, you'll have to have the means to take it off effortlessly the next time you need a lawn mower tuning-up. In place of over-tightening any time you work on your machine, it's more effective to fasten without excess, and then occasionally check throughout the mowing season to ensure that it hasn't come loose through vibrations and shakes.

If your machine possesses an oil filter, change it as an important part of the lawn mower tune-up, then clean up the gasket that it has had contact with. Take away the blocks so that your machine is in an even position once again then fill up the gas tank with new gas to the correct level, replacing the cap and dipstick. Lastly, re-fill the mower with fuel and reconnect the spark plug wire.

At this stage in the lawn mower tune-up, it is time to start the machine. Encourage the engine to idle and be sure that there are no oil leaks. You're finished! Now you have properly tuned up your mower it will work with maximum-force for you for the remainder of the season.




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