Why lawnmowers won't start in spring
90% of "it won't start" problems in spring come from degraded fuel left in the tank and carburettor over winter. A few steps in autumn save you a trip to the repair shop.
The 5 winter storage steps
| # | Step | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Empty OR stabilise the fuel | Either run until it runs dry, or full tank + stabiliser |
| 2 | Oil change | Old oil is acidic; warm engine for thorough draining |
| 3 | Spark plug | Check/clean, add a little oil to the cylinder |
| 4 | Air filter | Clean or replace (foam washed + dried, paper blown out) |
| 5 | Blade + deck | Clean under the deck, sharpen the blade |
## Fuel: empty or stabilise Two valid approaches for a lawnmower:
- Run dry: run the engine until it stalls, including the carburettor. Simple, no residue.
- Full tank + stabiliser: if you want to mow one last time on a warm day. Run for 5 minutes to circulate.
NEVER leave ordinary petrol sitting all winter with nothing added: it's the #1 cause of gummed-up carburettors.
