lawn mower problem

[George Macomber]

I think are nieghbor put sugar in the gas tank of are lawn mower. The plug is now fouled. Is the lawnmower ruined or will cleaning the tank out and replacing the plug fix it.

thanks

[Halvey]

[jene]

If it's really sugar in the fuel tank, don't waste your time on the plugs.

[Randy]

If it's sugar, it's easy to find out. Shake the mower and then dump the gas into a transparent container (perhaps a plastic milk jug) and look for white sediment in the bottom. Sugar doesn't dissolve completely in gasoline, so most will have precipitated to the bottom.

If you have been sugared, you should be able to fix the mower, since the mower engines are less sophisticated than cars. You may have to disassemble the carb to fully clean it, but I'd just remove it and rinse it thoroughly several times in clean gasoline.

You'll want to purge the mower's fuel line and replace the fuel filter (if there is one). The plug will have to be cleaned thoroughly and probably replaced.

Be sure to let the engine, carb, and mower dry out a bit before restarting it. You don't want to ignite the residual gas that's probably still sitting on the mower.

Randy

[m Ransley]

Sugar shouldnt foul plugs, an old unmaintained rich burning motor will. Take apart the carb before you blame anyone and regret it.

[Tony Hwang]

Hi, Do you mow at 4 in the morning or 11 in the night? Just wondering. Tony