winterizing your mower

This is an important video. Many expensive mower repairs can be avoided if a mower is winterized correctly. This video will save you a ton of money.

Over View

You’ll find useful resources on this page, tips, links to tools, parts and supplies required to complete your repair.

Proper winterizing is important, storing your mower indoors is a great start.

If you winterize correctly you’ll eliminate all the costly common winterizing errors. This video covers the whole process including the magic bullet that guarantees your mower starts come spring.

Why not give her a tune-up too, check out tune-up video.

Before working on your mower be sure to remove the plug wire to prevent accidental starting, see “Repair Safety Video”.

Tools & Parts

To nail this procedure you may need the following tools, parts and supplies.

WD40

Dry lube prevents moisture build and therefore corrosion, spray your mower before hibernation for care free recommissioning come spring. Picture links to Amazon.com

Ratchet Tool Set

Before we can do anything, we'll need tools. I've selected this set as I own some Craftsman tools and while I have worn some out, they did do a lot of work. So I expect this set will last the occasional user quite a long time.

This set carries both metric and standard sockets and that's important, because some mowers will have both type of fastener sizes. Set includes spark plug sockets. Picture links to Amazon.com

Gas & Oil Syphon

You'll find this tool really useful if you need to drain the gas tank, and you will if the gas is stale. The siphon will remove it without fuss or mess and it can be used for extracting the oil too. Picture links to Amazon.com

Gas Line Clamp

Some small engines will have a gas tap, which is really handy when removing the carburetor, stops gas flowing all over the shop. However most engines won't have one, these useful clamps simply squeeze the fuel line and prevent a spill while you perform surgery. Picture links to Amazon.com

Carb Cleaner

When cleaning your carburetor you'll need this stuff. Gumming is a sticky substance that's hard to shift. The carb cleaner will remove it, however if your carb is really bad, save yourself some work, go ahead and buy a new carburetor. Picture links to Amazon.com

Cleaners

You'll find these nylon brushes super useful when it comes time to clean those tiny passageways of the carburetor and jet. Use these in conjunction with the WD Carb cleaner. Picture links to Amazon.com

Gas Stabilizer

Mix this with the gas when winterizing your small engine. Gas isn't what it used to be, it goes stale, in some cases after just one month. Bad gas causes gumming and that's a carburetor killer. Stabilizer will save you money and stress in the long run. Picture links to Amazon.com

Gas Can

Briggs and Stratton refuel can. These guys got it right, I like it a lot, it offers press button control, no fuss no mess and no funnel required. Picture links to Amazon.com

Breathable mower Cover

Keeping your kit covered makes a huge difference to the life of your machinery. When a mower sits in the rain, moisture gets into every area of the mower, bearings, fasteners, electrical system, fuel system and moisture is the enemy.

The ToughCover is made from Marine grade water proof material. It's UV and mold resistant. Take from a mechanic with years of experience, this cover will own you nothing. Picture links to Amazon.com

Impact Wrench

I love DeWalt, they're make quality tools. This heavy duty but lightweight 1/2 inch impact wrench makes short work of stubborn bolts like flywheel nuts and rusty blade fasteners. Upto 700 ft lbs of torque on tap, I keep one in the trunk of our family car, makes a flat almost enjoyable. Picture links to Amazon.com

Drill/Screw Gun

I use a Dewalt screw gun (also a drill) in the workshop to speed up the process of removing engine covers, carburetor bolts, Armature bolts etc. It's a brushless motor and as tough as nails, I driven over it a few times - still works great! Batteries are interchangeable and so if you have a Dewalt product already you won't need the battery. Picture links to Amazon.com

Torque Wrench

Teng 1/2 Torque wrench, fantastic tool I use it every day and mine is still going strong. A torque wrench is advised for tightening components such as flywheel nuts and blades. The torque spec of these components is very important. Picture links to Amazon.com

If you are considering buying a torque wrench, definitely check out my review of Teng torque wrench.

Blade sharpening tool

Handy blade sharpening kit that fits to a cordless drill, includes blade balance tool. Picture links to Amazon.com

Blade holding tool

Very useful blade holding tool, used to hold the blade steady while the blade bolt is loosened and tightened. Picture links to Amazon.com

Wire brush kit

Stainless for heavy duty and brass for and brass wire brush kit for heavy duty and finer applications like electrical connections and softer metals. Picture links to Amazon.com

Wire wheel

Wire wheel and drill makes life easy and the job almost enjoyable! Picture links to Amazon.com
John Cunningham
Auto Technician and Writer at | Website

John Cunningham is an Automotive Technician and writer on Lawnmowerfixed.com. I've been a mechanic for over twenty years, I use my knowledge and experience to write "How to" articles that help fellow gear-heads with all aspects of mechanical repairs, from lawn mowers to classic cars.