How To Use Fuel Stabilizer In Your Lawn Mower

Almost all the lawn enthusiasts own a lawn mower but one fact that is rarely known is gasoline (used as fuel) has a limited shelf-life. 

Untreated gasoline breaks down after 30 days and if left in the fuel tank, it starts gumming the engine and clogs the carburetor, filters, fuel pump and all other parts of the engine. 

Due to this, you would face difficulty in starting the engine be it a Toro or a Craftsman lawn mower. 

Doesn’t matter which season it is, you would love to keep your lawn looking neat and adorable and for that, it is absolutely necessary that the lawn mower engine keeps working and does not die in the middle of work! 

But unfortunately, not many users are well-versed about ‘fuel-degeneration’ which occurs commonly when outdoor equipment like lawn mowers or snowblowers, are stored away for the season or are used after a break within the season. This evil of fuel-degeneration not only wastes the fuel that was left in the tank, but affects the engine’s performance drastically. 

Thus, it is a prerequisite to add a good quality fuel stabilzer to the fuel in the tank, to increase the longevity of fuel and prevent it from clogging the engine. 

Learn about how to use fuel stabilzer in lawn mower and more importantly, how much fuel stabilizer to use in ratio to the fuel available in the tank. 

4 Steps To Use Fuel Stabilizer In A Lawn Mower

You should know that the fuel’s alcohol content can be harmful to the plastic and the rubber parts of a machine. When fuel is left in the fuel tank and the mower is stored away for the season, the old fuel keeps damaging the parts of the engine and if you do not clear the tank for 6 months, the engine can be completely damaged due to gumming. 

This is where a fuel-stabilizer steps in! You will just learn the advantages of adding a fuel-stabilizer to the fuel tank before the mower is put to rest and what is the correct method to add a fuel stabilizer. 

Follow 4 basic steps explained below to add a fuel-stabilizer to the fuel tank. 

Step 1 : Drain the old fuel and clean the fuel tank

Basically, this step is performed to know the amount of fuel present in the tank because you just can’t add the fuel-stabilizer randomly. It has to be exactly in the correct proportion as per the amount of fuel. 

Adding an excessive or insufficient amount of fuel-stabilizer can seize the engine, the engine would cut out and will eventually die. 

• Disconnect the spark plug, turn the ignition off and drain all the stale fuel. 
• At this point, clean the gas tank. Never add a fuel stabilzer or fresh fuel to a dirty fuel tank as it would ruin the fuel and would be of no use. 
• Check the clogged carburetor and the filters and clean them. If there was old fuel for more than 6 months in the tank, there’s no chance the carburetor and the fuel system is good or workable anymore. It’s always better to replace the decayed parts.

Step 2 : Measure the fuel-stabilizer and add it to the tank

Once the fuel tank is empty, the second step is to add a measured quantity of fuel-stabilizer to the fuel tank. 

Generally, it’s given in the user manual of the mower that how much fuel stabilizer must be added per gallon of fuel. Stick to the recommended specifications for best results.

• Select a good fuel-stabilizer and measure the correct amount as mentioned in the manual.
• For example, I personally use the STA-BIL fuel-additive and its recommended amount is 1 ounce per 2.5 gallons of fuel. 
• One bottle of this STA-BIL fuel stabilizer has 2 sprouts and the longer sprout is given for measuring, using which you can easily measure the amount while pouring it in the fuel tank. 

Step 3 : Add fresh fuel over the fuel-stabilizer in the tank

Once the fuel-stabilizer is added, now the third step is to add fresh fuel. 

• Adding fuel above the fuel-stabilizer initiates easy and even dispersal of the stabilizer and helps it reach the carburetor alongwith other parts of the engine. 
• It’s always best to use fresh fuel which is a non-ethanol blend with ethanol less than 10% and with 87 or higher octane rating. Such fuels tend to prevent moisture from building in the fuel tank and save it from clogging. 

Do not overfill the tank with fuel. Ideally, the fuel tank should be full only till 95% to its capacity so that it does not spill while the mower is used. 

Note: Excessive fuel builds up pressure in the crankcase, overheating the engine, causing it to smoke. Extra fuel also puts strain on the engine and the engine dies under load. 

Step 4 : Start the mower and let the engine run for a while.

After you have added the correct amount of fuel over the fuel-stabilizer in the tank, the last step is to run the mower engine so that this fresh mix of fuel and stabiliser reaches the engine and other parts like the engine uniformly. 

• Connect the spark plug and start the mower. 
• Let the engine run for at least 10-15 minutes. 

How easy and quick, isn’t it!! That’s how you add a fuel-stabilizer to a lawn mower fuel tank. 

Advantages Of Using Fuel Stabilizer In Lawn Mower

Undoubtedly, there are several advantages of adding a fuel-stabilizer to the fuel tank which you should be aware of. 

1. Helps keep the fuel fresh: When you add a fuel-stabilizer to the fuel before storing the lawn mower away for the season, gasoline won’t break down and the engine components won’t be clogged. It also eliminates the need to drain fuel before storing the mower. 

2. Helps to prevent a cold-start: Since the fuel would stay fresh with a fuel-stabilizer, it becomes easy to start the mower after it has been sitting for long. It thus eliminates the cases of cold starts, which can be a difficult task. 

3. Helps in removing impurities from the fuel: Normally, there are a lot of impurities in the fuel which are prevented by fuel-filters from entering the fuel tank. Adding a fuel-stabilizer removes impurities from the fuel and gives the mower a healthy engine.

4. Improves engine’s efficiency: Usage of a fuel-stabilizer improves the overall efficiency and performance of the engine and ensures a smooth flow of fuel to the engine. 

When To Add Fuel Stabilizer

• The best time to add a fuel-stabilizer is before storing the lawn mower away for the season or you’re not going to use it for a long time. 
• Plus, you should add it right before you add the fuel so that it mixes well with the fuel and reaches all the parts of the engine uniformly when the engine runs. 
• Ideally, you would need to add one ounce of fuel stabiliser per two gallons of fuel, as mentioned above. After this, the fuel stays fresh for at least 12 months. 

Best Fuel Stabilizers For Lawn Mowers

Each fuel-stabilizer is manufactured keeping specific concerns in mind. Some are formulated especially to increase the longevity of fuel and some work specifically to boost engine’s performance. 

In general, the shelf-life of a fuel stabilizer is 24 months after you have opened the cap. If the color of the fuel stabilizer starts to turn dark brown or red, it has started deteriorating and must not be added to the fuel tank. 

Some of the best fuel-stabilizers are STA-BIL, SeaFoam, Marvel Mystery and Starbrite. They have been in the market since the 1930s and work best to maintain fuel and protect the engine from clogging. 

While buying the fuel-stabilizer, just check that it should be compatible with the fuel used on your mower and has a long shelf-life. Also, always keep the fuel-stabilizer in a cool, dry place which is away from direct sunlight. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Does using a fuel stabilizer fix stale fuel?

Answer – No. When the fuel is old or has gone bad, adding a fuel stabilizer won’t do any good. A fuel stabilizer can only maintain fresh fuel. It must be added right before adding fresh fuel in the fuel tank. 

Q2. How much fuel stabilizer should I use per liter of gasoline?

Answer – You would need to add 5 ml ( 1 cap) for 1 litre of gasoline. After adding the fuel-stabilizer, run the engine for at least 10 minutes so that the fuel stabilizer gets in line with the engine and the carburetor. 

Q3. Can a fuel stabilizer clean the carburetor?

Answer – Yes, definitely. The fuel stabilizer, like the STA-BIL Fast Fix, can be used to clean the clogged carburetor, the fuel injectors and the fuel tank. It’s also compatible with both the 2-cycle and 4-cycle engines. One 8oz bottle can easily treat about 20 gallons of gasoline. 

Q4. How can I make my lawn mower more efficient?

Answer – To improve the efficiency and performance of your lawn mower, use only fresh gasoline and always add a fuel-additive before storing the mower for a long time. Plus, make it a each-season routine to clean the carburetor and the filters regularly and to change the oil. 

Q5. Why should I add a fuel stabilizer just before adding fresh fuel in the tank?

Answer – If you add the fuel stabilizer after filling the tank with fuel, it won’t be able to disperse evenly across the engine and will not reach all the parts of the engine. You should always add the fuel-stabilizer first and then, pour fuel over it. Then, let the engine run so that the fuel stabilizer mixes well in the tank. Fuel tanks sweat and moisture can get into the tanks after a period of time which will break down gasoline very quickly. Thus, always add the fuel additive first and then, pour fuel in the tank. 

Conclusion 

It’s very easy and simple to add a fuel stabilizer to the fuel tank. You just need to add it in the correct amount and at the right time so that it serves its purpose. 

Adding a fuel stabilizer is an important part of lawn mower maintenance and should never be skipped if you want to keep the engine running efficiently. Addition of a fuel stabilizer can save you from the difficulties of starter issues on lawn mowers and saves both your time and money by keeping the fuel fresh. 

There are tons of products available in the market. Pick the one which is best for your lawn mower and add it in the correct ratio as mentioned in the user manual.