How to Wash a Lawnmower Air Filter

Lawn mower air filter cleaning

Having a properly functioning air filter is the first line of defense for your lawn mower against dirt and debris that rises during the mowing process. When the air filter is in good condition and working properly, it prevents dirt from entering the engine through the carburetor. But if the air filter is worn, dirt and other debris can get into the engine, which can lead to starting problems and shorten engine life.

Cleaning or replacing the air filter is a simple lawnmower service that will improve performance and extend the life of your lawnmower. Clean the foam pre-cleaner every 25 hours of operation. Replace the paper air filter once a season or after 300 hours of operation. Dusty conditions may require more frequent cleaning and replacement.

Look for an air filter that fits your lawnmower model, and always check your owner’s manual to see what is recommended. There are three types of air filters on the market: a foam air filter that requires grease to cover the foam; a paper filter folded into a plastic case; and a hybrid or dual-element filter that includes both a foam element (called a pre-filter or pre-cleaner) and a paper element as the main filter.

  • Equipment/tools
  • Protective gloves
  • Washbasin, sink or garden hose
  • Clean, dry rags, cloths or paper towels
  • Replacement filter (if needed)
  • 1-2 teaspoons of motor oil for the foam filter
  • Liquid dish detergent
  • Instructions

Turn off the mower

Stop the mower engine. Wait until all moving parts have completely stopped and cooled down before beginning work.

Do not use the mower without the air filter as this can cause serious damage to the engine.

Disconnect the spark plug wire

Disconnect the spark plug wire before removing the air filter cover.

wash, lawnmower, filter

Remove the air filter cover

Remove the screws or clips that hold the lawn mower’s guard (shroud) to the air filter.

The lawn mower’s air filter is usually located on top of the engine and enclosed in a metal or plastic casing that is usually secured with a screw or snap-in fittings.

Remove the air filter

Remove the air filter and inspect it.

For the paper filter, tap it gently on a flat surface to remove all dirt. Inspect the filter and hold it up to a bright light source. If the paper filter element is blocking a significant amount of light, it is time to replace it, but do not attempt to clean it further. Simply replace it with a new one.

If you have a foam air filter, look for signs of deterioration or obvious brown or yellow staining, which indicates it’s time to replace it. If it’s still in good condition, you can start cleaning it.

If you have a hybrid air filter, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning or replacing it. The hybrid has a foam pre-cleaner that needs to be checked. If the foam pre-cleaner has become stiff, brittle, or very dirty, it usually needs to be replaced.

Clean the foam filter

Rinse the foam filter in a sink, trash can, or garden hose to thoroughly clean out any dirt. Use dishwashing detergent to remove grease and help remove dirt. Rinse out the soap foam thoroughly and squeeze out the excess water with paper towels, a cloth, or your hands.

Dry the foam filter

Before oiling the foam filter, dry it thoroughly. Squeeze out the foam first with paper towels or dry wipes. Then place the foam in the sun for about an hour to dry further.

Lubricate the foam filter

After the foam has dried, lubricate it with oil. Apply the oil to your hands or directly onto the foam and massage it through the filter to spread it well. Don’t add extra oil because you don’t want it dripping into the lawnmower.

An alternative way to add oil is to place the foam in a plastic bag or pouch, add the oil, and massage the bag to soak the foam in the oil. Wipe off excess oil with a clean paper towel.

How to Clean Lawn Mower Air Filter

Clean the air cleaner fitting

Before reinstalling the air filter, clean the air filter housing with a dry cloth. Do not use solvents, as they can damage the air filter element. And don’t use compressed air, which can trap debris in the carburetor throat of the lawnmower.

Insert the air filter

Insert the air filter into the connector. Make sure it fits well and has no gaps.

Replace the cover

Replace the filter guard, taking care not to pinch or otherwise damage the air filter element.

Never replace the shroud by force. If it doesn’t assemble easily, you may not have inserted the new filter element correctly.

wash, lawnmower, filter

Reconnect the spark plug

Be sure to reconnect the spark plug wire so you can start the mower.

Why the lawnmower has stopped?

It is better to postpone mowing, let the mower stand after it has stalled, most likely the cause is overheating the unit. In some cases, it is a temporary phenomenon, after the motor has cooled down, the equipment can work again. Still, you shouldn’t spend hours mowing.

The most common cause is old fuel in the tank. Drain the old gasoline and replace it with new. Another reason why the lawn mower engine stalls could be a faulty spark plug. Take it out of the machine and inspect it.

Why is the filter in the lawnmower covered in oil?

One of the most common problems is the appearance of oil on the air filter for the lawnmower Husqvarna or any other model. The main reason is that the machine has been upside down for a long time and the non-drained oil simply flowed out through the filter. As a result, the engine does not start well, and with an increase in rpm and even stalls.

To solve the problem you need to drain the oil and collect the remaining oil as far as possible with an enema. Next, pour some gasoline into the engine, unscrew the spark plug, and pull the starter a few times. Before starting the device, it is recommended to pour new gasoline and oil, change the spark plug, wash the filter thoroughly.

Other breakdowns are also common:

  • The engine will not start. Check condition of spark plugs, presence of gasoline, contact of ignition lead with spark plug socket.
  • Reduced engine power. The air filter probably needs replacing, along with a smoky spark plug.
  • Mower vibrates. You need to balance the blade assembly, sharpen it, in some cases it may be necessary to replace the assembly.
  • Exhaust pipe smells. There is a problem with the filter, carburetor or valve. It is better to leave the troubleshooting to an expert.
  • Grass clogging. Fresh, lush grass can cause even the most modern mower to malfunction. Engine starts to stall. Avoiding a malfunction is best prevented only by periodically cleaning the grass off with a sharp object such as a nail file.
  • Mower is raking. This often happens in new places and with new machines. So that the machine does not pick up grass and a layer of earth, set the height of cut so as not to hit the ground, and reduce the speed.
  • Unevenly cuts the grass. If you see that the grass is cut unevenly, with bundles and shreds of grass left behind, the problem is with the blades. They are either badly sharpened or improperly installed. You can have it resharpened at a service center or use a sharpener, angle grinder or emery cloth to do it yourself.
  • Meeting an obstacle. If you run into a tree trunk or other obstacle you may not continue mowing. important components may have been damaged. Adapter, blades, drive shaft can break. In this situation it is better to apply to professionals for repair.

Always be attentive to your power tool, change stocks, sharpen knives in time, store it carefully and you will enjoy many years of good use.

wash, lawnmower, filter

How the filter for the lawnmower works

The job of the air filter is to trap dust and dirt during operation. It is one of the most important elements in a lawn mower, and the more it is used, the more often the filter needs to be cleaned or replaced with a new one.The gasoline lawnmower‘s fuel filter is between the carburettor and the fuel tank. It is essential for extending engine life.

Changing the lawnmower filter step by step

Changing the air filter is a simple procedure.

Also for a long and trouble-free life time you need to change other consumables.

Spark plugs. It is necessary to pull out the plug and unscrew the spark plug with a key, and screw in a new one in its place and firmly press the plug. Check that the engine starts. Have to be changed once a year.

Oil change. Requires warming up the engine and bleeding the oil. The oil level should be checked regularly and changed on average twice a summer day.

Change gasoline. It is recommended to use only fresh gasoline and not to overfill. Lawn mowers with two-stroke engines do not need pure gasoline but a mix of gasoline and oil, otherwise there is no way to avoid a breakdown. Before putting the technique away for the winter, it is important to drain both oil and gasoline to avoid clogging the carburetor.

This algorithm for the maintenance of the filter for lawn mower Briggs stratton or any other manufacturer is the same, so any gasoline-powered mower can not do without replacing consumables, as well as keeping clean the blades and filters.

Exhaust duct

The reason why the grass trimmer has lost power is significant, and when you try to increase the engine speed, it slowly picks them up, often due to a clogged exhaust, through which the exhaust gas escapes from the combustion chamber.

You need to remove the muffler to keep the burner from getting inside the cylinder. Next, clean the exhaust pipe of carbon deposits.

This should be done very carefully, preventing carbon from entering the combustion chamber.

After this procedure the low power of the machine and the slow rotational speed of the cutting head will no longer frustrate you.

What is Nera Filter for Vacuum Cleaner?

HEPA air filters are considered to be consumables, i.e. units that must be replaced on a regular basis. High Efficiency Particulate Air or High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance) is a type of high efficiency air filter. Used in vacuum cleaners, air purification systems and ventilation and air conditioning systems.

  • Remove the filter from the vacuum cleaner,
  • Tap the filter gasket on the edge of the waste bucket to shake out the dust particles,
  • Remaining dirt can be scrubbed with a dense brush or blown out with a mattress compressor.

HOW TO CLEAN THE AIR FILTER

Car air filters, along with oil and fuel filters, are considered to be consumables, i.e. units subject to regular replacement. But if the car is constantly operated in conditions of increased dustiness, you can simply clean the filter from time to time. But how to clean the air filter yourself?

It’s not just man that needs fresh air, but also the car, or rather its heart. the engine. Combustible mixture burns completely only when there is oxygen in it, which must be 15-20 times more than the volume of fuel. And a dirty engine leads to inefficient operation and even engine damage. The air filter is responsible for clean air flowing into the engine. Every motorist should know, how to clean the air filter if necessary. The air filter is a cylindrical (for the engine) or panel (for the passenger compartment) construction. Before you, how to clean the air filter, make sure which filter you have in front of you.

There are several filter types: dry inertia filter, oil inertia filter, paper filter and reduced air resistance filter. Paper filters are the most commonly installed in passenger cars. They are based on a porous paper folded into an accordion. Woven paper fibers can trap dust particles as small as 1 micron.

The main purpose of the air filter is to remove contaminants from the air before it enters the engine. The filter element traps large and small dust particles, ensuring free access of oxygen to the engine. Or into the passenger compartment in the case of the cabin filter.

Why should the air filter be cleaned?

wash, lawnmower, filter

Sooner or later the air filter gets clogged. It can happen more quickly when driving on unpaved roads and in dusty conditions. As a result, the filter’s micropores begin to have poor air passage, which is vital for the proper operation of the car. A clogged filter has two unpleasant consequences. The first problem is a loss of engine efficiency and the vehicle’s performance. Secondly, the fuel consumption is unnecessarily increased due to the incomplete combustion of the fuel mixture. In the long run, it can lead to damage to the filter and damage to the engine itself. This is why you should not procrastinate when replacing or cleaning the air filter.

As mentioned above, the most common filter in passenger cars is a paper filter. If it has a layer of carbon, there is no sense in cleaning it, it is better to throw it away and buy a new one. The most convenient way to clean the filter is to use a household vacuum cleaner. Experienced car owners also recommend blowing out the filter element with an air blower or washing it under low pressure with a Kerher-type washer.

How to clean the air filter correctly.

Lawn Mower Repair : How to Clean a Lawn Mower Air Filter

To properly clean the filter, experts advise removing it from the car. Although it is possible to clean the air filter with a compressor without removing it from the car. First it is necessary to knock out the filter and collect the largest impurities. Then vacuum the air filter as gently as possible. After cleaning, you should make sure that the filter is not damaged, and you can put it back. The air filter can be cleaned once a week, or even every day. For example, it is recommended to clean the filter before a long journey and after the season of “fluffing”. But such procedure should not be performed thoughtlessly, because the air filter has a limited resource. Significantly worn filter can tear on the way, jeopardizing the performance of the engine. Repair in this case will be many times more expensive than the cost of the filter element.

How to Clean a Trimmer Filter

Sooner or later it will definitely be necessary to wash the air filter of grass trimmer Husqvarna or any other manufacturer. Nothing complicated, and you can remove dirt from it yourself in a couple of hours before mowing.

  • Unscrew the screw on the protective housing or release the latches.
  • Taking out the filter and inspecting. To remove all accumulated oil and other impurities you will need gasoline.
  • Pour gasoline from the canister on the dirty filter and wash off all the oil. We squeeze it out and leave it to dry for at least 2 hours.
  • Wipe the place of installation with a cloth soaked in gasoline.
  • Put everything back in place and cover.

Soapy water can be used in place of gasoline, but it is still not as effective at removing the dirt.

As an alternative to washing, blowing off or simply shaking out the debris is recommended. These cleaning options are suitable if there is no oil contamination.

How to adjust your lawn mower (carburetor)

Correct adjustment is the key to successful operation of the machine in the future.

Newcomers sometimes do not know how important this process is for gasoline mowers and gasoline trimmers, and skip it or simply do not know how to adjust the carburetor of lawnmowers, believing that the factory settings are quite enough. However, this is not the case. Inspect all mechanisms and adjust the carburetor at regular intervals.

Important information and tips on adjusting the gasoline carburetor in lawnmowers:

  • There are 3 screws in the carburetor: left (H), bottom (T) and right (L). To get to the screws, you need to know how to disassemble the lawnmower, and more specifically, how to get to the carburetor. This information must be on the motor datasheet.
  • The lower screw (T) is responsible for idling, the right screw (L) is responsible for the amount of fuel entering the combustion chamber at low rpm, and the left screw (H) is responsible for fuel entering at high rpm.
  • Turn on the carburetor at idle. Properly tuned, it runs evenly when the motor is hot and cold, at low and high rpm. If something goes wrong, you need to turn the lower screw (T).
  • Adjustment of the fuel intake at low rpm is done by turning the right hand screw (L) a quarter turn counterclockwise.
  • Setting the carburetor on high rpm is as follows: open the throttle and push the maximum throttle. Turn the left screw (H) clockwise until the revolutions decrease. After that, turn the screw counterclockwise until the engine is uneven. Then slowly turn the screw back clockwise until you hear the engine running smoothly and evenly.
  • The spark plug also serves as an indicator of proper carburetor adjustment. If there are malfunctions, there is soot on the spark plug, and if it is adjusted correctly, its working part will remain clean.

This is the most universal algorithm on how to adjust the carburetor on a gasoline mower. Individual adjustment depends on the configuration of your machine model.