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How to keep the wheels rolling and engine purring

House Doctor | Gary Dymski

April 14, 2005

I dropped off my combination yard blower and leaf vacuum at the repair shop this week. Should be ready just in time for the weekend. I've put the finishing touch on storing the snowblower - c'mon, no more white stuff - for the season. And I'm in the process of preparing the lawnmower, weed whacker and edger for the summer ahead.

The folks at the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute would be proud of me. I'm one of those homeowners who takes the advice of the institute to heart. A Virginia-based trade association that represents the manufacturers of yard machines and other power equipment, the institute promotes proper maintenance and safety. My lawn and garden equipment is always in tip-top shape. Every other year, larger items, like the snowblower and mower, visit my repairman for a tune-up, and smaller items are cleaned regularly, according to the owners' manuals.

"Maintenance is not a big, involved process," said Bill Harley, president of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute. "Draining oil, changing spark plugs and using fresh gas, these are pretty much simple tasks, and they help keep the machines running smoothly."

The owner's manual is a good place to start when it comes to maintenance and safety. The manual will help you locate the filter, tell you what kind of oil to use and how often to change it and even give the most basic advice, like wearing safety glasses and work gloves and clearing the area of debris before revving up the engine. Another source is the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute's Web site, www.opei.org, which features dozens of tips, from mower maintenance to understanding horsepower ratings.

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With lawns turning green and weather warming, we're probably focused on lawn equipment this time of the year. But most gas-powered outdoor equipment, from tillers to power washers, calls for the same basic maintenance. With help from the institute, here are some tips to keep engines purring and wheels turning:

Store equipment properly in off-season. To me, this primarily means draining the gas tank, which prevents stagnant fuel from gumming up the engine. Fuel stabilizers, such as Stabil, can be used as an alternative to draining the tank. If you don't want to spend the money on a fuel stabilizer, start the engine and let it run until it stops. The tank will be empty but some fuel will be trapped in the line. Let the machine rest for several minutes, then reprime the engine, restart and let run until it goes dead. For engines that use a mixture of oil and gas, drain the fuel into a gallon container and take it to an auto service center for recycling.

Prepare for the new season. Before starting the engine, check for loose bolts and screws or worn parts. Make sure the engine fluid levels are properly filled. Two-cycle engines, which power string trimmers, blowers and edgers, take a mixture of oil and gasoline; four-cycle engines, which power most mowers, have separate tanks for gasoline and motor oil.

Lubricate. Some machines have cables, linkage and wheels that can stick. Use some WD40 to loosen them. At the same time, tighten loose bolts and screws, especially near the wheels.

Change filters. Most machines have sponge or paper filters that can be cleaned and reused. Brush off the paper ones after every other mowing. Foam filters, also used in mowers and string-type trimmers, often get gunked up with oil deposits; soak them in fresh gas and squeeze dry.

Change spark plug. Replace the old plug before each season. Check owner's manual for the proper "gap."

Use fresh gasoline. If you have a gallon or so from last fall, put it in your car's gas tank. A small portion of old gas won't have an adverse effect on a 20-gallon tank. Put the new gas in your mower, trimmer or edger.

Change oil regularly. After every third or fourth use, drain the oil. Don't let old oil sit in the engine during the off-season, either. Drain and fill with new oil before storing the machine for the offseason.

Sharpen mower blades. At least twice a season, I remove the blade and have it sharpened at the hardware store. A dull blade rips grass blades; a sharp blade cuts neatly and makes for a healthier lawn.

Keep machines clean. Dust and dirt can take over the tops of most larger machines. Clean them with a damp cloth. During the off-season, cover them with a tarp or old cloth blanket. On a mower, crusted grass clippings can coat the underside of the deck. Scrape away the clippings with an old screwdriver or putty knife. Remember, before working on the deck or near an exposed blade, unhook the spark plug wire to prevent the motor from starting.

Finally, Harley said, remember to play it safe. Walk the area to be cleared, whether it's the yard before mowing or the driveway before snowblowing, and pick up any debris, like stones and small branches, that might be accidentally discharged. Make sure children are not playing near a machine's discharge area. "That's one message we really want to emphasize: operate equipment safely," Harley said.

E-mail Gary Dymski at gary.dymski@newsday.com.