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How to Tune Up a Lawn Mower

A well-maintained lawn mower is easier to operate and will last longer.

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Box wrench Motor oil Mower blade Newspapers Ratchet extension Ratchet Scraper Spark plug feeler gauge Spark plug socket Spark plug Tarpaulin Waste container Wire brush Wood block

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How to Tune Up a Lawn Mower

computer-generated transcript - may not be 100% accurate

" A well-maintained lawn mower is easier to operate and last longer. Here's how to perform a quick spring tune up. The first step is to change the spark plug. Remove the rubber spark plug boot. With a ratchet and a deep spark plug socket, remove the spark plug. Once it's loose, its best unscrew the plug by hand. Replace the spark plug with exactly the same model plug. Set the gap or space between the electrodes to a distance specified by the manufacturer. In this case, its thirty thousand's of an inch. Start by screwing the new plug in by hand to avoid cross threading. Then finish with a socket. After the spark plug is seated, give it one quarter turn more. Replace the spark plug boot pressing down until you feel a click. Next, we're going to go under the mower to replace the blade, clean the bottom, and change the oil. First, detach the spark plug cap again, so, that the engine can't accidentally start. When you tilt the mower up, oil will often leak out of the oil breather vent. So, place a collection pan to catch the drips from the vent. Place a block of wood against the grass shoot and rest the blade against the wood to prevent it from moving when you loosen the bolt. Using a box wrench, loosen the bolt securing the blade. Mark the bottom of the blade with an X to help orient you when you install the new blade, and then remove the old blade and wooden block. Locate the oil drain plug, using a scraper and wire brush, clean and scrape the area surrounding the oil plug removing all caked-on grass clippings. Lay down sufficient newspapers to protect the work area and place an oil collection pan to catch the waste oil. Using a ratchet extension and socket, remove the oil plug moving quickly to avoid spills,"

" of the mower, removing all caked-on grass clippings. With the bottom cleaned, it's time to install the new mower blade. Using the mark you made on the old blade, orient the new blade so that they're facing the same way. Place the blade over the engine shaft and replace the bolt, tightening it until the bolt is snug. Wedge a block of wood against the edge of the casing and an engine bolt, and rest the new blade against the wood for support. With the box wrench, tightened down the bolt. Remove the wooden brace. Lower the mower. Open the oil drain cover and set it aside. Referring to your operator's manual, replace the oil with the required amount of thirty weight premium grade detergent motor oil. Slowly pour the oil into the oil filler tube, being careful not to over fill. Check the level of the oil with the oil dipstick. The oil should just reach the full line. Next, open the cover of the air filter. Inside, you'll typically find the foam air filter. Remove the foam air filter and rinse it in hot soapy water. Squeeze out the filter and set it aside in the sun to dry completely. When the filter is completely dry, pour a few tablespoons of motor oil on the foam cleaner and knead to distribute it throughout the filter. Squeeze out the excess. Wipe out the air cleaner housing and reinsert the foam filter. Replace the cover and fasten it in place. Replace the spark plug cap. Set the mower to start. Give the mower a pull and you're ready for another season."

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