How to fix push mower that had antifreeze accidentally added to the fuel tank?

Big Bubba

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 11, 2007
Messages
746
Well, I have a big question to ask you all. I hope I can get some help. A neighbor friend of mine wife comes knocking on my door and is upset that her daughter had added antifreeze to the fuel tank on there grass pushing mower and it would not start again. Well, I went down there and we first drained the fuel tank out to remove the antifreeze that had been put in there, then we added gas and still could not start the grass cutting push mower, then we drained the gas out of it and added fresh gasoline back into the tank and kept cranking with no luck at all. Then I took the carb off and blew it out really good and put it back on and still did not crank. We even had blisters form on our hands from cranking it soo much. What else do I need to do to get this grass cutting mower to start again? This mower is about three years old and is pretty new still. I need help to helping my neighbor get there grass cutting mower started and working again. Thank you, Bob:)
 

lckstckn2smknbrls

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Sep 18, 2008
Messages
1,114
Re: How to fix push mower that had antifreeze accidentally added to the fuel tank?

New plug and check the air filter and use starting fluid.
 
Joined
Sep 5, 2007
Messages
1,790
Re: How to fix push mower that had antifreeze accidentally added to the fuel tank?

To fix it for sure you need to do several things. First remove the tank and the carb. Next clean out the tank. Real clean. Then take the carb apart and clean every bit of it with carb cleaner. You must be sure the fuel pump flapper has not been destroyed. If so a rebuild kit. Then remove the plug and replace it but while the plug is out spray some starting fluid directly into the spark plug hole to dry out the antifreeze goo but just a light squirt. Put it back together with fresh gas and mow away. Should take about 30 minutes.
 

rosser1

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 5, 2009
Messages
360
Re: How to fix push mower that had antifreeze accidentally added to the fuel tank?

flood it a time or two then try it it should work!!
 

j_martin

Admiral
Joined
Sep 22, 2006
Messages
7,474
Re: How to fix push mower that had antifreeze accidentally added to the fuel tank?

When you do get it running, I'd drop the oil and change it.
 

642mx

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Apr 19, 2008
Messages
1,588
Re: How to fix push mower that had antifreeze accidentally added to the fuel tank?

The rings are probably washed out. Using starting fluid will just make it worse.

I'd pull the fuel tank and carb and flush/clean both out. Remove the plug and give it a shot of engine storage oil (fogger). Rope it over without the plug about a dozen times and re-install the plug (this should raise the compression if the rings are washed out). Fill it up with some fresh gas and start it up. Change the oil after you warm it up good.
 

j_martin

Admiral
Joined
Sep 22, 2006
Messages
7,474
Re: How to fix push mower that had antifreeze accidentally added to the fuel tank?

I had a smoker lawn mower once. The better half put some gear lube in the crankcase (my fault, it was in a 30W bottle) and stuck the rings real good. It would not start or run.

I tipped it up on end, squirted about an ounce of SiliCroil in the spark plug hole, and took a break for breakfast.

After breakfast, I changed the oil, put the spark plug back in, and started it up. It smoked like a demon for about 30 seconds, then quit using oil. Didn't even smoke as bad as it did before.

Light bulbs flashed, hand smacked my forehead, and I immediately sprayed SiliCroil in the spark plug holes of the 52 cornbinder wrecker that had been burning a quart of oil an hour since I could remember. It quit burning oil and I'm still using it occasionally 15 years later.
 

DECK SWABBER 58

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 14, 2009
Messages
1,913
Re: How to fix push mower that had antifreeze accidentally added to the fuel tank?

Good excuse to buy a new one:D
 

GDBrown

Recruit
Joined
Apr 5, 2010
Messages
4
How to fix push mower that had antifreeze accidentally added to the fuel tank?

If it is a PUSH mower where is the fuel tank? I would think that the way to fix it would be to start PUSHING It!!:D
 

KRS

Banned
Joined
May 15, 2004
Messages
2,383
Re: How to fix push mower that had antifreeze accidentally added to the fuel tank?

If it is a PUSH mower where is the fuel tank? I would think that the way to fix it would be to start PUSHING It!!:D

:) :) :) Love it.

Ya, need to remove the plug and crank it over so it pushes out whatever is in the cylinder bore. Dry the plug; then do whatever else everyone here said :)
 

kenmyfam

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 10, 2006
Messages
14,392
Re: How to fix push mower that had antifreeze accidentally added to the fuel tank?

Clean the entire fuel system. Then start again.
 

fat fanny

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Feb 9, 2006
Messages
1,935
Re: How to fix push mower that had antifreeze accidentally added to the fuel tank?

The plug is modt definately fouled (replace it) Drain and flush entire fuel system (tank,carb bowl and lines) Drain oil tunr it over a few times and refill also as mentioned before it wouldn't hurt to spay fogging oli into plug hole and turn it over a few times before replacing the plug. Good luck Bubba
 

cheburashka

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 28, 2005
Messages
715
Re: How to fix push mower that had antifreeze accidentally added to the fuel tank?

Drop some Seafoam into the intake. I had a two-stroke that wasn't running. It would crank and run for three or four seconds if I put Seafoam in the intake, then die. Turns out I had filled the tank with antifreeze (which I had stored in a fuel tank.) It runs fine now.
 
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