Is it okay that fuel has been sitting in my lawn mower for years?

Answer by  embockjr (709)

It would be best to drain the tank and use fresh gas. It is certainly not a good idea to let gas remain in the mower for extended periods.

Answer by  wingdog987 (154)

Your lawn mower will not run very long with old gas as you have probably already discovered. Old gas gums up and cloggs in your pickup screen, gas bowl, jet and your gas tank. You will need to take fuel system apart, clean and refill with fresh gas.

Answer by  Jackie17 (83)

Over time gasoline breaks down into a varnish like substance, so the fuel inside your mower needs to be properly disposed of. Has the stored gas caused any lasting problems to the mower? Probably not. Fresh gas and possibly some fuel system cleaner is all most lawnmowers need to get up and running from storage.

Answer by  tamarawilhite (17883)

No, it is not. Fuel that has been stored in a sealed container may be good for use if stabilizers have been added prior to storage. Fuel in a lawn more lacks this, and it may be further deteriorated by evaporation and the absorption of dirt and metal particles. This fuel is unusable.

Answer by  John (9008)

Gasoline actually will go bad over time. It is unlikely to work and, if it does, will cause your mower to run poorly and could even damage your fuel system.

Answer by  Neil (83)

It's generally recommended that if fuel is left in an engine for a year then some kind of fuel stabilizer is used to stop it degrading.