The Briggs & Stratton lawnmower engine gas tank is made of a non-corrosive or corrosion-resistant material to protect it from the deteriorating properties of ethanol, salt, and water. Some gasoline tanks are equipped with a vented fuel cap that prevents a vacuum from forming in the fuel line. Do not add stale gasoline to the fuel tank. Stale gas can form gummy deposits on the carburetor, blocking the carburetor jets and throttle opening. If you notice that the gas tank is damaged or leaking, replace it immediately with a new one.
How the fuel tanks work
Fuel tanks are designed to keep your engine fuel clean, ventilated, and safe in all lawnmowers, snowplows, and outdoor electrical products. If you see debris in your gas tank or a gas leak, it’s time to get your fuel tank serviced. Never attempt to repair a damaged tank. It presents a risk of leakage, fire or fuel contamination. If you are replacing a fuel tank, use only parts recommended by the engine manufacturer. These parts will attach securely to your engine in the space provided.
Many fuel tanks are designed to use a vented gas cap to prevent vacuum or pressure from building up in the fuel system. If there is a fuel leak from the cap, a properly fitted replacement cap may solve the problem.
The main purposes of a fuel tank are to safely store and deliver enough fuel to do a job and to ensure that the fuel stays clean. Due to the very small steps in the carburetor, it is very important that the fuel is very clean.
Fuel tanks should be constructed of non-corrosive material or covered with a corrosion-resistant coating to protect them from the harmful effects of water, alcohol, and salt. If the tank is corroded or damaged, it must be replaced.
Some engines, such as those used in walk-behind mowers, use a fuel filter located inside the tank at the fuel outlet. These cannot be replaced; consult your local Briggs dealers for information on how to maintain the filters in the tank. A filter can also be placed outside the tank, halfway along the fuel line.
The best ways to drain gas from a Briggs and Stratton lawnmower:
There are several ways to remove gas from your Briggs and Stratton lawnmower. We will explore these methods one by one.
Required equipment:
It is always best to know what tools you will need before starting any repair work. Fortunately, this task does not require sophisticated equipment. If you choose the siphon pump method, of course, you need it. Additionally, you need a pair of needle-nose pliers, a screwdriver, a rag to collect spills, and a plastic container or bottle for this job. Before you begin, park your Briggs and Stratton mower in an area that can handle some gas spills.
Method 1: using a siphon pump:
A siphon pump is the cleanest, easiest way to remove bad gasoline from the Briggs and Stratton fuel tank. It can be used on both ride-on and walk-behind lawnmowers. You can buy a siphon pump fairly easily by visiting an auto parts store for as little as $ 10.
For mounted lawnmowers
When you drive Briggs and Stratton lawnmowers, the gas tank is located just under the seat or under the hood. For some models, you may need to lift the seat to access the fuel cap.
Step 1: To drain the fuel, open the cap and insert the upper pipe of the siphon pump to completely submerge it in the tank. For information, a siphon pump is delivered with two hoses. The upper part is inserted from where the fuel has to be drained. Rather, the lower pipe transports the drained fuel to a secondary container.
Step 2: Handle any plastic cylinder or plastic bottle to store gasoline drawn from the tank. Avoid using metal cans, as the gas flow can induce a static charge, which can produce a spark in the presence of metal.
Step 3: Pump the siphon by hand to remove the gasoline from the tank and transfer it to the plastic container. Eliminate any kinks or kinks in the siphon pipe to allow easy drainage. Continue to pump gasoline until the fuel tank is empty.
For walk-behind lawn mowers
For Briggs and Stratton rear-drive lawnmowers, the methodology is completely the same except that the gas tank is easier to find because it is present at the top. Remove its cap and insert the siphon hose to drain the fuel.
Method 2: Disconnecting the fuel line:
If there is no siphon pump available, you can disconnect the fuel line. This method is a bit more complex but still quite practical for draining the Briggs and Stratton fuel tank. It can be applied to both riding and walk-behind lawnmowers.
Lawnmowers with driver
When driving lawnmowers, the first thing to do is locate the fuel line that carries fuel from the tank to the carburetor.
Step 1: To access the carburetor, you may need to lift the mower hood and remove the air filter assembly. It might not seem very easy, but once you have access to the carburetor it is only a matter of a few minutes to completely drain the fuel.
Step 2: Once the Briggs and Stratton carburetor is visible, locate the fuel line that carries fuel from the tank. You must use a pair of needle-nose pliers to clamp the pipe and remove it from the connector holder. Or you can loosen the connector with a screwdriver.
Step 3: When the hose is disconnected, fuel starts to come out. You must have an open container to catch the fuel from the tank. Lower the hose and allow all the fuel to drain completely into the container. Continue in this way until the tank is emptied.
Walk-behind mowers:
This procedure is relatively easy on Briggs and Stratton walk-behind mowers, as the fuel line is normally visible from the outside. Additionally, the mower deck acts as a fuel collection container and can collect gas spills.
Before draining the fuel, be sure to clean the fuel lines of dirt with a rag.
Method 3: Tilt the mower:
The latter method sounds easy, but it’s often more difficult than you might think. It is best to do it in pairs. Limited to Briggs and Stratton walk-behind lawnmowers as they can be easily tilted. Before you begin, be sure to follow the steps below:
Step 1: Before tilting, make sure the spark plug wire is disconnected so that there is no risk of accidental starting of the Briggs and Stratton engine. Also, make sure that the air filter assembly faces upwards when tilting the mower. This step is performed so that engine oil does not flow into the fuel tank.
Step 2: Put a plastic container to catch the fuel and place it under the tank cap. Open the tank cap and allow the fuel to drain completely into the tank.
Step 3: Once the container is empty, discard the removed fuel and close the tank cap. Reconnect the spark plug wire.
Additional steps:
Keep in mind that no matter what method you follow to drain the fuel, there are a few more steps you need to take to completely remove the fuel residue from your lawnmower.
Run the engine for a while
After the Briggs and Stratton fuel tank is empty, there may still be fuel left in the carburetor and in the fuel lines. To drain off this excess fuel, start your mower engine and let it run for a while. When the engine stops after a while, your device is now out of fuel.