Lawnmowers are universally popular among American homeowners, and it’s pretty understandable; if you own an ample outdoor space with a lawn, you’ll have to plan on mowing your lawn once a week during the growing season. It’s even fun to use some lawnmowers! On the other hand, lawnmowers are complex machines, and sometimes, a typical malfunction can ruin your lawn care plans.
One of the most common problems with lawnmowers is clogging or obstruction in the fuel caps. While the majority of symptoms associated with an obstructed vented gas cap are also present in other instances, a quick examination will let you know if your gas cap is clogged; it may need a deep clean or even a replacement, depending on the situation.
If your lawnmower is acting up, we’ll show you the main symptoms that mean you should check the fuel cap ASAP; we’ll also offer some quick fixes to deal with the issue if your fuel cap is actually obstructed.
How to know if your fuel cap is not venting correctly
Problems with your fuel cap will resemble the behavior of your lawnmower when it’s running out of gas; vented caps are designed to let air into the fuel tank and if there’s no airflow, your engine will stop. Suppose you turned on the engine and started mowing, but the machine began to die on you after a few passes. If it started sputtering and misfiring before completely shutting off, there’s probably something wrong with your fuel cap; however, you’ll need to pay attention to your engine to ensure the gas cap is not venting.
If the engine runs appropriately right after turning it on but slowly begins to act up, it’s likely due to venting problems with the gas cap. If the sputtering or misfiring is constant from the moment you start your engine, there are probably other problems with your lawnmower.
If you let your lawnmower rest for a bit after stalling and it runs fine when you start it again, it’s definitely the gas cap; this happens because while it might be clogged, it’s not properly sealed and air will get inside the tank eventually.
What to do if your vented gas cap is obstructed
Depending on the design of your vented fuel cap, you’ll have different options to deal with this issue. If you own a small lawnmower, the cap probably has a little hole on the top to let air pass through. If this is the case, try to poke the debris clogging the hole with a pin or a needle; after de-clogging that little hole, your mower should work as usual.
If you own a larger lawnmower with a more complex fuel cap, try submerging it in a mix of industrial cleaner with water for a while; then rinse it, let it dry, and test to see if it vents correctly. If not, replacing it with a new one is the better option.
While taking care of a lawnmower can be challenging at times, making a habit of mowing your lawn is the best way to beautify your outdoor spaces in the long run. The next time your lawnmower dies for seemingly no reason at all, pay close attention; you may need a fuel cap replacement as soon as possible.
