What kind of gasoline should I put into my lawn mower?

Having bought a new lawn mower, even when he has never had to use it before, the new owner thinks about what the ideal fuel for it should be. First of all, clarify what kind and type of engine the device itself uses.

Distinguish between two-stroke and four-stroke engines. As follows from the definition, their difference is in the number of working cycles. A two-stroke in one cycle produces 2 piston movement cycles, a four-stroke - 4. It is the second that burns gasoline more efficiently than the first. For environmental protection, the 4-stroke motor is safer. The power of such a motor is much higher than that of a 2-stroke one.

A two-stroke petrol mower in some cases replaces an electric one. If you have a plot of tens of acres, buy a lawn mower with a 4-stroke motor.

But such an investment with monthly use will quickly pay off. A lawnmower with a 4-stroke motor will mow (and chop, if equipped with a chopper) more grass for the same amount of gasoline.

It is not recommended to operate both types of engines on the same fuel composition. And although the gasoline type of the engine speaks for itself, the engine oil is diluted with gasoline. It protects valves and nozzles from accelerated wear. But not only the need for oil is characterized by the correct operation of the engine. Also check which type of oil is suitable for the motor of a particular lawn mower - synthetic, semi-synthetic or mineral.

Gasoline for a lawn mower is normal car gas. It is easy to buy it at any gas station. Different gas stations offer AI-76/80/92/93/95/98 gasoline. Certain brands of gasoline may not be available at a particular gas station. Be sure to check Does the refueling station sell gasoline of brands 92/95/98 - this is the option that is necessary for the smooth operation of the engine with maximum efficiency.

Due to other hydrocarbon additives, an increase in octane number reduces engine detonation. But high-octane gasoline takes more time for complete afterburning. Rare mower models have a separate or main engine, which may require diesel fuel rather than gasoline. In hypermarkets selling gardening and harvesting equipment, they mainly sell gasoline mowers.

Do not use pure gasoline. Be sure to dilute them with oil... The fact is that the two-stroke engine does not have a separate oil tank and oil dispenser. The disadvantage of a 2-stroke engine is unburned gasoline. When the engine is running, the smell of overheated oil is also felt - it also does not completely burn out. Also, don't skimp on oil. With a lack of it, the pistons move back and forth with great friction and deceleration. As a result, the cylinder and piston shaft will wear out faster.

For example, 980 ml of gasoline and 20 ml of synthetic oil are poured into a liter tank.If there is no measuring glass, two 5-liter canisters will take 9800 ml of gasoline (almost a 10-liter bucket) and 200 - oil (one faceted glass). Overfilling the oil by at least 10% will lead the engine to overgrowing its parts with a layer of carbon. Power output will become ineffective and gas mileage may increase.

The complicated design of the "4-stroke", in addition to two additional compartments with pistons, has an oil tank. The oil dosage system (crankcase) injects oil itself in the proportion set by the manufacturer. The main thing is to check the oil level in the system in a timely manner. If necessary, top up, or better - completely change the oil, draining it and working it off.

As a result, it can stall after only 2-3 minutes of operation - until the amount of fuel and oil in the tanks decreases by at least a few percent. If the top mark is missing - pour oil and gasoline into tanks 5-10% less than they can hold.

Do not skimp on the quality of either gasoline or oil. Poorly refined gasoline and oil of the “wrong” brand will quickly clog the engine. This will lead to a forced washing of the latter - and it is good if the restoration is limited to washing, and does not go into the overhaul stage.

4-stroke engine requires semi-synthetic or mineral oils marked SAE-30, SAE 20w-50 (summer), 10W-30 (autumn and spring). These markers indicate the viscosity of the oil. The product with a viscosity of 5W-30 is all-season and all-weather. The two-stroke engine is not critical to viscosity - the oil is already diluted in gasoline.

For the convenience of replacing oil in a 4-stroke engine that has turned black after prolonged operation, a funnel, a pump and an additional canister may be required. Do the following.

1. Warm up the mower engine by running it for 10 minutes. It is better to time the action to the next mowing of the overgrown grass.
2. Place a funnel with a canister and remove the drain plug.
3. Unscrew the top (filler plug). The heated oil will drain faster and better.
4. After waiting until everything drains out and the residues stop dripping, close the drain plug.
5. Wait for the motor to cool down. This will take up to 10 minutes.
6. Fill in fresh oil from a new canister, checking its presence with a dipstick, and screw the tank filler cap.

The purpose of the oil composition is to ensure the required smoothness of sliding of the pistons and engine valves. As a result, the wear of the working parts will be reduced to a minimum. Do not dilute 4-stroke gasoline with 2-stroke oil and vice versa. The composition, poured into the reservoir for 4-stroke engines, retains its "sliding properties" longer. It does not burn out, but manages to spread over the moving parts of the engine.

In a 2-stroke engine, oil fraction burns together with gasoline - soot is formed... The permissible rate of its formation is one of the most important characteristics of a 2-stroke motor. It means that the engine should not clog its valves with carbon deposits for several liters of gasoline consumed.

The motor is designed for a much longer "run" - especially when it comes to hundreds and thousands of hectares of grass mowed during the season. A high-quality oil-gasoline fraction is also important in protecting the engine from a thick layer of carbon, which will become impossible to work with.

The exact recommendation of the manufacturer refers the consumer to the oil from certain companies.... For example, this is the manufacturer LiquiMoly... But such a match is not at all necessary.

Do not buy car oil for your lawn mower - manufacturers produce a special composition. Lawn mowers and snowmobiles do not have water cooling like cars and trucks, but air cooling. Each model of the mower provides fuel of certain brands and proportions, which are not recommended to deviate from.

Specific malfunctions, if the manufacturer's recommendations are ignored, lead to the following malfunctions:

• overheating of the engine and the appearance of carbon deposits on candles and cylinders;
• loosening of the piston-valve system;
• unstable operation of the motor (frequent stalls, "sneezing" during operation);
• drop in efficiency and significant costs for gasoline.

If more oil is poured for a two-stroke engine than required, the valves will become clogged with resinous fractions formed during fuel combustion, the engine will start knocking during operation. Thorough flushing of the engine with lighter gasolines mixed with alcohol will be required.

With an insufficient amount or complete absence of oil, the valves will flow faster from excessive friction and increased vibration. This will lead to their incomplete closing, and the mower will emit a lot of unburned gasoline vapors mixed with black and blue smoke.

See below for the lawn mower maintenance instructions.