How To Remove The Gas Tank From A Briggs & Stratton Lawn Mower

A few weeks ago, my husband brought out that good old Briggs & Stratton lawn mower from a long hibernation period.

Naturally, he knew that he’d have to perform some amount of maintenance before it could get started. The foremost thing my man was worried about was fuel deposits inside the gas tank. However, to clean it, he first needed to remove it from the mower.

And that’s where he hit a wall; the gas tank on Briggs & Stratton mowers is not easy to remove, and you have to know how to perform the operation. My husband didn’t know how to get the job done, so I decided to turn to my trusty old partner, the internet.

Howdy folks! I’m Stacy Smith, your friendly neighborhood lawn care expert. And today, I’m going to tell you how to remove the gas tank from a Briggs & Stratton lawn mower. This is the method I used for my model, and it worked wonderfully.

So, without further ado, let’s get going.

How To Remove The Gas Tank From A Briggs & Stratton Lawn Mower

Understanding The Gas Tank

Before removing the gas tank, let me tell you a bit about what it is and why you should maintain it. Simply put, it’s a fuel storage unit that’s meant to keep the fuel secure, vented, and clean. That’s why you should periodically clean the gas tank of your lawn mower.

Regular use of the lawn mower can result in collisions with hard objects, and this can damage the gas tank. If you keep gas in the tank without service for a long time, this can also damage and block the vents in the tank. In order to protect or repair the tank, you’ll need to know how to remove it in the first place.

Steps To Remove The Gas Tank From A Briggs & Stratton Lawn Mower

Tools Required

Before starting on the task, make sure you have the following tools handy:

• Clamps for the fuel lines
• Adjustable wrenches for removing the fasteners
• A siphon pump and empty container
• A pair of gloves and safety goggles

1. Disconnect The Spark Plugs

The first thing you need to do to remove the gas tank is to disconnect the spark plugs. For this, locate the spark plug wire and detach it from the plugs. This will ensure that the engine doesn’t get started suddenly while you’re working. Also, make sure that you’ve turned off the ignition.

2. Remove Any Gas

Before removing the tank, you’ll need to empty it of any gas that’s still there. There are two ways to achieve this. In case there’s only a tiny amount left, start the lawn mower and let it run before disconnecting the spark plugs. This way, the fuel will get used up automatically.

For substantial amounts of gas, you’ll have to use a siphon pump for removing the fuel. Carefully disconnect the fuel lines, use the pump to drain the gas, and store it in a suitable container. If the gas hasn’t turned unusable, you can utilize it later.

3. Disconnect The Gas Tank

Now, you need to take out the gas tank, which is typically located on the engine’s top. To do this, place the mower on a flat surface, such as your driveway. In the case of a riding mower, make sure to engage the parking breaks.

Next, carefully disconnect the gas tank from all its connections. Usually, you’ll find an opening for pouring in fuel and an outlet that supplies gas to the engine. In the case of Briggs & Stratton mowers, there’s only one line that carries gas to the carburetor.

You’ll find the exit line as a hose that’s attached with fasteners. Use an adjustable wrench to remove these fasteners. In the process, you may have to remove several washers and seals. Make sure you keep them safe for reattaching later.

4. Remove The Gas Tank

Once the tank is free of all connections, you need to separate it from the main body of the mower. Gas tanks are usually connected to the mower with a pair of mounting bolts. Remove these using a wrench; once that’s successfully done, the tank should come loose.

5. Prevent Dust From Entering The Carburetor

Finally, you need to ensure that the fuel lines are not left exposed after you’ve removed the gas tank. This can lead to dust entering the carburetor and damaging it. To prevent this, use a fuel line cap or plastic sheet to block the openings. This way, your Briggs & Stratton mower will be safe from debris and dust.

A Few Essential Safety Tips

My husband and I found that once you know how to do it, the entire process of removing the gas tank from a Briggs & Stratton lawn mower becomes easy. However, there are a few essential safety tips that you need to keep in mind when doing it.

Here’s a brief list of what to keep in mind:

• Be very careful when removing the fuel, and keep away any sparks or flames
• In case you find the fuel tank damaged, repair or replace it right away
• Always wear safety gloves and goggles when working with the mower
• Keep some rags handy so that you can wipe any accidental spillage

And with that, you’re all done!

Final Words