For the first time, this year, I got myself a gas-powered lawn mower. I bought myself a red plastic jug for the gasoline, and I pour it into the mower to make it go.
What do I do with any leftover gasoline in the mower or in the jug at the end of the mowing season? I don't know how to get the gasoline out of the mower's fuel tank, and even if I did get it out, then what?
I know that somebody here must know this. And don't laugh at me. I'm a nurse. I know internal organs, not internal combustion.
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
There's a mowing season?
Move to Louisiana, that'll solve all your problems.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
keep it, and use it next year.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
I thought that gasoline is best used fresh, and that it degrades over time. Otherwise, I would just use it next year.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Pour what's left in the jug into your car, or a neighbors car if you don't have one. Assuming you didn't have to mix it with oil for your mower. Then don't. Time it carefully so there's as little as posible left in the mower. Add a bottle of stabilizer before you store it for the winter. You get it at a gas station or hardware store, it'll probably have instructions on the back.
I'm mostly guessing, someone else will probably know. I use a push mower, no gas. Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Personally, with mine -- I run the mower until it runs out of gas completely before I winterize it at the end of the mowing season. But I also do regular maintenance on it at that time.
The gas in the can you can add a gas stablizer to that is designed specifically for keeping gas fresh over the winter months.
FG
edit: too slow! The most popular gas stabilizer is Sta-Bil available at most hardware stores
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
I do know if you leave gas in the mower over the winter it can degrade gaskets and stuff. Then your mower sucks the next year.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
Brilliant, LJ, that's what I'll do. Mow until the mower runs dry, and pour the what's left in the jug of gasoline into my car.
Until this year, I had the old fashioned manual reel mower, but I was getting tired of the effort of it all.
With the new mower, I don't even have to cajole my kid to mow for me. He's glad to do it.
Posted by King of Men (Member # 6684) on :
Find an empty wine bottle to pour the petrol into. Stuff the hole with rags. Set rags afire. Throw into house of someone you don't like.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
Tsk, tsk, KOM, naughty, naughty.
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
Yes, but it did make me laugh Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
It was actually my first thought, too, but I decided Tante probably wanted non-distructive advice. Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
You need to add a little motor oil or some liquid soap to the bottle.
I did, and I appreciate all those productive citizens who freely offer it.
Sheesh! Anarchists! Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
quote:You need to add a little motor oil or some liquid soap to the bottle.
Why do I need to do that?
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
I think that was suggested for the cocktail bottle.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Yes it was.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
Molotovs, anyone?
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Nah. But I've always liked daiquiris.
It's a little early in the day, though.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
But why does the motor oil or liquid soap make for a better Molotov cocktail?
Not that I hang out with a anarchist crowd, but I have heard that dissolving styrofoam in gasoline will yield a volatile gel, which will stick better and burn longer when thrown at a target.
Anyone here have experience with that?
Dagonee?
King of Men?
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
Margaritas are the safest summertime drink. The salt around the rim keeps the garden slugs out of your drink.
Beer is *not* recommended.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Bleh. Beer is never recommended.
Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
Beer. *shudder*
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
I know! It attracts garden slugs like nobody's business.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
*eyes washing machine with trepidation*
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
Is it a riding lawnmower? If so, fill it up with the extra gas, get on the interstate, and see how far it will take you.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
I thought the only thing soap was good for blowing up was bubbles.
Will I bubble things?
Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
Soap bubbles!
Have you not seen Fight Club?
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
quote:Is it a riding lawnmower? If so, fill it up with the extra gas, get on the interstate, and see how far it will take you.
Ah, Annie, while that does sound like a well though out and logical suggestion, alas, it is a push mower.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
quote: Have you not seen Fight Club?
Yes. I have not seen Fight Club. Is there a bubble fight in that movie?
Posted by Jim-Me (Member # 6426) on :
no but it does explain the connection between soap and explosives
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
MMmmmm... beer.
Plebians.
Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
Who you callin' a plebian? I think it's the other way around.
Posted by Enigmatic (Member # 7785) on :
No experience with soap, but dissolving styrofoam in gasoline does make a sticky goo that burns longer and slower. Use enough styrofoam and it becomes like chewed gum that drips apart as it burns.
I don't know if this would be something you'd want in a molotov, as it would have less of a blast than just the gas. I suppose if the goal is to start a building on fire though, some happy medium would do: liquid enough that it spreads, gooey enough that it burns a bit longer.
--Enigmatic
Posted by Gryphonesse (Member # 6651) on :
BEER... yum yum yum.
A cold Guinness would be best, but Corona with lime in the heat is a nice cooler-offer.
I'm not exclusionist tho - a nice Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc is good to enjoy in the summer heat too.
Get someone else to mow your yard while you prop your feet up and enjoy your margarita. Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
quote:dissolving styrofoam in gasoline
Homemade napalm.
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
Leave it there.....
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
Eni, do you mind my asking just why you have so much experience with home made napalm.
Not that there's anything wrong with that... Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
quote:quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- dissolving styrofoam in gasoline --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Homemade napalm.
You can also dissolve the styrofoam in nail polish remover. It works better, in fact.
*is a bit of a pyro*
My suggestion for the mower is: move to CA or TX or somewhere where you have a lawn all year round. Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
quote:You can also dissolve the styrofoam in nail polish remover. It works better, in fact.
HOW do you know this? WHY do you know this.
My mother used to warn me about falling in with "a bad crowd". Are you guys "a bad crowd"?
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Yes.
I know it 'cause I've done both. I learned about it from my in-laws (when I was just dating my husband) and tried it with my little brother. Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Oh, one thing: if you're going to try it, be careful not to get it on yourself. Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :
You put that on your little brother?
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
Are your in-laws terrorists?
And, NO, I'm not going to try it.
Bad crowd, indeed!
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
The liquid soap in the cocktail will mix with the gas and make it stick to the wall, or whatever you throw it at.....I hear.
Orange juice concentrate will also work.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
quote:You put that on your little brother?
No. But he's rather clumsy (motor skill problems.) I had to watch him carefully to make sure he didn't drip any on himself.
quote:Are your in-laws terrorists?
Nah, they're just from Texas.
quote:And, NO, I'm not going to try it.
Ah, well. Your loss, it's fun!
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
I just wanted to mow my lawn, like a good citizen of the neighborhood, and properly dispose of any remaining gasoline, like a good citizen of the planet. And YOU GUYS, with your terroristic tricks and evil ways are trying to lead my astray from the path.
I won't follow. I won't!
<Stuffs fingers in ears to keep from hearing any more seditious chatter>
<realizes that fingers in the ears do not make the words on the screen disappear, but instead make it impossible to click the mousie to leave the thread>
<unstuffs ears. mousie clicks>
Posted by J T Stryker (Member # 6300) on :
quote: Not that I hang out with a anarchist crowd, but I have heard that dissolving styrofoam in gasoline will yield a volatile gel, which will stick better and burn longer when thrown at a target.
The best recipe for napalm is about 3 pounds of packing peanuts (styrofoam), 6 fl. oz. of gasoline, and a can of orange juice concentrate.
I have tried multiple recipes, and this one is the best as far as spreading and still sticking... (I got way too bored working at Boy Scout camp).
as far as the gas in your lawn mower goes, the rate at which it deteriorates is slow enough that it will still run in the spring if you just leave the gas in it. It won't have quite as much power... but it'll still do the job at hand.
Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
quote:Originally posted by Tante Shvester:
quote:You can also dissolve the styrofoam in nail polish remover. It works better, in fact.
HOW do you know this? WHY do you know this?
This was actually a sophomore year chemistry project for me. So I have only honorable intent with this one!!! LOL
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