If Your Garage Smells Like Gasoline After Mowing, Here's What's Wrong

If you use a gasoline-powered mower, then of course it makes sense that it would smell a little, well, gassy, just after you've pushed it around the yard. But if you notice a heavy gasoline odor filling your garage, it's a sign something has gone amiss. This can be due to a couple of culprits. One possible reason is that you didn't prepare your lawn mower for winter by draining the gas and it's gone bad. It's also possible your mower has a gas leak, which is slightly more complicated as you need to identify where the leak has actually occurred, and either replace or repair that specific part. 

The easiest way to tell which issue is hurting your mower is by the odor itself. Gasoline that's gone bad has an unpleasant smell the same way spoiled food does. It will have a sharp, very pronounced, sour aroma. It will also be very pronounced, so much so that if you aren't sure by the smell of your garage alone, you'll only need to take the cap off to get a good whiff. The best way to dispose of old gasoline in your mower will vary by model, so take a look at the manufacturer's care instructions. If you don't have any fancy mechanical equipment or know-how, you can use a basic baster to extract the gasoline, but be sure to dispose of the baster afterward and definitely never use it on food again. You will also need to find a recycling center or hire a hazardous waste collection service. 

A gas leak in your mower indicates that a component in the fuel system has been damaged — the trouble can be identifying which piece exactly, as it can be something quite small. It could be something quite obvious like a damaged fuel tank, carburetor bowl gasket, or leaking fuel line, or something as seemingly insignificant as a worn down primer button. Again, this is a great time to have your manufacturer's care instructions on hand, as these typically provide troubleshooting instructions for gas leaks and broken down parts. Once you've identified which issue is afflicting your mower's gas system, you need to decide between repairing and replacing it. In most cases, replacing is the best choice, as repairs are likely temporary, and can give way to other issues further on. 

Although it is tempting to repair a lawn mower yourself and they seem straightforward, you may need to take your mower to a professional repair shop. The service providers can make simple work of figuring out the problem and have extensive knowledge about what parts your specific mower will need. Of course, nobody likes blowing money on lawn mower repairs, so the best way to avoid them is to learn the accidental ways you may be damaging your mower. Thankfully, after you've gotten your mower back in good repair, you can follow our genius tricks to deodorize your smelly garage.