How to Tune a Riding Lawn Mower
- 1). Run the mower for five to 10 minutes to warm up the oil inside the engine. Remove the oil cap from the crankcase and find the oil-drain plug.
- 2). Place a container under the crankcase and pull the drain plug. If the engine requires a drain hose, connect the hose and pull the connection out.
- 3). Remove the oil filter by placing an oil filter wrench over the filter and turn the filter counter-clockwise until it comes off the engine. Do not spill oil from the filter. Turn the filter upside down and drain it into your pan. Dip a gloved finger into the waste oil and spread a thin layer over the rubber gasket lining the new filter. Place the new filter on the engine and tighten using the wrench.
- 4). Add new oil to the engine, to the fill line and run the mower for a few minutes to pump it through the system. Turn off the mower and check the oil level. Refill if necessary.
- 5). Inspect the spark plug by removing it with a socket wrench. Inspect the end for signs of corrosion. Replace if necessary.
- 6). Remove the cover of the air filter by releasing the latch or unscrewing. Inspect the foam prefilter for dirt. Rinse the prefilter with warm, soapy water and allow to dry. Replace the inner filter if dirty.
