Petrol Lawnmower - stopping/reducing the petrol smell?

[Twofingertyper]

Hi all,

Recently bought a Honda Lawnmower (as advised here) all okay currently, a bit weighty but does the job nicely (compared to the battery powered Rotak that struggled with anything above maintenance cuts it's a marvel). However, my problem is that my garage (where lawnmower and petrol are stored) is connected to the house, and there certainly seems to be some fumes making their way into the house from the garage (I didn't think so little petrol would do this!)

So, I wondered if there were solutions? Do I upgrade my petrol storage from the plastic fuel cannister? Do I get some outdoor storage to put the petrol and lawnmower in that will keep them cool enough (not ideal as there's precious spare room at the sides of the garden), do I just accept that I should have got a electric instead?

Thanks for any advice
TFT

 

[Burnerman]

Most curious! My Honda mowers (3) stored together have no smell at all, petrol wise. They are kept in my (draughty) lock up prefab garage.
Try to determine if the smell comes from the mower or the petrol container, move one or the other outside to check. Refill the tank outside but not to the brim.
Turn the fuel off every time after use.
No, you bought well - miles better than any electric machine.
John

 

[EddieM]

Hmm, you shouldn't be getting any fumes in the house??

 

[scbk]

Petrol/machinery is best stored somewhere with ventilation, can you add some more vents to the garage, and seal the door to the house?

 

[lostinthelight]

You could check that the machine hasnt been tipped over air filter side down, its quite a common mistake which results in a stinking wet filter which often requires replacement.

 

[Twofingertyper]

Thanks for all the positive responses - I can confirm the machine is upright, and that I turn off fuel after use. It that it may be a case of seeing if it's the container (if it is the container, can I upgrade to a more effective one?)

The house and garage are separated by a breezeblock wall (no direct doorways), and I was surprised at the fumes we have had - the garage is hardly airtight (up & over door and wooden door the other end) but probably still does suffer from a lack of air circulation.

 

[endecotp]

With no door between the garage and house, I’d suspect it’s something like clothing that has got petrol on it and has been brought into the house.

How strong is the smell in the garage?

Can other people smell it in the house?

 

[lostinthelight]

Thanks for all the positive responses - I can confirm the machine is upright, and that I turn off fuel after use. It that it may be a case of seeing if it's the container (if it is the container, can I upgrade to a more effective one?)

The house and garage are separated by a breezeblock wall (no direct doorways), and I was surprised at the fumes we have had - the garage is hardly airtight (up & over door and wooden door the other end) but probably still does suffer from a lack of air circulation.

I didnt mean stored upright but temporary turned over on its side to clean out grass

 

[Twofingertyper]

I didnt mean stored upright but temporary turned over on its side to clean out grass

Sorry - just re-read your post and realised that I had mis-read it initially; I can confirm that the air filter is dry and that the machine hasn't been tipped on-to that side during cleaning.

Mowed the lawn yesterday and again came downstairs this morning to the smell, so not sure if I can keep the mower unless I get some outdoor storage for it.

With no door between the garage and house, I’d suspect it’s something like clothing that has got petrol on it and has been brought into the house.

How strong is the smell in the garage?

Can other people smell it in the house?

Smell in the garage is actually not that bad, certainly not as noticeable as it is inside could be an air circulation thing as the garage is quite draughty, but the kitchen gets shut up at night.

It's not a clothing issue as it's happening despite anything being around the lawnmower being washed/removed from the house.

And yes, others are smelling it, it's not just one of those bizarre phantom smells that only you can smell!