How often should you change the spark plug on a push mower?

[AJE]

I've had my Briggs & Stratton powered MTD for about four years now. It's a 4.5HP basic side discharge push mower (no power drive or anything fancy).

I've been pretty good about keeping the air filter clean and oil changed, however I realized while going through the maintenance this year that I don't think I've ever changed the plug. The new one only cost $2 but I was wondering if I've been neglecting it or is it even necessary to change it until I'm having trouble with it? If it came with a manual, I don't have it.

My dad had a similar mower that lasted almost 25 years and I'd like to this one to be the same.

 

[Thomas]

I change my push mower plug every two years..btw chances clean any carbon away..keep older plug for spare just in case.

 

[rekees4300]

The plug should last for years. I clean mine with a pocket knife, sand paper, and wire brush yearly. If the mower stops running then I buy a new plug. The plug should last for years.

 

[JTKub]

Seems like they last forever on newer engines. My Cub 2544 is on 5yrs/150hrs with the factory plugs. It runs like new yet. Maybe on aluminum heads is a good plan to pull and apply anti-seize at some point.

Joel

 

[AJE]

I was trying to estimate how many hours I have on the engine.

At our old house I used it for about 20 minutes or so to mow the whole yard, after we moved last year, I probably use it about 30 to mow around some of the trees and house before using the tractor.

Regardless, it starts on the first pull, even after sitting all winter.

 

[stevem5215]

I have a Toro 2 stroke suzuki engine (maybe kawasaki) that I bought about 20 (or so) years ago. I never changed the spark plug right up until last year. It finally quit. Bought a new one and I figure I'll be dead by the time it quits next. lol

Steve

 

[Bird]

I used to replace the spark plug once a years in my mower, but I decided to quit doing that and change it "as needed". My current Toro, B&S engine, was 3 years old last month, has an estimated 151.9 hours on it (I make a note of the time each time I use it) and I've never pulled the spark plug yet, although I've changed oil 4 times, and cleaned the air filter 5 times and replaced it once. It's still running OK.

My Stihl string trimmer was 5 years old 2 months ago. I changed the spark plug after the first year, but haven't pulled the spark plug now for 4 years and it still runs great.

 

[clemsonfor]

they last forever. Clean with gas or carb cleaner. I use a wire brush while wet to remove carbon around electrode. Unless it gives you problems pull it once every 2 years or so. NOt necessary like the book says to replace every season or 50 hrs. A waste of your $2, use that money on a more frequent oil change if u want to put it in the mover, that is better money spent. Even when the electrode starts to erode away, as long as it not to bad rounded you can regap back to the original gap and still get good service out of it. Unless your worried about peak fuel consumption i would replace as needed, which means its corroded, or failing to spark reliably.

 

[firefighter jim]

Change every week,,,,,,,,,,,,,kidding. As Bird said, as needed. If the mower is running good, leave it alone.

 

[rekees4300]

I've made a little tool to remove any carbon whenever it needs it. Otherwise, I might change the plug once in the mower's lifetime.

Is anyone aware of a commercially available, inexpensive device for cleaning plugs? There has to be a better way than pocket knife, sand paper and wire brush that I use