How to Remove a 4-Cycle Lawn Mower Engine

Remove the ignition wire from the spark plug. Pull the wire boot from the plug using spark plug wire pliers. Apply electrical tape over the end of the wire to prevent inadvertent discharging of electricity.

Close the fuel shutoff valve at the bottom of the fuel tank.

Loosen the clamp on the carburetor fuel line with the appropriate screwdriver. Turn the clamp screw counterclockwise.

Pull the fuel line off from the carburetor fuel inlet fitting with combination pliers. Have a steel container ready before releasing residual fuel from the line. Release your grip on the line when it is over the container.

Open the fuel shutoff valve to drain out the remaining fuel in the tank. Re-attach the fuel line to the carburetor when the draining is complete.

Depress the carburetor float bowl drain valve, located at the bottom of the float bowl, with the tip of a flat-head screwdriver. Drain the fuel from the float bowl into the container.

Remove the throttle cable by raising it up and out from the carburetor throttle valve.

Drain the oil from the engine by tipping the lawn mower up on an angle and supporting it with a wood block. The plug is located beneath the engine and is removed with an adjustable wrench turning counterclockwise. Use an oil drain pan to catch the oil.

Replace the oil drain plug when the engine has been drained.

Remove the cutting blade from the engine shaft coupling using the appropriate-sized socket wrench. Place the socket wrench over the blade retaining bolt and turn counterclockwise. Grip the blade with work gloves as you remove the bolt and the blade.

Remove the engine mounting bolts from the lawn mower base. All the mounting bolts are accessed from beneath where the engine meets the base. Turn the bolts counterclockwise with a socket wrench.

Remove the wood block. Allow the lawn mower to rest on level ground.

Raise the engine up and off the lawn mower frame. Have a helper to help lift the engine if necessary.