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How To Change A Lawn Mower Spark Plug

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by Josie

How To Change A Lawn Mower Spark Plug

When your car or truck needs a new spark plug, you likely head to your local auto parts store. Maybe you use their VIN lookup tool to find the right part. Then, the process of switching out the spark plug is fairly simple. Of course, cars and trucks aren’t the only things with motors. What do you do when your lawn mower needs a new spark plug?

Finding the Right Plug

The good news is that replacing a lawn mower spark plug is easy. If you can replace one in your car or truck, you can do it for your lawn mower. Even if you take your vehicle to the mechanic, you can learn how to change a spark plug easily. The first step is to know that you need to replace it. If your lawn mower is hard to start, the engine stops unexpectedly or your have poor fuel efficiency, the problem may be the spark plug.

There are a few different types of spark plugs. To determine which is the right one for your mower, check the owner’s manual. If you can’t find your manual, check the existing spark plug. It should have the part number on the ceramic insulator. Once you have your new spark plug, it is time to change the plug. This should take less than an hour depending on your experience. Many people can do it in significantly less time.

Steps for Changing a Lawn Mower Spark Plug

The process is simple. Before you start, make sure your mower is on a flat, stable surface such as a garage floor. Grab a screwdriver, socket wrench with a spark plug socket, feeler gauge, cleaner, brush and a knife.

  1. Disconnect: Disconnect the spark plug lead (ignition cable). You may need to remove the engine cover first.
  2. Remove: Using your spark plug socket, turn the plug counterclockwise to loosen it. If it is resistant to turning, don’t force it. Instead, apply some lubricant, let it soak for a few minutes then try again. It should be easy to remove.
  3. Adjust Gap: Using the feeler gauge, adjust the gap on the spark plug. You can determine the right gap based on the original spark plug.
  4. Install: Place the plug in position and tighten it using your hand. After that, tighten it a little further with the spark plug socket. Rachet it until it stops going down, then add an extra quarter turn.
  5. Reconnect: Attach the spark plug lead back to the new plug. Then, replace the engine cover.

Once you are done, dispose of the used parts. You can throw spark plugs in the garbage if you want or take them to a scrap yard if they are still in working order.

Get Started

Now that you know how to change a spark plug in a lawn mower, it’s time to get started! The process is easy, and anyone can learn how to do it. You may be surprised by how much you can achieve by yourself with a few tools and a little learning.

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Decorating ideas • Shop the Room!

How to Incorporate Antiques Into Modern Decor

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by Josie

Make your home’s style look unique by mixing antique furniture with your modern decor. Here’s exactly how to do it!

Featured image by: Heather Jackson

When looking for an interior designer Malibu, you need to consider your design style. For example, if you’re looking for modern kitchen interior design or traditional design, then you will want to find someone who specializes in that style. Although, what are your options when you have a modern flair and an antique collection. The crazy thing is that while these styles seem drastically different, they actually balance each other quite well, especially when you know what you’re doing. If you want to mesh your antiques with your modern style, then focus on these five rules.

1. Use One Location

Most interior design firms Santa Monica CA will tell you there are multiple ways of using antiques in modern design. One way of blending antiques into modern decor is to focus the antique collection in one area. By creating a separate space for the pieces, you establish a focal point. Some suggestions for this focal area would be in a living corner or a hutch. Antiques deserve a place of prominence, so when people see them set up in one place, even in a modern home, they seem to belong.

2. Focus On Accessibility

Next, focus on accessibility. People are often too afraid of putting their antiques in accessible locations because they don’t want them to get damaged, but that is the wrong approach. Incorporating antiques into design means that you want them to be prominent fixtures in a space. It is hard for items to become important elements if you cannot interact with them. While it is necessary to protect antiques, it is also necessary to appreciate them.

3. Use Leather

Antiques often bring a rustic charm to modern designs, but sometimes that element can be a bit off-putting. To soften the contrast, you can choose to use leather elements. Leather is a clean and modern material, but it too has a certain rustic quality. Leather, then, acts as a buffer between the antiques and the modern pieces. You do not even need to use a lot of leather accents. Merely adding a leather ottoman or chair can be enough.

4. Organize By Color

A great way to incorporate antiques into a modern design is by utilizing color. Every antique piece likely has a prominent color, whether that be gold, brass or black. By organizing your antiques by color, you are essentially creating a somewhat modern art installation in your home. Again, allowing the antiques to become a focal point.

5. Don’t Be Afraid of Mixing

Last, don’t be afraid of mixing modern and antique elements together. You don’t always have to hide or subdue the contrast. For example, use an antique vanity in your bathroom and pair it with modern fixtures. You will be blown away by how good it looks.

Interior design is an art. While there are definitely styles that demand adherence to certain rules, some rules were meant to be broken. If you want help blending your antiques into your modern design, then contact a local interior designer.

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