Change a Walk-Behind Lawn Mower Air Filter

How-to Change a Walk-Behind Lawn Mower Air Filter

Change the mower air filter on your Briggs and Stratton engine to keep it running well

A lawn mower's air filter keeps dust and other particles from entering your engine. The mower filter should be replaced every three months to keep your lawn mower engine and parts running smoothly. Add changing your mower's air filter to your maintenance checklist for the end of summer.

Before you start this project, it's important to make sure you have the correct mower air filter for your engine. Many lawn mower air filters look alike, so refer to the operator's manual to ensure you have the right lawn mower engine parts. Then use our part finder to locate and order the mower filter you need. You should be aware that the steps below are specifically geared toward the Briggs and Stratton Sprint, Classic and Quattro engines. They may vary with other engine types.

Step 1: Prepare your lawn mower before removing the air filter

Remove the spark plug wire and ground it against the engine as a safety precaution.

Step 2: Remove the mower filter retaining bolt

Use a flat head screwdriver to remove the retaining bolt from the lawn mower's air filter housing.

Step 3: Take out the mower's filter

Separate two housing halves and remove the foam filter from the housing. Note the orientation of the housing.

Step 4: Clean the housing for the mower's air filter

Clear away any debris from the filter housing to ensure the new filter will not collect any of the left over debris.

Step 5: Prepare the new air filter for the lawn mower

Saturate a new foam mower filter in clean engine oil. Squeeze the filter to remove as much of the oil as possible.

Step 6: Change the lawn mower air filter

Place the new foam filter into the filter housing base. Be sure you install the filter with the proper housing orientation.

Step 7: Close the mower filter housing and re-attach the retaining bolt

Place the cover over the base and re-install the retaining bolt. Tighten the air filter housing with a slotted screwdriver.