So what is your secret to stroing small engines? I have a ton of things with small gas engines just like I guess many of you do but have yet to find the best long term storing technique.
Have tried running them out of gas or using Sta-bil and nothing seems to prevent me from having to take the carb off and dipping it in cleaner or taking it apart to clean out the dried varnish.
Or is the best method just to force myself to start everything about once a month?
Any suggestions?
Join some of the most experienced and recognized building professionals for two days of presentations, panel discussions, networking, and more.
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial NowGet instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
Replies
First thing is never store them outside. Must be in some kind of building.
I never have trouble starting my snow blower first time each winter. I dose the last bit of gas in the tank with lots of Stabil, then run it dry, then change the oil. Come November I put gas in it, push the primer bulb twice, and pull the starter cord. (It has electric start but I never bother with that.) If it doesn't start on the second pull it's usually because I forgot to turn on the ignition switch.
This is my method of storing over seasons.
Run until low on gas and fill with gas prepped with sta-bil. Run engine long enough to carb filled with prepped gas. Refill gas tank. Store for season.
Empty or low gas tank let air oxidize gas faster and can build moister in tank.
Just the way I do it and everything seems to start.
Russell
I heard that changing the oil is a good idea because old oil has sulfur? or something in it that is corrosive.
Will Rogers
I have a Stow pump with a briggs engine, bought in '84. I drain the water after use, but the engine? Never done a thing,I only use it every year or four, and it starts on the 3rd pull everytime.
Got a Honda generator in '95 , treat it the same way... starts on the 1st pull most times.
Lawnmower is a $150 special from the depot bought in 2000, don't give it a thought.
Never changed the oil in anything, never preped fuel, never had an issue with any small engine, just ignore them.
prolly nutin will work in the spring!
I think a significant factor is avoiding stale gas in the first place. When we end the snowblower season I pour the remaining gas into one of our cars (with the tank at least half full), then get fresh gas at the start of the season.
As I stood before the gates I realized that I never want to be as certain about anything as were the people who built this place. --Rabbi Sheila Peltz, on her visit to Auschwitz
What Dan said.Evaporated gas creates "varnish" (that's what they call it, although real varnish is a different thing). Either way, it's a film left after all the solvents evaporate. This is bad.So drain all tanks, lines, and carb bowls. If it's fuel injected then run some stabilizer through the system before storage. Remember that stabilized gas continues to lose octane value. After storage it's always best to use fresh gas.Also, beware of water condensation in the fuel tank as seasons change. Methyl Hydrate is a good way to emulsify water with gas.Scott.
Fill the tank, put a small piece of duct tape over the little breather hole in the filler cap.
All yu need to do.
Well, there are certainly a lot of different opinions as to what to do and all seem to work for the posters.
Here's what I do:
1) Equipment stored inside - unheated garage.
2) Run engine until warm, drain oil and refill with fresh oil.
3) Siphon out gas from tank - dump in truck tank.
4) Start and run engine until it dies from lack of gas.
5) Shake / tilt mower / snowblower until you can no longer see any gas sloshing around in the tank.
6) Start again if possible - repeat steps 4 to 6 until the engine will no longer even cough.
7) Store with gas cap off, clean cotten rag stretched over the tank opening (hold with rubber band) to keep dust / bugs /critters out.
8) Fill with fresh gas in the spring / fall and start it up!
Works for me -- Toro snowblower, Honda lawnmower.
Jim
Me, I don't anything special. Riding mower's in a shed. Chain saw, weed eater and both generators are in the garage. Except for the riding mower which may need a jump or not, they never failed to start in the ten or fifteen years I've had them. I just put them back in their special place so I can find them.
Nothing special, other than always adding a couple of ounces of Marvel mystery oil to my 5 gal gas can. Whatever is left in the tank at the end of season (lawnmowers, snowblowers, whatever) is the first drink for the next season. I will hose down machines with WD40 just for good measure.
Which reminds me, I need to give the generator a yank just for good measure.
Been lucky I guess.