Fall is here and the days of using power-equipment to do lawncare are dwindling. For those of you who own gas-powered lawncare equipment, heres a good tip to help ensure trouble-free starting and operation next spring. When stored over the winter, the fuel in gas-powered implement (AND gas stored in gas cans breaks down and causes varnish to build up in carburetors and fuel systems. If this is not attended to, you can almost guarantee youll have starting/running problems next spring when you want to use them. The fix is simple and has the potential to save you a significant amount of money in repairs as well as frustration and headaches.There are basically three ways to approach this. 1) Drain the fuel tanks of any gas-powered implements, then refill with fresh gas, pre-mixed with a fuel stabilizer such as Sta-Bil (available at any auto parts store, hardware store or power equipment store). After doing this, you should start and run the implement for several minutes to ensure the fuel/stabilizer mix actually gets and stays IN the carb and fuel delivery system. Simply refilling the tank with the stabilized fuel/gas and then storing it does little to no good. You MUST start it and let it run a few minutes. The fuel stabilizer mix isnt particularly critical. Just be sure to use AT LEAST the recommended amount in the fuel. READ THE LABEL THOROUGHLY! 2) Drain the fuel tank(s) and refill with at least SOME synthetic fuel and run the implement a few minutes. Synthetic fuel does NOT break down in storage and doesnt screw up (clog up) the fuel system of your toys. The synthetic fuels (available in 32oz, screw-top cans at Lowes/Home Depot, etc.) are pricey, but theyre GOOD insurance for next spring. After all, you dont have to use synthetic fuel constantly. Just use it when storing your power equipment over the winter months. Be SURE to purchase and use the correct blend of premix synthetic fuel for the particular implement. For two-stroke applications (MOST weed-eaters, ALL chainsaws, gas powered blowers, etc.) it will be wither 40:1 or 50-1. Theres also a 4-cycle synthetic mix available. If youre not sure which to buy, ask a sales associate. Theyll be glad to help you. Its their job. 3) Alternately,although not as foolproof as replacing the fuel, you can just start the implement and let it run until it runs out of fuel, then store it for the winter. The idea is to get ALL the old fuel/gas out of the fuel system and carburetor before storing it. Additionally, if possible and for a little added insurance, its a good idea to start and run your gas-powered things for a few minutes at least once/month during the winter. Consider doing this for riding mowers, push/walk-behind mowers, gas-powered edgers, blowers, weed-eaters, chainsaws, etc. In this scenario, an ounce of prevention is CERTAINLY better than a pound of cure! If you fail to do this, GOOD LUCK getting your implements to start and run optimally when you want to use them again next spring...
Posted on: Sun, 26 Oct 2014 17:13:53 +0000
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