Winter storage advice

[redmondjp]

As many others do, I also leave the fuel in the system, preferably with the fuel tank completely full (to eliminate in-tank condensation).

I previously used stabilized pump gas without any issues, and now have switched to ethanol-free gas which one can use without a stabilizer (at least over the winter).

I used to put some oil in the cylinder, but I don't bother with that any longer either. In extremely humid environs, or coastal regions with salty air, I would do this and/or fog the motor.

 

[7394]

redmondjp -

I agree about 100% gas being ok over the winter alone. Guess I just feel better with the gas treated to a dose of Seafoam..

Plus I plug in one of my .750mA amp smart chargers, keep the battery up for it's winters sleep..

 

[NJsnapper]

I dump in a good ethenol type stabilizer in the tank and let it run for 15 minutes. Then I shut off the fuel petcock(I installed em on all my equipment) and let it stall to remove all the fuel after the valve. I then drain the fuel bowl on the carb.

 

[oldyellr]

I put some Stabil in the tank before the last time I use it so ut gets in the float bowl, then put a Battery Tender on the battery to keep it healthy over the winter. That's all.

 

[7394]

I put some Stabil in the tank before the last time I use it so it gets in the float bowl, then put a Battery Tender on the battery to keep it healthy over the winter. That's all.

oldyellr- I'm sure you are aware that once you open that new bottle of stabil, if you do not use it all up in 2 years, it goes bad.. (says it right on the bottle).

That's another reason I like Seafoam*... Un-limited shelf life.. But that's just my preference..

 

[oldyellr]

oldyellr- I'm sure you are aware that once you open that new bottle of stabil, if you do not use it all up in 2 years, it goes bad.. (says it right on the bottle).

That's another reason I like Seafoam*... Un-limited shelf life.. But that's just my preference..

Interesting. I did not know that about Stabil and I've been using it for years. So, unless you have quite a number of engines you need to store, you'd have to buy a new bottle of Stabil every 2 years. I wonder if there's an additive to stabilize Stabil? :tongue:

So how would I use this Seafoam? Just squirt some in the gas tank, or do I have to disconnect fuel lines and squirt it in? Does it have to be cleaned out in the spring, or will it just start up and go? I've seen seen it mentioned on car forums and it's controversial.

 

[Lawnboy18]

Pulled the blower out. Started on second start. I think that if I would of pulled harder it would of almost started on first pull. It fired good. It had gas from last winter in it and nothing bad happened. I didn't even put fuel stab in it. I checked the oil. It was pretty clean and still had a good viscosity (check with my fingers).

 

[7394]

Interesting. I did not know that about Stabil and I've been using it for years. So, unless you have quite a number of engines you need to store, you'd have to buy a new bottle of Stabil every 2 years. I wonder if there's an additive to stabilize Stabil? :tongue:

So how would I use this Seafoam? Just squirt some in the gas tank, or do I have to disconnect fuel lines and squirt it in? Does it have to be cleaned out in the spring, or will it just start up and go? I've seen seen it mentioned on car forums and it's controversial.

oldyellr- Seafoam* is just as easy, add 1 oz of it per 1 gallon gas ratio. I prefer adding the Seafoam first in my gas can, then pump gas in on top of it. Shake it up, & add it to your gas engine.
Comes in 16 oz cans, any auto parts store likely has it. Costs a lil more than stabil, but makes up for it in the long run.

It does NOT need cleaned out, since it cleans the engine internals itself.. (carb , combustion chamber(s), valves etc.. Spring time you just fire up & go..

It has been around since 1942, my Dad used it, & got me started using it bout 45 years ago.. Never any problems using it..

 

[exotion]

On really old car engines that have never been cleaned before. It can loosen big chunks of carbon and do some damage. On lawn mower engines you don't need to worry about it

 

[Lawnboy18]

I though that seefoam was only for smoke shows for cars to gum out there engines from carbon. I didn't know that you could simply use as a cleaner.