−
Draining the Fuel Tank and Carburetor
Engine Oil
STORING YOUR ENGINE
Storage Preparation
Cleaning
Fuel
HELPFUL TIPS & SUGGESTIONS
DRAIN SCREWCARBURETOR
STARTER GRIP
Gasoline is highly flammable and explosive, and you
can be burned or seriously injured when handling
fuel.
Stop the engine and keep heat, sparks, and flame
away.
Handle fuel only outdoors.
Wipe up spills immediately.
Drain the fuel tank into an approved gasoline container. We
recommended using a commercially available gasoline hand
pump. Do not use an electric pump.
Loosen the carburetor drain screw, and drain the carburetor into
an approved gasoline container. After draining is completed,
tighten the carburetor drain screw.
Coat areas that may rust with a light film of oil. Cover the engine
to keep out dust.
Change the engine oil (see page ).
Remove the spark plug (see page ).
Pour a teaspoon 5 10 cm
of clean engine oil into the cylinder.
Pull the starter grip several times to distribute the oil in the
cylinder.
Reinstall the spark plug.
Pull the starter grip slowly until resistance is felt. This closes the
valves, and protects them from dust and corrosion.
Proper storage preparation is essential for keeping your engine
trouble-free and looking good. The following steps will help to
keep rust and corrosion from impairing your engine’s function and
appearance, and will make the engine easier to start when you use
it again.
If the engine has been running, allow it to cool for at least half an
hour before cleaning. Clean all exterior surfaces, touch up any
damaged paint, and coat other areas that may rust with a light film
of oil.
Using a garden hose or pressure washing equipment can force
water into the air cleaner or muffler opening. Water in the air
cleaner will soak the air filter, and water that passes through the
air filter or muffler can enter the cylinder, causing damage.
Depending on the region where you operate your equipment, fuel
formulations may deteriorate and oxidize rapidly. Fuel
deterioration and oxidation can occur in as little as 30 days and
may cause damage to the carburetor and/or fuel system. Please
check with your servicing dealer for local storage
recommendations.
Gasoline will oxidize and deteriorate in storage. Deteriorated
gasoline will cause hard starting, and it leaves gum deposits that
clog the fuel system. If the gasoline in your engine deteriorates
during storage, you may need to have the carburetor and other
fuel system components serviced or replaced.
The length of time that gasoline can be left in your fuel tank and
carburetor without causing functional problems will vary with
such factors as gasoline blend, your storage temperatures, and
whether the fuel tank is partially or completely filled. The air in a
partially filled fuel tank promotes fuel deterioration. Very warm
storage temperatures accelerate fuel deterioration. Fuel
deterioration problems may occur within 30 days from keeping the
fuel in the fuel tank, or even less if the gasoline was not fresh
when you filled the fuel tank.
Fuel system damage or engine performance problems resulting
from neglected storage preparation are not covered under the
Warranty.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
1.
2.
7.
4
5
GNITROPSNARTsnoituacerPegarotS
Removal from Storage
If the engine has been running, allow it to cool for at least 15
minutes before loading the engine-powered equipment on the
transport vehicle. A hot engine and exhaust system can burn you
and can ignite some materials.
If your engine will be stored with gasoline in the fuel tank and
carburetor, it is important to reduce the hazard of gasoline vapor
ignition. Select a well ventilated storage area away from any
appliance that operates with a flame, such as a furnace, water
heater, or clothes dryer. Also avoid any area with a spark-
producing electric motor, or where power tools are operated.
If possible, avoid storage areas with high humidity, because that
promotes rust and corrosion.
Keep the engine level in storage. Tilting can cause fuel or oil
leakage.
With the engine and exhaust system cool, cover the engine to
keep out dust. A hot engine and exhaust system can ignite or melt
some materials. Do not use sheet plastic as a dust cover.
A nonporous cover will trap moisture around the engine,
promoting rust and corrosion.
Check your engine as described in the
BEFORE OPERATION
CHECKS
section of this manual (see page ).
If the fuel was drained during storage preparation, fill the tank with
fresh gasoline. If you keep a container of gasoline for refueling, be
sure it contains only fresh gasoline. Gasoline oxidizes and
deteriorates over time, causing hard starting.
If the cylinder was coated with oil during storage preparation, the
engine will smoke briefly at startup. This is normal.
Keep the engine level when transporting to reduce the possibility
of fuel leakage.
2
