Small engines that don't get used often

[MikeD74T]

I'm hosting a small engine class for four 4H kids. As part of the class we toured the biggest small engine shop in our area. In November thay had about 150 snowblowers waiting for service. Because of gasohol each was to get a carburator rebuild. Engines that sit idle all summer suffer more than idle in the winter due to higher evaporation rates & higher humidity. They recommended draining the tank & float bowl on anything that sits for more than two months. MikeD74T

 

[Fordlords]

If I have one testament to running carbs dry it would be my 1981 Honda CX500 motorcycle. I run the carbs dry every fall, and put fresh gas in the tank in the spring, and it starts right up in the spring. The carbs are the 2 original, never rebuilt Keihins. No gas leaks, and the engine runs perfectly.

For a lawn mower or tractor that might only sit 3-4 months, I would not even bother with using Stabil or any addative, just add some fresh gas to the tank in the spring. For a snow blower I would run the carb dry, and pitch all the gas in the tank for summer storage.

-Fordlords-

 

[irvingj]

Ditto. For a snowblower which is going to sit unused all summer, I drain it. Completely. Throw a shot of WD-40 into the cylinder & pull a couple times, good to go.

Motorcycles, on the other hand.... Since my "off" season tends to be rather short, I use Sta-Bil and fuel shut-offs, but fire 'em up every now & then.

Fordlords-- took my '75 CB360 out yesterday for about 20 miles (Then hosed it off...) I'll probably get the '82 Virago 750 running today.... I stopped running them on a regular basis in December this year, gettin' too old for a 12-month cycle experience in NH!

 

[srs]

They recommended draining the tank & float bowl on anything that sits for more than two months. MikeD74T

It is my understanding that just running an engine dry does not remove all of the fuel. As Mike said, if I understand him correctly is that fuel remains in the carburetor even when run dry. I just purchased a generator for emergency home use last summer and of course we haven't lost our electricity, oh well. But I start the generator up EVERY weekend and let it run for about 15 minutes. I also put gas stabilizer in the fuel.

 

[Bird]

My Toro lawnmower (Briggs engine) manual recommends using fuel stabilizer all the time, and in gasoline less than 30 days old. For storage in excess of 30 days, the Briggs manual recommends running the engine until it dies if the fuel has an alcohol blend. If not an alcohol blend, then the option is to run it dry or use a fuel stabilizer.

My Mantis tiller recommends draining the fuel tank and running it dry if it won't be used for 2 weeks.

 

[hobie]

Good to hear what you guys do for the engines, but what do you do with old gas? Seems like a hazard to dispose of... Thanks, Brian

 

[Bird]

Brian, down in the country, I could use old gas, usually mixed with oil, on burn piles very carefully because it is dangerous. But in the city . . . well, how much old gas? A couple of gallons? I'll put it in my car or pickup. As long as it's clean gas, just old, a couple of gallons in gas tank that holds around 20 gallons has never worried me.

Now . . ., for some of you who probably know more than I do about the topic, what do you think? Incidentally, I had about a half gallon of old gas, mixed with Stihl's synthetic 2 stroke oil; 50:1 mix last month and I poured it into the gas tank on my Ford Ranger, then got fresh gas for the Stihl string trimmer and the Mantis tiller.

 

[Shirleyshusband]

Good to hear what you guys do for the engines, but what do you do with old gas? Seems like a hazard to dispose of... Thanks, Brian

This reminds me of a story, one that others may learn from...What NOT to do with old gas...

I'm a carpenter, and have designed and built the last five house I've lived in. I'm a big believer in back filling with gravel, up to a foot from grade. It keeps the basement walls nice and dry.

So one day I'm mowing the grass and getting chased by bees (the big round ones) again. I discover they have a nest in the ground, next to the house. See where this is going yet? So I've got some old gas, about 1-1/2 gal and figure I'll pour it down the nest and get rid of them. Not light it of course, that'd be dangerous. So I pour a half gallon down the hole in the dark, figuring they'll all be home to die! Aw, heck may as well get rid of all the old gas, so down it goes. Some of you are giggling! So that's it for chores, watch a little tv, and hit the sack. Next morning, hmm I seem to detect a slight gas odor. Hmmm. So I follow my sniffer... to the basement. Head over to the sump pump crock. Wow, it's pretty strong here. I bend down for a better wif and the lights go on! The GAS! I lift the lid very carefully and can see the gas laying in the sump pump. I head to the breakers, the odor's not too bad there and turn off power to everything. Open all the basement windows (it's an exposed basement) and clear everyone out of the house for the day. The gas had run straight down the gravel, into the drain tile, surrounded the house and into the crock. By the next night, the gas was gone. I was lucky but man, you talk about a scare. If the sump pump would have started, there would have been one heck of a womp and then fire!


Lesson learned!

Oh yeah, I put stabil in and run them dry. In 20 years, so far, so good.

 

[BigE_]

I can just see you ambling on over to the breakers, taking your merry time - NOT! Holy crop, I can just imagine...

I do the Stabil thing as well as run them dry (see earlier post about fuel cutoff switch). I just bought another big jug of Stabil, but my next purchase will be the marine stuff that's formulated for the alcohol in the gas. (Now required by law year round in these parts - don't even get me started there).

That reminds me -- I need to drain my snowmobiles. Keep thinking I'll take them out again this year, but it probably won't happen.

 

[woodsy]

I've been using Seafoam with good success. It seems to make my small engines run better and keeps the fuel stabile. What are your opinions on using Seafoam as a carbon remover and fuel stabilizer? Does anybody use Seafoam and Stabile together?