Winter Mower Storage. Drain the gas? Stabil? Start it once a month?

[John0829]

I had nothing but trouble with ethanol blended gas until I started adding Stabil and MMO to each gas can so that everything now gets treated fuel. I never drain any gas powered equipment 2 or 4 cycle but I do make sure the tanks are filled before putting them away after each use. My SIL was also having problems with his equipment until he saw what I was doing and began doing it himself, neither he or I have not had any problems since. Using the additives increases cost a tiny bit but it well worth it ( IMHO ) to avoid the headaches ethanol gas created.

 

[Avenger]

I dont worry about it.

I have 12-5gal cans of gasoline on monthly rotation. Each can has a number, 1 through 12. On the number of the month (so like the 12 month being December, so the 12 can) I empty that can into my truck, put it into the bed of my truck, run to the fuel station, top up my truck and fill the can. Put the can back on the shelf for another year. This way, I have 60 gallons of gasoline stored that is never older than a year, BUT doesn't cost me anything after my initial investment (cost of the can plus the first round of fuel) because I use that fuel in my truck.

What does this have to do with lawnmowers?

If the fuel I have in a can is about a year old, and works just fine in a modern vehicle, then the fuel in a lawnmower that is 6 months old at most, is fine.

When I put my mower away, I park it in the shed, top up the fuel (so water doesn't accumulate), cover it with a cover, shut the door and forget about it until April. Come spring, I simply open the shed door, pull the cover off, check the oil, look it over (tires, evidence of mice, etc) and start it up. Maybe do an oil change and sharpen the blades, then go mow.

Now, my generator is another story. It boasts an 11 gallon tank. I keep it topped up and stabilized and when I am done using it for whatever reason, I turn off the fuel and let the engine die. Top up the tank again (for water). I dont use it enough to not do this, as my generator is mostly for emergencies, but I do run it every once in a while to keep it 'good' and sometimes I need some remote power.

 

[Looking4new]

All my gas powered small engines get hi-test non ethanol fuel and are parked full through the off season. My genny also uses hi-test and is always full. I don't have fuel related problems.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Good question. Do you do more harm by starting something unecessarily as most of the wear occurs on start up, or does it get oil back on various surfces?

 

[big bubba]

Good question. Do you do more harm by starting something unecessarily as most of the wear occurs on start up, or does it get oil back on various surfces?

think that's where the beneficial cold protection properties of synthetic come in. run T6 5/40 in all my small 4 stroke engines plus tractor & truck i don't see the need for periodic starting in winter if fuel is non ethanol & treated. unless of course for battery charging, which is where a tender would come in

 

[Industrial Toys]

Kind of like someone waking you up out of a dead sleep, asking if you're O.K.?

 

[Bullwinkle123]

I've often wondered. Are there different formulations for ethanol gas - by region. Why are some having so much trouble - others having very little.

I read somewhere once that the concentration of ethanol changes by season too, more/less in cold than warm seasons, I can't remember the way in which it changes.

 

[MossRoad]

I read somewhere once that the concentration of ethanol changes by season too, more/less in cold than warm seasons, I can't remember the way in which it changes.

The signs say UP TO 10% ethanol. That means it can't have more than 10% ethanol. It can have less, but it can't have more.

Again, I've been using it since the 80's in everything. Zero problems.

 

[Cougsfan]

I just love threads like this where replies come in suggesting polar opposites. "I do this and have never had a problem" doesn't mean you would have had a problem if you did something else.

 

[cdaigle430]

I always empty tanks, add sta bil to empty tank and run the motor until fuel starvation kills the motor. For small engines without a fuel shutoff I add one-easy and cheap.