Winterizing small engines

[Jay4200]

All this said I have a friend who insists on running them dry and all but last year I usually mow his yard for the first cutting because he is screwing with carb problems in the spring. Last year he bought a new mower and I have his old one just for giggles I am gonna see if it starts in the spring. Sneek over and mow his yard LOL

Running dry doesn't get the fuel out of the carb bowl - it only gets about 1/3 out, at least on a multi-circuit carb (like in a dirtbike). The pilot resides at the top of the bowl, with the main at the bottom. Running the motor with the gas off until it stalls generally only pulls down the fuel to the pilot level. Then, the remaining fuel goes bad and/or evaporates, leaving deposits that do things like stick the float to the bottom of the bowl.

Most snowblowers have a drain button on the bottom of the bowl so you just have to turn off the gas and push the button and *BLOOP* the bowl is empty. Brilliant. I don't know why EVERY small engine carb isn't set up that way.

JayC

 

[Johnp33]

What I do is add a cap full of Wynns injector cleaner to a 5 Gallon jug of gas and use that. I never have problems with any fuel problems since I started doing that, I have a leaf blower that sat for years in a back shed It started on the first pull. I use the same fuel in all my gas units. For the 2 cycles I add the oil and wynn`s before I fill the jug. I use it in my weed whackers and power saws.
On a diesel that is going to sit for the winter, drain the fuel filter of water, If there is no drain change it, run it and fill the tank. If you are going to need it in the winter I would change the filter but wait till the fuel station has winter fuel, then fill the tank, or you can add an anti gel.
When you start the unit in the spring add a bit of ATF, over filled and run it for a while then change the oil.