Winterizing

[RSKY]

It's that time of year. Better get ready before you have to. Since I ruined my old generator and chainsaw by leaving gas with alcohol in them I am doing things different this year. I bought ten gallons of alcohol free gasoline that cost $1 more per gallon. I ran the new generator completely out, refilled it with the pure gas, ran it for another fifteen minutes, filled it to the brim and stored it. The tiller is sitting out back now running to burn up the last of the gasohol in it. It will then be filled with pure gas. I have a gallon of pure gas 2-stroke mix and intend to burn all fuel out of my new chainsaw, edger, trimmer, pole saw, and leaf blower. They will be filled with the alcohol free stuff. Also replacing the little squeeze bulbs on everything as the alcohol has about ruined them all.

Hadn't thought to do this until a friend posted on Facebook about his generator needing $200 worth of parts to get it back running due to the alcohol eating something up. So I am being bossy and reminding everybody else.

Remember, a dollar not spent in repair costs is a dollar you can spend on more toys!

Just a reminder.

RSKY

 

[davesl708]

Right approach. I add StaBil to my pure gas. They always start easy in the spring.
The gas in my generator is four years old (pure gas w/stabil) still starts easy twice per year. I do run the carb dry after each use.

 

[Will_C]

All the small engines get ethanol free treated gas all year-they are filled up before winter. Same with all 2 stroke equipment.Starting October 1st, the ZTR gets treated gas and is filled after the last mowing. All diesel after 10/1 gets treated.

Will

 

[s219]

For small power equipment, I'd still advise running it dry. The only time you want to top of a tank is when it's a large tank and condensation is a concern. For smaller tanks, just run the equipment dry and put it away.

 

[DuckSlayer1017]

In my generator I add stabil, start it up then shut off the gas supply and let the engine run dry. Chain saw, trimmer and blower get run dry. Power washer is also run dry then rv anti-freeze ran through the pump. I also blow out all my garden hoses, pull the battery from the lawn mower and throw some extra decon in the barn for when the mice try to find a warm place to live.

 

[Thomas]

If small engine going to set about 30 days I run it dry,also had to replace engines etc. $$'s in past.

 

[oosik]

I have no idea where or if I could obtain alcohol free gas here. I do run Stabil, year round, in all my small engines. Never had a moments problems related to gas going bad or causing any problems. This covers - chainsaws, riding mower, weed whackers, generator & ATV.

 

[JRobyn]

I just found a few days ago that my little Harbor Fright 900w generator has a carb with a bowl that if you shut off the fuel supply and run it dry, it will NOT save you from ethanol ****. There is just enough left in the bottom of the bowl to corrode stuff and plug the main jet. Thankfully, it also has a small bowl drain screw!

- Jay

 

[4570Man]

I try to always run ethanol free gas. I try to run the small engine stuff like blowers and weed eaters dry, but it doesn't always happen. I have to move the lawn mowers around some in the winter so never run them dry. I used to use the ZTR to pull a wood trailer. Now I use the mule.