Re: Summerizing a snowblower?
[Re: corky]
#6831470
04/05/20 07:21 PM
04/05/20 07:21 PM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 776 MN, USA
star flakes
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 776
MN, USA
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I have done things all three ways from leaving gas in them, having them empty and the stabilizer suggestion, and I can honestly say, even with leaving ethanol in the tanks, it made absolutely no difference. I always start out with new gas and dump the old.
What I have run into a problem with is I had an old Poulon chainsaw, which had not been run for four years, and was left empty, would not start unless primed each time for a few tanks of fuel. The diaphragm was fine and I blew out the jets, but it refused to cooperate. Of course it was things had dried out after that many years, but after everything got soaked in, it starts fine and runs fine.
What I was told by the experts was to put a cap full of stabilizer and a half tank of gas, non ethanol. As I said i get busy or sometimes it is impossible to get just regular gas here, so I use ethanol and have not had any problems with a Sinclair 85% blend. While you have a plastic tank I will assume, I was burning gasohol when it was called that, and had an M which rusted the tank out. Have a WD 45 now which the guy I got it from always turned the gas valve off as it would leak. Being frugal I never bothered, left ethanol in there, no stabilizer and it has not had one problem with rusting or not starting. The only engine I have ever had a problem with is the Buick 6 cylinder. It hates cheap gas, especially Missouri gas, and only did well with ethanol blends. I state that as we are always told never to use alcohol, and yet that is all I use and I have never had one seal eat through or have problem.
There is no wrong really from my experience, except leaving the tank completely empty for too long.
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Re: Summerizing a snowblower?
[Re: JTfromWV]
#6831481
04/05/20 07:33 PM
04/05/20 07:33 PM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,805 New York border
Cragar
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,805
New York border
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The negative to leaving one full of gas is the needle valve not holding. A lot of small engines will fill the crankcase with fuel when this happens. Installing a shut off valve between the fuel tank and carb is a good idea. Been there, done that. Luckily most snowblowers have a fuel shutoff valve. I've installed them on a few snowblowers over the years , cheap and easy.
NRA benefactor member
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Re: Summerizing a snowblower?
[Re: corky]
#6831886
04/06/20 06:37 AM
04/06/20 06:37 AM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 16,764 ny
upstateNY
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Posts: 16,764
ny
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Hopefully done using it for the year. With my old 2 stroke I always just ran the gas dry and put away. Now I have a newer Husqvarna 4 stroke and intend to change the oil before storage. Question is run the gas out or fill with non ethanol (all I use) and add Sta-Bil? I know some of you guys have a lot of small engine expertise. I put sta-bil in my gas can,then go to the gas station and fill with non ethanol.That way whatever machine I pour it in,,the gas is already stabilized.
the wheels of the gods turn very slowly
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Re: Summerizing a snowblower?
[Re: corky]
#6832112
04/06/20 10:28 AM
04/06/20 10:28 AM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,264 West Michigan
Getting There
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trapper
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Posts: 7,264
West Michigan
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I fog all my 2 cycles. 4 cycles about the same as all.
To Old U.S. Army 60-63 SGT.
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Re: Summerizing a snowblower?
[Re: JTfromWV]
#6832120
04/06/20 10:36 AM
04/06/20 10:36 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 16,315 MN, Land of 10,000 Lakes
Trapper7
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 16,315
MN, Land of 10,000 Lakes
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The negative to leaving one full of gas is the needle valve not holding. A lot of small engines will fill the crankcase with fuel when this happens. Installing a shut off valve between the fuel tank and carb is a good idea. I have a second rider mower, an older Snapper that was doing just that. I'd shut it off and the next time I'd go to use it the crankcase would be full of gas. I took it in; they supposedly had it fixed. It worked a couple of times, but then started to fill the crankcase again. I took it back and they installed a shut off valve between the fuel tank and carb. No problem since.
Have you ever listened to someone for quite a while and wondered...."Who ties your shoelaces for you?"
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Re: Summerizing a snowblower?
[Re: corky]
#6832123
04/06/20 10:41 AM
04/06/20 10:41 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 16,315 MN, Land of 10,000 Lakes
Trapper7
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 16,315
MN, Land of 10,000 Lakes
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I didn't hear anyone mention Sea Foam. One dealer told me winterizing or summarizing using Sea Foam is a waste of money. I was told the only thing Sea Foam was good for was taking moisture out of the fuel. What do some of you think?
Have you ever listened to someone for quite a while and wondered...."Who ties your shoelaces for you?"
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Re: Summerizing a snowblower?
[Re: Trapper7]
#6832156
04/06/20 11:21 AM
04/06/20 11:21 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,502 Alaska and Washington State
waggler
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,502
Alaska and Washington State
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I do pretty much the same as everybody has mentioned. I add Sta-Bil, let it run for about 5 minutes, then shut off the fuel line letting the engine run until it quits. I change the oil and only use non-ethanol fuel.
I use Sta-Bil on all my chain saws, ATV, snowmobile, lawn mower, etc if they're not going to be used for a while. I've never had a problem with starting when I need them by doing this. ^^^^^ THIS. The dealer that told someone to run it every two months and only use premium gas does not know what he is talking about. For one thing, normal premium won't do a thing for you that regular won't do. Only use non-ethanol gas along with a fuel stabilizer. Click on your State to find non-ethanol gasoline. https://www.pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=WA
"My life is better than your vacation"
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Re: Summerizing a snowblower?
[Re: corky]
#6832172
04/06/20 11:35 AM
04/06/20 11:35 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,502 Alaska and Washington State
waggler
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,502
Alaska and Washington State
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If you really want to treat your equipment well during the off season, mix up some of the following and run your engine entire you can tell the fuel mixture has made it all the way through the carbs/injector and into the combustion chamber (smell and smoke will tell you). 1/3 non-ethanol gasoline 1/3 fogging oil 1/3 fuel stabilizer
I along with a few of my friends use this mixture to winterize outboards, four wheelers, and other such equipment, both 2-stroke and 4-stroke. The equipment is usually stored 10 months between use.
"My life is better than your vacation"
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