Small engines

Trev · Jan 23, 2003

I have a JD 724 snowblower that gets used rarely.. I have the gas treated, etc. But I'm wondering if it's wise to turn off the fuel valve and let the engine simply run out of gas when I shut it down? Does this do much good, or does it possibly do any harm?

Thanks,
Bob

Bird · Jan 23, 2003

Bob, I don't know a thing about snowblowers, but in my opinion running all the gas out of the engine and carburetor is a good idea on small engines. I think it's more important on two cycle engines with the oil mix, but I, long ago, got in a habit of doing that with all my small engines.

Trev · Jan 23, 2003

Thanks, Bird! And you just reminded me.. I didn't do anything with the weed wacker this year. oopsey! Better go get that started and run it out.. provided it will start! /w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif

GaryM · Jan 23, 2003

My Snapper snow thrower's in pieces in the garage because I forgot to run it empty last Spring. This winter it was all gummed up and no fuel getting through.

I won't forget again!

JDGREEN4ME · Jan 23, 2003

I always run the gas out of mine that way for storage. I've had it for 8 years now and never had a problem with it...

beenthere · Jan 23, 2003

Hopefully it will start. If it does, make several trips around the all the trees and shrubs, flower garden, rock walls, just so the neighbors can wonder if they need to call in for some help for you. /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif [sigh] Would you let us know if you get any comments, or is this too embarassing? Sorry, but this is what I would do.

Gfranklin · Jan 23, 2003

Last year I bought the small honda (4-stroke) tiller that is similiar in size to the Mantis tiller. This is by the way an awesome machine and a joy to use. From what I have read on different forums about these, they are very sensitive to this. It is important to run them dry for storage over winter.

I try to do this on anything I can if I intend to leave it alone for more than a couple weeks and my restart problems have virtually disappeared.

Greg

TWINKLE_TOES · Jan 23, 2003

Bob,

I don't run any of my gas engines dry and have never had a problem traced to this. (Generator, rototiller, chain saws, weed eater, DR bush wacker, pressure washer.) I do start all of them up about once a month warm them up and shut them down. Most see use year around.

Molerj · Jan 24, 2003

In my experience,the number one reason for small engines not starting are fuel related. Snow blowers being the most susceptible to this due to generally not being used that much. Treat fuel with Sta-bil. The fuel that is used today is not the same as before. In the small engine industry the general belief is that fuel lasts 30-60 days. Just running the engine out
of fuel does not always insure that the carb. is dry. If there is a bowl on the bottom of the carburetor, I remove the nut or push the drain button. That said, alot of people get by, without draining or treating the fuel. But sooner or later it will catch up to them. I can tell you fuel stories from lawn mowers, lawn tractors, weed eaters, pressure washers, snow blowers, tillers you name it.

heehaw · Jan 24, 2003

i never run the gas out of anything, i always treat it with sta-bil, even when i fill my 5 gal gas cans, i start putting sta-bil in @ august or september, and have never had a problem.
heehaw