18
STORAGE
Storage Preparation
Proper storage preparation is essential for keeping your snow blower
trouble-free and looking good. The following steps will help to keep
rust and corrosion from impairing your snow blower’s function and
appearance, and will make the engine easier to start when you use
the snow blower again.
Cleaning
1. Rinse the auger housing and wheels (or tracks) with a garden
hose. Wipe the rest of the snow blower with a moist rag.
2. After the snow blower has dried, touch up any damaged paint.
3. Lubricate the areas shown in the graphic before storage.
Fuel
NOTICE
Depending on the region where you operate your equipment, fuel
formulations may deteriorate and oxidize rapidly. Fuel deterioration
and oxidation can occur in as little as 30 days and may cause damage
to the carburetor and/or fuel system. Please check with your servicing
dealer for local storage recommendations.
Gasoline will oxidize and deteriorate in storage. Old gasoline will
cause hard starting, and it leaves gum deposits that clog the fuel
system. If the gasoline in your snow blower deteriorates during
storage, you may need to have the carburetor and other fuel system
components serviced or replaced.
The length of time that gasoline can be left in your fuel tank and
carburetor without causing functional problems will vary with such
factors as gasoline blend, your storage temperatures, and whether
the fuel tank is partially or completely filled. The air in a partially filled
fuel tank promotes fuel deterioration. Very warm
storage/temperatures accelerate fuel deterioration. Fuel deterioration
problems may occur within a few months, or even less if the gasoline
was not fresh when you filled the fuel tank.
The
Distributor’s Limited Warranty
does not cover fuel system
damage or engine performance problems resulting from neglected
storage preparation.
You can extend fuel storage life by adding a fuel stabilizer that is
formulated for that purpose, or you can avoid fuel deterioration
problems by draining the fuel tank and carburetor.
Adding a Fuel Stabilizer to Extend Fuel Storage Life
When adding a fuel stabilizer, fill the fuel tank with fresh gasoline. If
only partially filled, air in the tank will promote fuel deterioration during
storage. If you keep a container of gasoline for refueling, be sure that
it contains only fresh gasoline.
Add fuel stabilizer following the manufacturer’s instructions.
After adding a fuel stabilizer, run the engine outdoors for 10 minutes
to be sure that treated gasoline has replaced the untreated gasoline in
the carburetor.
Service according to the table below:
Draining the Carburetor and Fuel Tank
1. Place an approved
gasoline container below
the carburetor, and use a
funnel to avoid spilling
fuel.
2. Turn the fuel valve lever to
the OFF position.
3. Loosen the carburetor
drain knob to drain the
carburetor. To drain the
fuel tank, move the fuel
valve lever to the ON
position. Drain the carburetor until the fuel tank is empty.
NOTICE
Tires and tracks will be damaged if they come in contact with
gasoline. If gasoline spills over these components, wash them with
soap and water and rinse thoroughly.
CHUTE GUIDE
LEVERS
SLIDING
SURFACE
WASHER (2)
TRACK DRIVE CHAIN
Hondalube
CHUTE GEAR
SLIDING
SURFACE
Storage
Time
Recommended Service Procedure to
Prevent Hard Starting
Less than
1 month
Fill with fresh gasoline to prevent moisture
buildup.
1 to 3
months
Fill with fresh gasoline and add gasoline
stabilizer according to the manufacturer’s
instructions.
With the fuel valve in the OFF position, drain
the carburetor (below).
More than
3 months
Drain the fuel tank and carburetor (below).
WARNING
Gasoline is highly flammable and explosive. You can be
burned or seriously injured when handling fuel.
• Keep heat, sparks, and flame away
• Stop the engine and let it cool before refueling
• Refuel only outdoors
• Wipe up spills immediately
DRAIN KNOB
