19
AVOIDING FUEL-RELATED PROBLEMS
When properly maintained, your Honda powered product should provide years of trouble-free operation. This includes the fuel system.
However, petrol can quickly deteriorate (in as little as 30 days) causing starting or running problems and, in some cases, damage to the fuel
system. Most fuel-related problems can be avoided by following the precautions listed below. Fuel system damage and engine performance
problems resulting from deteriorated petrol are not covered by the
Limited Warranty
(see page 23).
Follow These Precautions to Prevent Most Fuel-Related Problems
During the Normal Mowing Season
Reason
Do not use petrol containing more than 10% ethanol (E10). Not all
automotive fuel is safe to use in your power product.
Higher levels of ethanol in fuel attract water, and can corrode or
damage the fuel system and cause performance problems.
Store fuel in a clean, plastic, sealed container approved for fuel
storage.
Store your fuel supply container away from direct sunlight; if the
container has a vent, keep it closed.
A plastic container eliminates the risk of rust and metallic
contaminants from a metal container entering the fuel system.
fuel will deteriorate faster when exposed to air and sunlight.
Purchase only enough fuel to last for 1 to 2 months (about 30 to 60
days).
If you purchase enough fuel to last for more than 60 days, add a fuel
stabilizer to your storage container when you fill it.
Fuel deteriorates with age so try to avoid storing it for long periods,
especially in summer heat.
Fuel stabilizer will extend the shelf life of fuel, but it will not
reconstitute stale fuel.
Keep your product’s fuel tank full of fresh fuel when not in use. Turn
the fuel valve OFF.
If the fuel tank is only partially filled, air in the tank will promote fuel
deterioration.
Keep the air filter clean and properly serviced. Check it before each
use.
A properly maintained air filter will help prevent dirt from entering the
carburetor. The small passages inside the carburetor can become
blocked.
3 to 4 Weeks Before Next Use
Reason
Keep your product’s fuel tank full of fresh fuel when not in use. Turn
the fuel valve OFF.
If the fuel tank is only partially filled, air in the tank will promote fuel
deterioration.
Turn the fuel valve to the OFF position, start the engine and let it run
approximately 3 minutes until the carburetor is empty and the
engine stops.
The small amount of fuel in your engine’s carburetor will deteriorate
faster than the fuel in the fuel tank due to its small volume and heat
from the engine.
1 to 3 Months Before Next Use
Reason
If you did not add fuel stabilizer to your fuel storage container when
you filled it up, fill your product’s fuel tank with fresh fuel.
If the fuel tank is only partially filled, air in the tank will promote fuel
deterioration.
Add fuel stabilizer to the product’s fuel tank according to the
stabilizer manufacturer’s instructions.
Fuel stabilizer will extend the life of fuel, but it will not reconstitute
stale fuel.
Run the engine outdoors for 10 minutes.
This makes sure treated fuel has replaced untreated fuel throughout
the fuel system.
Turn the fuel valve to the OFF position, start the engine, and let it
run approximately 3 minutes until the carburetor is empty and the
engine stops.
The small amount of fuel in your engine’s carburetor will deteriorate
faster than the fuel in the fuel tank due to its small volume and heat
from the engine.
More Than 3 Months Before Next Use
Reason
Start the engine and let it run long enough to empty all the fuel from
the entire fuel system, including the fuel tank.
Do not allow fuel to remain in your product’s fuel tank for more than
3 months (about 90 days) of inactivity.
All fuel stabilizers have a shelf life. It is good practice to empty the
fuel system for long term inactivity.
