Storing 4 stroke machinery

[JimM169]

It's coming up to that time when I'll be putting the lawnmower, strimmer etc into the shed for the winter, normally just drain down as much fuel as possible and hope for the best come spring time. It's a bit hit and miss on how easy it is to get them started again though, after the layup.

To make things easier would it be beneficial to run something like Aspen 4 through them before putting them away - theory being that any residual fuel shouldn't go stale like unleaded can?

[Drumroll]

We have found just running Aspin 4 all the time just cuts out all the hassle. Yes it is more expensive, but by the time you have finished faffing around with normal fuel you could have half a lawn cut and stimmed. (especially with how predictable UK weather is. Even in summer mowers etc can be laid up for a month)

[alangla]

What’s the consensus on the best fuel preserver? I’m running 3 year old E10 + Briggs & Stratton fuel fit in my mower and it’s running fine, but it sounded like Sta-Bil was the product of choice last time it was discussed here?

[normalbloke]

Make sure it’s running on, and only has, Aspen fuel in it over the winter.

[Peanut Gallery]

Random question here - FIL has a small generator, laid up over the summer months, but started up start of each winter. Now the unit only just fires up and dies, I believe it is the float needle is stuck nearly closed (spare genny (dont ask) could not start at all last year, I stripped the carb and cleaned it, sorted) - I cannot get to it this year, so is there a magic potion that can be put into the fuel tank that dissolves any goo left behind by evaporated petrol?

[JimM169]

Peanut Gallery said:

Random question here - FIL has a small generator, laid up over the summer months, but started up start of each winter. Now the unit only just fires up and dies, I believe it is the float needle is stuck nearly closed (spare genny (dont ask) could not start at all last year, I stripped the carb and cleaned it, sorted) - I cannot get to it this year, so is there a magic potion that can be put into the fuel tank that dissolves any goo left behind by evaporated petrol?

Mechanic in a bottle might help

https://www.toolstation.com/b3c-mechanic-in-a-bott...

[OutInTheShed]

Peanut Gallery said:

Random question here - FIL has a small generator, laid up over the summer months, but started up start of each winter. Now the unit only just fires up and dies, I believe it is the float needle is stuck nearly closed (spare genny (dont ask) could not start at all last year, I stripped the carb and cleaned it, sorted) - I cannot get to it this year, so is there a magic potion that can be put into the fuel tank that dissolves any goo left behind by evaporated petrol?

Carb cleaner into the fuel hose maybe?

Never really got away from having the float bowl off from troublesome carbs personally.

[Chumley.mouse]

Easy start has never failed for me……pull the fuel pipe off and fill it up with the stuff….if you have a spark it will start……..but stand back as that stuff has had my eye brows/ lashes off before

[Condi]

ShaneHawkins said:

I just put them away as is, don’t even drain the fuel. I do my last cut in Nov and the first in March so don’t see the point for the sake of 3 or 4 months.

This....

It's really not a big deal, doesn't matter if its the motorbike, lawnmower, whatever - just park it up and get it out again next year. The types of engines are so "agricultural" for want of a better word that they'll be fine. I think the fuel I've been using in the mower this year is probably 3 years old, the tank never gets drained over winter, and the Briggs and Stratton engine will fire up in spring with 1 or 2 pulls. Next year I think I might buy some new fuel for it.

Peanut Gallery said:

Random question here - FIL has a small generator, laid up over the summer months, but started up start of each winter. Now the unit only just fires up and dies, I believe it is the float needle is stuck nearly closed (spare genny (dont ask) could not start at all last year, I stripped the carb and cleaned it, sorted) - I cannot get to it this year, so is there a magic potion that can be put into the fuel tank that dissolves any goo left behind by evaporated petrol?

Carb cleaner (spray) and redex/fuel additive will help. Would avoid using easy start unless you have no other options, it doesn't do the engine any good and while it might do what it says on the tin you won't thank it in 3 years time.