How Do You Store 2 Cycle Equipment ?
- Thread starter ChrisD46
- Start date
- Status
Depends on the fuel. Leaving full: I have had bad luck with E10 gumming up carbs even when I use Sta-Bil. I have had good luck with the tru-fuel when storing full.
My advice - run it dry, or use Tru-fuel.
My advice - run it dry, or use Tru-fuel.
Kestas
Staff member
I drain mine and run until empty. I had a bad experience with E10 in the carburator of my lawnmower over one winter. It suffered from phase separation.
In spring it used to start in one pull with last year's gas. But that was with pure gas.
In spring it used to start in one pull with last year's gas. But that was with pure gas.
Originally Posted By: ChrisD46
For string trimmers , chain saws , etc. - Do you drain and run until engine stops OR do you fill to the top and store full for the winter ?
I run it out of fuel, let it cool, pull plug, give a little shot of fogging oil (I have a boat so I have it lying around) give a few pulls on the cord, Put the plug back and put it away. I know its probably overkill but it works for me.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
For string trimmers , chain saws , etc. - Do you drain and run until engine stops OR do you fill to the top and store full for the winter ?
I run it out of fuel, let it cool, pull plug, give a little shot of fogging oil (I have a boat so I have it lying around) give a few pulls on the cord, Put the plug back and put it away. I know its probably overkill but it works for me.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
The same way I store my 4 cycle equipment: drain the tank and run the carb dry. Never have any issues.
Over the last 3 years, I put Sta-bil in each can of gas (one 4-cycle, one 2-cycle) and just put them back in their place at the end of the year. They start right up next year, no issues.
Drain them and run them dry. I buy a lot of OPE on craigslist and always clean carbs (and have seen some really amazing stuff) but I never have to re-clean them.
I store my 2-cycle equipment the same as my 4-cycle equipment. I keep them plumb full of fuel. I have found that draining introduces the possibility of varnish build-up due to allowing air into the system and drying the areas where fuel will invariably remain (you can never get it all out). I've had issues in the spring after draining fuel, so I've gone to leaving them full of (stabilized) fuel. I never have issues anymore.
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2009
- Messages
- 9,523
Use the marine formula fuel stabilizer and run the engines once a month. Keep fuel in the tanks preferably full.
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
I store my 2-cycle equipment the same as my 4-cycle equipment. I keep them plumb full of fuel. I have found that draining introduces the possibility of varnish build-up due to allowing air into the system and drying the areas where fuel will invariably remain (you can never get it all out). I've had issues in the spring after draining fuel, so I've gone to leaving them full of (stabilized) fuel. I never have issues anymore.
While I don't have issues with mine based on my previous response, this makes genius sense and will be my policy moving forward. Thanks.
I store my 2-cycle equipment the same as my 4-cycle equipment. I keep them plumb full of fuel. I have found that draining introduces the possibility of varnish build-up due to allowing air into the system and drying the areas where fuel will invariably remain (you can never get it all out). I've had issues in the spring after draining fuel, so I've gone to leaving them full of (stabilized) fuel. I never have issues anymore.
While I don't have issues with mine based on my previous response, this makes genius sense and will be my policy moving forward. Thanks.
I use E0 fuel ,a stabilizer,and store everything full .
I just spray some wd40 in there and turn it over a few times and put some stabill in the gas
Run the fuel out. Fog with Deep Creep Seafoam. Leave tank cracked. I has always worked,But....
What is better on fuel lines and diaphrams long term? I treat all my stored gas in 15 gal containers and draw it for 2cycle mixes or four cycle fill ups. Am I wasting my time putting equipment in storage? Will stabilized gas not harm fuel lines and diaphrams? Do they dry out empty?
The number one thing I fix for people are rotted fuel lines and they leave them filled up. However, I doubt they ever heard of stabilizer.
What is better on fuel lines and diaphrams long term? I treat all my stored gas in 15 gal containers and draw it for 2cycle mixes or four cycle fill ups. Am I wasting my time putting equipment in storage? Will stabilized gas not harm fuel lines and diaphrams? Do they dry out empty?
The number one thing I fix for people are rotted fuel lines and they leave them filled up. However, I doubt they ever heard of stabilizer.
I live in the S.E. US and have a relatively short winter storage window, usually 3 months for mowers and 4 months for 2 cycle equipment.
I purchase E0 fuel Pure-Gas.Org from a gas station located a mile or so from a local marina / boat ramp.
My process is simple 1)add stabil marine to empty gas can 2) if 2cycle gas can add Stihl Ultra synthetic oil 3)fill gas can with E0 fuel 4)fill tank to the brim 5)fog it
The E0 fuel in may area is 90 octane and is marketed at non-marina stations as recreational vehicle fuel or off road fuel.
The exception is my 2 cycle chain saw. I only use it once or twice a year. That I drain and run dry before storage.
I purchase E0 fuel Pure-Gas.Org from a gas station located a mile or so from a local marina / boat ramp.
My process is simple 1)add stabil marine to empty gas can 2) if 2cycle gas can add Stihl Ultra synthetic oil 3)fill gas can with E0 fuel 4)fill tank to the brim 5)fog it
The E0 fuel in may area is 90 octane and is marketed at non-marina stations as recreational vehicle fuel or off road fuel.
The exception is my 2 cycle chain saw. I only use it once or twice a year. That I drain and run dry before storage.
I hang them on a peg in the garage, in whatever condition as when I got done using them last.
Last edited:
on my radio control 2 stroke engines, i run some MMO down the intake, and spin it over to distribute the oil. this keeps it from rusting. the methanol in the fuel draws moisture.
For some stuff like weed whackers, look at how/where the fuel lines enter the tank. In some cases its best not to lay it on a floor but to hang on wall with engine down, and trimmer head up.
Consider a trash bag around the engine with some moth balls tossed in to keep away the mice. The trash bag will keep the moth ball chemical concentrated around the engine.
Consider a trash bag around the engine with some moth balls tossed in to keep away the mice. The trash bag will keep the moth ball chemical concentrated around the engine.
Originally Posted By: Donald
For some stuff like weed whackers, look at how/where the fuel lines enter the tank. In some cases its best not to lay it on a floor but to hang on wall with engine down, and trimmer head up.
Consider a trash bag around the engine with some moth balls tossed in to keep away the mice. The trash bag will keep the moth ball chemical concentrated around the engine.
Somebody, somewhere has regretted starting up the riding mower with a bag around the engine...
For some stuff like weed whackers, look at how/where the fuel lines enter the tank. In some cases its best not to lay it on a floor but to hang on wall with engine down, and trimmer head up.
Consider a trash bag around the engine with some moth balls tossed in to keep away the mice. The trash bag will keep the moth ball chemical concentrated around the engine.
Somebody, somewhere has regretted starting up the riding mower with a bag around the engine...
- Status
