Winterizing your 2-cycle power equipment

[Eli]

Winterizing your 2-cycle power equipment

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Fall is here. It's time to winterize your power equipment.  This article is directed at 2-cycle equipment.  For information about how to winterize your 4-cycle power equipment engine, see the "winterizing your 4-cycle power equipment engine" topic. Examples of 4-cycle power equipment that typically use 4-cycle engines include: Riding mowers, Tillers, Chipper/shredders, etc.  

NOTE! It is important to keep in mind that some of the newer hand-held power equipment are "4-stroke" but operate on 2-cycle fuel.  This means that though they operate as a 4-cycle (aka 4-stroke) they actually use 2-cycle fuel (fuel/oil mixture) and do not have any oil in the crankcase to change.  However, some of the mini 4-stroke engines do use regular 4-cycle fuel and do have oil in the crankcase.  Be sure you know which type you are winterizing before attempting to do so.  If there is any question, take it to your local power equipment servicing dealer.

Whether you plan to do the work yourself or not, here are some basic things that you need to do to help your machine survive the winter without needing major work in the spring to correct.

Step 1: Servicing your fuel system
Today's ethanol fuels break down very quickly so this is the most important thing that you can do to help your engine survive the "off-season".

There are 2 options:
Option 1.  Stabilize your fuel.

**NOTE! Superior Power Equipment recommends Opti-2� mix oil which already includes a fuel stabilizer. If you already use Opti-2 mix oil in your machine then Option 1 has already been completed!** To purchase Opti-2 Mix oil or Opti's Optimizer, email me at eli@superiorpowerequip.com.


a.  Add fuel stabilizer to your fuel.  Since it is always a good idea to have a stabilizer mixed with all of your fuel so this should be the easiest of all.  Examples of fuel stabilizers are: Stabil�, Opti-Mizer� (my preference), etc.  
b.  After the fuel has been stabilized, run your engine long enough to permit the stabilized fuel to get through the entire fuel system (like through all the fuel lines and completely fill the carburetor).  

Option 2.  Drain the fuel.

a.  Typically with 2-cycle equipment the easiest way to drain the fuel is to remove the filler cap and pour into a gas can or other suitable container. Note: If draining fuel in this manner, use a funnel to help prevent spilled fuel!  
Tip! *Remember, if you plan to store the fuel over winter, be sure to stabilize it since it will deteriorate otherwise.*  
b.  Reinstall the fuel cap.  
c.  Now start the engine and permit the engine to run until it runs out of fuel.  **Make sure to move the container with the drained fuel away from the engine before attempting to start the engine.**  
d.  Optionally, you may use the fuel drained from your 2-cycle engine in your vehicle, tractor, or 4-cycle power equipment that will be used during the off-season�.  If your fuel is stabilized, you can store it through the off-season and use it during the next season.


Parts list:
Fuel Stabilizer,

NOTE! This is not a "tune-up" guide!