Snowblower Storage - Is this Safe?

[Kate]

I just got my snowblower back for repairs. It had a blocked carburetor.

Two days after I got it home I noticed it was leaking gas/oil. This is a two-cycle machine. Even after using it, it still leaks.

I called the company who worked on it, and they are closed until January 4th.

Until I can get it in for repairs, I have moved the machine from my garage to my medium-sized shed. The gas fumes were entering my home.

The blower is leaking about a tablespoon of gas a day. Hopefully, it will soon be empty.

I hate to store it outside due to the elements, but am wondering if this could be a fire hazard when storing it inside the shed? The only thing I store in the shed is two lawnmowers, Christmas decorations, rakes, fertilizer, etc. I do have electrical outlets up high that I use for lights, radio, etc.

I tend to be a worrier and don't want to burn the place down, so I wanted to ask: Is this safe?

Many thanks.

Kate

[JoeSpareBedroom]

Would it be safe from theft if you stored it outside with a tarp over it? Sounds like a better idea than the shed.

And find a new repair shop whose entire staff doesn't vanish for 2 weeks during snow blower season.

[dpb]

Not great, but if there is no source of open flame like a heater it'll be highly unlikely to cause a problem.

I would recommend you ought to empty the tank, though, rather than let it leak at that rate if you can't simply tighten a hose clamp or similar to stop it. If nothing else, put a catch pan under it w/ kitty litter or somesuch to absorb the spill and be able to dispose of it rather than letting it soak into a floor...

--

[salty]

Outside would be a lot better. Concentrated fumes are the real danger. Outside, the fumes can dissapate.

Maybe you can figure out what is leaking. It might be as simple as a hose clamp screw that wasn't tightened enough.

Alternately, you could simply drain all the gas out into a clean jar or pan and then dump it into your gas can.

[Red]

Worrying is good... but snow blowers love the cold-- just like sled dogs or polar bears. Put it behind your house to minimize drive-by opportunistic burglary. Chain it to a big tree in you're concerned about theft.

But don't put a tarp over it as another poster said. The fumes from the leaking gas will become trapped and concentrated making the potential for a huge explosion...

[Jon Danniken]

No, it isn't safe. It probably won't catch fire, but do you want to take that chance?

Imagine there is a fire, and the insurance company finds out that you were aware of a fitting leaking gasoline. Do you think they have a clause in your policy exempting them from indemnity if you are aware of such a situation?

Drain the gas from the tank, and find another company to do the repair. Post a note in your local Craigslist with the name of the company that returned your equipment dripping gasoline just before they went on vacation for two weeks.

Jon

[JoeSpareBedroom]

Nonsense.

[Jim Elbrecht]

-snip-

'Stuff' happens-- but unless you are completely thrilled with the folks who 'fixed' it, you need a new mechanic anyway. To err is human- but to take the end of December off in snow country is unforgivable. Hope you're not in the central east coast.

Find a new mechanic and have them fix it and then you send the other folks the bill. [chances are real good it is a nut not tightened, or a clamp not quite snug- a 5 minute job that most handyman can handle.]

I'm with the folks that say, in the meantime,

1. Get what gas you can out of it.
2. store it outside- uncovered.

Even if you don't blow your shed up, it will smell like gas for 20 years and make everything you store out there smell too.

Jim

[Harry K]

Agree. About the only way an explosion would occur would be by poking a match under the tarp...I suppose if it is an electric start some dimbulb might try to start it withoug removing the tarp first..

Harry K

[IGot2P]

The OP might think so but I sure don't.

Don

[Jim Elbrecht]

I don't see an explosion happening- but a tarp over a snowblower is unnecessary, promotes rust and gives a great dark place for rodents to nest and mess up your machinery.

Jim

[Stormin Mormon]

I've seen, and done a lot worse. The pan of kitty litter under the drip sounds like a first rate idea. Can you find another shop? Ask your neighbors and friends at church and work. See if anyone works on gas equipment. Likely a loose hose, fitting, or something easy to tighten.

[Kate]

Yes, I believe so. Thanks, and I fully agree with your comment. The problem is I live in a rural area and they are the only small engine repair shop within a two-hour drive.

[Kate]

The tank is almost empty, thank goodness, and I do have a pan underneat it.

Thanks.

[Kate]

I have had two guys look at it. No luck. When I called the company they said the entire carburetor would need to be taken a part again. Apparently there is dirt affecting the needle. Not sure what this all means, but I am taking it back on January 4th. Ugh!

[Kate]

Wow, thanks for all the great replies.

I am taking it out of the shed.

[Kate]

Thanks Jon. Good info.

[Kate]

It is an electric start. I will move it outside. Thanks.

[hrhofmann]

I would put it outside, but cover it partly, leave the bottom edges open so the fumes can blow around, but keep it covered enuf so that rain/snow doesn't get on/into it. Then, if you have to start it before Jan 4, take the cover off and let it ventilate for about a minute or so to waft away the gasoline fumes and then plug it in and start it.. Take a look before you put it outside and see if you can tell where the leak is coming from. Taking the whole carburetor apart may be nonsense if it is simply the screws in the gas line or the nut on the bottom of the carburetor that needs tightening. However, if there is dirt inside the bowl that is keeping the float needle valve from closing when the bowl fills with gasoline, then the bowl needs to come off. But, that can be done without taking the whole carburetor off the engine. I would sure try to find an alternate fixer, if you live in a rural area, there must be some handymen/women around who help their friends out rather than a two-hour drive.

[Hustlin' Hank]

Whimp! It is only leaking 2 tablespoons a day. That isn't much at all. Gas vaporates VERY rapidly. 2 tablespoons would burn ( in the slim chance it cought fire) so quickly that nothing else would be affected. Put a wide mouth glass jar under it to catch the gas. The wide mouth will let it evaporate quicker. Hell, a saucer might even be better. You won't have any problems.

In regards to the leak. They probably didn't clean your carb correctly or they didn't clean your fuel system (gas tank and lines). If dirt got inside your carb, there is dirt/rust in your tank or some foreign material in your tank. when you get the carb cleaned again, make sure they clean the whole system. Look inside your tank a the bottom, is there rust? Debris? Anything but gas?

Hank