Store lawn mower with full or empty tank?

I've heard that you should use up all of the gas in the tank before it's stored for the winter but I watched this Youtube video and the guy says Briggs and Stratton recommends to fill the tank before storage. What is the CW on this?

formatting link
Here's the Briggs and Stratton site which says to only do so if you use their special additive.

formatting link

Reply to
Joe
Loading thread data ...

either run it dry, or use Sta-Bil and fill it completely.

nate

Reply to
N8N

Or just let it go...I've never had a lick of trouble in just cutting off the supply at the bowl and letting it run out. A fresh dollop in the carb bowl next spring and it fires right up and rest is just fine.

If storing for a _very_ long time like a year or more, I'd go to more trouble, but just over a few months winter period, not so much.

That said, either of the other alternatives isn't _that_ much trouble, so do whatever feels good to you... :)

$0.02, etc., ...

--

Reply to
dpb

Let it run dry then pull the cord a couple times. Since doing that I havent had power equipment fail to start next season.

Reply to
bigjim

I've had better luck running the fuel line dry.

Reply to
RickH

Drop a tablespoon of StaBil in the tank before you mow for the last time.

Reply to
Meat Plow

Do you still have the instructions for YOUR mower?

Reply to
JoeSpareBedroom

I've never done anything in the 7 years I've had my mower. Just leave whatever gas is in it, top it off when I get it back out in the spring. All I've ever noticed is that it takes a couple of extra pulls that first day.

Reply to
frank megaweege

Correct. Either will usually work. There are disadvantages to both, but I have never gone wrong doing either. On the other hand I have had problems when I forgot to take care of it at seasons end.

Reply to
Joseph Meehan

That is good advice for either method. If you get it totally dry then the stabilizer would not be needed, but that does not always happen with some setups.

Reply to
Joseph Meehan

Reply to
The Freon Cowboy

My normal technique is to shut off the fuel valve and run the carb dry, while keeping the tank full with gas and Sta-Bil. I don't generally have any problems. I think keeping the tank full with stabilized fuel helps prevent rust in the tank if it's a metal tank, obviously not a factor for a plastic one. Running the carb dry keeps gunk from forming as the gas slowly evaporates.

Reply to
Pete C.

My father used to drain the mower tank, fill with kerosene, and store for the winter months. The mower still runs after 40 years. I fill the tank, add Stabil, run the engine for a few minutes, then store.

Reply to
Phisherman

How do you manage the kerosene in the spring? Siphon it out? Or...?

Reply to
JoeSpareBedroom

on 9/25/2007 5:42 PM The Freon Cowboy said the following:

At $3.00 a gall>

Reply to
willshak

How about watching the weather and planning ahead - not totally filling the tank when you know you're doing the last mow of the season?

Reply to
JoeSpareBedroom

Then you have gotten lucky. Gasoline generally won't be good after 6 months and can gum up the fuel line to boot. Keep doing it if you like, but please don't recommend it to others.

Reply to
Toller

I've always stored my gas-powered tools filled with gas. I always use gasoline that has been treated with Sta-bil.

Reply to
Dave Bugg

I have always drained or run all fuel from any moter that I own and have always had them start first pull after storage was taught this by a master mechanic

Reply to
jim

"JoeSpareBedroom" wrote in news:8phKi.17466$ snipped-for-privacy@news02.roc.ny:

Bring the mower over to Joe's and run it over his neck a few times until the mower runs out of gasoline.

Reply to
Me

HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.