Winterizing?

[Sarthurs01 825]

So winter is not far off, and show season is over, what are you guys doing to store for the winter? Last year I drained all the fuel and ran the carbs dry and didn’t seam to have any issue. I am running ethanol free fuel too. The 2 Rjs will be in a heated bacement but the c81 and commando will be in a cold shed. Should mention I am in Western PA where it’s 20° one day and 65° the next. Haha 

[pfrederi 17,741]

I either empty the tank or add Stabil shut  off the gas and run them till they stall pull the choke at at the end to empty them completly.  if you have a Techy a lot of then have bowl drains a great idea...

[WheelHorse520H 708]

Haven’t had this issue, mine get run year round, usually once a week or two.

[squonk 41,162]

Tractors that are stored here get 94 octane VP fuel from TSC. 3 year shelf life. Just enough to get the carb full and run a few minutes.

[Achto 27,609]

I only use non-ethanol fuel in my small engines, every drop of it is treated with Sea Foam. When storage season comes around I run the carburetors dry and put them to bed.

[Pullstart 62,919]

10 hours ago, Achto said:

I only use non-ethanol fuel in my small engines, every drop of it is treated with Sea Foam. When storage season comes around I run the carburetors dry and put them to bed.

Would you say a fuel tank full to the tippy top is better or bone dry is better as far as condensation control goes?

[WheelHorse520H 708]

1 minute ago, Pullhosen’s Pony Express said:

Would you say a fuel tank full to the tippy top is better or bone dry is better as far as condensation control goes?

From what I’ve read off the back of the Sta-bil bottle, up to the tippy top.

[Achto 27,609]

1 hour ago, Pullhosen’s Pony Express said:

Would you say a fuel tank full to the tippy top is better or bone dry is better as far as condensation control goes?

 

I would agree with full to the top. Also, A small amount of fuel will go bad faster than a large amount. 

 

When working at a motorcycle shop, bikes would come in that would not start in the spring. Most times I would drain the fuel from the bowl, and they would start on the gas that was sitting in the tank all winter.

Edited October 12, 2021 by Achto

[peter lena 8,642]

@Sarthurs01  got your battery tender plug in wired to your battery ? sta-bil in all my gas no fuel issues at all, regularly run my three horses , lighter winter oil , same zink additive , no problems , pete 

[953 nut 55,325]

I have made a practice of adding Stable Gas Additive and Seafoam to every drop of Non-Ethanol Gas I buy. Also make an effort to run each  for a while year round. Even though there is no grass to mow in the winter the 310-8 gets some exercise once a month. Same for the 953s, no shows to attend but quality seat time pulling a cart picking up fallen branches is good practice for the show dates to come. The GT-14 with FEL gets worked all year and the 418-C is in leaf blowing mode now and is my go-to snow mover for the winter months so it never sits idle. The 1055 is a back-up snow mover but gets out to push some dirt from time to time.

Mine are never in storage, they just take turns putting a smile on my face.         

[Sarthurs01 825]

14 minutes ago, peter lena said:

@Sarthurs01  got your battery tender plug in wired to your battery ? sta-bil in all my gas no fuel issues at all, regularly run my three horses , lighter winter oil , same zink additive , no problems , pete 

Yep I have all my batteries on tenders. Made that mistake one winter on our 16v race car battery.. NEVER agin! haha

[peter lena 8,642]

@  953 nut , been using ethanol fuel all along with no problems , rotate my 3 horses , 2 with plows and 1 with the blower when needed . agree with the activity , just for snow fun , the weather has not been what it was , more sloppy than light and fluffy . still needed to keep driveway clear and the dreaded  frozen snow issue  . also use my  walking snow blower for tight spots , pete 

[littleredrider 409]

I don’t do anything really. I run 93 in everything, and had stuff sit for months, and always started. But this winter I’ll actually be able to use my garage, no heat but least outta the elements. 

[peter lena 8,642]

@  953 nut , been using ethanol fuel all along with no problems , rotate my 3 horses , 2 with plows and 1 with the blower when needed . agree with the activity , just for snow fun , the weather has not been what it was , more sloppy than light and fluffy . still needed to keep driveway clear and the dreaded  frozen snow issue  . also use my  walking snow blower for tight spots , pete 

[peter lena 8,642]

@littleredrider  have a couple of sheds , out of the weather is best , real cold spells use an old type bulb in a reflector , tucked up under the engine , just keeps the engine slightly warm , for instant starts . pete 

[squonk 41,162]

Snow equipment on battery tenders. Turn the key and they start.

[Jeff-C175 7,202]

16 hours ago, Sarthurs01 said:

20° one day and 65° the next

 

Same here in Joisey, and I've had issues with condensation (dew) because of it.  I roll my toolboxes into a more protected part of my shop so the tools don't rust.

 

Keep doors closed as much as possible during these periods.

 

There have been conditions when EVERY thing in my shop has been dripping wet!

 

This has been more troublesome in my shop than fuel preservation!

[Handy Don 12,238]

41 minutes ago, Jeff-C175 said:

Keep doors closed as much as possible during these periods.

 

Yep. Not uncommon here in winter to open the garage door, back out the cold-soaked car and have it be coated with condensation by the end of the driveway. I've learned to get that garage door closed again quickly!

[wh5208speed 645]

Here is our winter strategy:

• ethanol free w/ Stabil year round
• keep tanks full
• Calendar reminder for 1x per month to start all engines and let run for 5-10 minutes
• This includes small equipment as well (trimmer, leaf blower, chain saw, push mower, etc.)

The only exception is the pressure washer as the pump gets winterized, so you can't start it up once you put the pump foam

 

Never have an issue since starting this plan

[pfrederi 17,741]

At $4.25 a gallon for non-ethanol yesterday getting the heavily used horses converted from regular to NE for the last tankful is getting pricey...