People in Nevada endure all seasons: summer, spring, autumn, and winter. When winter arrives, every household prepares their tools and other equipment for the cold weather.
Unlike other seasons, winter involves different ways of storing equipment that necessitates utmost care and attention. Winter causes equipment to break if improperly handled and stored. Learn the different ways on how to store small engine equipment here.
Tips for storing small engine equipment this winter
Most people wonder how can they properly store their small engine equipment. With these tips, storing will become an easy thing to do.
Spark plugs
Spark plugs ignite the air-fuel mixture inside the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. Experts say that these spark plugs need replacement after 100 hours or around 4 days of usage.
How to replace or store a spark plug?
- Use a designated spark plug wrench and slowly turn its metal base to avoid breaking the plug.
- When successfully removed, lubricate it with a few drops of oil.
- Smoothly start the engine a few times to ensure it coats the cylindrical walls and valves.
Just a tip:
When replacing a spark plug, remember to use a new one with the exact the same part number. Different machines use different spark plugs. Doing so prevents future trouble with the engine.
Fuel
People use fuel for their generators, lawn equipment, and their cars. However, for the winter season, there are some tips to properly store fuel. Most fuels consist of ethanol, which breaks down over a period of time. This leads to deposits forming in the engine, which can move through the system and clog the carburetor.
How to properly store fuel?
- Take out all the fuel from the equipment. Do this by letting the engine run until no fuel is left inside the tank.
- Once it stalls, try starting it again to ensure the eradication of leftover fuel.
How to store equipment filled with fuel?
- Use a fuel stabilizer.
- Start the machine, run for around 5-10 minutes. This allows the mixture to circulate in the system.
- Afterwards, turn the machine off.
This process lets equipment filled with gas stay up to six (6) months without trouble when starting again. When winter finally passes, starting the machine becomes easy.
Oils and filters
Oils form a very crucial part in the equipment that most people own, especially with cars. However, with small engine equipment inside the house, most wonder if they store it properly during winter.
How to store oils properly?
- Always remember to change both the oil and filters to keep the mobile parts lubricated. Changing these keeps dirt and other particles from damaging the engine..
- When owners change the filters, it helps eradicate grass and other particles that got stuck. This increases its fuel efficiency and power in the long run.
Paper filters are not reusable and need to be changed immediately after use. On the other hand, foam filters are reusable and are more eco-friendly.
How to store filters properly?
- Rinse the foam filter using a solution composed of hot water and dishwashing liquid.
- Put it flat on a surface to dry it out.
- Coat it with oil before putting back inside the equipment.
Generators
With the winter season coming, generators are vulnerable to damage due to the cold weather. Nevertheless, follow these tips to prevent destruction of the generators.
How to store generators?
- Drain the generator completely.
- The engine will stop when it completely runs out of fuel.
- Take out the oil from the crankcase while the engine is still warm. Refill with an oil grade recommended in the manual.
- Carefully remove the spark plug.
- Pour a small amount of engine oil into the cylinders, around 0.5 ounces.
- Cover the hole for the spark plug with a clean rag. This prevents leakage when cranking the engine recoil.
- Reinstall the spark plug and check if the wire got disconnected properly. This prevents accidental starts that lead to injuries.
Avoid having to repair your small engines by properly storing your equipment by consulting Greg’s Small Engine for your storage needs.
