Gas hedge trimmer storage

jackbrit3

Member
Gas 2 stroke hedge trimmers used maybe twice a season. How should they be stored?

1 With fuel and Stabil full

2 No fuel run until empty
 
Got a cheapie Ryobi trimmer that gets used once, maybe twice a year. When I'm done with it I put it on the shelf with whatever gas happens to be in it and (knock on wood) it always starts up the next year. If it was a more expensive machine I'd probably dump out the gas and run it dry.
 
1. In season storage - use Stabil and store with whatever fuel is remaining
2. Winter storage - drain fuel and run until it quits
 
In all my 2 & 4 cycle engines I use Briggs & Stratton Advanced Formula Treatment & Stabilizer. It stabilizes fuel for 3 years,stops rust, corrosion, and gum & varnish build up. In 2 cycle I run it in fuel and run tank dry. A 2 cycle can not be run totally dry there is always some fuel in crankcase this treatment will keep that fuel from giving me trouble in spring.
 
We do nothing to ours and have no problems! 42-1 good oil, premium gas without ethanol, no Sta-bil! I have a generator that I put Sta-bil in and have lots of trouble with it.
 
I have not had the best results with Sta-bil. Gas always smelt old in spring. I so far have had good results with the B&S fuel treatment (up to 3 years storage). Have you ever used Sea Foam instead of the Sta-bil? In this area you have to hunt a lot to find a non ethanol gasoline.
 
(quoted from post at 20:56:19 01/04/15) I have not had the best results with Sta-bil. Gas always smelt old in spring. I so far have had good results with the B&S fuel treatment (up to 3 years storage). Have you ever used Sea Foam instead of the Sta-bil? In this area you have to hunt a lot to find a non ethanol gasoline.

Go to airport and get av-gas 100LL. It's got a little lead and no ethanol.
OH! BTW! if ethanol fuel is good or at best doesn't hurt anything, why do you think FFA doesn't allow it in airplane fuel????
 
I will differ from many of the guys on this. I usually make sure the last tank has a good stabilizer used in the fuel. I then run it until I know that the MIXED fuel is in the carburetor. I then store them until the next time I need them. When I get them out for use I dump the stored fuel out of the tank. I refill with "fresh" fuel. Then the 2 cycle engine usually will start after maybe a few more pulls than normal.

The reason I NEVER run a 2 cycle motor DRY is that I have had many issues the internal parts drying out and cracking when they set empty/dry of fuel. I rarely get a carburetor on a 2 cycle that has varnished gas in it as the oil usually is still there and the gas evaporates away.

This is just my opinion based on close to forty years of working on small engines. So that and a dollar might get you a cup of coffee. LOL
 
I use some sea-foam occasionally if I am not happy with the way something runs, but very seldom. We have 12-15 small engines and really don't have much trouble. I have my dads 30 year old Stihl brush cutter/weed eater and have never even put a kit in the carburetor.
 
Forget about Stabil! Get Ethanol Shield available at Tractor Supply, Family farm and Home and others. It really works, plus they have a product by the same company called Mechanic-in-a-Bottle that is great for gummed up carbs..
 
Next season you will likely need to dump out the old fuel and reprime it with fresh fuel before it runs right again. It saves a lot of time to empty it and run it dry before storage.
 
The FAA doesn't allow use of regular motor oil either. Why is that?
The FAA doesn't allow use of non aviation grade tires? Why is that?
The FAA doesn't allow use of hardware from the local hardware store. Why is that?
 
(quoted from post at 18:43:16 01/05/15) The FAA doesn't allow use of regular motor oil either. Why is that?
The FAA doesn't allow use of non aviation grade tires? Why is that?
The FAA doesn't allow use of hardware from the local hardware store. Why is that?

Because all of that has been tested and it doesn't meet high standards to be used safely in aircraft. Ethanol has been tested and FAA found it causes problems just like tires, oil, and hardware cause problems in their intended use. Oh BTW automotive fuel with ethanol can be used in experimental and restricted category aircraft under certain conditions. If it is used in the restricted or experimental aircraft that engine can never be used in a normal category aircraft again until it has had a major overhaul.
 
I buy ONE can a year of the Stihl non-alk pre mixed/pre-stabilized fuel from Stihl dealer and it is enough to run through any of my 4 engines right before storage for off season. Cost less than $ 8.00 for that piece of mind. Never a problem and they start right up. I even use it before storing my 4 stroke snowblower.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top