Storage - Honda HRS536SDE Owner's Manual

STORAGE

Proper storage is essential for keeping your lawn mower troublefree
and looking good. The following steps will help protect the mower
from rust and corrosion, and make the engine easier to start when
you use the lawn mower again.
Cleaning
Engine
Wash the engine by hand, and be careful to prevent water from
entering the air cleaner.
NOTICE
Using a garden hose or pressure washing equipment can force water
into the air cleaner. Water in the air cleaner will soak the paper filter
and can enter the carburetor or engine cylinder, causing damage.
Water contacting a hot engine can cause damage. If the engine has
been running, allow it to cool for at least half an hour before washing.
Mower Deck
Before washing the underside of the mower deck, be sure the fuel
valve is in the OFF position. Disconnect the spark plug cap. Rest the
mower on its right side so the fuel filler cap is up. This will help
prevent fuel leakage and hard starting due to carburetor flooding.
Wear heavy gloves to protect your hands from the blades.
Wash the lawn mower, including the underside of the mower deck.
If using a garden hose or pressure washing equipment to clean the
mower deck, be careful to avoid getting water into controls and
cables, or anywhere near the engine air cleaner or muffler opening.
Drying
1. After washing the lawn mower, wipe dry all accessible surfaces.
2. With the mower in an upright position, start the engine outdoors,
and let it run until it reaches normal operating temperature to
evaporate any water remaining on the engine.
3. Stop the engine and allow it to cool.
4. After the lawn mower is clean and dry, touch up any damaged
paint and coat other areas that may rust with a light film of oil.
FUEL
NOTICE
Depending on the region where you operate your equipment, fuel
formulations may deteriorate and oxidize rapidly. Fuel deterioration
and oxidation can occur in as little as 30 days and may cause damage
to the carburetor and/or fuel system. Please check with your servicing
dealer for local storage recommendations.
Gasoline will oxidize and deteriorate in storage. Old gasoline will
cause hard starting, and it leaves gum deposits that clog the fuel
system. If the gasoline in your mower deteriorates during storage, you
may need to have the carburetor and other fuel system components
serviced or replaced.
The length of time that gasoline can be left in your fuel tank and
carburetor without causing functional problems will vary with such
factors as gasoline blend, your storage temperatures, and whether
the fuel tank is partially or completely filled. The air in a partially filled
fuel tank promotes fuel deterioration. Very warm storage
temperatures accelerate fuel deterioration. Fuel deterioration
problems may occur within a few months, or even less if the gasoline
was not fresh when you filled the fuel tank.
To prevent fuel related problems:
1. Add gasoline stabilizer following the manufacturer's instructions.
When adding a gasoline stabilizer, fill the fuel tank with fresh
gasoline. If only partially filled, air in the tank will promote fuel
deterioration during storage.
2. After adding a gasoline stabilizer, run the engine outdoors for
10 minutes to be sure that treated gasoline has replaced the
untreated gasoline in the fuel system.
3. Stop the engine and turn the fuel
valve to the OFF position.
4. Start the engine and continue to
run the engine until it stops from
the lack of fuel in the carburetor
fuel bowl. Running time should be
less than 3 minutes.
The warranty does not cover fuel system damage or engine
performance problems resulting from neglected storage preparation.
ENGINE OIL
Change the engine oil (page 13).
ENGINE CYLINDER
If the mower is to be stored for more than 3 months, remove the spark
plug (page 14). Pour 5 ~ 10 cm³ of clean engine oil into the cylinder.
Pull the starter rope several times to distribute the oil in the cylinder.
Reinstall the spark plug.
Pull the starter rope slowly until resistance is felt, then return the
starter grip gently. This will close the valves so moisture cannot enter
the engine cylinder.
PLACING IN STORAGE
Since your mower will be stored with gasoline in the fuel tank and
carburetor, it is important to reduce the hazard of gasoline vapor
ignition. Select a well-ventilated storage area away from any
appliance that operates with a flame, such as a furnace, water heater,
or clothes dryer. Also avoid any area with a spark-producing electric
motor, or where power tools are operated.
If possible, avoid storage areas with high humidity, because that
promotes rust and corrosion.
Place the mower with its wheels on a level surface. Tilting can cause
fuel or oil leakage.
The handlebar can be folded for compact storage (page 10).
With the engine and exhaust system cool, cover the mower to keep
out dust. A hot engine and exhaust system can ignite or melt some
materials. Do not use sheet plastic as a dust cover. A nonporous
cover will trap moisture around the mower, promoting rust and
corrosion.
REMOVING FROM STORAGE
Check your mower as described in PRE-OPERATION CHECKS
(page 5).
If the cylinder was coated with oil during storage preparation, the
engine will smoke briefly at startup. This is normal.
ENGLISH
OFF
11