Suggestions; Storing Your Engine - Honda GX25 Owner's Manual

32Z3V6000.book Page 8 Monday, June 11, 2018 1:59 PM
HELPFUL TIPS & SUGGESTIONS

STORING YOUR ENGINE

Storage Preparation
Proper storage preparation is essential for keeping your engine
trouble-free and looking good. The following steps will help to
keep rust and corrosion from impairing your engine's function
and appearance, and will make the engine easier to start when
you use it again.
Cleaning
If the engine has been running, allow it to cool for at least half
an hour before cleaning. Clean all exterior surfaces, touch up
any damaged paint, and coat other areas that may rust with a
light film of oil.
Using a garden hose or pressure washing equipment can force
water into the air cleaner or muffler opening. Water in the air
cleaner will soak the air filter, and water that passes through the
air filter or muffler can enter the cylinder, causing damage.
Fuel
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. Deteriorated
gasoline will cause hard starting, and it leaves gum deposits
that clog the fuel system. If the gasoline in your engine
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.
Fuel system damage or engine performance problems resulting
from neglected storage preparation are not covered under the
Warranty.
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Draining the Fuel Tank and Carburetor
See Figure 15, page A-4.
Gasoline is highly flammable and explosive.
You can be burned or seriously injured when
handling fuel.
• Stop the engine and let it cool before handling fuel.
• Keep heat, sparks, and flame away.
• Handle fuel only outdoors.
• Keep away from your vehicle.
• Wipe up spills immediately.
1. Make sure the engine oil filler cap / dipstick [1] is tightened
securely.
2. Remove the fuel filler cap and drain the fuel into an approved
gasoline container by tipping the engine toward the fuel filler
neck [2].
3. Press the priming pump [3] several times until all fuel has
returned to the fuel tank.
4. Tip the engine toward the fuel filler neck again to drain the
fuel.
5. After all fuel has drained, reinstall the fuel filler cap securely.
Engine Oil
See Figure 5, page A-2.
See Figure 10, page A-3.
1. Change the engine oil (see page 5).
2. Loosen the hex bolt, then remove the top cover.
3. Remove the spark plug (see page 6).
4. Apply a couple of drops of clean engine oil into the cylinder.
5. Install the top cover temporarily.
6. Pull the starter grip several times to distribute the oil in the
cylinder.
7. Remove the top cover, then reinstall the spark plug.
8. Install the top cover, and tighten the hex bolt securely.
9. Pull the starter grip slowly until resistance is felt.