Helpfultips & Suggestions; Storing Your Engine; Storage Preparation - Honda GXH50 Owner's Manual

HELPFULTIPS & SUGGESTIONS
STORING YOUR ENGINE
Storage Preparation
Proper storage preparation is essential for keeping your engine troublefree
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.
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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.
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.
Fuel
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 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 deteriora-
tion. Very warm storagehemperatures 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.