Honda GXV 160 Owner's Manual page 11

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
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
Distributor's Limited Warranty.
You can extend fuel storage life by adding a gasoline stabilizer that
is formulated for that purpose, or you can avoid fuel deterioration
problems by draining the fuel tank and carburetor.
Adding a Gasoline Stabilizer to Extend Fuel Storage Life
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. If you keep a container of gasoline for
refueling, be sure that it contains only fresh gasoline.
1. Add gasoline stabilizer following the manufacturer's
instructions.
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 carburetor.
3. Stop the engine.
Draining the Fuel Tank and Carburetor
Gasoline is highly flammable and explosive, and you
can be burned or seriously injured when handling fuel.
• Stop the engine and keep heat, sparks, and flame
away.
• Handle fuel only outdoors.
• Wipe up spills immediately.
1. Place an approved gasoline container below the carburetor, and
use a funnel to avoid spilling fuel.
2. Loosen the carburetor drain bolt, and drain the carburetor bowl
fuel into an approved gasoline container.
3. Move the fuel valve lever to the ON position. This will allow the
fuel tank to drain through the carburetor bowl.
CARBURETOR BOWL
ON
OFF
4. After draining the carburetor bowl and fuel tank, move the fuel
valve lever to the OFF position.
5. Tighten the carburetor drain bolt securely.
ENGLISH
CARBURETOR
DRAIN BOLT
FUEL VALVE LEVER
OFF
ON
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