Storage - Honda HS550E Owner's Manual

STORAGE

STORAGE PREPARATION
Proper storage preparation is essential for keeping your snowthrower
trouble-free and looking good. The following steps will help to keep
rust and corrosion from impairing your snowthrower's function and
appearance, and will make the engine easier to start when you use
the snowthrower again.
Cleaning
1. Rinse the auger housing and wheels with a garden hose. Wipe the
rest of the snowthrower with a moist rag.
2. After the snowthrower has dried, touch up any damaged paint.
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 ad 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 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.
The warranty does not cover fuel system damage or engine
performance problems resulting from neglected storage preparation.
You can extend fuel storage life by adding a fuel stabilizer that is
formulated for that purpose, or you can avoid fuel deterioration
problems by draining the fuel tank and carburetor.
Adding Fuel Stabilizer to Extend Fuel Storage Life
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 fuel stabilizer following the manufacturer's instructions.
2. After adding a fuel 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 and turn the fuel valve to the OFF position
(page 5).
Draining the Fuel Tank and Carburetor
Gasoline is highly flammable and explosive.
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 drain
tube, and use a funnel to avoid spilling fuel. Turn the fuel valve to
the ON position.
2. Locate the carburetor drain screw [1] near the carburetor bowl.
[1]
3. Insert a long, flat-tip
screwdriver into the access
hole on the left side. Loosen
(don't remove) the drain
screw [1] until fuel starts to
drain.
Drain until the fuel tank is
empty, then tighten the drain
screw.
Engine Oil
1. Change the engine oil (page 8).
2. Remove the spark plug (page 9).
3. Pour a tablespoon (5 ~ 10 cc) of
clean engine oil into the cylinder.
4. Pull the starter rope slowly
several times to distribute the oil.
5. Reinstall the spark plug.
6. Pull the starter grip until
resistance is felt. This will close
the valves and protect the engine
from internal corrosion.
ENGLISH

WARNING
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