Storage - Honda HRS536C4SKEA Owner's Manual

STORAGE

Proper storage is essential for keeping your lawnmower 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 lawnmower 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.
Cutting-Means Enclosure
Before washing the underside of the cutting-means enclosure, 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 cutting
means.
Wash the lawnmower, including the underside of the cutting-means
enclosure.
If using a garden hose or pressure washing equipment to clean the
cutting-means enclosure, 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 lawnmower, 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 lawnmower 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.
Petrol will oxidize and deteriorate in storage. Old petrol will cause
hard starting, and it leaves gum deposits that can clog the small
passages in the fuel system. If the petrol 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 petrol can be left in your fuel tank and
carburetor without causing functional problems will vary with such
factors as petrol 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 petrol was not fresh when you
filled the fuel tank.
If you keep a container of petrol for refueling, be sure that it contains
only fresh petrol.
14
If it will take more than 3 months to use the fuel in your storage
container, we suggest adding a fuel stabilizer to the fuel when you fill
the container.
Short Term Storage (30-90 days)
If your equipment will not be used for 30 to 90 days, we recommend
the following to prevent fuel-related problems:
1. Add fuel stabilizer following the manufacturer's instructions.
When adding a fuel stabilizer, fill the fuel tank with fresh petrol. If
only partially filled, air in the tank will promote fuel deterioration
during storage.
Note:
– All stabilizers have a shelf life and their performance will
deteriorate over time.
– Fuel stabilizers will not reconstitute stale fuel.
2. After adding a fuel stabilizer, run the engine outdoors for
10 minutes to be sure that treated petrol has replaced the
untreated petrol in the carburetor.
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.
Long Term or Seasonal Storage (greater than 90 days)
Start the engine and allow it to run long enough to empty all the petrol
from the entire fuel system (including the fuel tank). Do not allow
petrol to remain in your engine for more than 90 days of inactivity.
The DISTRIBUTOR'S LIMITED WARRANTY does not cover fuel
system damage or engine performance problems resulting from
neglected storage preparation.
ENGINE CYLINDER
If the mower is to be stored for more than 3 months, remove the spark
plug (page 12). 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.
ENGINE OIL
Change the engine oil (page 11).
PLACING IN STORAGE
If your mower will be stored with petrol in the fuel tank and carburetor,
it is important to reduce the hazard of petrol 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 13).
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