Storage - Honda HRX537VYE Owner's Manual

STORAGE

Proper storage is essential for keeping your lawn mower 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 lawn mower 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.
Mower Deck
Before washing the underside of the mower deck, 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 blades.
Wash the lawn mower, including the underside of the mower deck.
If using a garden hose or pressure washing equipment to clean the
mower deck, be careful to avoid getting water into controls and
cables, or anywhere near the engine air cleaner or muffler opening.
Grass Bag
Remove the bag from the mower, and wash it with a garden hose or
pressure washing equipment. Allow the bag to dry completely before
storage.
Drying
1. After washing the lawn mower, wipe dry all accessible surfaces.
2. With the mower in an upright position, move the Clip Director knob
to the BAG 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 lawn mower is clean and dry, touch up any damaged
paint and coat other areas that may rust with a light film of oil.
18
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 clog 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.
To prevent fuel related problems:
1. Add petrol stabilizer following the manufacturer's instructions.
When adding a petrol stabilizer, fill the fuel tank with fresh petrol. If
only partially filled, air in the tank will promote fuel deterioration
during storage.
2. After adding a petrol stabilizer, run the engine outdoors for
10 minutes to be sure that treated petrol has replaced the
untreated petrol in the fuel system.
3. Turn the fuel valve [1] to the OFF
position.
4. 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.
Fuel system damage or engine performance problems resulting from
neglected storage preparation are not covered under warranty.
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