Helpful Tips & Suggestions; Storing Your Engine; Storage Preparation - Honda GX240 Owner's Manual

HELPFUL TIPS & 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 to start easier 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 clean
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 i n 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 t o 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 f e w months, or even less if the gasoline was not fresh when
you filled the fuel tank.