Troy-Bilt 208cc FLEX Operator's Manual page 23

Removing Snow from the Engine In Winter Months
After each use, remove snow from the following areas:
• Oil Fill Cap Dipstick
• Fuel Fill Cap
• Recoil Starter/Flywheel Screen
• Linkage
• Guards
• Spark Plug Connection
1. Removing snow will ease operation of the recoil starter
rope and reduce the risk of water contamination when
opening the fuel fill cap.
Storing Your Engine
Short-Term/Seasonal Storage
Clean Engine
If the engine has been running, allow it to cool for at least half an
hour before cleaning.
Before servicing the engine, remove the carburetor cover and/or
blower housing. Discard the dirt and debris from the following
areas:
• Cooling Fins
• Air Intake Screen or Recoil Starter/Flywheel
Guard Areas
• Spark Plug Connection
• Levers
• Linkage Area
• Guards
• Carburetor
• Head
Removing debris will insure adequate cooling, correct engine
speed and reduce the risk of fire.
NOTE: Do not spray engine with water to clean because water
could contaminate fuel. Using a garden hose or pressure washing
equipment can also force water into the air cleaner or muffler
opening. Water in the air cleaner will soak the paper element,
and water that passes through the element or muffler can enter
the cylinder, causing damage.
WARNING!
Accumulation of debris around muffler
could cause a fire. Inspect and clean before every
use.
Fuel Storage
WARNING!
NEVER store engine with fuel in the
fuel tank inside a building with potential sources of
ignition such as hot water heater, space heater,
clothes dryer, electric motor, etc. Failure to do so
may result in an explosion and result in death or
serious injury.
NOTE:
If engine fuel stored in the gas tank and/or an approved
gas container is to be unused without gasoline stabilizer for more
than 15-30 days, prepare it for short-term/seasonal storage. See
Fuel Treatment later in this section.
NOTE:
If engine fuel is to be stored for more than one season
without gasoline stabilizer, it will gradually deteriorate. Also, if
it is stored in the engine's gas tank without gasoline stabilizer it
is likely that your carburetor will have gum deposits, a clogged
fuel system and will VOID YOUR WARRANTY. Prepare the fuel for
extended storage.
Fuel System
To avoid stale fuel and carburetor problems, treat the fuel system
in the following manner:
NOTE: Always follow mix ratio found on the stabilizer container.
Failure to do so may result in equipment damage.
NOTE: It is NOT necessary to drain stabilized gas from carburetor.
Fuel Treatment
1. Add a gasoline stabilizer such as STA-BIL® according to the
manufacturer's instructions.
2. Run engine at least 10 minutes after adding the stabilizer to
allow it to reach the carburetor.
WARNING!
NEVER store the engine with the fuel in
the fuel tank inside a building with potential sources
of ignition such as a hot water heater, space heater,
clothes dryer, electric motor, etc.
NOTE: Instead of using a fuel preservative/stabilizer, you can
empty the fuel tank as described in Extended Storage —
Draining the Fuel.
Extended Storage Of The Engine
Draining the Fuel
NOTE: Clean debris from the engine before draining fuel from
the carburetor.
NOTE: If you have prepared your fuel for short-term storage it
is NOT necessary to drain fuel that contains stabilizer from the
carburetor.
WARNING!
To avoid severe injury or death, DO
NOT pour fuel from engine or siphon fuel by mouth.
1. To prevent serious injury from fuel fires, empty fuel tank
by running engine until it stops from lack of fuel. DO NOT
attempt to pour fuel from engine.
2. Run the engine while waiting until the remaining fuel is
consumed.
WARNING!
NEVER leave the engine unattended
when it is running and NEVER run the engine in an
enclosed area.
3. Begin servicing the cylinder bore as per the following
instructions.
S 6 — M
ection aintenance
23