Lets see your snow throwers

[Startiger]

I dug mine out and started it up last night. Once I gout it out, I realized that I forgot to drain the gas last spring. So despite having 10 month old gas in it, it started on the 2nd pull. It took a bit longer for the engine to warm up to where I could take the choke off, but it ran fine after that.

Question to everyone. Is it worth while to drain the gas in there and put fresh stuff in, or just burn what is in there now and then fill it like normal?

[ntippet]

Drain it out.
1. The longer fuel sits the more the light ends evaporate, leaving behind long chain HC's that don't like to run when the engine is cold.
If left long enough it turns into something resembling varnish and other nasties, which can mess with the inner workings in the carburetor. (Floats/needles/jets/diaphragms)
2. Fuel now contains ethanol, which likes to eat up lines and seals in older (and newer) utility engines.

[ntippet]

Might finally get to use it again.
This storm better not dissapoint, so far this "winter" is unworthy of its title.

[subiesailor]

Originally Posted by Startiger

I dug mine out and started it up last night. Once I gout it out, I realized that I forgot to drain the gas last spring. So despite having 10 month old gas in it, it started on the 2nd pull. It took a bit longer for the engine to warm up to where I could take the choke off, but it ran fine after that.

Question to everyone. Is it worth while to drain the gas in there and put fresh stuff in, or just burn what is in there now and then fill it like normal?

I generally only get about 2-3 months max life out of the gas I keep in a small 1gallon can on my boat. Use it in the 2hp honda outboard on our small tender. The 2hp Honda won't actually run on it beyond 3 months. Too much degradation and moisture absorbed by the Ethanol.

Father inlaw had the same issue with this lawn tractor and snow blower in Michigan they wouldn't start of had a hard time running once the fuel was 3+ months old.

I just dump it in the car it gets mixed up with other gas and is a non issue for the car. And get fresh stuff for the small engine. As for draining the tank - I try to always make sure no gas is left in the small engine tanks especially this crap Ethanol gas we have now days.

[Mad River]

Here are my snow removal tools:

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[CNY_Dave]

Husky 30-inch with the Snow-King engine.

[ntippet]

Was looking forward to this storm....ended up with 3-4 inches.
Now its raining, wtf.
This has to be one of the worst winters I can remember.

[jp1203]

Originally Posted by ntippet

Was looking forward to this storm....ended up with 3-4 inches.
Now its raining, wtf.
This has to be one of the worst winters I can remember.

We got a little over a foot in the last few days here in Western MA. I'm sick of clearing it already.