Quote:
Originally Posted by f6twister
Back in 2004, I sold the house I owned and moved into an apartment. All of the items I used at the house but wouldn't need in an apartment were placed in an outdoor storage unit.
I'm buying a house at the end of this month. One of the first things I will need to use almost directly from the storage unit is my lawn mower. I'm not sure what being stored during the last four years has done to the machine and I'm looking for any helpful hints as to what I should do prior to using the mower. I'm looking for similar information regarding my snow blower which has also been in storage.
Both items are gas powered. I can't recall the brands and they are buried at the back of the storage unit at this time. I seem to recall emptying the gas from each item prior to storage but I don't recall draining the oil.
Is this as simple as adding fresh oil and gas or is there more things I should check prior to use?
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I like storing power equipment by changing oil and filters (gas and oil when present), adding a gas stabilizer (Stabil), and fogging the cylinders with a lubricant sprayed in to the carb venturi while the engine is running until it chokes out. It should start up pretty good the next season. You'll get some smoke at first as you burn off the fog lubricant. Plugs and points (if present) are always a good yearly maintenance task, but not always necessary.
If you're starting for the first time and not sure how it was stored, try checking the fuel lines for sediment, then put a few drops of gas in the carb. Clean contacts or replace crusty spark plugs. Prime well with the fuel primer ... or slowly pull on the pull starter until you start getting some valve pressure. Let 'er rip. You may get some good exercise at first ... electric start with a good battery is usually much easier.
good luck!