Wear and tear on snowblowers in winter can lead to nasty surprises the following year if you don’t take the proper steps to protect your equipment in the off season. At the top of your list should be learning how to drain/siphon gas from a snowblower before storing it safely during the warm seasons.
To drain or siphon gas from a snowblower, first make sure the snowblower is completely cooled down. Remove the fuel cap and fuel filter. Adjust the siphon pump in the fuel tank. Let the residual fuel drain out through the opening into a gas storage can. Now, drain the residual fuel from the carburetor bowl through the fuel drain and seal it properly afterward. Bring the blower into the service position. Let the snowblower run again for a few minutes before it stalls out itself. This shows the fuel system is dried up and you are good to go.
How to Drain Gas from a Snowblower
Step 1: Turn off the system, and let it cool
Before you start draining the gas, make sure the snowblower is turned off and entirely cooled down. Never attempt to drain gas if the snowblower is even slightly warm to the touch to avoid physical injury or property damage. Because gas is highly flammable, you’ll need to choose a safe space where there is no chance of it sparking.
Step 2: Stabilize the gasoline fuel
Open the fuel tank by removing the cap. A fuel filter is placed right beneath it. Take it out as well. Grab yourself a good fuel stabilizer. Add in a measured proportion of it according to the instructions given on the bottle. The quantity of the stabilizer has to equate to the quantity of fuel present in the tank.
If you’ve had the gas in your snowblower for two weeks or more, then stabilizing it won’t make a difference. In this case, you can skip straight to the next step.
Step 3: Do the siphoning to remove gas
Put the gas siphon through the fuel tank and pump the gas into a storage can. Try to pump out as much liquid out of the tank as possible by moving the tube around.
After siphoning out the fuel, let the snowblower run for few minutes so that the system is dried up and the fuel is burned completely. Let the system run for a few minutes before it stalls out on its own.
“Running the fuel system dry”
*An alternative approach is to remove the fuel filter off the tank. Add the correct proportion of stabilizer to the already present fuel in the tank. Let the engine run for at least five minutes in order to advance the stabilized fuel throughout the system. Close the fuel valve, switch off the engine, and continue to follow the third step.
Step 4: Drain fuel from the carburetor bowl
Open the fuel drain of the carburetor bowl to let the residual drain into the storage can. Seal once you are done.
Step 5: Burn out the remaining gas
Start the engine again and burn the remaining gas. This will lead to an automatic shutdown of the engine.
Why is it important to drain the fuel in a snowblower?
In short, it’s due to a chemical reaction that goes on the inside of the fuel tank.
Gas inside the fuel tank of a snowblower consists of 10% ethanol. The ethanol gas is hygroscopic in nature and thus absorbs water. After coming in contact with the oxygen in the tank, it oxidizes, leaving behind a concentrated corrosive substance. The corrosive substance produced can clog the carburetor or leads to rusting of the fuel system.
Snow blowers at Jacks provides a guide that will help you understand the problem in detail, as well as suggest some useful tips that will clear things up.
When is the best time to drain gas from a snowblower?
Even if you’ve stabilized your gas, the best time to drain gas from a snowblower is right before you store it for the off season. Leaving gas sitting in the fuel tank for any length of time can lead to a range of serious problems.
Even if you just filled the tank two weeks ago, you’ll still want to drain it from the system before storage. Otherwise, you could end up with oxidation, varnish, or rusting of the fuel system. Even a stabilizer can’t prevent degradation of old fuel.
Information that can save you time and money
Health and safety measures
Store your snowblower in a cool and dry place when not in use to avoid damage or unwanted environmental reactions. Place it at someplace off the ground or on a mat to prevent damage from rain or melting snow.
You’ll also want to keep it away from dirt and dust as much as possible. Buying a heavy-duty snow blower cover is a great way to keep your equipment in top shape while you’re not using it. And if you’re struggling with limited garage space, consider investing in a high-quality garden shed.
Storing fuel for a longer-term. Is it a good idea?
The short answer is, it’s best never to leave gas in a snowblower for an extended length of time.
But if you’re refueling for the first time and it’s the start of the season, you might be wondering how long you can keep your fuel in the tank. New fuel extends the life of all fuel in the tank by between 45 and 90 days, which means the fuel should be good for about six to nine months total.
Remember that even if you add a stabilizer to old fuel, it won’t prevent the fuel from deteriorating and decimating the system.
Mixing new gas with old gas
As mentioned above, new gas can be mixed with the old gas as long as the latter isn’t contaminated. You need to be cautious of dirt or dust particles trapped inside the tank. Always dispose of old fuel if you’re not sure if it has been contaminated.
However, if you’re confident there’s no contamination, you can add new gas to old as long as the old gas is still capable of igniting the engine.
How long can gas sit in a gas tank before it goes bad
The durability of pure gas is between three to six months before it begins to evaporate and oxidize.
Ethanol-based blends or 100 percent gasoline?
E10 blend is ethanol-blended gasoline that contains about 10% of ethanol in it and is mostly used for snowblowers. However, the quantity of ethanol does not imply the absence of risk. It is recommended to use ethanol-free gasoline for storing away small engines.
Other than the fuel system, other parts of the snowblower also require maintenance. Ariens blog will help you cover all the necessary steps required to be at your A-game next winter.
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