21
AVOIDING FUEL-RELATED PROBLEMS
When properly maintained, your Honda lawn mower should provide years of trouble-free operation. This includes the fuel system. However,
gasoline can quickly deteriorate (in as little as 30 days) causing starting or running problems and, in some cases, damage to the fuel system.
Most fuel-related problems can be avoided by following the precautions listed below. Fuel system damage and engine performance problems
resulting from deteriorated gasoline are not covered by the
Distributor’s Limited Warranty
Follow These Precautions to Prevent Most Fuel-Related Problems
During the Normal Mowing Season
Reason
Do not use gasoline containing more than 10% ethanol (E10). Not
all automotive gasoline is safe to use in your lawn mower.
Higher levels of ethanol in gasoline attract water, and can corrode or
damage the fuel system and cause performance problems.
Store gasoline in a clean, plastic, sealed container approved for fuel
storage.
Store your fuel supply container away from direct sunlight; if the
container has a vent, keep it closed.
A plastic container eliminates the risk of rust and metallic
contaminants from a metal container entering the fuel system.
Gasoline will deteriorate faster when exposed to air and sunlight.
Purchase only enough gasoline to last for 1 to 2 months (about 30 to
60 days).
If you purchase enough gasoline to last for more than 60 days, add
a fuel stabilizer to your storage container when you fill it.
Gasoline deteriorates with age so try to avoid storing it for long
periods, especially in summer heat.
Fuel stabilizer will extend the shelf life of gasoline, but it will not
reconstitute stale fuel.
Keep your lawn mower’s fuel tank full of fresh fuel when not in use.
Turn the fuel valve OFF.
If the fuel tank is only partially filled, air in the tank will promote fuel
deterioration.
Keep the air filter clean and properly serviced. Check it before each
use.
A properly maintained air filter will help prevent dirt from entering the
carburetor. The small passages inside the carburetor can become
blocked.
3 to 4 Weeks Before Next Use
Reason
Keep your lawn mower’s fuel tank full of fresh fuel when not in use.
Turn the fuel valve OFF.
If the fuel tank is only partially filled, air in the tank will promote fuel
deterioration.
Turn the fuel valve to the OFF position, start the engine and let it run
approximately 3 minutes until the carburetor is empty and the
engine stops.
The small amount of gasoline in your engine’s carburetor will
deteriorate faster than the fuel in the fuel tank due to its small
volume and heat from the engine.
1 to 3 Months Before Next Use
Reason
If you did not add fuel stabilizer to your fuel storage container when
you filled it up, fill your lawn mower’s fuel tank with fresh gasoline.
If the fuel tank is only partially filled, air in the tank will promote fuel
deterioration.
Add fuel stabilizer to the lawn mower’s fuel tank according to the
stabilizer manufacturer’s instructions.
Fuel stabilizer will extend the life of gasoline, but it will not
reconstitute stale gasoline.
Run the engine outdoors for 10 minutes.
This makes sure treated gasoline has replaced untreated gasoline
throughout the fuel system.
Turn the fuel valve to the OFF position, start the engine, and let it
run approximately 3 minutes until the carburetor is empty and the
engine stops.
The small amount of gasoline in your engine’s carburetor will
deteriorate faster than the fuel in the fuel tank due to its small
volume and heat from the engine.
More Than 3 Months Before Next Use
Reason
Start the engine and let it run long enough to empty all the gasoline
from the entire fuel system, including the fuel tank.
Do not allow gasoline to remain in your lawn mower’s fuel tank for
more than 3 months (about 90 days) of inactivity.
All fuel stabilizers have a shelf life. It is good practice to empty the
fuel system for long term inactivity.
We recommend Pro Honda Fuel Stabilizer, that has improved formulation with added corrosion protection (
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