1650 Hydro - Draining Fuel Over Winter Months

[proper]

Fall has reached the South, so I'll cut the lawn once more for the season and my Cub 1650 will be placed in the basement over the winter (lowest temperature around 45 if it gets really cold) I replaced the original 42 year old carburetor at the beginning of the season and added a fuel shut-off valve. I noted that the paperwork stated to totally drain the fuel from the tractor over the winter.

I've never done that in the past, but wondered what others do over the winter. My lawn won't "green up" until late May, so it will sit unused for 6 to 7 months. I only use non-ethanol gas. Your opinion is appreciated.

 

[fcurrier]

Good idea on the shut-off valve. I'd park it running, shut the fuel off and let it run out of gas. Then I'd forget to turn the key off and kick myself the next time I went to start it.

 

[jkoenig]

Frank, we might be related...

 

[gary noblit]

Proper, folks gathered on this subject last yr.Some say leave it alone,it will be ok.Others(myself included)say run it out so carb is dry,drain tank and know next yr it's clean.If you have a metal tank it will rust empty so maybe you want to leave full and drain it before you use engine next yr.What I drain I mix with fresh gas and it runs out fine.I know mine is going to be parked for at least 6 mos. I do the same with my generator twice a yr and run gas thru mowers. No non alchohol available near by...It has always worked for me ..I also unhook batt to avoid cable corrosion.... I just got a 1650 running that sat for 6 yrs.PO said he put stabilizer in it.The gas had completely evaporated in tank,the carb had syrup in it.What a mess that was avoidable....

 

[rjruchti]

I use nothing but Ethanol but I use Sta-bil year around as I never know how long a trimmer or chain saw will sit before the next use. Like other have said, metal tank/can will rust if left empty.

 

[tkhoffman]

I always throw some 'marine' sta-bil in whatever is left in the tank. Run it until the bowl has the sta-bil gas in it. Then shut the valve. Let it run out of gas. Any bit left will be stable. My stuff has plastic tanks so I just leave it. I do this with my 2 and 4 cycle equipment. Has worked for me, carb free for 40+ years
Once, a 22" push mower had an issue where, apparently the rubber seat in the carb must have shrunk while it was dry. It actually dropped down a bit in the carb. Next season it drove me crazy as the needle would shut the flow of gas way before carb bowl filled. Under any load, the governor would call for more fuel, 30 seconds later, engine would stall. Took me a long while trouble shooting that beauty

 

[Greg Riutzel]

I second the Marine Stabil. I've been using it for years in my "collector" trucks and tractor. Has anyone ever seen gasoline gel? Years ago (pre-Stabil) one of my old Fords was parked 5 years. I kept it clean, just not running. When I went to put it back on the road, the whole fuel system from pump to tank was full of a white gel. It took me months to get it running down to roto rooting circuits in the carburetor.

 

[kharvey]

I had ethanol gas turn to jello in my 70 over winter a few years ago. I now use non ethanol in everything. The extra cost fuel means no more carb repairs.

 

[digger]

I never have understood that draining thing. Use good gas with MMO in and let'r set for as long as you want.
I just yesterday fired one up that sat in the back barn for 7 years. Rolled over 4 times and took right off. The wife used it to mow the yard for 3 hours.

 

[tkhoffman]

I second the Marine Stabil. I've been using it for years in my "collector" trucks and tractor. Has anyone ever seen gasoline gel? Years ago (pre-Stabil) one of my old Fords was parked 5 years. I kept it clean, just not running. When I went to put it back on the road, the whole fuel system from pump to tank was full of a white gel. It took me months to get it running down to roto rooting circuits in the carburetor.

yes, in fact my sons snowblower, with Sta-bil in it for two years wouldn't run. Took the bowl off the carb and it looked like maggots and slugs died in the bottom of the bowl. I warned him to run it dry.

 

[gary noblit]

Proper, you asked for opinions,you got'em 180 deg apart....First, every GRAVITY tank(IMO) should have a shut off so there is no possibility of a faulty needle allowing gas into engine.It takes so little time to shut off fuel and run a carb dry.Somebody mentioned leaving key on ,yea, I've done that...I'd rather know it's good than try to start an engine and find out it's not....so your choice.....

 

[dschwandt]

Are we at the end of this road yet??!!
Seems we all go down it every 12 months or so, just sayin'

 

[jkoenig]

I think it’s more of a cul de sac.

 

[gary noblit]

So David, a fairly new member asked a question, should we ignore him because you're bored?? just saying....