Long Term Storage Prep?

[Big Neb]

As I've been seeing pictures of many of your collections,

I'm wondering what the best method is to store your saws for durations of 3 months or longer?

In the past I've drained all my fuel out of tank, then run until dies.

My father tops off all of his saws and stores them full.

Any one use a fuel stabilizer with any regulatity? ... other than the stabilizer found in some 2-cycle oils.

 

[rreidnauer]

It was just recenty posted, that due to ethanol being added to fuel, it is a bad thing to leave fuel in the saw for any amount of time. (not good to keep gas in th can for long periods either) It was also said Stabil won't help with fuels containing ethanol. Something to do with ethanol attracting water, IIRC. Probably doesn't do rubber parts any good either.

I'm keeping mine drained and run out.

 

[Pilsnaman]

Drain the saw and run out the fuel. Take the spark plug out and pour a little 2 cycle oil in there, turn the engine over slowly a couple strokes, and put the plug back in. When you are ready to start it again just pull the plug out, turn it over a couple of times, put the plug back in, and fill with gas. I am sure some here have other methods but thats just mine, it seems to work.

 

[Stihl #1]

I used to have fits with my engines if they sat for even a month. I started using 89 octane, and I put Stihl fuel stabilizer in also. I pulled my MM 55 cultivator out of the shed and it started on the second pull after six months! First time I ever saw that. Then the Suzuki Toro two-stroke with a Mikuni, started right up. So for me, here in VA with 10% ethanol, using the fuel stabilizer and mid grade fuel makes a difference.
For my saws, I made a vacuum tank and suck out the bar oil, to reuse, and the fuel in the tank, but I don't run them dry. That just makes it run lean right before it dies, and I think it is better for the check valves in the carb to just leave it wet.

 

[16:1mix]

I'm another 'run dry' type. If only for off season storage I'll do nothing else but for longer term the cylinder gets a little oil. If the engine is a 4 stroke I drain and refill the crankcase with new oil too.