How to Winterize your 2 Cycle Equipment

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 We’ve been receiving a lot of calls about how to store equipment in the winter. We’ve also been working on a lot of 2 cycle engines that have had carb damage due to ethanol in the gas. Our friends at Stihl have built a great checklist to help you figure out how to store your equipment. We thought we’d share that with you as well as a video of our own Brian Humphreys explaining the pitfalls of ethanol in today’s gas and the damage it causes. You can also go to Pure-Gas.org to find an ethanol free gas station near you! 

Learn the negative effects of ethanol in your gas and what you can do to stop them! 

Your Storage Checklist for STIHL Gasoline-Powered Equipment

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Properly storing and maintaining your STIHL gasoline-powered equipment is the key to extending product life and getting the most out of your investment. If you plan to store your STIHL gasoline-powered equipment for an extended period of time, we recommend taking the following steps to ensure proper storage:

Getting Started

  • Bring your STIHL power equipment to a well-ventilated area.
  • Remove dirt from fuel cap.
  • Using a clean funnel, drain fuel tank into an approved fuel container.
  • Do not spill fuel - always use caution when pouring and handling fuel.
  • Once emptied, pour a small amount of STIHL MotoMix® Premixed Fuel into the fuel tank.
  • STIHL MotoMix® will add a protective layer to engine components while in storage.
  • Start the engine, ensuring you are at least 10 feet from any fuel containers.
  • Run the engine at idle until it is completely out of fuel and stops.
  • Wait for engine to fully cool before beginning the next phase of storage preparation.

Chain Saw

The Stihl MS 250

The Stihl MS 250

  • Complete ALL storage preparation steps provided in the GETTING STARTED section.
  • Carefully clean around the guide bar, saw chain and oil reservoir cap.
  • Fill the bar and chain oil reservoir to prevent drying out while in storage.
  • Remove the saw chain and guide bar from chain saw.
  • Clean the guide bar thoroughly.
  • Clean inside the guard rail with a STIHL groove tool and make sure all oil holes are clear.
  • In a well-ventilated area, lubricate the guide bar and saw chain with a corrosion-prohibiting oil to prevent rust.
  • Thoroughly clean the powerhead.
  • Clean the air filter. Check instructions for your filter’s specific cleaning procedure.
  • Place the chain saw and all components in a carrying case and store in a dry area out of the reach of children.

Hedge Trimmer

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  • Complete ALL storage preparation steps provided in the GETTING STARTED section.
  • Wearing gloves, thoroughly and carefully clean trimmer blades.
  • In a well-ventilated area, coat the blades with a resin solvent.
  • Thoroughly clean the powerhead.
  • Clean the air filter. Check instructions for your filter’s specific cleaning procedure.
  • Place a blade scabbard on the hedge trimmer.
  • Store the hedge trimmer in a dry area out of the reach of children.

String Trimmer

Stihl FS90R

Stihl FS90R

  • Complete ALL storage preparation steps provided in the GETTING STARTED section.
  • Remove and thoroughly clean the cutting attachment.
  • Reinstall the cutting attachment.
  • Thoroughly clean the powerhead.
  • Clean the air filter. Check instructions for your filter’s specific cleaning procedure.
  • Store the string trimmer in a dry area out of the reach of children.

Purchasing Fuel

When purchasing gasoline from a filling station, only purchase enough fuel for a two-month period of use. After two months, the chemical composition of gasoline can change. Using gasoline that has changed composition can have undesired effects on performance and even cause permanent engine damage.

STIHL recommends purchasing STIHL MotoMix® Premixed Fuel as an alternative to long-term fuel storage. MotoMix® is a premixed 50:1 fuel that is created with premium 92 octane gasoline and the superior protection of STIHL HP Ultra Oil. This mixture is more stable than gasoline purchased from a fueling station and offers a shelf life of up to two years.

Visit Pure-Gas.org to find an ethanol free filling station near you! 

 

Watch the full video on how to store your Stihl Machine here!