Cub Cadet 1X 21 inch LHP Operation Manual - Page 14

Fuel Storage WARNING! NEVER store engine with fuel in the fuel tank inside a building with potential sources of ignition such as hot water heater, space heater, clothes dryer, electric motor, etc. Failure to do so may result in an explosion and result in death or serious injury. NOTE: If engine fuel stored in the gas tank and/ or an approved gas container is to be unused without gasoline stabilizer for more than 15-30 days, prepare it for short-term/seasonal storage. See Fuel Treatment later in this section. NOTE: If engine fuel is to be stored for more than one season, without gasoline stabilizer, it will gradually deteriorate. Also, if it is stored in the engine's gas tank without gasoline stabilizer it is likely that your carburetor will have gum deposits, a clogged fuel system and will VOID YOUR WARRANTY. Prepare the fuel for extended storage. Fuel System To avoid stale fuel and carburetor problems, treat the fuel system in the following manner: NOTE: Always follow mix ratio found on the stabilizer container. Failure to do so may result in equipment damage. NOTE: It is NOT necessary to drain stabilized gas from carburetor. Fuel Treatment 1. Add a gasoline stabilizer according to the manufacturer's instructions. 2. Run engine at least 10 minutes after adding the stabilizer to allow it to reach the carburetor. WARNING! NEVER store the engine with the fuel in the fuel tank inside a building with potential sources of ignition such as a hot water heater, space heater, clothes dryer, electric motor, etc. NOTE: Instead of using a fuel preservative/ stabilizer, you can empty the fuel tank as described in Extended Storage - Draining the Fuel. Extended Storage Draining the Fuel NOTE: Clean debris from the engine before draining fuel from the carburetor. NOTE: If you have prepared your fuel for shortterm storage it is NOT necessary to drain fuel that contains stabilizer from your carburetor. WARNING! To avoid severe injury or death, DO NOT pour fuel from engine or siphon fuel by mouth. 1. To prevent serious injury from fuel fires, empty fuel tank by running engine until it stops from lack of fuel. DO NOT attempt to pour fuel from engine. 2. Run the engine while waiting until the remaining fuel is consumed. WARNING! NEVER leave the engine unattended when it is running and NEVER run the engine in an enclosed area. 3. Begin servicing the cylinder bore as per the following instructions. Oil Cylinder Bore WARNING! When lubricating cylinder bore, fuel may spray from the spark plug hole. To prevent serious injury from fuel fires, follow these instructions: 1. Turn off all the engine switches. 2. Remove the ignition key, if provided. 3. Carefully disconnect the spark plug wire and keep it away from the spark plug. • Keep the disconnected spark plug wire securely away from the metal parts where arcing could occur. • Carefully attach the spark plug wire to the grounding post, if provided. 4. Remove the spark plug. 5. Squirt 1⁄2 oz. (15ml) of clean engine oil into the spark plug hole. 6. Cover the spark plug hole with a rag to prevent fuel from spraying from the spark plug hole when the starter rope is pulled. NOTE: for engines equipped with a recoil starter, proceed to Step 7. For engines equipped with electric starters, proceed to Step 8. 7. For Recoil starter engines: • Grasp the starter cord handle. • Pull the starter cord handle out slowly using a full arm stroke. • Repeat once. This will distribute the oil throughout the cylinder to prevent corrosion during storage. • Proceed to Step 9. 8. For electric starter engines: • Plug an extension cord into the three-prong connector located on the engine's surface. Plug the other end of extension cord into a three-prong 120-volt, grounded, AC outlet in a well-ventilated area. • Push and immediately release the starter button. This will distribute the oil throughout the cylinder to prevent corrosion during storage. • Disconnect the extension cord form the outlet. • Disconnect the extension cord form the three-prong connector on the engine. • Proceed to Step 9. 9. Remove the rag from spark plug hole. 10. Install the spark plug. 11. Carefully disconnect the spark plug wire from the grounding post, if provided. 12. Connect the spark plug wire plug wire to the spark plug. Oil Change the oil if NOT changed within the last 3 months. See Checking and Changing the Oil earlier in this section. Off-Season Storage CAUTION Failure to use a fuel stabilizing additive or completely run the engine until it's out of fuel before off-season storage may result in damage to your engine's carburetor. Subsequent damage would not be covered under the manufacturer's warranty. Engines stored between 30 and 90 days need to be treated with a gasoline stabilizer and engines stored over 90 days need to be drained of fuel to prevent deterioration and gum from forming in fuel system or on essential carburetor parts. If the gasoline in your engine deteriorates during storage, you may need to have the carburetor, and other fuel system components, serviced or replaced. 1. Remove all fuel from tank by running engine until it stops from lack of fuel. WARNING! Never leave engine unattended while it is running. 2. Change the oil. See Changing the Oil earlier in this section. 3. Oil the cylinder bore. See Oil Cylinder Bore earlier in this section. 4. Clean debris from around the engine and the muffler. Touch up any damaged paint, and coat other areas that may rust with a light film of oil. 5. Store in a clean, dry and well ventilated area away from any appliance that operates with a flame or pilot light, such as a furnace, water heater, or clothes dryer. Also avoid any area with a spark producing electric motor, or where power tools are operated. 6. If possible, also avoid storage areas with high humidity, because that promotes rust and corrosion. 7. Keep the engine level in storage. Tilting can cause fuel or oil leakage. 14 Section 6 - Maintenance