Husqvarna ST131 Owners Manual - Page 19

STORAGE Storage STORING THE SNOWTHROWER Immediately prepare your snow thrower for storage at the end of the season or if the unit will not be used for 30 days or more. WARNING: Never store the snow thrower with gasoline in the tank inside a building where fumes may reach an open flame, spark or pilot light as on a furnace, water heater, clothes dryer or gas appliance. Allow the engine to cool before storing in any enclosure. SNOW THROWER When snow thrower is to be stored for a period of time, clean it thoroughly, remove all dirt, grease, leaves, etc. Store in a clean, dry area. 1. Clean entire snow thrower after each use. 2. Inspect and replace belts, if necessary (See "Replaceing the Drive Belt" section of this manual). 3. Be sure that all nuts, bolts, screws, and pins are securely fastened. Inspect moving parts for damage, breakage and wear. Replace if necessary. FUEL SYSTEM IMPORTANT: It is important to prevent gum deposits from forming in essential fuel system parts such as carburetor, fuel hose, or tank during storage. Also, alcohol blended fuels can attract moisture which leads to separation and formation of acids during storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel system of an engine while in storage. • Empty the fuel tank by starting the engine and letting it run until the fuel lines and carburetor are empty. • Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur. • Use fresh fuel next season. NOTE: Fuel stabilizer is an acceptable alternative in minimizing the formation of fuel gum deposits during storage. Add stabilizer to gasoline in fuel tank or storage container. Always follow the mix ratio found on stabilizer container. Run engine at least 10 minutes after adding stabilizer to allow the stabilizer to reach the carburetor. Do not empty the gas tank and carburetor if using fuel stabilizer. ENGINE OIL Drain oil (with engine warm) and replace with clean engine oil. (See "Changing the Engine Oil" section of this manual). CYLINDER 1. Remove spark plug. 2. Pour one ounce (29 ml) of oil through spark plug hole into cylinder. 3. Pull recoil starter handle slowly a few times to distribute oil. OTHER • Remove safety ignition key; store it in a safe place. • Do not store gasoline from one season to another. • Replace your gasoline can if your can starts to rust. Rust and/or dirt in your gasoline will cause problems. • If possible, store your snow thrower indoors and cover it to protect it from dust and dirt. • Cover your snow thrower with a suitable protective cover that does not retain moisture. Do not use plastic. Plastic cannot breathe, which allows condensation to form and will cause your snow thrower to rust. IMPORTANT: Never cover snow thrower while engine/ exhaust area is still warm. 19