Engelhart Greensmith

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Greensmith Service Tips

With today’s fuels you need to be even more cautious of how old the fuel you are putting in your outdoor power equipment is. Here at the Engelhart Greensmith most of the problems we see related to your power equipment not starting are fuel related and can be prevented.

Most fuels purchased today have a 10% ethanol content in them and with that comes some additional precautions you need to take. The fuel systems on your outdoor power equipment are not air tight. They need to vent to allow the fuel to flow properly and keep you engine running. Ethanol attracts moisture, so the venting for your fuel system allows this moisture in causing premature breakdown of the fuel and condensation build up inside your carburetor. Both of these can cause a number of conditions that will have you calling your mower a number of new names when it does not run or start properly.

When the fuel breaks down it loses its volatility (octane) and ability to fire when the spark is there. The condensation will cause corrosion and over time can create blockage in the fuel system preventing fuel from getting into the combustion chamber. Both of these problems will help you strengthen your upper body with a good workout on the recoil. But your lawn will suffer from lack of mowing.

What can you do to prevent this from happening to you? The number one thing would be to not use any fuel that is more the 30-45 days old (keep in mind the fuel may be a couple weeks old at the pump). Use a good fuel additive with a cleaning agent, we use and recommend Sea Foam. Even this will not keep the fuel from breaking down during long term storage but it will help to prevent most of the damage caused by moisture, keep your carburetor clean and your lawn happy!

Engelhart Greensmith located in Madison, Wisconsin, is your one stop shop for lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, zero turn mowers, string trimmers, chainsaws, generators, snow blowers, arborist equipment, water pumps, small engines and blowers. We feature equipment from Toro, Stihl, Simplicity, Husqvarna, Honda Power, Red Max and Wright. We provide parts and service for Toro, Stihl, Simplicity, Husqvarna, Honda power, Lawn Boy, Red Max, Wright, Kawasaki Power, Briggs & Stratton, Tecumseh, and Kohler.