Does anyone know if I should drain the fuel out my chain saw when I'm done using it? I only use the chain saw once every six to nine months. I wouldn't want the fuel lines to get soft or gummy.
Storing aCahin Saw
- Thread starter Greg1190
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There are several things you can do.
First is use a good mix oil with a fuel stabilizer in it and at least 89 Octane fuel. It wil keep the fuel from oxidizing or turning to varnish and gumming things up.
Now as far as off season storage, there are a few options.
Option #1 You can run the saw until it is empty of fuel. There will still be fuel residue in the carburetor and fuel lines and tank. This is why the fuel stabilizer is so important. If you do not use a fuel stabilizer or a mix with stabilizer in it, the inlet needle can stick due to think layer of Varnish build up. The diaphragms in the carburetor can dry out or become stiff.
Option #2 Fill the saw completely full and then just start and run you saw once a month to keep everything moving and working as it should. It will purge the fuel out of the carburetor and fuel lines. Running the saw about a minute should get it up to operating temperature and burn off any moisture that may have accumulated in the muffler, etc. If the saw is full, air cannot get into the fuel system through any tank vents, contact with air is what causes the fuel to oxidize (turn to varnish).
In California there are some exotic fuel blends with some crazy additives. Some of these additives do bad things to rubber fuel lines. Most manufactureres have "California" fuel lines. They generally have a higher concentration of Viton in the rubber itself which makes it more resistant to the exotic blends of fuel.
First is use a good mix oil with a fuel stabilizer in it and at least 89 Octane fuel. It wil keep the fuel from oxidizing or turning to varnish and gumming things up.
Now as far as off season storage, there are a few options.
Option #1 You can run the saw until it is empty of fuel. There will still be fuel residue in the carburetor and fuel lines and tank. This is why the fuel stabilizer is so important. If you do not use a fuel stabilizer or a mix with stabilizer in it, the inlet needle can stick due to think layer of Varnish build up. The diaphragms in the carburetor can dry out or become stiff.
Option #2 Fill the saw completely full and then just start and run you saw once a month to keep everything moving and working as it should. It will purge the fuel out of the carburetor and fuel lines. Running the saw about a minute should get it up to operating temperature and burn off any moisture that may have accumulated in the muffler, etc. If the saw is full, air cannot get into the fuel system through any tank vents, contact with air is what causes the fuel to oxidize (turn to varnish).
In California there are some exotic fuel blends with some crazy additives. Some of these additives do bad things to rubber fuel lines. Most manufactureres have "California" fuel lines. They generally have a higher concentration of Viton in the rubber itself which makes it more resistant to the exotic blends of fuel.
STIHL, Husqvarna, Echo have them and it states is on the bottle.
I don't know about the "Other" mixes on the market.
I don't know about the "Other" mixes on the market.
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- #5
Great feed back Animal. This was my problem. The fuel line fromthe tank got soft and gummy causing it to fall off. I had to buy a new fuel line but it wasn't easy to replace. I have Poulan 260 LE you have reach into the tank with long needle nose. Unlike other modles where you run the line from the top. This took up most my day for a 5 min fix. I don't want to do this again. So I was woundering leaving the fuel in the tank would speed up the gummy a line. Thanks