Storing a mower with no gas

[Mfranch86]

I have a toro mower from about 2013. I stored it without any gas thinking this is better than with gas and a bottle of ethanol added in.

Well, I wound up having a family member give us a Honda mower that was in great condition and worked so over the years I used the Honda instead. The empty toro sat for YEARS.

I recently went to try and use it. Added gas and it won’t start. Since it’s been sitting for probably 10+ yrs here (w/ no gas in it), I’m thinking the carburetor needs to be replaced. will try to do that soon here.

In the meantime, is it not recommended to store a push mower without ANY gas? I was a new home owner at the time and maybe my thinking back then wasn’t correct. Ideally I’m thinking I sure I should have stored it with ethanol treated gas and at least run it a few times a year in the driveway to keep it going

Any suggestions for the future?

 

[sgkent]

yes, spray some berrymans into the carb to see if it starts for a second. Make sure you haven't forgotten an on-off gas valve. Check the oil level. Make sure there is not a second ignition switch like my Kohler engines and one B&S engine have.

 

[Auto Doc's]

Can you provide the product label information for the Toro you have. If it is a bagger model, the label will be under a bagger door at the rear. Toro has made thousands of different models over the years.

The engine label or stamped numbers in the valve cover would be a great help also.

 

[Tiger Small Engine]

I have a toro mower from about 2013. I stored it without any gas thinking this is better than with gas and a bottle of ethanol added in.

Well, I wound up having a family member give us a Honda mower that was in great condition and worked so over the years I used the Honda instead. The empty toro sat for YEARS.

I recently went to try and use it. Added gas and it won’t start. Since it’s been sitting for probably 10+ yrs here (w/ no gas in it), I’m thinking the carburetor needs to be replaced. will try to do that soon here.

In the meantime, is it not recommended to store a push mower without ANY gas? I was a new home owner at the time and maybe my thinking back then wasn’t correct. Ideally I’m thinking I sure I should have stored it with ethanol treated gas and at least run it a few times a year in the driveway to keep it going

Any suggestions for the future?

You stored it without any gas, but did you run the fuel completely out of the carburetor as you stored it?

 

[Honest Abe]

end of season I try to remember to fog all my engines much like a marine engine.....

 

[7394]

You stored it without any gas, but did you run the fuel completely out of the carburetor as you stored it?

Even running an engine till it stops from no gas. There is still some left in carb fuel bowl, gotta remove bowl to have it completely empty

 

[Auto Doc's]

Even running an engine till it stops from no gas. There is still some left in carb fuel bowl, gotta remove bowl to have it completely empty

Usually, I prefer not to dry out a carburetor because the Viton tip on the needle and seat get dry and rigid. They have a hard time resealing or have to be replaced.

I find that running a little 2-cycle fuel mix at the end of the cutting season works very well for all of my mowers.

In the spring, I fill them with non-Ethanol fuel, and they fire right up.

The worst fuel to use in any small engine is the cheapest at the station pumps. If non-Ethanol is not in your area, use the mid-grade with a little Star Tron fuel enzyme additive.

I am not a fan of Stabil in recent years because it has failed me and left a sticky goo in the fuel bowl on several mowers. That stuff also makes fuel shutoff solenoids sticky.

 

[Tiger Small Engine]

Usually, I prefer not to dry out a carburetor because the Viton tip on the needle and seat get dry and rigid. They have a hard time resealing or have to be replaced.

I find that running a little 2-cycle fuel mix at the end of the cutting season works very well for all of my mowers.

In the spring, I fill them with non-Ethanol fuel, and they fire right up.

The worst fuel to use in any small engine is the cheapest at the station pumps. If non-Ethanol is not in your area, use the mid-grade with a little Star Tron fuel enzyme additive.

I am not a fan of Stabil in recent years because it has failed me and left a sticky goo in the fuel bowl on several mowers. That stuff also makes fuel shutoff solenoids sticky.

I run 87 octane, 10% ethanol in everything from a 37 hp Vanguard to a Stihl BG85 blower, and have no problems. Keep the fuel fresh and moving, store the fuel correctly, and it is that simple. Or pay extra for stabilizer and premium fuel for no reason. Small engines are not designed to run 91 plus octane anyway. The great fuel debate continues…