Post Service Bonus Tips
First of all, thank you very much for allowing me to service your equipment!! These are tips to ensure you don't come back until you need to. I know, pretty weird to have a business tell you not to come back each year. However, I understand the need to be frugal in these times. The following tips will help keep your equipment starting when you need it to, and running smooth when it is running.
1. Fresh fuel: This is possibly the most important aspect of keeping your equipment running for a long time. Carburetor issues are about 80% of the issues that come to my door. Most of the time, the customer was not at fault in the cause of the issue.
There are two major problems that can occur in the carburetor which causes a no start or poor running condition. The first is bad fuel (i.e. water in fuel, stale fuel that has varnished in the carburetor), the second is debris in the carburetor. The first is most commonly attributed to the poor fuel quality that we see at gas stations now. Oregon law requires at 10% mixture of ethanol with all fuels except certain fuels used for farm equpment, marine uses and aircraft uses. This ethanol causes two significant issues in a small engine. The first being ethanol's ability to bind to water molecules as the ethanol begins to separate from the gasoline. When this occurs, the water them accumulates in the bottom of the fuel bowl. Obviously water does not burn so the engine will not start, the worst problem this creates is a formation of corrosion (rust) and varnish in the bottom of the bowl. This debris is then sucked up into the tiny ports that mix the fuel with the air in order for it to burn correctly. Basically the engine is starved of fuel and will not run, or will run poorly. The second issue is caused by debris such as dirt or grass migrating through the fuel tank, into the carburetor. This debris will do the same as above, causing a starved engine diagnosis.
The best way to try to prevent this from happening is to:
2.Clean air: A small engine requires clean air in order to mix properly with the fuel and prevent damage to the internal components of the engine such as the cylinder and piston. "Dirt" contains tiny particles of silica. This material is almost as hard as diamond. This means when it gets into the cylinder, it gets stuck in the rings and begins to put scratches into the cylinder wall, this allows oil to get by and reduces engine compression, which will lower the lifespan of the engine.
The best and easiest way to prevent this is to always check your air filter and ensure it's clean. If it's dirty, it will choke the engine of air causing other issues. An inexpensive way to keep your engine running strong is to replace your air filter when it's dirty.
3. Clean Oil: Dark oil is burnt, dirty oil. An internal combustion engine creates carbon when it's burned. Some of the carbon is stuck on the cylinder wall, only to be removed by the piston rings and deposited inside the engine block into the oil. Over time, this oil starts to do more damage than good to the inner working of the engine which can cause overheating and potentially causing catastrophic engine failure (i.e. blow up).
Clean oil is the best oil. Obviously changing the oil after each use is not cost effective, it should be changed on a regular basis to prevent future wear and tear that will lower the life of the engine.
I hope this bit of information will help keep your equipment out of the doctors' office. However, if you need help with your equipment, please make the call and I'll get you back up and running in no time!!
Troy
1. Fresh fuel: This is possibly the most important aspect of keeping your equipment running for a long time. Carburetor issues are about 80% of the issues that come to my door. Most of the time, the customer was not at fault in the cause of the issue.
There are two major problems that can occur in the carburetor which causes a no start or poor running condition. The first is bad fuel (i.e. water in fuel, stale fuel that has varnished in the carburetor), the second is debris in the carburetor. The first is most commonly attributed to the poor fuel quality that we see at gas stations now. Oregon law requires at 10% mixture of ethanol with all fuels except certain fuels used for farm equpment, marine uses and aircraft uses. This ethanol causes two significant issues in a small engine. The first being ethanol's ability to bind to water molecules as the ethanol begins to separate from the gasoline. When this occurs, the water them accumulates in the bottom of the fuel bowl. Obviously water does not burn so the engine will not start, the worst problem this creates is a formation of corrosion (rust) and varnish in the bottom of the bowl. This debris is then sucked up into the tiny ports that mix the fuel with the air in order for it to burn correctly. Basically the engine is starved of fuel and will not run, or will run poorly. The second issue is caused by debris such as dirt or grass migrating through the fuel tank, into the carburetor. This debris will do the same as above, causing a starved engine diagnosis.
The best way to try to prevent this from happening is to:
- Only purchase fuel from a quality gas station that you know has deliveries every day or so. You want to purchase the freshest fuel possible so that it will store as long as possible before you need it.
- Do not keep your fuel for longer than 30 days. If you still have fuel in your gas can that is over 30 days old, empty it into your vehicle and purchase fresh fuel.
- Always keep your gas cap on not only your equipment, but on your gas can as well. This will help prevent debris and moisture from entering your fuel supply.
- Keep your equipment and fuel cans in a dry, covered or enclosed environment. Inside of a garage is the best place to ensure your fuel will not be exposed to moisture or debris.
2.Clean air: A small engine requires clean air in order to mix properly with the fuel and prevent damage to the internal components of the engine such as the cylinder and piston. "Dirt" contains tiny particles of silica. This material is almost as hard as diamond. This means when it gets into the cylinder, it gets stuck in the rings and begins to put scratches into the cylinder wall, this allows oil to get by and reduces engine compression, which will lower the lifespan of the engine.
The best and easiest way to prevent this is to always check your air filter and ensure it's clean. If it's dirty, it will choke the engine of air causing other issues. An inexpensive way to keep your engine running strong is to replace your air filter when it's dirty.
3. Clean Oil: Dark oil is burnt, dirty oil. An internal combustion engine creates carbon when it's burned. Some of the carbon is stuck on the cylinder wall, only to be removed by the piston rings and deposited inside the engine block into the oil. Over time, this oil starts to do more damage than good to the inner working of the engine which can cause overheating and potentially causing catastrophic engine failure (i.e. blow up).
Clean oil is the best oil. Obviously changing the oil after each use is not cost effective, it should be changed on a regular basis to prevent future wear and tear that will lower the life of the engine.
I hope this bit of information will help keep your equipment out of the doctors' office. However, if you need help with your equipment, please make the call and I'll get you back up and running in no time!!
Troy
