How to Winterize Outdoor Power Equipment

As the seasons transition from fall to winter, it is important that you know how to properly prepare your outdoor power equipment  for the winter months. Outdoor power equipment can be an expensive investment, so taking the time to winterize your pieces will help ensure your equipment’s longevity and prevent costly repairs once spring returns. Winterizing will also help your equipment start easily when spring begins again. To avoid damage to your equipment such as corrosion, we recommend that you implement the practices below. 

Has your outdoor power equipment ever failed to start when spring arrives? One of the most common reasons for this inconvenience is it sat idle outside with untreated fuel during the coldest months of the year.

While draining the fuel tank is a common winterizing practice, it is important to know that it can potentially harm your engine. For instance, removing fuel allows oxygen to go into the lawn mower’s carburetor. Leaving your gas tank to sit empty for long periods of time creates a breeding ground for water vapor to condense. When moisture collects, it can trigger corrosion in the tank, fuel lines, carburetor, and cylinders. Also, fuel system plastics and rubbers are designed to live in fuel so these parts can become brittle and break when exposed to air.

A solution for preventing damage to your outdoor power equipment during the winter is to treat it with a quality fuel stabilizer. Fuel stabilizer works by preventing the gasoline from separating into different layers of ethanol and alcohol. This improves performance when starting the equipment after a long winter. Fuel stabilizers also contain chemicals that stop the gasoline from evaporating. These chemicals help prevent the sticky resins that damage and destroy the carburetor and fuel system.

How to Use Fuel Stabilizer

Adding fuel stabilizer is a quick and easy process. First, fill the engine full of gasoline. Next, apply the fuel stabilizer to the tank using the instructions on the fuel stabilizer. Lastly, let the equipment run for several minutes to allow the treated gasoline into the carburetor.

Fuel Stabilizer for 2-Cycle (2-Stroke) Equipment

2-cycle engines (sometimes referred to as 2-stroke engines) run on pre-mixed fuel. The gas-oil blend can change in ratio but normally falls between a 1:40 and 1:50 mixture of oil to gasoline. This oil-gas combination has the advantage of both lubricating and fueling the engine at once. The most common type of 2-cycle outdoor power equipment includes chainsaws, leaf blowers, and string trimmers.To prepare your chainsaw for winter, start by treating the fuel with a fuel stabilizer. You should also top off the chain oil reservoir. In addition, this is a good time to provide any maintenance to your chainsaw’s chain (i.e., sharpening or adjusting the blades) if needed. Next, apply a chain guard for safety. Finally,  store it in a cool dry place.

The main thing you need to do with a leaf blower to prepare it for winter is put fuel stabilizer in a full tank and let it run for a few minutes. This will allow the treated fuel to reach the carburetor. Make sure you store your leaf blower in a cool dry place to extend its life.
The first step in winterizing your string trimmer is add fuel stabilizer to a full tank and run the trimmer for a few moments. This will get the treated fuel into the engine. After treating the fuel, you can blow all the debris off the trimmer and replace the string.

4-cycle engines (also known as 4-stroke engines) operate similarly to a car or truck engine. 4-cycle motors use a crankcase with a separated oil distribution system to lubricate the engine during operation. With 4-cycle engines, you also must change the oil periodically to keep everything operating smoothly. Riding lawn mowers, walk-behind mowers, tillers, and pressure washers are examples of 4-cycle equipment.
A great time to change the oil on your riding lawn mower is at the end of mowing season. Most riding lawn mowers have an oil filter to replace as well. After that, the next step we recommend is filling the fuel tank and applying fuel stabilizer. You will need to run the engine for a few minutes to get the treated fuel inside the engine and its components. Next, disconnect the battery and bring it indoors for periodic charging during the winter. Leaving the battery to be exposed to the elements can lead to a mower that doesn’t want to start in the spring. The last step is to check the tire pressure and give the drive belts in the motor a quick inspection. If any of the belts are damaged, it may be time to replace them.

The first thing you should do to prepare your walk-behind mower for winter is clean out as much grass and debris from the mower as possible. If left on the mower over the winter, the lingering grass may speed up rusting and damage the metal. It is best practice to use a leaf blower or compressed air for this job. After you remove the grass, change the oil. Then, fill the gas tank and use fuel stabilizer. Next, run the mower for a few minutes to allow the treated fuel to get into the engine. As you prepare your mower for winter, don’t forget to check the blades, and make sure that they are sharp for the spring. Make sure to remove the spark plugs from the mower beforehand to prevent any accidental starting of the engine. Replace or sharpen the blades if needed.

If you plan to store your pressure washer during the winter months, it’s important to take certain precautions to prevent water from freezing in the pump. Frozen water can cause permanent damage to this piece of equipment. Start with disconnecting the hoses and gun and wand assembly from the pressure washer. Drain as much water as possible. Next, add a quality fuel stabilizer to fresh gasoline. Run the engine for a few minutes to get stabilized fuel into the fuel system. Now your winterizing is complete, and you can store it in a garage or building that does not freeze.

To prepare your tiller for winter, begin with an oil change. Treating the fuel will also winterize this piece of equipment. Additionally, check the internal belts and replace any belt that looks to be damaged. Finally, remove the dirt that is stuck to the tines of the machine to get it ready for spring.

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Implementing these winterizing procedures will help your equipment perform just as well next year!

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