You’ve put your lawn mower, chainsaw, and other small engines away for the winter. But how do you know if they’re ready for their long hibernation? Winterize them! Are there any special things you should do to keep these machines ready to work again come springtime? And what exactly does “winterizing” mean? If you own a small engine like one of those listed above or another kind of engine that will be spending its time in storage this season, it’s important to take some precautions to protect your investment. Follow these steps when you’re getting ready to store your small engine so it stays safe throughout the colder months.
Change the Oil
You might have heard that you should change your oil in the fall, but what exactly does this have to do with winterizing your small engine? Dry fall air makes it easier for dirt, dust, and other contaminants to get into your engine and break down the oil. This causes the oil to break down faster and lose its ability to protect your engine, which can cause serious damage. So when you change your oil in the fall before winter, you can help prevent this damage.
Wash all Dirt and Debris Off so Moisture Doesn’t Get Trapped
Before you winterize, make sure you thoroughly clean any dirt and debris off of it so that moisture doesn’t get trapped inside. Moisture can rust your engine, so you don’t want it collecting inside the machine. If you’re storing your engine indoors, you don’t need to worry about cleaning it too thoroughly.
Add Fuel Stabilizer or Drain the Fuel
If you’re storing your engine for several months, you’ll want to take extra precautions to make sure that the fuel doesn’t get old and break down. To do this, you can add a fuel stabilizer to your fuel. This will help keep it fresh for longer. You might also want to drain the fuel from your engine and replace it with fresh fuel and stabilizer.
Disconnect the Battery
If you’re storing your engine indoors, you’ll want to disconnect the battery so that it doesn’t drain over the winter. You can do this by simply removing the battery from the engine and storing it somewhere warm.
Cover the Engine if it Cannot be Stored in a Shed or Garage
If you’re storing your engine outside, you’ll want to protect it from the elements as much as possible. A tarp or heavy-duty plastic sheeting will work great for this. You’ll want to cover the entire engine to make sure that no water collects anywhere. If you’re storing your engine in a shed, garage, or other indoor space, you don’t need to worry about covering it.
Be Ready for Spring
With these tips, you can winterize your small engine so it’s ready to go again as soon as the weather starts to warm up. If you take these steps, you can protect your engine from rust, corrosion, and damage caused by moisture. Your engine will be ready to go when it’s time to pull it out of the shed and get started again. Plus, it will last longer and give you better performance in the long run.