Saw prep for storage

[countryhog]

Been messing with saws for a long time and still havent resolved this issue to my satisfaction curios what everyone else does
When i put a saw up for the winter i most generally run the saw til the fuel runs out but not always. Some saws start right up in the spring after refueling. Many dont and i have to remove and clean carb before they will start.
Sometimes i dont run fuel out, usually accidentally, and have same issues. Some start, some dont. I always use fuel stabilizer in my fuel.
Ive got too many saws to continously have to clean carbs so id really like to resolve this in my mind.
Any thoughts&

 

[hacskaroly]

Sometimes i dont run fuel out, usually accidentally, and have same issues. Some start, some dont. I always use fuel stabilizer in my fuel.

You can try running canned gas (premix like Stihl Motomix or Husqvarna's can fuel. Put enough in to run the saw and then shut it down. Leave it in, the fuel already has stabilizers in it. I run my own mix during the summer, but when it goes to put them up, I run canned gas in them and then let them sit. So far have had them start up the next spring/summer without issue. I have a coworker that runs his saws dry and keeps an unopened can of the canned gas for emergencies over the winter. He knows the fuel is good and ready to go.

 

[Dustin4185]

If I know I am going to store them for a while, I swap to TruFuel 40:1. I’ve not had an issue since doing that.

 

[Ronaldo]

You can try running canned gas (premix like Stihl Motomix or Husqvarna's can fuel. Put enough in to run the saw and then shut it down. Leave it in, the fuel already has stabilizers in it. I run my own mix during the summer, but when it goes to put them up, I run canned gas in them and then let them sit. So far have had them start up the next spring/summer without issue. I have a coworker that runs his saws dry and keeps an unopened can of the canned gas for emergencies over the winter. He knows the fuel is good and ready to go.

This is probably the best method that I’m aware of.

 

[ammoaddict]

I always use non ethanol fuel. I don't do anything special for storage. I just let them sit until I need them again.

 

[dangerousatom]

I run non-Ethanol in my saws either taking it out with the water separating process or just buying a gal or 2 when I dont have time. But I always mix up a jug of high octane ( higher then pump gas ) 2stroke mix and run it till it’s at least in the carb then drain the tank for storage. Never had any issues with a bad carb with this procedure. Any good octane booster will have additives and act as a fuel stabilizer. I also drain the oil as it never fails that the temperature fluctuating ends up pushing the oil out the pump/bar all over.

 

[Agent Smith]

I always use non ethanol fuel. I don't do anything special for storage. I just let them sit until I need them again.

Same here.

 

[PA Dan]

I run 90 octane e free and Red Armor oil. I do run some saws over the winter. I treat them all the same. Maybe it's the e free and maybe it's the oil? Never an issue.

 

[ammoaddict]

I run non-Ethanol in my saws either taking it out with the water separating process or just buying a gal or 2 when I dont have time. But I always mix up a jug of high octane ( higher then pump gas ) 2stroke mix and run it till it’s at least in the carb then drain the tank for storage. Never had any issues with a bad carb with this procedure. Any good octane booster will have additives and act as a fuel stabilizer. I also drain the oil as it never fails that the temperature fluctuating ends up pushing the oil out the pump/bar all over.

I have some that really relieve themselves of bar oil while sitting a while.

 

[Alberta Farmboy]

I'm not sure if you have Aspen Fuel where you are but I use that stuff for all my small engines before they go into storage. They have the 2 stroke for saws, trimmers... But they have 4 stroke as well which I use in my generators, lawn mower, snowblower...
It's expensive, probably the same as the Stihl motomix, so I don't use it all the time but it's great for storage. I've seen some testing in videos and lots of first hand accounts of it being great performing, clean fuel that has a 2 year shelf life AFTER opening the bottle.

 

[Sloughfoot]

You can try running canned gas (premix like Stihl Motomix or Husqvarna's can fuel. Put enough in to run the saw and then shut it down. Leave it in, the fuel already has stabilizers in it. I run my own mix during the summer, but when it goes to put them up, I run canned gas in them and then let them sit. So far have had them start up the next spring/summer without issue. I have a coworker that runs his saws dry and keeps an unopened can of the canned gas for emergencies over the winter. He knows the fuel is good and ready to go.

What's that do? Keep the diaphragms damp?

 

[nbbt]

If I know I am going to store them for a while, I swap to TruFuel 40:1. I’ve not had an issue since doing that.

I started using the caned gas for storage duty a couple of years ago. I also found that if you has OPE that had been stored with NO-E, that draining and adding a few oz. of Tru-fuel or eqv , running it for a few seconds shutting off, to let the alcohol based fuel soak the passage-way seems to do a partial carb cleaning without the disassembly and such.

It became a no-brainer to use the canned fuels when it was found on a seasonal closeout for about $6 bucks a gallon, for either premixed or just fuel. I'm now preferring to add my own oil instead of trusting that the premixed fuel is at the ratio that I prefer.

I always use non ethanol fuel. I don't do anything special for storage. I just let them sit until I need them again.

I previously did this as well, with the exception that I'd dump the old fuel and replaced with fresh fuel before starting

 

[dangerousatom]

Any fuel stabilizer additive helps keep the rubber/silicone bits in the carb from getting stretched out or cracking so it gets an air leak. Ethanol in gas is a major culprit of carb degradation, so ethanol-free gas is key along with not letting gas sit for months in the carb unused.

 

[nbbt]

What's that do? Keep the diaphragms damp?

The Tru-fuels, Aspen fuels and the like claim to have a 2yr shelf life (alcohol based fuel ) after the container is opened, and un-opened is claimed to be "fresh" 5 years from processing/canning date. At least for metal containers.

 

[davidwyby]

VP Canned is used by emergency services. Supposed to be the best.

I would keep the saws full.

Mine get stored over summer…e free gas, climate controlled shop.

 

[hacskaroly]

What's that do? Keep the diaphragms damp?

Yes. Also has fuel in the carb when it comes time to restart when you are ready

 

[Dustin4185]

I have some that really relieve themselves of bar oil while sitting a while.

Me too. I have more problems with that than fuel issues, lol. I dump the oil tanks and store with “pig mats” underneath.

 

[Motorka]

Empty the tank and run till it dies.

 

[SCHallenger]

VP Canned is used by emergency services. Supposed to be the best.

I would keep the saws full.

Mine get stored over summer…e free gas, climate controlled shop.

Back "in the day" of leaded fuels, I used to run them dry, pull the plug & put a little oil in the jug & spread it around with a few pulls & replace the plug. This worked well with no carb issues. Now I use VP mixed with Motul@ 40:1 & leave the tank full. The full tank helps avoid condensation.

 

[cookies]

Saw carbs drain the fuel back into the tank after a few days, week etc
run non e fuel. if it sits in the saw over a month just shake it then dump it out and add fresh mix before trying to start. If its a cheap saw with tygon hoses it wont matter if you drain it or not, they rot out ever 3 years once exposed to fuel.