Storage; Storage Preparation; Cleaning; Fuel - Honda UMK431 Owner's Manual

STORAGE
STORAGE PREPARATION
Proper storage preparation is essential for
keeping your trimmer troublefree and looking
good. The following steps will help to keep rust
and corrosion from impairing your trimmer's
function and appearance, and will make the
engine easier to start when you use the trimmer
again.
Cleaning
Wash the trimmer, including the area around the
trimmer head.
Wash the engine by hand, and be careful to
prevent water from entering the air cleaner.
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Using a garden hose or pressure washing
equipment can force water into the air cleaner.
Water in the air cleaner will soak the filters and
can enter the carburetor or engine, causing
damage.
Water on a hot engine can cause damage. If the
engine has been running, allow it to cool for at
least 1/2 hour before washing.
If using a garden hose or pressure washing
equipment to clean the trimmer, be careful to
avoid getting water into controls and cable, or
anywhere near the engine air cleaner or muffler
opening.
Before washing the trimmer head area,
disconnect the spark plug cap.
After washing the trimmer, wipe dry all accessible
surfaces.
Start the engine outdoors, and let it run until it
reaches normal operating temperature to
evaporate any water remaining on the engine.
Stop the engine and allow it to cool.
After the trimmer is clean and dry, touch up any
damaged paint, and coat other areas that may
rust with a light film of oil. Lubricate the control
cable cores with a silicone spray lubricant.
Fuel
Gasoline will oxidize and deteriorate in storage.
Old gasoline will cause hard starting, and it leaves
gum deposits that clog the fuel system. If the
gasoline in your trimmer deteriorates during
storage, you may need to have the carburetor and
other fuel system components, serviced or
replaced.
The length of time that gasoline can be left in your
fuel tank and carburetor without causing
functional problems will vary with such factors as
gasoline blend, your storage temperatures, and
whether the fuel tank is partially or completely
filled. The air in a partially filled fuel tank promotes
fuel deterioration. Very warm storage
temperatures accelerate fuel deterioration. Fuel
deterioration problems may occur within a few
months, or even less if the gasoline was not fresh
when you filled the fuel tank.
The Distributors Limited Warranty does not cover
fuel system damage or engine performance
problems resulting from neglected storage
preparation.
You can extend fuel storage life by adding a
gasoline stabilizer that is formulated for that
purpose, or you can avoid fuel deterioration
problems by draining the fuel tank and carburetor.
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