I read alot of posts about machines not starting after sitting for exended periods. I thought I would make this post to try and help out.

When you are dealing with a case of fuel gumming up a carb the last thing you want to do is pull it apart and start messing with it. In my experience most times the gummed up carb can be solved without taking it off or apart. Get your self a can of Hogwash carburetor cleaner. No other brand - just Hogwash! (Napa usually has it)

Pull the fuel line and drain out all the old fuel out of the tank. Then pull the plug out of the bottom of the carb's fuel bowel. Flush about a 1/4 or 1/3 of the can of Hogwash thru the carb. Then put the plug back in and fill the carb with Hogwash. Position the overflow tubehigher than he carb so it really fills up. Let it sit atleast 24 hours.

Then drain it and give it another flushing. Be sure to put the overflow tube back in it's original position. Put the drain back in and put some fresh gas in the tank and start it up. Once running a little spray in the carb to clean up the slide and surfaces plus clean the outside.

When all done, if it's been sitting awhile you should probobly change the oil once it warms up a little.

I have used Hogwash on alot of machines that were stored away for winter without draining the fuel and running dry or not treating the fuel. It works nearly everytime. I have even bought a few machines others couldn't get started and just wanted to sell - cheap. A can of Hogwash, a little time and a new FOR SALE sign went on the machines.

 

Good tip. Of course proper storage prep would be even quicker and better for the machine.

 

X2

 

Hey Uncle Matt,

Should work for everything then right? I use so many engines accross a year between the yard and the snow and the etc... I am going to get some unless you say otherwise? Every year I do the winter storage thing with some 5 or 7 engines. Winter? 2 or 3 with summer storage. 2 stroke and 4 stroke. One of my biggest problems is fuel line rot on my 2 stroke Husqvarnas.

Any other info would be greatly appreciated!!

PBL

 

Another ditto on Scooter86's reply. Fuel stabilizer is a beautiful thing! Haven't had to touch a carb/fuel tank on any of my equipment in over 10 years. Sounds like hogwash is a good product though. Never tried it but if it works half as good as seafoam then it gets a thumbs-up.

 

 

Hogwash is great for washing out the gunk old, untreated fuel leaves. But I know exactly what you are talking about on the fuel line rot (like on my chain saws). I don't know what it is but those fuel lines love to harden, break, crack, etc. I have to wonder if they are actually real fuel line. I mean rated for fuel. They look more like some sort of medical tubing. I have a saw sitting right here that needs another line.

 

Both my ATV and sled after sitting for mouths need a ether spray cheat,to get the fuel cirulating again.

Never seen Hogwash for sale here in Canada,would "Seafoam" also work in its place?

 

I don't see Sea-Foam doing anything near the same. Sea-Foam is more of a maintenance/preventaive type of thing where Hogwash melts the gum very quickly.

 

I've used hogwash on a lot of people. Some times it works, some times it doesn't.