So I had two gasoline engines (lawn mower, weed eater) in long term storage from June of 2011 until April of 2015. The following helped make them easy to start when they returned:
1. Prior to storage, I ran the engines until they ran out of gas.
2. I removed the spark plug, sprayed a generous amount of WD-40 into the cylinder, cycled the starting cord several times, and then sprayed another round of WD-40. I reinstalled the spark plug.
3. Drained the oil.
Upon receiving the items from long term storage:
1. Removed the spark plug, cleaned it (really just wiped with paper towel and scraped electrodes with my finger nail).
2. Sprayed in WD-40. Cycled starting cord several times.
3. Reinstalled spark plug.
4. Filled oil to proper level.
5. Cleaned (and oiled) air filter.
6. Sprayed ether into the air filter.
7. Started the engine.
Both started right up. And they have each completed the first lawn mowing of the season.
1. Prior to storage, I ran the engines until they ran out of gas.
2. I removed the spark plug, sprayed a generous amount of WD-40 into the cylinder, cycled the starting cord several times, and then sprayed another round of WD-40. I reinstalled the spark plug.
3. Drained the oil.
Upon receiving the items from long term storage:
1. Removed the spark plug, cleaned it (really just wiped with paper towel and scraped electrodes with my finger nail).
2. Sprayed in WD-40. Cycled starting cord several times.
3. Reinstalled spark plug.
4. Filled oil to proper level.
5. Cleaned (and oiled) air filter.
6. Sprayed ether into the air filter.
7. Started the engine.
Both started right up. And they have each completed the first lawn mowing of the season.
