Chainsaw storage advice

[Chriswg]

Hi, just bought my first petrol chainsaw, a Stihl MS212. I just wanted some advice about storage. If it won't be used for a couple of months at a time, should I drain the petrol out? How long does pump fuel/oil mixture last in the mixing bottle? Or am I over thinking it and it'll be fine whatever I do within reason? Any advice welcome!

[peds]

Use Aspen fuel (or similar). It removes the problem you are worried about entirely. 

 

Alternatively, wait there for a few minutes for someone to come along and tell you that Aspen is overrated and expensive, and you should just do it the cheaper, old-fashioned way.

[Mick Dempsey]

Drain the petrol out then run it till it runs out of fuel, giving it full throttle at the end to empty the carb. 
Aspen is overrated and expensive, do it the cheaper and old fashioned way. 

Edited 11 hours ago by Mick Dempsey
Here to help.

[Mark_Skyland]

This is what I would recommend.

Empty the fuel into a clear jug, let it settle for awhile, you will see any water and bits of sawdust etc settle to the bottom. Pour the clean fuel back into the tank and dispose of the crap. Swill the fuel about in the tank and do the above until you have removed all the water and crap. If you have an airline you can save a bit of time by draining the tank and blowing it out.

Start the saw up and leave it to idle until it dies, job done. If you haven't changed the fuel filter in a while you may as well do that now.

Just remember to get rid of your mixed fuel if you wont be using it for a couple of months as it will go off.

 

 

[Dan Maynard]

The official line is don't mix more than you will use in a month, ethanol in fuel is a potential problem in storage due to absorbing water.

 

You can help by using E5 super, fuel additives, draining the saw. I've always gone for storing with full tank to reduce evaporation rather than draining, but also try not to leave saws too long between running.

 

But I'd agree, using Aspen or Motomix 

will avoid any fuel problems, you'll save frustration starting, and save money fixing the saw. 

[Chriswg]

Thanks for the replies. I'll take it all on board. Maybe I need to get a 500ml mixing bottle instead of a 1l.

[Peasgood]

I don't want to jinx my luck nor dismiss others advice but I have never had any long term storage regime.

Sometimes the tools run out of petrol sometimes they are left with fuel in. 2 stroke or 4 stroke gets left in cans or fuel tanks for months before getting used.

I have never had a problem with any chainsaw, strimmer, or anything with a 4 stroke engine with fuel left in it for months on end as a result. Doesn't matter if it is an expensive Husky/Stihl or a cheap Chinese Loncin. They all start when asked and run fine. My Stihl strimmer can go nearly 12 months without use but it will still start and run on the fuel in the tank if it hasn't leaked or evaporated. 

The fuel in my can was probably mixed 3 months ago or more but it will run whatever I put it in.

 

Not claiming it is best practice by any means but I can only think of one instance when fuel "went off" and that was probably many years old rather than months.

[openspaceman]

6 minutes ago, Peasgood said:

I don't want to jinx my luck nor dismiss others advice but I have never had any long term storage regime.

Sometimes the tools run out of petrol sometimes they are left with fuel in. 2 stroke or 4 stroke gets left in cans or fuel tanks for months before getting used.

I have never had a problem with any chainsaw, strimmer, or anything with a 4 stroke engine with fuel left in it for months on end as a result. Doesn't matter if it is an expensive Husky/Stihl or a cheap Chinese Loncin. They all start when asked and run fine. My Stihl strimmer can go nearly 12 months without use but it will still start and run on the fuel in the tank if it hasn't leaked or evaporated. 

The fuel in my can was probably mixed 3 months ago or more but it will run whatever I put it in.

 

Not claiming it is best practice by any means but I can only think of one instance when fuel "went off" and that was probably many years old rather than months.

Same here but I imagine it can be the straw that breaks the donkeys back if it's a troublesome engine.

 

[Chriswg]

Thanks for the extra input guys. I suppose it goes to show there's no right or wrong answer with a lot of these things. I think I'll try to use the saw every so often and that way it won't lay idle for months on end.