Having a snowblower is excellent for winter, but it also demands a ton of maintenance work for the rest of the year.
Once you no longer feel the chill in the air and the snow isn’t as bad, it’s time to store that beloved snow blower away. However, many things need to be done to store it properly. After all, the last thing you need is for the snow blower to give out when you need it the most.
A few months ago, when I had just started emptying the fuel of my Ariens compact 24 snow blower, my neighbor Angie dropped by. She was stunned to see me do this by myself and wondered why I didn’t seek professional help. That is when I offered to give her a small masterclass on how to drain the fuel on Ariens compact 24 snow blower.
Hi! I’m Stacy, and I always do this once the winter months are over. Today I’m going to share my methods in this guide; I hope they prove helpful for you too.
How To Drain The Fuel On Ariens Compact 24 Snow Blower
Why Do You Need To Drain The Fuel?
Before we get into draining the fuel, let’s talk about why this is necessary. We all know how beneficial a snowblower is during the winter. In fact, my Ariens snowblower has not just helped clear my driveway but often helped Angie and a few other neighbors too. So, it’s safe to say that it has done a lot of work.
If you live in a place where the snowblower is an absolute blessing, then draining the fuel is one of the most important things to do. Gasoline tends to evaporate, and it does so at a fast rate. If you do not drain it out from the tank, it will evaporate from there itself.
This is usually not that big a deal in a well-ventilated area, but it can corrode the engine when it comes to the tank. This is a less than ideal situation if you intend to use the snowblower the following season. So the best thing to do is drain it out once the season is over. And, here is how you can do it.
Steps To Drain The Fuel
In order to drain the fuel effectively, you’re going to need a gas stabilizer, a gas siphon, and a storage can. It will also help to be in an open space since handling gasoline can be dangerous and needs immense care.
Step 1
The first thing to do is to turn the snowblower off and let it cool. Since the fuel is flammable, it is best to handle it once the engine has cooled off. This will also reduce the chances of sparks or any other physical and property damage.
Step 2
Once the snowblower has cooled off, you will have to remove the cap and open the tank. Check the quantity of the fuel remaining and then remove the fuel filter. Then, add a fuel stabilizer to the fuel in a measured proportion. The stabilizer to fuel ratio will depend on the amount of fuel remaining in the tank.
However, please note that the stabilizer will not make any difference if the fuel is less than two weeks old. So in case you are draining out shortly after using the snowblower, this step is not needed.
Step 3
The next thing to do will be to grab your gas siphon to get the fuel out. Keep a storage can nearby, so it is easy to store the fuel that comes out. Also, make sure the fuel container is clean. The aim is to take out as much fuel as possible by moving the tube around.
Once the fuel is out, you can start the engine and let it run till the remaining fuel dries off. And once all the fuel is gone, the engine will shut off automatically. This usually takes about 5-10 minutes to happen.
Things To Remember
Draining out the fuel from your snowblower, Ariens or otherwise, is not a complicated process and can be done by just about anyone.
It is important to remember to do this as the season comes to an end because failing to do so can cause many problems. Draining the fuel tank will make it easier to use the snow blower in the next season and extend its life. Once the fuel tank has been drained, take proper steps to store the snow blower for the summer.
- Ensures quick, easy starts after storage
- Prevents gum and varnish build-up
- Effective in all gasoline, including Ethanol blends
Tips
While this can be done sometime in the middle of the summer months, I prefer draining the tank right before the off-season starts. Since the gas is not too old by then, it minimizes the effort to drain it. If fuel sits for too long in the tank, it can be challenging to manage.
Always store the snowblower in a cool and dry place. I prefer keeping mine in the shed and always keep it covered. This helps keep the snowblower safe from any external damage and makes tuning up for the winter much more effortless.
In case you are storing the fuel in a container for later use, make sure it is clean. New and old fuel can be mixed as long as the old fuel is clean and free from any particles. It is a bit of a risk since there is a chance that old fuel may not work with the new and hence dilute it.
Final Words
And there you have it, a brief overview of how to drain the fuel from your snowblower. Angie seemed quite encouraged after our chat and promised that she would try this out soon.Â
This guide was made for people who want to be more hands-on with equipment in the house. However, if you are still not comfortable, I would suggest contacting a professional to help. On that note, I shall say goodbye, but I will return with many more guides and tips.
Until next time!