Snowblower Storage - Is this Safe?
Kate
Two days after I got it home I noticed it was leaking gas/oil. This is
a two-cycle machine. Even after using it, it still leaks.
I called the company who worked on it, and they are closed until
January 4th.
Until I can get it in for repairs, I have moved the machine from my
garage to my medium-sized shed. The gas fumes were entering my home.
The blower is leaking about a tablespoon of gas a day. Hopefully, it
will soon be empty.
I hate to store it outside due to the elements, but am wondering if this
could be a fire hazard when storing it inside the shed? The only thing
I store in the shed is two lawnmowers, Christmas decorations, rakes,
fertilizer, etc. I do have electrical outlets up high that I use for
lights, radio, etc.
I tend to be a worrier and don't want to burn the place down, so I
wanted to ask: Is this safe?
Many thanks.
Kate
JoeSpareBedroom
news:hggpfu$78e$1...@news.eternal-september.org...
Would it be safe from theft if you stored it outside with a tarp over it?
Sounds like a better idea than the shed.
And find a new repair shop whose entire staff doesn't vanish for 2 weeks
during snow blower season.
dpb
Not great, but if there is no source of open flame like a heater it'll
be highly unlikely to cause a problem.
I would recommend you ought to empty the tank, though, rather than let
it leak at that rate if you can't simply tighten a hose clamp or similar
to stop it. If nothing else, put a catch pan under it w/ kitty litter
or somesuch to absorb the spill and be able to dispose of it rather than
letting it soak into a floor...
--
Jon Danniken
No, it isn't safe. It probably won't catch fire, but do you want to take
that chance?
Imagine there is a fire, and the insurance company finds out that you were
aware of a fitting leaking gasoline. Do you think they have a clause in
your policy exempting them from indemnity if you are aware of such a
situation?
Drain the gas from the tank, and find another company to do the repair.
Post a note in your local Craigslist with the name of the company that
returned your equipment dripping gasoline just before they went on vacation
for two weeks.
Jon
Red
Worrying is good... but snow blowers love the cold-- just like sled dogs
or polar bears. Put it behind your house to minimize drive-by
opportunistic burglary. Chain it to a big tree in you're concerned about
theft.
But don't put a tarp over it as another poster said. The fumes from the
leaking gas will become trapped and concentrated making the potential
for a huge explosion...
JoeSpareBedroom
news:hggqp1$s8n$1...@news.albasani.net...
> But don't put a tarp over it as another poster said. The fumes from the
> leaking gas will become trapped and concentrated making the potential for
> a huge explosion...
Nonsense.
Jim Elbrecht
>I just got my snowblower back for repairs. It had a blocked carburetor.
>
>Two days after I got it home I noticed it was leaking gas/oil. This is
>a two-cycle machine. Even after using it, it still leaks.
>
>I called the company who worked on it, and they are closed until
>January 4th.
>
-snip-
'Stuff' happens-- but unless you are completely thrilled with the
folks who 'fixed' it, you need a new mechanic anyway. To err is
human- but to take the end of December off in snow country is
unforgivable. Hope you're not in the central east coast.
Find a new mechanic and have them fix it and then you send the other
folks the bill. [chances are real good it is a nut not tightened, or
a clamp not quite snug- a 5 minute job that most handyman can handle.]
I'm with the folks that say, in the meantime,
1. Get what gas you can out of it.
2. store it outside- uncovered.
Even if you don't blow your shed up, it will smell like gas for 20
years and make everything you store out there smell too.
Jim
Harry K
wrote:
Agree. About the only way an explosion would occur would be by poking
a match under the tarp...I suppose if it is an electric start some
dimbulb might try to start it withoug removing the tarp first..
Harry K
IGot2P
The OP might think so but I sure don't.
Don
Jim Elbrecht
I don't see an explosion happening- but a tarp over a snowblower is
unnecessary, promotes rust and gives a great dark place for rodents to
nest and mess up your machinery.
Jim
Kate
problem is I live in a rural area and they are the only small engine
repair shop within a two-hour drive.
Stormin Mormon
under the drip sounds like a first rate idea. Can you find
another shop? Ask your neighbors and friends at church and
work. See if anyone works on gas equipment. Likely a loose
hose, fitting, or something easy to tighten.
--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.
"Kate" <katen...@nwi.net> wrote in message
news:hggpfu$78e$1...@news.eternal-september.org...
Kate
Thanks.
Kate
> Outside, the fumes can dissapate.
>
> Maybe you can figure out what is leaking. It might be as simple as a
> hose clamp screw that wasn't tightened enough.
>
> Alternately, you could simply drain all the gas out into a clean jar
> or pan and then dump it into your gas can.
>
I have had two guys look at it. No luck. When I called the company
they said the entire carburetor would need to be taken a part again.
Apparently there is dirt affecting the needle. Not sure what this all
means, but I am taking it back on January 4th. Ugh!
Kate
Wow, thanks for all the great replies.
I am taking it out of the shed.
Kate
Kate
hr(bob) hofmann@att.net
>
> - Show quoted text -
I would put it outside, but cover it partly, leave the bottom edges
open so the fumes can blow around, but keep it covered enuf so that
rain/snow doesn't get on/into it. Then, if you have to start it
before Jan 4, take the cover off and let it ventilate for about a
minute or so to waft away the gasoline fumes and then plug it in and
start it.. Take a look before you put it outside and see if you can
tell where the leak is coming from. Taking the whole carburetor apart
may be nonsense if it is simply the screws in the gas line or the nut
on the bottom of the carburetor that needs tightening. However, if
there is dirt inside the bowl that is keeping the float needle valve
from closing when the bowl fills with gasoline, then the bowl needs to
come off. But, that can be done without taking the whole carburetor
off the engine. I would sure try to find an alternate fixer, if you
live in a rural area, there must be some handymen/women around who
help their friends out rather than a two-hour drive.
Hustlin' Hank
>
> It is an electric start. �I will move it outside. �Thanks.-
Whimp! It is only leaking 2 tablespoons a day. That isn't much at all.
Gas vaporates VERY rapidly. 2 tablespoons would burn ( in the slim
chance it cought fire) so quickly that nothing else would be affected.
Put a wide mouth glass jar under it to catch the gas. The wide mouth
will let it evaporate quicker. Hell, a saucer might even be better.
You won't have any problems.
In regards to the leak. They probably didn't clean your carb correctly
or they didn't clean your fuel system (gas tank and lines). If dirt
got inside your carb, there is dirt/rust in your tank or some foreign
material in your tank. when you get the carb cleaned again, make sure
they clean the whole system. Look inside your tank a the bottom, is
there rust? Debris? Anything but gas?
Hank
Stormin Mormon
small engine experience.
--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.
"Kate" <katen...@nwi.net> wrote in message
news:hggu3d$d7l$1...@news.eternal-september.org...
Van Chocstraw
Take the cowling off and see where it is leaking. Get a knowledgeable
neighbor to take a peek and possibly tighten something to stop the leak.
If they kinked the diaphragm gasket it might take a little talent to fix
it. Maybe they just didn't tighten the diaphragm cover.
Stormin Mormon
Toro (which is a gas oil mixer). I cut some fuel line out,
and put an inline fuel filter. The problem I had, the old
gas had some specks of black floating around, and the
machine would clog and stop running. The fuel filter was one
of the best things I've done, repair wise.
I'd be sure to ask for them to cut some fuel line out, and
install a fuel filter.
--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.
"Kate" <katen...@nwi.net> wrote in message
news:hggu7q$d7l$3...@news.eternal-september.org...
Stormin Mormon
for the first start of the season.
--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.
"Kate" <katen...@nwi.net> wrote in message
news:hgguf1$d7l$6...@news.eternal-september.org...
Stormin Mormon
motor housing is probably wet wtih gas, and full of fumes.
When looking into the gas tank, use a flash light not a
candle. (smile here).
--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.
"Hustlin' Hank" <nineb...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:fe9b3274-0bf2-49ae...@s31g2000yqs.googlegroups.com...
Stormin Mormon
flooded it won't run. Might have to pull the spark plug, and
give it a yank on the starter, to blow the excess gasoline
out the spark hole.
--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.
"hr(bob) hof...@att.net" <hrho...@att.net> wrote in
message
news:f5bbf147-2e28-4c46...@k4g2000yqb.googlegroups.com...
Kate
stored inside my garage. I moved it to the shed, and after one hour the
odor was horrible.
Thanks for the tips. I need all the help I can get. LOL
Kate
> It sounds as if you have a Tecumseh carb. I do also, on my
> Toro (which is a gas oil mixer). I cut some fuel line out,
> and put an inline fuel filter. The problem I had, the old
> gas had some specks of black floating around, and the
> machine would clog and stop running. The fuel filter was one
> of the best things I've done, repair wise.
>
> I'd be sure to ask for them to cut some fuel line out, and
> install a fuel filter.
HeyBub
"Dirt" affecting the "needle" won't make a carb leak.
Still, I'm reminded of a cartoon where an auto mechanic is showing a part
taken from a doctor's Mercedes to the owner. The mechanic is saying:
"There's a lot we still don't understand about carburetors..."
JoeSpareBedroom
"Stormin Mormon" <cayoung61**spamblock##@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:hgh21g$hi4$1...@news.eternal-september.org...
Stormin Mormon
float bowl. If there is dirt in the needle / seat, the
gasoline can flow into the carb, and out the air cleaner.
(Voice of experience.)
--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.
"HeyBub" <hey...@NOSPAMgmail.com> wrote in message
news:DoKdnQBob7Owk7HW...@earthlink.com...
Stormin Mormon
--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.
"Kate" <katen...@nwi.net> wrote in message
news:hgh2mo$juv$2...@news.eternal-september.org...
Stormin Mormon
isn't closing properly. Fairly simple fix.
--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.
"JoeSpareBedroom" <news...@frontiernet.net> wrote in
message news:6aUWm.7172$Gf3...@newsfe18.iad...
Jim Elbrecht
-snip-
>"Dirt" affecting the "needle" won't make a carb leak.
It can- but it is also likely, since they said they rebuilt the carb,
that the new guy got the spring clip wrong;
http://www.williammaloney.com/Misc/TecumsehSnowblowerLawnmowerEngineFloods.htm
I wonder how much Kate paid them to screw up a rebuild- and how much
less it would have been to just replace the carb.
>
>Still, I'm reminded of a cartoon where an auto mechanic is showing a part
>taken from a doctor's Mercedes to the owner. The mechanic is saying:
>"There's a lot we still don't understand about carburetors..."
>
good one
Jim
Oren
<cayoung61**spamblock##@hotmail.com> wrote:
>Sounding more like dirt in the fuel, and the needle and seat
>isn't closing properly. Fairly simple fix.
Can't we just shut off the fuel supply line? If the blower fuel line,
has such a valve..
Kate
> If the float is stuck and leaking, the carb may be so
> flooded it won't run. Might have to pull the spark plug, and
> give it a yank on the starter, to blow the excess gasoline
> out the spark hole.
>
I will do further research.
Thanks.
Kate
> I'd be happy to look at it. You near Rochester, NY?
>
Oren
wrote:
>>Still, I'm reminded of a cartoon where an auto mechanic is showing a part
>>taken from a doctor's Mercedes to the owner. The mechanic is saying:
>>"There's a lot we still don't understand about carburetors..."
>>
>
>good one
EXT
> I just got my snowblower back for repairs. It had a blocked
> carburetor.
> Two days after I got it home I noticed it was leaking gas/oil. This
> is a two-cycle machine. Even after using it, it still leaks.
>
> I called the company who worked on it, and they are closed until
> January 4th.
>
> Until I can get it in for repairs, I have moved the machine from my
> garage to my medium-sized shed. The gas fumes were entering my home.
You really need to seal the firewall between the house and the garage. If
some gas fumes can leak into the house and be noticed then carbon monoxide
can easily get in too and fire could easily penetrate the wall into the
house. Most building codes require the wall and/or ceiling to be reasonably
sealed with a one hour firebreak. If your local building code neglects this
specification, it is something you should do on your own for your family's
safety.
Stormin Mormon
other plan is to wire the handle and let it run dry, a
couple days from now.
--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.
"Oren" <Or...@127.0.0.1> wrote in message
news:sb5oi5pej73m5kim1...@4ax.com...
Stormin Mormon
--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.
"Kate" <katen...@nwi.net> wrote in message
news:hgh5es$cc3$2...@news.eternal-september.org...
mm
>
>I hate to store it outside due to the elements, but am wondering if this
>could be a fire hazard when storing it inside the shed? The only thing
>I store in the shed is two lawnmowers, Christmas decorations, rakes,
>fertilizer, etc. I do have electrical outlets up high that I use for
>lights, radio, etc.
>
>I tend to be a worrier and don't want to burn the place down, so I
>wanted to ask: Is this safe?
>
>Many thanks.
>
>Kate
It was 1963 and there are a lot more plastics now than there used to
be, but I put some gasoline in a disposable plastic bowl then, one
that came with food in it, and the gas dissolved the plastic. It
turned it into a puddle of plastic. Maybe fumes ccould damage your
xmas decorations??? Mine was translucent white stuff.
OT, sort of. Did you know that if you put rubber things on a
varnished (I think) dresser, the varnish will eat up the rubber?
This was a dresser that was 20 or 40 years old, and some swimming
goggles. I've seen it happen other times too.
mm
>dpb wrote:
>> Kate wrote:
>>> I just got my snowblower back for repairs. It had a blocked carburetor.
>>>
>>> Two days after I got it home I noticed it was leaking gas/oil. This
>>> is a two-cycle machine. Even after using it, it still leaks.
>>>
>>> I called the company who worked on it, and they are closed until
>>> January 4th.
>>>
>>> Until I can get it in for repairs, I have moved the machine from my
>>> garage to my medium-sized shed. The gas fumes were entering my home.
>>>
>>>
>>> The blower is leaking about a tablespoon of gas a day. Hopefully, it
>>> will soon be empty.
>>>
>>> I hate to store it outside due to the elements, but am wondering if
>>> this could be a fire hazard when storing it inside the shed? The only
>>> thing I store in the shed is two lawnmowers, Christmas decorations,
>>> rakes, fertilizer, etc. I do have electrical outlets up high that I
>>> use for lights, radio, etc.
>>>
>>> I tend to be a worrier and don't want to burn the place down, so I
>>> wanted to ask: Is this safe?
>>
>> Not great, but if there is no source of open flame like a heater it'll
>> be highly unlikely to cause a problem.
>>
>> I would recommend you ought to empty the tank, though, rather than let
>> it leak at that rate if you can't simply tighten a hose clamp or similar
>> to stop it. If nothing else, put a catch pan under it w/ kitty litter
>> or somesuch to absorb the spill and be able to dispose of it rather than
>> letting it soak into a floor...
>>
>> --
>The tank is almost empty, thank goodness, and I do have a pan underneat it.
Do you empty the pan. Fumes will come from the pan.
How about a trough from where the pan is to the outside of the shed?
But I don't think it will ignite if there is nothing to ignite it.
Don't be like the movies, smoking a cigarrette as you open the door.
Or is that the cartoons?
>Thanks.
hr(bob) hofmann@att.net
>
>
> - Show quoted text -
If there are any fumes in the garage, then when you go from the house
into the garage or vice-versa, some of the fumes will go into the
house.
mm
She moved it from the garage to the free-standing shed.
sa...@dog.com
wrote:
Oh, it most certainly WILL. She's talking about the float needle. If
that doesn't close and seat fully, the bowl floods and the overflow
runs out.
Steve Barker
> I just got my snowblower back for repairs. It had a blocked carburetor.
>
> Two days after I got it home I noticed it was leaking gas/oil. This is
> a two-cycle machine. Even after using it, it still leaks.
>
> I called the company who worked on it, and they are closed until
> January 4th.
>
> Until I can get it in for repairs, I have moved the machine from my
> garage to my medium-sized shed. The gas fumes were entering my home.
>
>
> The blower is leaking about a tablespoon of gas a day. Hopefully, it
> will soon be empty.
>
> I hate to store it outside due to the elements, but am wondering if this
> could be a fire hazard when storing it inside the shed? The only thing
> I store in the shed is two lawnmowers, Christmas decorations, rakes,
> fertilizer, etc. I do have electrical outlets up high that I use for
> lights, radio, etc.
>
> I tend to be a worrier and don't want to burn the place down, so I
> wanted to ask: Is this safe?
>
> Many thanks.
>
> Kate
willshak
Can you inspect it and find where it is leaking from?
Perhaps the repair shop left something undone, like reinstalling a fuel
line clamp?
--
Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
To email, remove the double zeroes after @
C & E
"willshak" <will...@00hvc.rr.com> wrote in message
news:oqCdnTNyZ-BF2bDW...@supernews.com...
> Kate wrote the following:
>> I just got my snowblower back for repairs. It had a >>blocked
>> carburetor. Two days after I got it home I >>noticed it was leaking
>> gas/oil. This is a two-cycle >>machine. Even after using it, it still
>> leaks.
>>
>> I called the company who worked on it, and they are closed until January
>> 4th.
>>
>> Until I can get it in for repairs, I have moved the >>machine from my
>> garage to my medium-sized shed. >>The gas fumes were entering my home.
>>
>> The blower is leaking about a tablespoon of gas a >>day. Hopefully, it
>> will soon be empty.
The early on suggestion of installing an in-line fuel filter is spot on,
both for the obvious reason of filtration and for the fact that the line can
be easily split in order to empty the tank and the carb. After 'emptying'
the carb after the season ends be sure to start it and let it run until it's
out of gas.
>> I hate to store it outside due to the elements, but am >>wondering if
>> this could be a fire hazard when storing it >>inside the shed? The only
>> thing I store in the shed is >>two lawnmowers, Christmas decorations,
>> rakes, >>fertilizer, etc. I do have electrical outlets up high that I use
>> for lights, radio, etc.
I have been storing all of my gas operated equipment as well as gas cans in
a shed my entire adult life (age 58). Sheds are not generally so air tight
as to be a danger. And, if yours is it should at least be ventilated.
Place the vents high and low - the high ones to exhaust the heat in the
summer as the lower ones allow cooler air in for convection. More important
are the lower ones for the subject at hand - fumes. Gasoline fumes are
heavier than air and settle to the floor as they spread out. I have never
had an incident with electric starts. I've paid too much for my equipment
to let them sit outside so, get the problem fixed and get it into the shed.
Best of luck, Chuck
Tony
>
> It was 1963 and there are a lot more plastics now than there used to
> be, but I put some gasoline in a disposable plastic bowl then, one
> that came with food in it, and the gas dissolved the plastic. It
> turned it into a puddle of plastic. Maybe fumes ccould damage your
> xmas decorations??? Mine was translucent white stuff.
There is a flashback to my childhood. I have no idea why we didn't have
a good old gasoline can for the lawn mowers. Instead we fought with an
old piece of air hose and usually an empty dish detergent bottle to get
a siphon going out of the family car(there was an art to it). The
gasoline sometimes filled the bottle, and sometimes other plastic
containers, spilled in the driveway, oh well, shit happens. Gasoline
would dissolve certain plastics and when it did, there went another
quart of gasoline into the ground. Oops.
Not to mention all the waste oil from oil changes got poured on weeds in
the driveway. My oldest brother still lives there, and his well, well
he's still living, I'm not sure if he drinks the water? Not making that
an excuse to pollute! It's just how things were back then. Washing
parts with gasoline with our hands soaked in it, even used the gasoline
as a hand cleaner for greasy hands. And of course that was all leaded
gasoline too! But back to plastic and gasoline, yes it dissolved
certain plastics. Who back then would have ever thought we would have
plastic gas tanks on our lawn mowers and even in cars?
> OT, sort of. Did you know that if you put rubber things on a
> varnished (I think) dresser, the varnish will eat up the rubber?
> This was a dresser that was 20 or 40 years old, and some swimming
> goggles. I've seen it happen other times too.
That sounds like a fun experiment!