Drain fuel with ethanol from engines for seasonal storage

Leaving gasoline with ethanol in the carburetor for an extended time can damage small engines inside snowblowers and other equipment and prevent them from starting when needed, experts said. Ethanol can cause moisture buildup, said Dave Aurand, owner of Wilson Hardware in Rochester, N.Y.

Auto mechanic Paul Marone says most gasoline has contained 10 percent ethanol for years.

Paul Marone, East Ave. Auto, said, “Cars are built to handle it. We haven't trouble with cars much at all. But the small engines, the older ones are getting into trouble with this where the owner left the fuel in the carburetor and it sort of corrodes away some of the jets or plugs it up. And then you have to take it apart and clean it to get it to work again.”

Before putting equipment away for the season, drain the fuel by switching the tank off and running the carburetor dry, Marone said.