Best Way to Summerize StrikeMaster Auger (Tecumseh Motor)

[TroutYammer]

All This is my plan for summerizing my Summerize StrikeMaster Auger (Tecumseh Motor).

1. Add Seafoam to Gas

2. Run motor and carb dry

3. Shoot fogging oil into the plug hole

3. Store in an upright position until the ice forms again next year.

Is this the right thing to do? Any input will be greatly appreciated.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

The only times I've had troubles in fall is when I drain the gas tank. I think the seals dry out in the carburetor. Leave the gas in, add some Seafoam, run it for a few minutes to get in the motor. I also start my auger a few times through summer.

[magnum mike]

Not that there is anything wrong with the "approved" method to store motors but I have never done it. I have also never had troubles with motors for failing to fog pistons and stabilize fuel. I agree that it is a mistake to empty all the fuel before storage. Dump the old gas when you are ready to use the tool again and add fresh gas. This may not be the "approved" method but 30 years of success is good enough for me.

[IamZombie]

Not that there is anything wrong with the "approved" method to store motors but I have never done it. I have also never had troubles with motors for failing to fog pistons and stabilize fuel. I agree that it is a mistake to empty all the fuel before storage. Dump the old gas when you are ready to use the tool again and add fresh gas. This may not be the "approved" method but 30 years of success is good enough for me.

This is what I did as well.

Added the old auger gas to my snowblower/lawnmower gas.

[hydro]

In the OP, the fogging oil statement is incorrect. Do not just "shoot it into the plug hole". To fog the motor you want the oil to go through the motor, bearings, cylinders, etc, and to do this, start the motor, warm it up, rev it up and spray the fogging oil directly into the carb (first remove any air cleaner or baffles). Continue until the motor loads up and shut it off. The oil is now all through the motor. It's a good idea to add the stabilizer before doing this, and to pour the extra gas out of the tank before storage. The carb will remain full of gas so you dont have to worry about "the seals drying out" and you will want to dispose of the old gas next season anyway.

[leech~~]

The oil is now all through the motor.

Um, maybe not in the same concentration. But isn't there already oil all throughout the motor on a 2 cyc? I kind of agree with the last two guys. Some of the fogging and cr@p on a two cyc eng doesn't seem to do much more then burn extra money. I have a 15 year old Mag III that gets put in the corner at the end of the season and it has ran great every year with just a gas change the next winter! But to each his own!

[Mnfisher]

I try and do all I can with my Strikemaster tho I haven't had a problem when I did nothing. Had some problems with a chain saw and weed whip tho and know that can be costly.

[fishingstar]

Augers don't run long enough to burn fogging oil out of it the next year.

[fishing tech]

I hang mine in the garage and take it down once or twice a month during the summer and start it. When October gets here I dump the remaing gas out, put in fresh gas and fire it up. No problems in 12 years.

[croix walleye 6]

stabalizer is the worst thing u can do to fuel unless it's large amounts!! run fuel out of auger and put it away for the season! run a rental store and have hundreds of small engine's. use to put stabalizer in them all and had nothing but carb. problems. auger isn't stored long enough to dry out seal's.

[Esox_Magnum]

Unload from truck, hang on the wall, start 2-3 times dring the summer... has worked well for me the last 20 years....

[silverbulletguy]

I start mine up the first time I mow the yard in every month over the summer. Let it run for a couple minutes and hang it back up on the wall. Fresh gas and good to go.

[hydro]

Just a thought to those who run synthetic oil at lean ratios, it is argueable how much corrosion protection the synthetics have to begin with, and at lean ratios there is precious little oil left inside the motor. I have had internal corrosion that destroyed a motor happen due to this. This is one good reason to use the fogging oil.

[Duffman]

I'm in the camp of "Starting it up every few weeks during the off season". Plus it's nice on a hot sunny summer day to close your eyes take a whiff of the exaust and think your standing on ice.

[BLACKJACK]

With my 12 year old Strikemaster I start it up, warm it up a few minutes, shut it off and dump out most of the gas, start it up again and let it run empty. If I'm energetic, I'll pull the plug, put in a couple of squirts of regular new motor oil, pull the recoil rope a couple of times, thats it. Put freshly mixed gas in next fall.

I also add stabilizer to my gas before I mix the oil, it says right on the bottle, add to fresh gas. I also always add Stabilizer to my boat gas and lawnmower gas, especially toward fall when I know that I will be storing them. The way I look at it, Stabilizer is cheap, you can't bring anything into a mechanic shop for less than $50.

[Northlander]

With every auger I have ever owned ( I think Im on #6 now) I have always ran Amsoil and premium gas in them. All my 2 strokes get premium gas and Amsoil. I keep my auger full of the same gas/amsoil mix and start it up at least once a month.

I do the same with my snowblower in the summer and both always fire right up the 1st time I use them every winter. I have never had a carb issue with any of my augers.

When I sell my used augers I make sure to tel the new owners how I stored the auger and they love the shape they are in and how well they run.

Truthfully my old Nils ran better than my new one when I sold it. With such a poor ice year I have hardly had the chance to get a good break in done on the new one.

[NCLaker]

I am baffled at how many different ways people recommend you winterize augers.

On my SM Lazer Mag, I originally did the add stablizier (Seafoam), run it dry, then fog the cylander. After a couple years had to do a carb job cause it was having issues.

I now have a SM Strikelite, I'm thinking I may still use Seafoam, but keep the tank full then start it up once a month over the summer.

I'll give D-rock a call to make sure

[Jigging Joe]

stabalizer is the worst thing u can do to fuel unless it's large amounts!! run fuel out of auger and put it away for the season! run a rental store and have hundreds of small engine's. use to put stabalizer in them all and had nothing but carb. problems. auger isn't stored long enough to dry out seal's.

I do the same thing with all my small gas engines, always works for me. After reading all the dif. ways I'm starting to think you can do whatever you want and it work forever and run great, lol.

[travlingypsy]

Only run aviation fuel... Never have to run anything out of fuel!

[dan z]

Take it apart and put the engine in a cupboard out in the garage I start in when I need to smell 2 stroke

[CJH]

1. Add Seafoam to Gas

2. Run motor and carb dry

3. Shoot fogging oil into the plug hole

3. Store in an upright position until the ice forms again next year.

This is what I do and have never had a problem. I do shoot some fogging oil into the intake as well as into the plug hole, and pull the cord a few times to coat everything. Haven't had a problem.

I was told by a mechanic to do this, especially if you are using gas containing ethanol vs non-oxy. If you are using non-oxy, then I think its a horse a piece.

[muskE]

I should stop doing anything to my Mag III that's slow compared to today's standards as it still runs like a top and I can't justify buying a new one. I run Amsoil and stabilizer year round on all my small engines. When I put them away I drain the gas and run them "dry" through the carb. I then pop the plug and spray some lube in the chanmber and pull a few times to coat. Takes 5 minutes and they start right up next season.

The bottom line is you can take whatever nuggets of planetary alignment suggestions from this thread because they all seem to work. There hasn't been a single warning post so whatever you do that makes you happy is what will work for you. just don't put sugar in your gas tank to make it run "sweeter."

One thing I would suggest though...Don't wait until they are driving on the ice next season to start it up for the first time. Give yourself plenty of time for service just in case.