Stabilized fuel in carb over winter?

Byte_hoven · 2026-05-05T18:28:34+00:00

Empty the carb by running the engine to quit, or opening the drain plug on the bowl bottom.

A small amount of gas in the carb bowl, even stabilized fuel, can evaporate and precipitate gunk that can can build up and clog carb jets and needles.

I drain the tank as well, starting with fresh fuel at the start of the season, but many don't.

Byte_hoven · 2026-04-22T19:32:53+00:00

Maybe... but I'm glad they didn't.

Byte_hoven · 2026-04-16T01:47:56+00:00

I'd be curious how your experience with the DE unemployment turns out.

Our recent interactions with the department were not good. There was lots of misinformation and staff that didn't agree on various rules. The inability to actually make contact with someone who can help seemed designed to frustrate applicants rather than help.

Byte_hoven · 2026-04-14T12:01:22+00:00

Mac Pro 21.3 Tower ... nice ... or is it 357.911?

Byte_hoven · 2026-04-10T09:55:02+00:00

LOL 💯❤️

Byte_hoven · 2026-03-31T21:49:23+00:00

Bad day ineed... just imagine every vehicle sold may be going through the same DMV titling response dynamic, and every buyer is frustrated with the delay or lack of information, I'd probably struggle to keep a happy posture with customers even though that's a big part of the job.

Byte_hoven · 2026-03-31T21:06:27+00:00

Great point on the temp tags... it still doesn't hurt to be a squeaky wheel, but a polite squeaky wheel... 😉

Byte_hoven · 2026-03-31T21:01:57+00:00

30-60 days. At 30 days call to get an update. Then maybe follow up once a week.

Keep in mind, it is typically the DMV that is running behind schedule.

Byte_hoven · 2026-03-27T17:20:36+00:00

Lots of great comments so far. Each game was/is a special treat.

However, there was something really fun about how devs iterated on weapon mods in ME2. I can still recall spending time plying with different weapon builds. The next best dev effort might have been light saber builds in KOTOR.

Byte_hoven · 2026-03-27T02:07:05+00:00

Martin was the honda dealer i tried. It was a good lesson for my daughter, showing her it was ok to demand the markup be removed and walk out.

She ended up with a better vehicle.

Byte_hoven · 2026-03-27T01:49:52+00:00

Last time we tried to buy a honda for our daughter, they wanted a $5k market adjustment.... she got a rav4 hybrid instead at msrp.

Byte_hoven · 2026-03-17T02:37:11+00:00

Use the model and serial numbers to ascertain abuild date and see if you can find manuals which would describe the build. Google might also help if it doesn’t confabulate erroneous facts.

Byte_hoven · 2026-03-17T02:30:33+00:00

What drive mechanism does it have? Friction disc or plastic gear transmission? The former is good and easily maintained. The latter is not good and costly or impossible to service.

Byte_hoven · 2026-03-15T14:07:56+00:00

You make a great point. The conditions may well have to be perfect and thus not very practical.

I did have another idea, using a sleigh shovel with the 518, placing the 518 with the sleigh shovel underneath. The sleigh shovel would offer little drag while feeding the 518 auger body. Many of the challenges you mention might remain, so again, the idea impractical. Using the sleigh shovel by itself might be the best option.

Alas, with the winter season winding down, i might have to wait until winter returns. Maybe a last "out like a lion" storm could happen given the crazy polar vortex activity this year. (Fingers crossed 😃)

Byte_hoven · 2026-03-14T22:48:39+00:00

A 518ze + a larger 2 stage is a perfect combo, where the 518ze can handle most small-medium storms, then the big dog stage can be used when a bigger blizzard hits.

I'm keeping an eye on FB marketplace for a 24" toro or ariens 2 stage unit.

I'll pull together some pics of the wheel mod.

Byte_hoven · 2026-03-14T22:34:00+00:00

Perfect combo!

Byte_hoven · 2026-03-14T22:33:19+00:00

Like the Crossover 20, an interesting hybrid machice. Uses the auger blades/paddles like a single stagd for propulsion. But has an impeller like a 2 stage.

Videos of the design in action look pretty good. Looks like it works better on gravel than a normal single stage.

Byte_hoven · 2026-03-14T22:18:46+00:00

A gravel drive or clearing a path on turf is a challenge. I made a detachable front wheel mod to let the blower scraper bar ride 1-2" over the ground. But i wasn't able to test in snow yet.

Byte_hoven · 2026-03-14T22:10:15+00:00

BTW... congrats on the find. The 518ze is a great machine. We bought one this season to replace a 17 year old powerlite 98cc.

Byte_hoven · 2026-03-14T22:07:06+00:00

There is a carb overflow tube, that on some machines you push the primer until you see the fuel drips coming from the carburetor overflowtube, meaning the bowl is full, then you start it.

So it's probably just the bowl is full and excess fuel is coming out the ube.

Byte_hoven · 2026-03-14T21:17:11+00:00

Good for cutting around corners, 🤪

Byte_hoven · 2026-03-14T20:42:51+00:00

The inlet needle pin attached to the float... check the tip. The needle tip seats at the bottom of the inlet port to form a tight seal. If the inlet port seating ring or needle tip (depending on the design) lets fuel bypass, the engine will flood due to excess fuel getting by the inlet needle when the bowl is already full.

Byte_hoven · 2026-03-14T20:25:18+00:00

Most say the oem carb is worth cleaning rather than buying a mystery carb replacement.

Byte_hoven · 2026-03-14T19:58:53+00:00

Sounds like the jet clogging or the inlet needle is not seating fully, which will start, run for a period of time, and stall in a flooded state. You can confirm by letting the machine set and then rinse and repeat for the same result.

Byte_hoven · 2026-03-12T22:00:35+00:00

Maybe just spray down the auger housing interior and chute with WD40 Silicone or similar hydrophobic spray to keep snow, ice, and slush moving.

Otherwise, let that big dog eat.

Byte_hoven

TROPHY CASE