[Rockfish9]

for those of us fortunate to have safe ice, the time has come ( is near) to put that labor saving devise away for the summer..

Fuel: I treat all my fuel with stabil ethinol treatment and stabilizer.. todays fuel sours quickly so this is my way of assuring the fuel is always fresh.. the leftover fuel can be run in weed wackers and chainsaws.. start by dumping the fuel out of the tank (into an apporved container)... now start the engine and let it run out of fuel..
shut off the on/off switch and remove the spark plug... remove the air cleaner ( if applicable) and spray a a SMALL amount of fogging oil into the carb. .. pull the starter rope SLOWLY a few times to distribute the oil through the crank case ( 2 stokes)..for 4 stokes you need only to change the oil in the crank case.. fogging the engine in a 4 stroke gives no real benifit..
Now spray a small amount into the cylinder and replace the spark plug... DO NOT CONNECT THE WIRE YET..SLOWLY pull the started until you feel the resistance ( the piston is at top dead center and the exaust and intake ports are closed sealing in the oil and the outside air out)..
you can hook up the spark plug wire if you desire or wait until next season.. apply a small amount of dielectric grease to the inside of the spark plug boot, this willl help seal out moisture and make removing the boot from the plug eaiser...

While you are at it.. check the pull rope.. it it is frayed.. change it.. it's eaiser now BEFORE it breaks..

now give the entire power head a light spray of WD-40 or CR-556... then wipe of the excess...

do the same to the auger "worm".. if the blades were dull NOW is the time to sharpen them ( or send them out) if they are sharp enough.. give them a light coat of WD or CR and leave it on.. remove the auger blade from the power and apply a light coat of grease to the inside of the auger worm and reinstall it on the power head..

a little care goes a long way into makeing these things bullet proof..