As someone who repairs small engines, I recommend draining both the gas tank and the carb bowl before storage. I make a killing every season cleaning carbs and replacing fuel lines because fuel was left in the machine!!!!

I also pulled the sparkplug and gave a couple of squirts of engine storage spray on top of the piston and then slowly pulled the cord a couple of times to coat the cylinder walls and prevent rust. One site recommended also then slowly pulling the cord until there is resistance..apparently the piston is then "top dead center" so that there is less chance of moist warm air reaching the cylinder walls... I thought this was a good thing to do also.

I enjoyed this video. I bought an old 1983ish sno Thro with the Tecumseh 2.7 hp motor. Runs ok but not the best. Doing an engine swap on it to get many more years of service!

Thank you Ariens for this video. It is SO MUCH EASIER to see how to do these things compared to reading the manual and "trying" to understand what to do. 1) It is IMPORTANT to remember to grease the axles as you have metal wheels against metal axles with water and salt that can get on the axle(which is not a good combination). If you don't, the wheels can seize to the axles. I use Permatex anti seize on one the axles as grease isn't enough for it. 2) To anyone who doesn't know it yet, the BIGGEST MISTAKE is leaving gas with ethanol(is what you get at most stations) in the gas tank and line. Even if fuel stabilizer is used, all gas in fuel system needs run dry/removed so you don't have the problems of using gas with ethanol. At 2:09 it shows the important step of draining the gas from the carburetor bowl by simply removing the drain bolt. I do that within a week of each use.

I leave the wheels on until after I replace the bottom cover. Its easier to turn the gears by turning a wheel than by gripping the greasy axle by hand. After the bottom cover is buttoned up I do the axle maintenance. I also oil the cables and change the engine oil. I prefer emptying the gas tank and carburettor after using stabilizer in the last tank of the season. The other method is to fill the tank with stabilized gas. That way the fuel is less affected by temperature changes sucking in moist air during the off season leading to potential condensation. My local L&G recommends using premium gas, not for the higher octane level but because it doesn't contain alcohol. A shot of grease in all the zirks listed in the owener's manual is also a good idea. The final area is to grease the chute where it rotates and oil the control levers at the operator's position.

Good video , Thanks !

I have run ethanol free gasoline with Sta-Bil fuel stabilizer for years in all my gas powered equipment and never have engine problems. The Einstein who decided to cut gasoline with Ethanol should be taken to the woodshed. Nothing but a moisture magnet and sugar when it breaks down, fouling up engines.

I didn't know that Martin Howley from We Banjo 3 worked for Ariens on the side. Haha. Thanks for the video, very informative.

I stabilize the ethanol free premium gas and leave the tank full all summer long, new gas in the fall .. I run my blower once a month on cool mornings same as I do for my generator. It just keeps working. I also carefully prime paint the bottom edge of the front chute, about a quarter inch deep .. where it gets slightly scuffed each season. Cheers ...

I bought the Ariens EFI engine because it advertised that you do not have to drain the gas because it ha no carberator and will start even if you don't drain it. I hope it works as advertised.

I brought one two years ago and I didn't know anything about how to maintain it but I need that a fuel stabilizer didn't come with the machine and I also need the oils and stuff that are recommended to use so I can start doing my maintenance in March

Hi Ariens crew. Greetings from Norway. I just purchased the HydroPro 28 EFI, my third machine since 1980. Instead of using fuel stabilizer, I like to run alkylate fuel (Aspen 4) through the system. Please make a video on how to put a blower with hydrostatic drive into storage as well.

I simply let the gas run low then pump the remaining gas into my mower. Then I run the snowblower until all the fuel is used up. My Ariens snowblower is 12 years old and every year it starts right up!

I like to leave my choke on so critters can't get in there too.. Sea Foam was first made to stabilize the gas in 1942.. its still one of the best..plus is cleans as it stabilizes.

It would have been great IF Ariens put grease on the axle before shipping

Alway used stabill for thirteen years never had a problem.

What about anti seize on the axel before you put the wheels back on ?

This makes me hate winter even more. But great video.

Great info, best vids since your company has been making them. My one question: Should the unit now be stored on blocks off its tires? Have A Happy Spring!

Would you consider doing a video on Belt changing on an Ariens 28 Deluxe

Thanks for your reply. Those are my steps that I follow : During the winter season I NEVER USE STABILIZER, but I keep my Ariens Deluxe 24 tank and carburator ALWAYS EMPTY ( unless it snows for 2/3 days at the time), letting , after use, the engine run for 5 minutes to burn the remaining fuel. I never use the on/off button..I keep it on all times .. And I buy every 2 weeks one gallon of FRESH Fuel adding 0.5% carburator and valve cleaner, that , if not used in the snowblower, after 2 weeks I fennel into the car . I use stabilizer ONE TIME only at the end of the season, running the engine 5/10 minutes until runs dry , drain the remaing fuel from the tank and the carburator drain bolt. What is your advice ?? Are my steps correct ?? Thanks

Just FYI the clips that retain the screws to the access panel are made of chinesium. 2 of the 4 of them were cross-threaded from the factory for me and could NOT be re-installed. I bought my own replacement clips which made this job take 15 minutes instead of 2 hours fucking around with the original hardware clips.

Good Job Mr. Aabler

Does it matter to drain engine oil pan out before putting snowblower in the service ? Or not draining at all has no consequence on the engine motor ! Thanks

Thanks for many good movies Ariens! Would it be possible to get into details about maintenance of models with tracks instead of wheels? In particular the modell 920318. Should I remove the tracks or just oil where I can ?

Just purchased the Deluxe 24. Do I use octane 87 or 89.

What device he use to pump grease into the shaft

I always pull plug and add a little oil in cylinder and pull cord I full stroke. Been doing this for 15 years. Pretty sure that was in my owners manual. All oil burns off when it starts for the first time next winter

What size is the bowl nut?

When I put my Ariens Hydro Pro 36 into the service position, gas leaks out around the gas cap. Do I have a faulty cap or do I have to drain all the fuel out first?

How to replacements ignition coil Ariens deluxe 30

Close the gas valve and drain the carburetor bowl at the lower off-center 10mm bolt, after each use of the snow blower. This way the emulsion tube stays always dry - if the bowl is full, the emulsion tube stays submerged and will clog and cause no-start. If you also want to get rid of the old gas inside the tank, then open gas valve, release tank cap, drain the bowl - it will drain 95% of the gas in the tank. On the bottom of the tank there will remain about 1-2oz of gas stuck which cannot be drained (fuel hose connects slightly above the bottom of the tank). Next time you add fresh gas, this ounce of old gas will mix with the fresh one and run just fine. By the way, if blower won't start, drain the bowl a bit, it will clear the emulsion tube. If start is still difficult, need to remove the emulsion tube, pass a sewing needle through all tiny holes (including center hole ones). And from now on keep the emulsion tube dry when blower is not in use. Modern emulsion tubes have much smaller holes - for better burning - these holes get stuck from old gas much faster.

Great video, thank you. I have a new Ariens 24 Deluxe. No snow yet this year, but it is ready. When winterizing my outboard motor I always use fogging oil in the air intake until it stalls. Then I drain the carburetor bowl. I also remove the spark plug and put a few drops of oil into the cylinder bore. I rotate the engine by hand to spread it out along the sides of the bore and rings. Would I just be doing unnecessary work or is this a recommended extra step.

All went well until I tried screwing the bottom cover back onto the frame. Only the two top screws were willing to be seated. Those screws would not grab no matter what I did. I could not even get the screws seated without trying to attach to the frame. I’m guessing those clip/nuts are easily damaged and need replacing...

Do you have a version of this for the EFI owners out there?

What kind of grease?

When did the Cotter pin become a Hair pin?

How do you drain the gas? It never snowed in MN this winter..

When the fuel tank is full and the fuel valve is closed, is it possible to place the snowblower in the service position without any spills? I have a Platinum 24 SHO. Thanks!

I have a 3 oz grease gun and two Lucas Oil grease cartridges. One is the Heavy Duty grease in the green tube. The other is Red N Tacky (w/ anti-seize) in the red tube. Which one should I use?

I would put some kind of canned fuel trufuel VP if leaving gas inn the blower all fuel stabilizer or not will eventually go bad or run it dry drain the carb and spray a little fogging oil down into the cylinder pull the cord a few times cover it and put it in a cool place.

I have only ever used Stabil treated gas in the engine (all winter). When do I change the oil? Now or in the Fall?

treating the gas and draining that little bit from the carb are the 2 most important things

Why would you have to drain the fuel from the carburetor since you added the stabilizer? What is the purpose of the stabilizer then?

If one plans to ''run the motor dry' as is recommended by the engine manual, and it states to use ethanol-free fuel to do so, which isn't always available, can you put a few ounces of seafoam only and run it dry with that? Then empty the bowl.

Does red n tacky grease work? Looks like your using as well. Red n tacky is good for up to -22 degree ferenheit which we never get in western Massachusetts

What type of grease is best to use, Lithium-ion, or Silicone or any other type?

Can you do a video just like this one but with Kraken snowblower

If you leave the fuel tank empty are risking rust on the inside of the tank ? Or will stabilizer prevent rust thanks .

Does the factory grease it on assembly line? Only asking as I just ordered a ariens and want to take the best care I can to ensure long life.

What would you recommend if I get oil onto the drive pully?

Hi, I have a Deluxe 28 but will switch to a Platinum 28 SHO and I wonder if snow house connections and gearbox between the two models are similar and interchangeable. (I'm going to keep the old house to be cheaper to trade) By "old house" i mean the house of the Deluxe 28 model. Regards, Flavio.

This video fails to mention the axle shaft assembly on the right side with the extra clip to remove and then sliding out the short piece of axle with the splines that engage...a lot of rust can build inside these two pieces of pipe and fuse them together...please update this video. The video also fails to mention the two "keys" in the axle slots etc....hopefully Ariens can do better and correct these issues in this video. Also I find it confusing that this video pours fuel stabilizer right into the tank while it is is well known you stabilize the fuel in the Jerry can before adding to your machine..also there is a discrepancy whereby this video says to stabilize the fuel to sit over summer yet the Ariens Company also says to run the machine dry and drain the carburetor bowl. I guess there are two different ways to do it?

Hello..........where can I find details on an Ariens Snowblower, ST928 model 924101, serial number 001284. Thank you

Any concerns with engine oil getting into the engine in the service position?

I already have a little gas in it without the stabilizer what should I do to run the gas out

Tbh the stabilizer is just asking for trouble between people not mixing at the correct ratio or leaving the machine for +1 seasons without running. Run it dry and forget about it. Shut the fuel valve off and if there is any residue in the tank, dilute it with fresh fuel before turning it on the next year. 🎉

how much grease should you pump in when using a grease gun?

To drain the the fuel from the carburator ball ( video at 2:17 ) you need to unscrew one bolt. On my Snowblower Deluxe 28 SHO there are two bolts under the carburator ( one vertical in the middle and one at angle of 45 degree). Which one is the right to drain ? Thanks Sylvain

Hello from🇺🇸 Harrisburg Pennsylvania 🇺🇸 Can you’ll make a video on my new professional 32 Rapid Trak please ☃️❄️☃️

What type of grease do you recommend for the hex drive shaft and gears?

why not just add a fuel drain from the tank?

So you recommend this over empty the tank for seasonal storage?

My garage smelled of major gasoline fumes and I figured out it’s coming from my deluxe 28 SHO. There is no visible gas puddle under the machine. I had to move it outside it was so bad. Always have the fuel shut off. Only use non oxy fuel. I even add sea foam to it. Not sure what’s going on but I’m annoyed. It’s a 2016 not that old.

Greetings! Is it ok to just use the TruFuel (ethanol free) for my Ariens without treating that with stabilizer? Thanks

Can you summarize the Ariens snow blower letting the engine to run 5/10 minutes until runs out of gasoline( tank and carburator too, then drain the few drops left in the carburator) or you think that the tank and fuel sistem are better protected by adding stabilizer before summerizing the snowblower in the fuel like in this video??? Please advise .....Thank you

You can either do this, or just put it away

Do you have maintenance instructions for EFI models?

Is it better to store my Ariens with fuel in the tank that has been treated with stabilizer or is it better to run it dry and store without any fuel in the tank?

I have Deluxe 30 EFI. Any winterizing that needs to be done for this system?

What kind of grease was that it was red is that lithium grease

Is it safe to rotate into service position with fuel still in the tank ??

I've always run aviation 100LL in all toys and workhorses....including my Honda VFR 700 and, of course, my Ariens 28" snowblower. Yup, more expensive but I've NEVER had a fuel problem with any of them. No storage issues either.

Thank you very much for your video. I have a question. I just bought the brand new ariens deluxe 24' 2 weeks ago and put it in the garage. After starting the engine for the first time, I would smell a strong gas-like smell every morning when I opened the garage door. Is there something wrong with the machine?

No mention of oil change

No engine oil change???

Hello, do you recommend any specific grease such as marine grease, red tacky, lithium, etc? Thank you

Is it ok if I drain gas out of tank and leave it empty

What's Difference Between 127cc and 208 cc snow blower?

What's a proper break in for a brand new ariens platinum 24 snowblower

This summer my new Ariens developed puddle of oil under the machine while in storage in my garage. Why is this?

You're assuming we have a pump for grease!

Can you leave the gas tank empty. What about some white grease on the chain and shaft. My starter stopped working after the second time I use my Ariens 24". Not happy that I had to buy a new starter. Never buy another one! I could pull my arm out of its socket before this would start, will not start without that starter. Very unhappy with this Ariens snow blower.

What is the use of the false fill cup?

Le son est poche.

The Loncin engines power the Ariens and Toro slow blowers. Made in China.

crappy sound, but good info

Can’t you just run your fuel tank dry?

use a lav mic next time. lol echo is distracting

Brian callen’s nephew ha

They did not use 00 grease on anything, A major problem for those areas of the country which get exceedingly cold temperatures. He did not change the oil in the machine or replace the spark plug, which should be done at the end of every season. He did not lubricate the movement Locations on the cables and the chute control gears. He did not lubricate the gears on the auger chute. He did not take time to clean the friction disk. He also did not put any protective corrosion resistant spray on any of the metal parts of the machine, Or wash the machine off because of the collection of roadsalt due to the snow being contaminated with it from the Salt trucks. He did not add or check the lubricant in the auger gear box. There are far superior, And I repeat far superior, KZfaq channels which Show you exactly what to do to lubricate; Examples include (1) garage gear and (2) donyboy 73, to make sure the machine is much more thoroughly ready for 3 season storage. I consider this video actually misleading Because there is a far greater amount of work to do, then shown on this video. It's actually surprising that ariens didn't do a more thorough job on this video.

Fuck that, just stabilize the fuel. Mine is 23yo and i have never done all that 😂. Ethanol is realllllly bad

Too complicated

Video is stressing me out lol

Wears the gloves to dump fuel stabilizer in tank that he doesn't touch but wears no gloves during draining fuel or spreading the grease on the Axle. HMMMMMM

What a joke. Why not just build a new snowblower each year?

you should wear gloves. gas is bad for skin.

You made a mistake my friend will you put the red grease on? You should’ve pulled that shaft off you people are not doing the right thing you just wanna make money. There’s two pieces to that shaft. That’s the most important you didn’t do that it should be anti-shame on people.

looks like a china made engine....

I use seafoam motor treatment in mine and start it up a few times in summer to keep that shit china engine from shitting the bed