"Bruce" wrote in message
...
No, I've never drained the fuel in the past (althought doing it is
simple, makes complete sense, and I'll probably start doing it).

Typically, I'll mix some fuel stabilizer with the last gallon of gas I
by for it in the fall and then use that gas when cutting grass in
Sept/Oct. I've done this every year that I have had the mower, except
last year, of course :-)

Even though it was stored over the winter with fuel, it started fine
in April and has run great until last weekend. Could that still be
varnish in the carb from last winter finally doing its magic?


I ran mine out one fall, just let it run about 20 minutes to burn off the
remaining gas. In the spring, the float bowl had water and rust in it. Now,
fuel or not, every spring I have to take off the float bowl and clean it
out, and then put back on. That takes care of my starting problems. For the
record, Honda engine, Texas winter. And it is stored in the Garage.