Stihl FS 251 R Notice D'emploi page 9

5 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Fuel Spraying or "Geysering"
WARNING
■ Removing the cap on a pressurized fuel tank
can result in gasoline, vapors and fumes being
forcefully sprayed out from the fuel tank in all
directions. The escaping gasoline, vapors or
fumes can cause serious personal injury,
including fire and burn injury, or property dam‐
age.
■ Sometimes also referred to as "fuel geyser‐
ing," fuel spraying is an expulsion of fuel,
vapors and fumes which can occur in hot con‐
ditions, or when the engine is hot, and the tank
is opened without allowing the trimmer / brush‐
cutter to cool adequately. It is more likely to
occur when the fuel tank is half full or more.
■ Pressure is caused by fuel and heat and can
occur even if the engine has not been running.
When gasoline in the fuel tank is heated (by
ambient temperatures, heat from the engine,
or other sources), vapor pressure will increase
inside the fuel tank.
■ Some blends of gasoline, particularly winter
blends, may cause tanks to pressurize more
quickly or create greater pressure. At higher
altitudes, fuel tank pressurization is more
likely.
How to Avoid Fuel Spraying
WARNING
■ Removing the fuel cap on a pressurized tank
can result in gasoline, vapors and fumes being
forcefully sprayed out from the fuel tank in all
directions. To reduce the risk of burns, serious
injuries or property damage from fuel spraying:
► Follow the fueling instructions in this chap‐
ter.
► Always assume your fuel tank is pressur‐
ized.
► Allow the trimmer / brushcutter to cool
before removing the fuel cap.
► If you need to refuel before completing a
job, turn off the machine and allow the
engine to cool before removing the fuel cap.
In hot environments, cooling will take lon‐
ger. The engine is air cooled. When it is
shut off, cooling air is no longer drawn
across the cylinder and the engine temper‐
ature will rise for several minutes before
starting to cool.
■ After the trimmer / brushcutter has cooled
appropriately, follow the safety instructions in
this chapter for removing the cap.
0458-853-8201-A
► Never remove the cap by turning it directly
to the open position.
► First check for residual pressure by slowly
turning the cap approximately 1/2 turn
counter-clockwise.
► The cap should be held in place by the
threads while allowing residual vapor/pres‐
sure to be relieved.
► Once any residual pressure has been
relieved, turn the cap until it can be
removed from the tank opening.
► Use only good quality fuel that is appropri‐
ate for the season (summer v. winter
blends). Some blends of gasoline, particu‐
larly winter blends, are more volatile and
can contribute to fuel spraying.
Removing the Threaded Fuel Filler Cap
WARNING
■ After allowing the trimmer / brushcutter to cool,
remove the fuel filler cap slowly and carefully
to allow any remaining pressure build-up in the
tank to release:
► While maintaining steady, downward pres‐
sure, slowly turn the cap approximately 1/2
turn counter-clockwise.
► If any significant venting occurs, immedi‐
ately re-seal the tank by turning the cap
clockwise to the closed position. Allow the
trimmer / brushcutter to cool further before
attempting to open the tank.
► Turn the cap to the open position only after
the contents of the tank are no longer under
pressure.
► Never remove the cap by turning it directly
to the open position without first allowing
the trimmer / brushcutter to cool adequately
and then releasing any residual pressure by
slowly turning it approximately 1/2 turn
counter-clockwise.
► Never attempt to remove the cap while the
engine is still hot or running.
English
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