This is my first TPI so I was wondering what I need to do after the winter slumber. I've always had carbed engines and its a simple start... With the TPI, is there anything different that I have to do? Can I hook up the battery and go...or what? Any advice would be great. Thanks. Chris

Change the oil, check the fluids, and fire it up

If it was just sitting for a few months, you shouldn't have any issues with it.

Might also want to check the air filter housing and exhaust for any critter nests. They like to do that sometimes

It depends on how it was stored. I generally change fluids before strorage so the sludgy, acidic oils don't sit in the pan for months. I usually add fuel stabilizer and 2-cycle oil to keep the fuel a little more volatile and coat the fuel system, injectors, chambers, etcetera with a little oily fuel. I haven't hurt any O² or cat converters yet.

On the first rollout, I check fluids, start and warn them up fully, check the tires, brakes, lights, and all the other necessary items, then drive mildly for a while. Then I top off the tanks with fresh, low octane fuel. The 80-some octane, camel-urine fuel is somewhat more volatile than higher octanes, and will tend to "thin down" all the older, more stale fuel. After the first tank is run out, if you have no problems, return to your usual fuel and drive it as it was intended to be driven.

If you didn't change fluids and filters before storage, you should do that as soon as you get the engine and transmission warmed. Like Binky said, be kind to animals and check before starting to make sure the engine doesn't ingest any rodents, wrap up any cats or squirrels in belts, blow mice from the exhaust (O.K., that might be pretty cool), and check all fluids. A fresh charge on the battery would be good, too.