Gas Sitting in Generator for a year = Bad for carb

We had another multi day power outage here in NH. Big surprise there( NH residents k now what I mean.)

We lost power around 11pm last Wednesday night. I went out to start the generator and then remembered that I had left gas in it last Winter when I last used it. So I drained that from the tank and carb and replaced with new gas. I'll give you one guess what happened when I turned the key to start it.

Long story short we didn't get power back until Friday afternoon and the generator needs a new carb.

I'm going to make sure that doesn't happen again. Just curious how you guys maintain your's. I have a coworker who says to run aviation fuel in it. I've heard that you should drain it from some and from others that you should run the gas out by operating it. Then I've heard conflicting ideas on fuel stabilizer.

What say you guys?

 

Stabil or seafoam....or run it outta gas

 

yeah I was looking at the stabil but I've also heard that fuel medic is supposed ot be good too

 

We use ours once or twice a year. I make sure to change the oil annually (not sure I need to with synthetic?) but more importantly I drain the fuel and then run it out of gas.

The carb can more than likely be cleaned rather than replaced entirely.

For the lawn mower, I never bother draining and dose with Stabil or equivalent and run it for a few minutes before putting away for the winter. This one doesn't always start up, but its never been because of bad gas (mice, starter, coil, etc.)

 

I use a mixture of Marine Stabil and Sea foam.

 

Do you use that while generator is running or do you leave gas in it for extended periods of time and just add that?

I'm kind of leaning torward using the fuel stabilizer while it's operating and running the gas.

 

Good thread.
Should get mine out & service, dump & replace the gas.

 

I put marine stabil in all of my gas cans and add Sea foam for storage.

 

Av Gas really is the answer...there is no alcohol in it. Alcohol and aluminum don't mix.
(When two strokes were invented there was no such thing as unleaded fuel)
There is a small airport near us (altoona Pa), they will sell to individuals.

 

Sta-bil and I start the generator every month or two and let it run for 10 minutes or so.

I got caught with no power and a generator that wouldn't start in 2009. I dont want that to happen again.

 

Good idea
I need to get on a similar program
Few years & no power loss , I'm getting soft. LOL

 

You're lucky. Every time someone sneezes in NH between November and March we lose power. Not only that but our rates are constantly going up to boot.

 

Big trees the problem ?

 

I always try to have fresh gas, I always use Stabil and when I'm putting things always for the winter I dump the gas and run everything dry.

 

or ethanol free gas. here is a list of them through out the nation
http://pure-gas.org/

 

I empty the tank then run the carburetor dry then open the drain cock on the bottom of the carburetor to get the last gas out. I don't like to keep gas in the tank even with stabilizers. Due to heating and cooling cycles condensation will slowly build up in the fuel tank. Since some years we have a half dozen outages and others we don't have any I don't want to have to worry about what is in the tank. Other equipment that I know I will use at least a couple of times a year I use non-alcohol fuel and a little stabilizer.

KaptJaq

 

I went thru the gasoline dilemma on mine too. Then my buddy came across a simple bolt on propane conversion for small gas engines. We converted both of our 5000w Hondas and it is awesome. Firstly, they run a lot smoother and second the gas tanks are now clean and dry. 1 20lb cylinder ='s 5 gallons of gas. I went ahead and piped into my twin 420 tanks so I'm set to run for a week or better if necessary. http://www.motorsnorkel.com/ is the web link. Well worth checking out. Conversion takes about a half hour and is simple as can be.

 

I start my generator at least every other month. I try to do it every month and let it run for 10-15 minutes. Then to shut down, I turn the fuel shut off valve to the "off" position and let it run the carburetor dry. A little bit a STABIL in the fuel that's in the tank also.