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Old 05-29-2017, 10:52 PM   #1
twindman
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Generator storage

I have a generator but rarely use it. I tried running it every 3-6 months to keep the battery in it charged. I know you are supposed to drain the gas, and I did. But the next time I went to start it, no gas getting thru. Cost me around $250 to have someone take it apart and clean up the carb.
Anyone have some advice? I tried finding gas with no ethanol it it, but here in AZ they stopped that several years ago.
Thanks.
 
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Old 05-30-2017, 05:28 AM   #2
WeBeFulltime
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Use a good stabilizer in your generator gas supply.
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Old 05-30-2017, 06:55 AM   #3
Starmaster
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I use Star Brite Star Tron as a additive for all my small engine fuel. Its a stabilizer and it also prevents problems related to ethanol in your gas. I have also used Sea Foam and Sta-Bil additives as well. The use of just about any brand stabilizer will prevent the problem you had.

The other thing to do is run the engine until it dies after you drain the tank. That way the is no gas left in the carb. If you put an inline shutoff valve in the fuel line, you can just turn it off and run the engine till it dies. Doing this and putting a stabilizer in the fuel means you don't have to drain the tank between uses.

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Old 05-30-2017, 06:56 AM   #4
navybanker
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Run under load every month for 45 minutes and turn gas line off and let it burn gas out of carb. Use non ethanol gas.
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Old 05-30-2017, 08:14 AM   #5
DQDick
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If it's a Honda there is a drain under the carborator that should be drained after every use. I use premium gas with Seafoam in it and haven't had any problem letting them sit for long periods of time.
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Old 05-30-2017, 12:14 PM   #6
DarMar
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Seafoam works for us as well with infrequent use of our Honda.
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Old 05-30-2017, 02:50 PM   #7
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Seafoam here also. Works great.
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Old 05-30-2017, 02:54 PM   #8
newbold
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Av gas for generator

Go to a small airport and buy aviation gas ($$) for your infrequently used generator. If you forget to drain it from the carb it will last for a long time without any additional additives.
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Old 05-30-2017, 03:20 PM   #9
mlh
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I have had my Honda IS3000 for over 10 years maybe 15. When I get done using it I cut the gas off let run until it quits. Never had a problem except the battery died.
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Old 05-30-2017, 07:42 PM   #10
twindman
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As several of you mentioned, I do run it dry. Apparently there is still gas in the - dang getting old.... the little cup thing with a drain hose on it. I used to know what that was called! And when they fixed it, I think they left the drain hose off, so I can't see if any gas runs out when I try to drain it.
I live near the 5th busiest small airport in the country (Mesa, az) so I may make a stop and buy a gallon or so. Then I could put in a quart and run it dry and hopefully that would work. By the way, AZ sells NO ethanol free gas. They used to sell it in the premium grade fuel but not anymore that I can tell.
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Old 05-31-2017, 04:50 AM   #11
WaltBennett
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mlh View Post
I have had my Honda IS3000 for over 10 years maybe 15. When I get done using it I cut the gas off let run until it quits. Never had a problem except the battery died.
Lynwood
Our HF one does fine the same way (but no battery). Stabilizer in the gas and haven't had an issue for three years now.
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