OT/portable generator question

Nancy Howell · Nov 6, 2012

I have a 3500w portable generator which is not used very much. After reading some of the posts about letting gas sit in a carb, decided to start it up, turn the gas off and let it run out of gas. As the gas got low, engine started surging, didn't like the sound of that so went ahead and shut it down.

One person I know that has a portable said it wasn't good to let them run out of gas.

Since I don't know zip about those motors, does it hurt to let them run out of gas?

pete black · Nov 6, 2012

that would be normal for a gasoline engine running out of fuel, just do not let it do this while it is generating as the electrical output is unstable and electrical equipment is subject to damage.

Walt Davies · Nov 6, 2012

I have a 3 in pump that I use for watering my garden I fill it up and let run till its out of gas been doing that for several years hasn't hurt it yet. Maybe he had an engine on the verge of going out and that was the final straw.
Walt

55 50 Ron · Nov 6, 2012

I have one that the manual says to let it run out of gas. It surges a bit too as it's running out of gas. That shouldn't hurt it any.
Mine is a 7500 watt Generac with 15 HP single cylinder engine.
I use Stabil mixed in the gas. My auto parts store recently told me that Seafoam is a better gas additive.

Anonymous-0 · Nov 6, 2012

Won't hurt to run out of gas. When it starts to surge you can start closing the choke to suck the last bit of gas out.

Mike Groom · Nov 6, 2012

Chainsaws,lawnmowers,outboards,fourwheelers,motorcycles,weedwackers,cars,trucks,etc.all run out of gas from time to time.We had a tornado hit here a couple years ago and I ran a generator when we went to work,it wouldn't run all day so it was out when I got home,it didn't hurt a thing.Happens on job sites everywhere every day,don't worry about it.

MarkB_MI · Nov 6, 2012

There will always be a little gas left in the carb when you run it "dry". But that will soon evaporate. The main thing is that since the fuel valve is closed, no more gas can enter into the carb to subsequently evaporate and leave varnish deposits.

Another important thing to do after running the carb dry is to pull the starter cord until you feel compression. That ensures that both intake and exhaust valves are closed during storage.

Nancy Howell · Nov 6, 2012

Last night I added seafoam to the gas tanks of everything that will be sitting until next spring, including the generator.

bill mart · Nov 6, 2012

I agree with Pete,normal when running out of fuel. Bill

Dan in North Houston · Nov 6, 2012

Completely normal. I have two generators and I have a reminder on my calendar to start them up and run them 4 times a year. When I do, I let them warm up and then shut off the gas. When they start surging and dying, I open and close the choke and that will prolong the running for a little bit, so you can get as much gas out of the carb as possible. After they die, i try to start them again with the choke, sometimes it will start and run for a few more seconds. As the last step, pull the starter rope until you feel resistance, which indicates that both valve are closed. This helps keep moisture out of the cylinder. Been doing this for years with no problems.

El Toro · Nov 6, 2012

I do that to my lawn mowers, chain saws, string trimmer and it doesn't hurt them. I don't do that to the garden tractor since I use it. I start the snowblower when I think of it and let it warm up. I just started it on Saturday. Hal
PS: If you have a farm tractor and it isn't used
during the Winter I would pull the sparkplugs and squirt engine oil into cylinders then bump the engine over and squirt some more oil into the cylinders and replace the plugs. It may smoke a little next Spring, but it will keep your engine from getting stuck. Hal

omahagreg · Nov 6, 2012

My Honda warranty was void if I stored it without gas in the carb! So I have Stabil in mine and leave it alone! I do need to start it now!

Switchflicker · Nov 6, 2012

Important point though in running a generator out of fuel, is to make sure it's not providing electrical power to anything. That surging could do some electrical damage to the reciepient.

Billy Shafer · Nov 6, 2012

As long as it is not powering anything. You will be ok. I have been it that way for years. Also helps if you pull the spark plug and add a little oil to the cylinder. Helps preserve the cylinder. Surge is normal for engine when you are running out of gas.

mazemeister · Nov 6, 2012

>>One person I know that has a portable said it wasn't good to let them run out of gas.

wasn't good for what? certainly not good for your ice cream and frozen steaks if it runs out of gas when you're not home...

not good for the TV that sees widely varying frequency and voltage...

won't hurt an otherwise decent engine.

jm. · Nov 6, 2012

Trust me you made the better decision. Just a lot easier to do as you did and things will start. Just remember to start things about ever three months. We have 20+ air coooled units here on the farm, things like weed eaters, chain saws, bolwers, pumps on up to small rollers and we just use stabil or sea foam pretty regular and do not have problems. Have three 4 cycle troy built weed eater that have over 600 engine hours and no problem so something must be working here.

DownSouth · Nov 6, 2012

I left the gas on one time, big mistake. Ran like crap the next time. Now I shut the fuel off and let it run till it dies. Next time I get it out to use it, I turn on the fuel, wait about 30 seconds and pull the rope. Always starts first pull. I also add Stabil each time I add new fuel which isn't very often unless we have a hurricane!

JayinNY · Nov 6, 2012

As Greg said, I too leave my Honda full of gas with stabil in it, I start it up a few times a year to keep the generator windings working, you really should start it, plug a lamp into the genny, to put a load on it, to keep everything working.

Jerry/MT · Nov 6, 2012

The surging is caused by the mixure leaning out as the fuel bowl empties and is normal. Unless your owners manual says not to do it, I can"t think of a reason why it will harm anything.

JDseller · Nov 6, 2012

Nancy I see where you put Sea Foam in your stuff that will be setting until spring. That is a good thing to do. After you put it in the fuel tank run the engines a while to pull fuel with the Sea Foam into the engine. Just putting it in the fuel tank will not stop the carburetor from gumming up.

As for running the engine out of gas or dry. I DO NOT do that to my gas engines. I have had much more trouble with the carburetor drying out inside and causing problems when they are stored without any fuel in them. It seems like the get a sticky film inside when left dry.

Royse · Nov 6, 2012

I think this is an age old argument Nancy, and I see you have opinions from both sides of the fence.
I, like some others, had problems when I ran mine dry with the gaskets drying out
so the next time I used them they were leaking fuel, or leaking air into the carbs so they wouldn't run right.
I now run an additive through them before I shut them down for the winter.
If you're going to start it every few months, I would suggest letting it run a good long while.
Starting it for only few minutes just adds to the condensation of moisture.
It needs to get run at full operating temperature for a while to actually burn that out.

GordoSD · Nov 7, 2012

Put fresh non ethanol gas with Stabil in it. Run it with fuel on to get it into the carb, then shut it off with the switch. Start and run every other month.

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