Gasoline Generator Storage Question

C. Amick · Jan 19, 2015

Is the best approach to drain all the gasoline out of my generator and refill it when I need it? Seems like I either have carburetor problems or the gas is bad when I go to start it. I put Sta-bil in the gasoline,but it only lasts so long.

notjustair · Jan 19, 2015

I have Seafoam in the fuel tank. When I am done with the generator I shut off the fuel and let it run until it quits. That's been good enough for the last 15 years.

omahagreg · Jan 19, 2015

When I bought my Honda generator, they WOULD NOT guarantee it if I drained the fuel! I store mine full, with Stabil. I drain and refill the tank and run it every so often.

Geo-TH,In · Jan 19, 2015

I drain my tank in the fall and fill with winter blend fuel, staybil and make sure it runs. Also change oil with 5w30 synthetic.

Jim in Ma. · Jan 19, 2015

I use Marine Stabil in mine - Full with no problem for 3 or 4 months . I try to run the genny once a month but you know how that works lol
The Most important part is to mix it as per the directions. Most people think more is better but NOT SO.

JayinNY · Jan 19, 2015

Fill it with gas put stable in and start the generator on a regular basis you're supposed to start them anyway to exercise the generator windings I have a Honda EMX 5000 for the last 13 years never had any problems with it. And when you start it plug in a lamp or something in to make it run under a load.,

D beatty · Jan 19, 2015

I keep my 8,000 watt B&S full all winter long with Briggs & Stratton fuel stabilizer in fuel (good for 3 years). In spring if not used I will pump gas into garden tractor. I also run 5w30 synthetic oil and is on battery charger 24-7 365 days a year.

PJH · Jan 19, 2015

My generator is 17 years old (where does the time go?). I have no superior knowledge about generators, but I use StaBil in the fuel, and I shut the fuel off and let it starve/die when I store it. If it sets for over a year, I drain the fuel out and run it through my Chevy truck. I start the genny about every two months, even though I intend to start it every month. It always starts on the first pull. Honda generator. Dumb luck.

I put StaBil in all of the farm gas that I buy. Possibly snake oil, but it seems to eliminate the carb problems. Might also be dumb luck.

Rex Simpkins · Jan 20, 2015

If you have access to 100LL aviation fuel, storage problems will be a thing of the past. I think it has a shelf life of 7 or 8 years.

MarkB_MI · Jan 20, 2015

I always close the fuel petcock on my Honda and run the carburetor dry. I then pull it over by hand until it's on the compression stroke to ensure both valves are closed. No problems after 5+ years. I do try to remember to add Stabil to the gas before putting it up. I store it with a full tank of gas for the simple reason that if power goes out, most of the gas stations won't have power, either.

showcrop · Jan 20, 2015

AS Jay says, run it periodically, BUT put a load on it and run it long enough to drive moisture out of crankcase or you are just trading good gas for bad oil. Like D.Beattie the gas comes out of mine in mid summer and into the ZT mower, and fresh gas into the generator.

John T · Jan 20, 2015

With a bunch of lawn mowers and small engines and even tractors etc. scattered around, I do most the same for long term storage, mainly plenty of Sta Bil in the gas and run them so it gets mixed in and through the carb plus on tractors I add a bit of low ash two cycle combustible motor oil such as Mercury Quicksilver to the gas. Then I run them and shut the gas off so they die and if a mag equipped tractor I crank them to where the points are left open, maybe remove the plugs and squirt oil in the cylinders. Works well for me and if it was a genset Id try to exercise it under a load at least once a month and let it come up to temperature to dry things out.

John T

VaTom · Jan 20, 2015

PTO generators don't have that problem. Why I bought one instead. The guy who bought my gasser was happy too.

DoubleR · Jan 20, 2015

I use stable in the gas but I don't leave allot in the tank.
Run them every couple of months for a while. Then either run the carb dry or drain the gas out of the carb when done.
I keep three 5 gallon cans full of gas for emergency. I dump it in the car or truck about every month or so and replace it with fresh gas.
I just replaced a generator that we purchased in 1980. It was still running, I just wanted electric start.

johnlobb · Jan 20, 2015

As I have personally found Stabil to be utterly useless, I found a much more advanced product called "Ethanol Shield" available at Tractor Supply, Farm and Home and others. I add some according to the directions and when I run my genny, I also shut it off by shutting the fuel off and letting the carb run dry. Ethanol Shield is good for 1 year, but in the spring I drain the old fuel and use it in the lawn mower.I use Ethanol Shield in all my small engines, including chain saws, rototillers, weed wackers, etc.

L.Fure · Jan 20, 2015

(quoted from post at 04:59:21 01/20/15) I have Seafoam in the fuel tank. When I am done with the generator I shut off the fuel and let it run until it quits. That's been good enough for the last 15 years.

I use Seafoam too. Sine I quit farming my tractors sit for long periods of time. I keep Seafoam in the gas tanks and never had any trouble.

Liquid_wrench · Jan 20, 2015

I use seafoam in all my gas equipment... stabil does work...but i still had small fuel tanks plug and carburetors......since I started using seafoam....no problems at all.

Gundoctor · Jan 20, 2015

I have a Honda 11,000 Generator that I leave the gas in it. I never run the gas out of it - just turn the key off. It will start much better this way for me.

I use a product call " K100" It will stabilize ethanol gas for 2 years. I put it in my car also. I do start this about ever 3 months so I use up the gas.

Here in Vermont I can start it at -30 if need be. I keep a battery Minder maintainer on it all the time.

ditchwitch · Jan 20, 2015

Hadnt had a chance to read all the replies yet. but i will comment on this subject because of experience.
I have a generator 10k watt with a honda motor. If i am going to let it sit for several months i not only drain the gas out of the tank i also turn the gas off at the tank and let the motor run till it shuts itself off. if its just going to sit for a month or 2 then be used again i just turn the gas off at the tank and crank it let it run till it runs out of gas. i have done this for several years that i have had this generator. And when i need it has also started with no problem. Gas will Varnish in the carbuator in a short time. It dont take but just a little debirs (varnish particles) to stop the carb jet up and cause you a headache
Just my 2-cents

mkirsch · Jan 20, 2015

(quoted from post at 06:59:24 01/20/15) As I have personally found Stabil to be utterly useless, I found a much more advanced product called "Ethanol Shield" available at Tractor Supply, Farm and Home and others. I add some according to the directions and when I run my genny, I also shut it off by shutting the fuel off and letting the carb run dry. Ethanol Shield is good for 1 year, but in the spring I drain the old fuel and use it in the lawn mower.I use Ethanol Shield in all my small engines, including chain saws, rototillers, weed wackers, etc.

What convinced you that Stabil is "utterly useless?"

I put it in the gas on anything I plan on storing for a while. Everything always starts. I've had zero problems. Even with that I'm not convinced that Stabil is actually doing me any good because I've had the same results from 5+ year old fuel with ZERO preservatives.

tractorguy2 · Jan 20, 2015

I have two generators. One is a 1974 Briggs. it is rope start. I run it till it's out of gas and leave it.

When I want to use it. I fill it with gas pull the rope about twice and it's going. never fails.

I also have a 2000 Kohler. I also run it till it's out of gas. Most times I have to clean the carb before it will run after setting. Stabil only lasts for so long and it's gone.

The newer the engine the more trouble you will have with the carb and fuel.

tractorguy2 · Jan 20, 2015

I've been thinking it might be a good idea to keep a gasket set on hand for the carbs on my generators. I'm sure if I need a bowel gasket. No one would have one!

GeneMO · Jan 20, 2015

I think lack of use is the biggest problem. I use Marine gas, no alcohol, and stabil. Then start it at least once a month. That reminds me, gotta go do that.

Gene

D beatty · Jan 20, 2015

I used Sta-Bil for years until I had a tiller that set for a year and half with Sta-Bil in gas an when went to use it the fuel stunk. I drained it and put new fuel with Sea Foam and it took two tanks before it run right. I have had cans of gasoline set over winter with Sta-Bil in them and fuel smelt old. I mixed it with new fuel and put through a tractor that was worked hard and used it up.

GVSII · Jan 20, 2015

Lots of good suggestions here-so here's another:I haven't used stable in years and never used sea foam for storage.My small engines all get valvolene 2 stroke oil when they go into longterm storage.Works for me.

john *.?-!.* cub owner · Jan 20, 2015

A of of it seems to do with the age of the generator engine. I had a very old Coleman Powermate 4K that no matter what, just turn it off, and then close fuel line off, no draining, and 6 or 8 months later, turn switch on fuel on, set the choke and in 2 or 3 pulls it was running. I have two newer ones, a JD Tec 8K (knock off of a Honda), and Powermate 1500. Neither one of them will start worth a hoot unless you run them every 4 or 5 weeks, no matter what you do. The little Powermate is really bad, let it set more than a month and it will take 10 or 12 pulls to start. Start it every week, and it will start on 2 to 4 pulls, longer, and you think you are winding it up. I have found that the older and more use they have the better they start.

ztrmower · Jan 20, 2015

try the can gas from vp products. i have tried all the fuel additives with not much luck in customers units. startron has been best results so far but i have had luck with the can gas, it has a shelf life of five years,this is what i try get my generator customers to use and snowblowers. its the shelf life thats helped. fire departments is all they use in my area for there small engines. good luck

showcrop · Jan 20, 2015

Well, C.Amick, I bet that you are glad that you asked here! :roll:

MarkB_MI · Jan 20, 2015

It might not hurt to check and see what the manufacturer says, even though the consensus here is that OEMs don't know what's good for their own products.

Here's what Honda sez:

Less than 1 month:
No preparation required

1 to 2 months:
Fill with fresh gasoline and add gasoline stabilizer.

2 months to 1 year:
Fill with fresh gasoline and add gasoline stabilizer.
Drain the carburetor float bowl.
Drain the fuel sediment cup.

1 year or more:
Fill with fresh gasoline and add gasoline stabilizer.
Drain the carburetor float bowl.
Drain the fuel sediment cup.
Remove the spark plug. Put a teaspoon of engine oil into the cylinder. Turn the engine slowly with the recoil starter to distribute the
oil. Reinstall the spark plug.
Change the engine oil.
After removal from storage, drain the stored gasoline into a suitable container, and fill with fresh gasoline before starting.
Honda EM65000 manual

C. Amick · Jan 20, 2015

Yeah, this is the most replies that I have ever had to one of my posts. My 5500 watt generator is pretty new and has a Briggs and Stratton engine. Also, I found out that I need to buy a special star socket to remove the carburetor bolts.

Mark - IN. · Jan 20, 2015

Gasoline isn't what it used to be. Gasoline setting around six months is scrap. I won't go into particulars to avoid getting poofed, but gasoline is now so filled with garbage that we are told is good for us and the environment by some whom are making fortunes off of it and us, that its garbage after setting six months. Not even Stabil can fix that. Gasoline isn't what it used to be, and its our faults for tolerating it and them.

Mark

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