Generator carb question

[subarub4]

I have a 2 stroke generator, not that it matters much, but I put fresh gas in and mixed it 50:1 like I've always have. I last used it in Aug of this year and when the tank was out I kept running it until it no longer ran and put it away..

So fast forward to yesterday I put fresh fuel in and it seems it won't run unless it's full coke and moving the throttle over so it's revs, If it's allowed to idle it will run for maybe 1-3 min and just die like it ran out of fuel, I was short on time since it was getting dark out so I took the bolt out on the underside of the fuel bowl and fuel came out but since this was my first time I'm not sure if it should pour or drip.

I will be heading back today.. I have brake cleaner and some seafoam, I wonder if those two would be enough to fix it from what I would guess is a carb that's clogged?

 

[winmck]

If you take the bolt out it will pour out fuel. You may get it cleaned up enough to run for a bit but ultimately, the carb will need to be pulled apart and cleaned/rebuilt. This new gas *****!

 

[theoldwizard1]

Seafoam ! I would also mix it at double the recommended rate on the can.

It may take 5-10 minutes of running, but t should clear thing up.

 

[Paco Pena]

I would give seafoam a shot as well. My son worked part time in a small engine repair shop for a school work experience program and they always used Chevron premium gas as it had no alcohol in it. That fuel has a much better shelf life and doesnt tend to break down like the 10% alcohol stuff. I also use Stabil in it as well. Great also so your seldom used collector cars.
Paco

 

[EOC_Jason]

Yeah, even after the engine dies, there is still usually some gas in the carb. Best thing to do is put some Stabil or a bunch of MMO before you run it dry, that gives you a better chance that you won't have to take apart the carb next time you fire it up.

Probably just gummed up and might have to replace that little o-ring in there. Any small engine repair / lawnmower store should have what you need. But before taking it apart I would try 2x strength seafoam like others said and let it run for bit and see if that clears it up.

 

[subarub4]

Well I took the carb apart.. hard to say what really caused it, I let the whole carb sit submerged minus the float and needle in seafoam for like 10 min, I had to run out and get a new fuel hose because the hose cracked here the clamps sat, after all that I dried it off with compressed air and cleaned out all the jets and the fuel line and everything was fine after that!

Bowl was spotless when taking it off

 

[subarub4]

 

[EOC_Jason]

Cool, glad it works... Yeah usually it will gum up in the jets and/or make the needle stick... Just remember to add some stabilizer before you run it dry. Also it doesn't hurt to pull the bowl too to make sure its empty.

 

[subarub4]

picked some Sta-bil up tonight I really did not want to get the 32 oz bottle but that's all that was left on the shelf.

I did not mix what was in the generator but I did for the extra gallon of fuel I picked up tonight.. speaking of that the fuel went up an extra 25 cents in about 24 hours. $4.49 for reg.

 

[andywander]

Wow-regular is "only" $3.49 here in NJ.

 

[subarub4]

Mobil and Shell are the same company? funny in two different towns the price for regular was pretty much the same, Sunoco had reg for $4.19 good thing they are across the road from each other, filled the car up at Sunoco.

 

[trexdoink]

Your better off completely draining the fuel and run the bowl dry by choking it until all the fuel is out, or drain the bowl. I worked in a small engine shop and found that stabil lowered the flashpoint of the fuel and a small engine would barely run on it if at all. I drained gallons of treated fuel out every spring. 2 cycle fuel lasts a long time as long as its non ethanol. The oil helps keep it stable. Treating the fuel before running it dry should be fine also but whatever you do never let it sit with fuel in it.

 

[subarub4]

Hmm first I've heard about that but I can see how that can be the case I may of added a little too much to the extra gallon I picked up but hopefully it should be ok, I might upgrade to a larger generator next year since I need to do some painting outdoors and need to use a compressor.. funny thing is when I got this small generator I only picked up a 1 gallon can thinking I would never use it much.. boy was I wrong.

After this storm is over I've gotta pick up a 5 gal can.. I have 2 5 gallon cans but they are full of kerosene.