Generator (ethenol) gasoline storage.

[smalltown]

When I shut off my portable generator I turn off the gas flow, and let it use up what is left in the carb. I was a little worried about the little gas that was left in the tank so yesterday I removed the gas tank to dump it.

I was thinking instead of putting any gas in the generator tank I would keep my gas in the plastic gas can until needed. If I remember maybe it would be a good idea to occasionally dump the gas in my car, and refill the gas can with fresh. That way I wouldn't need to bother trying to add some sort of ethanol stabilizer.

Just to confuse me yesterday I read an article where the writer stated you should not let the carb sit dry else the gaskets dry out. So what's a guy to do?
Is the secret to just add a small amount of gas, and run the tank dry once a month to keep everything happy?

What do you do with your portable generator gas?

 

[Stuart in MN]

See if you can get non-ethanol gas in your area, and use that in the generator. Otherwise add gas stabilizer. It's a good idea to occasionally use up the gas in your car either way. It's also a good idea to run the generator every month or so to make sure it's in good condition.

 

[kd3pc]

ethanol gas (even with stabilizer/conditioner) is best used within 30 days of purchase. After that things start to happen that leads to separation and such. As it attracts water, it is best to keep it in clean, sealed containers. Most gas tanks have vents that while venting, do let water vapor in and that vapor then condenses and leaves water.

There is merit to the drying gaskets, if they are of the type that dry out.., today many are made of a substance that does not "dry" out.

The risk of running the carb dry, is that may leave fuel in a bowl and that fuel may foul or be full of water (water sinks to the bottom of the fuel bowl) that will lead to oxidation in the bowl and fuel paths or jets. Many bowls have a drain/petcock at the lower point of the bowl.

The engine should be run for 8-10 minutes at least monthly, this should allow the carb bowl fuel to be used and replaced by fuel from the tank. You want to keep the fuel tank as full as possible, to minimize the amount of moisture/water vapor that could mix with the fuel in the tank.

YMMV

 

[duwem]

I buy non ethanol gas for all my small engine stuff.

This means I need to buy 91 octane as that's the only grade at the pump that doesn't have 10% ethanol.

 

[redmondjp]

Agree on the above. Also, if one doesn't have the time or discipline to keep the generator serviced and operational, performing routine scheduled test runs, it's best to completely drain the gasoline out of the generator tank and carburetor bowl. That way it should start right up when fresh gasoline is added to it later (no worries about the rubber gaskets drying up - the bowl gasket is above the fuel line when the unit is sitting level anyways, and the only other gaskets affected are the bowl mounting nut and/or drain plug ones).

A week ago I just spent three hours cleaning out the carburetor on my generator, which had been sitting for ten years (I know, my bad) in the shed with gas in it. It was not pretty. The gasoline deposits had solidified (not the gelatinous stuff - solid, hard powder) and completely blocked the inlet pipe to the shutoff valve. Plus, the main jet was corroded shut. Don't be like me!

 

[ilovevocs]

another vote for ethanol free..

You can find a station near you here.

http://pure-gas.org/

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I use stabilizer in all the fuel I put in my generator (and other seldom used equipment). I leave the tanks and carbs full to minimize condensation.
Every month or two I'll start and run them for a few minutes. Twice a year I'll empty the tanks and use the old gas (including 2 cycle mix) in my car or truck.
I then refill with new gas/stabilizer.

I prefer fuel without ethanol, but it doesn't affect my storage method.

 

[JerryC]

I've had my HF 3200 generator for a about a year and a half. I keep half to full of stabilized 10% ethanol blend. I leave the carb full with the choke closed and fuel valve open. It gets run every time I cut the grass or every two to three weeks in winter.

My thought here is that if the fuel evaporates it can varnish. Even if I cut off the fuel valve there may be some left in the carb when the engines stalls out. Keeping the carb full stops it from drying out and with running the engine every couple weeks keeps it clean. Closing the choke hopefully slows evaporation. I may be wrong but it works for me.

I use Startron for stabilizer/cleaner no other reason than it works. Bought it on clearance the first time and it helped the way my old truck idled and ran. So i kept buying it.

One thing about storing gas over the winter in plastic cans. If you filled and sealed them on a warm day, they will collapse inward in the cold. BTDT... These new cans really do seal up very well.

 

[alexb2000]

The best answer for small engines and generators (nothing with a Cat) IMO, Avgas 100LL that you can pick up at any small airport. It is very high quality fuel with no ethanol. I've seen it sit in aircraft 10 years and they fire right up assuming the tanks were left full to prevent condensation. It will run you about 5 dollars a gallon, but in something like a generator I want to know its ready to go.

 

[Streetbu]

I can not believe how many times this SAME. EXACT. TOPIC. Comes up... there will be dozens of opinions on here concerning the "right" way to do it. I manage a small engine shop and can tell what I do and what I recommend to my customers. Use MARINE Stabil ALL the time at the storage dosage level which is one ounce per five gallons of gas. I've done this for 9 years and have not had a single problem.

 

[Westly]

I manage a small engine shop

Are you ever worried about carb gaskets "drying out" like the OP? I've left motorcycle carbs drained for months with no issues. Kinda seems like not a real concern to me...

 

[brewchief]

I added a tee and valve so I can drain fuel out of my generator when not needed, I then run carb empty. I keep meaning to pickup some of the fuel sold in the one quart cans that lasts for over a year, it would only take a splash to fill the carb after draining the tank.

I keep two 5 gallon cans on hand, I treat it with startron and what I haven't used after 6 months gets dumped into my pickup and replaced with fresh.

 

[cidermill]

premium gas has less ethenol and will last longer. Also stay away from discount stations they sometimes have higher percentage of ethanol.

 

[slice]

I use 109 octane pure gas. Get mine at our local propane supplier. In all my small power tools and mini bikes etc. pricey. But bikes start on second kick. And never worry about did I add sta Bil or not. Any racing supply place will also carry it.

 

[Farmall 1066]

My generators and portable welder are stored with 100LL aviation gas.
$5/gallon, but they run when needed.
Also run it in my chainsaws and weed trimmers.

 

[doorfx]

My stihl chainsaw and Honda generator manuals both say to run the engine out of fuel. Then pullstart four or five times to clear fuel out of carb jets. I do this every year in all my small engines.

 

[sberry]

Are you ever worried about carb gaskets "drying out" like the OP? I've left motorcycle carbs drained for months with no issues. Kinda seems like not a real concern to me...

In common small engines gaskets don't dry out and most of the time the only one is on the float bowl. I found a needle on one damaged a while back, cost me 5$ but its the only carb part I have or can remember buying in the last 20 years.
The gas man says he uses what comes from the pump, I was using the sport fuel but it is pricey and have been getting 90 oct lately and cant tell the difference.
Dirty carbs with stinking rotten gas in them isn't anything new, wasn't just invented lately and probably had more problems back in the say than we do now. .

 

[smalltown]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll pay more attention to where I can find non-ethanol gas in my area. I think I will keep the gas out of the tank until needed, add a tee in my fuel line like brechief did to drain the tank after I do a maintenance run. I also like doorfix's idea of pulling the start 4-5 times to help clean out any residual gas.

 

[lakeroadster]

From my personal experience, over the past 3 decades, I add Stabil gas treatment in the fall, add it per their specifications, run the engine for maybe 5 minutes, shut it off and forget it.

I have yet to experienced an issue. Except for my Model T that has a 5.0 HO motor and a double pumper Holley. The secondary jet sticks every year and requires some hands on attention.

 

[Randy in Maine]

I stabilize all of the fuel for those sort of things.

If it has a plastic fuel tank, I run them to empty. If it has a steel tank I leave it full + I put a zip lock baggie on the cap and tighten it to keep the air out.

 

[crucible]

I do what others here already posted: when putting away for a season, on my generator (Yamaha) and lawn mower, I turn off the gas selector switch and run until the gas runs out.

I've gotten away from using Stabil and now use Starbryte (sp?); its good for about two years. I keep about 20 gallons or so of premium with it in safety cans in my garage and rotate as needed based on the date filled (I use a small piece of white duct tape and a sharpie).

Works for me.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I keep about a quart or 2 in my generator. I try to "exercise" it (run it with a load for about 15 minutes) every 3-4 months. I turn the fuel off and run the carb dry every time. I use E10 with Stabil.

Any stored fuel should not be left more than 6-12 months. Dump it in you car and refill the can.

 

[Showkey]

Are you ever worried about carb gaskets "drying out" like the OP? I've left motorcycle carbs drained for months with no issues. Kinda seems like not a real concern to me...

I drain the carbs on motorcycles, mowers, ATVs , tillers, chain saws, blowers outboards and generators with no concerns of drying out the gaskets or seals.

Not draining the carbs is asking for trouble as the small amount of fuel involved goes bad fast. Proving the point if my ATV is not used for several weeks with carb not drained it might crank several times and not start. Simply drain the old fuel it will start on the first crank.

I always use NON Ethanol fuel with marine Stabil. My blower and chain gas is 2.5 gallon can and it keeps for 6 months. I stored an collector inboard V8 wood boat for 2.5 years, oiled the cylinders, drained the carb, oiled the acel pump seal, marine stabil in the tank and it started right up.

In my former life I was responsible for 50 motorcycles and ATV in storage and random use. Draining the carbs was always done. Full fuel Tanks to avoid steel tank rust !!! Long term we would oil ( heavy weight with stick) the tanks with no fuel.

 

[Barnabas]

The gas in my generator has been in the tank for several years. I buy the cheap gas and use no stabilizer.

I run the engine every couple of months just to warm it up. I turn off the gas and let it run out of the carburetor.

Had to run it for about 14 hours recently during hurricane. Ran great. Not bad for gas that is probably 5 years old.

 

[oldmxracer]

The gas in my generator has been in the tank for several years. I buy the cheap gas and use no stabilizer.

I run the engine every couple of months just to warm it up. I turn off the gas and let it run out of the carburetor.

Had to run it for about 14 hours recently during hurricane. Ran great. Not bad for gas that is probably 5 years old.

Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once and a while, LOL !

I would never have this luck.

Work on too many small engines, some kind of treatment for the gas ( full tank ) and drain the carbs, change it out every 6 months or so and they always start !

 

[Falcon67]

We have 10% gas here - I never use anything in the generator except 91 or better. If it sits a month, takes maybe 4-5 pulls instead of 3. Sits all winter between the Thanksgiving race and the first Test-N-Tune in March of the next year, no issues in 3 years.

Same with the mower, same with the weedeater. Chain saw is Craftsman - it won't run on any fuel.

 

[bob15]

premium gas has less ethenol and will last longer. Also stay away from discount stations they sometimes have higher percentage of ethanol.

Not if the state mandates a 10% minimum. As for the discount stations, that is BS because they are all getting the gas from the same tank farm, all be it in New Haven, CT or Albany, NY.

Now you being in NY, some stations, such as a lot of the Stewart Shops have ethanol free gas when buy the 91/92 octane gas.


As for myself, I have seen first hand how well a 14hp Kohler engine and a couple 12 hp Tecumseh's will run & idle just by switching to non-ethanol gas. I have also seen ethanol gas ruin gas lines in multiple chain saws and eat away the needle tip on a carb on a 50+ hp farm tractor.

Stabil and other gas storage additives will help maintain the gas from going bad/stale, but it doesn't prevent the damage the alcohol does to an older system that wasn't designed for corn gas.

 

[PeterT]

I like to use the E85 grade in my generator

 

[Showkey]

The gas in my generator has been in the tank for several years. I buy the cheap gas and use no stabilizer.

I run the engine every couple of months just to warm it up. I turn off the gas and let it run out of the carburetor.

Had to run it for about 14 hours recently during hurricane. Ran great. Not bad for gas that is probably 5 years old.

Buy some lottery tickets........your one lucky guy

 

[Showkey]

I like to use the E85 grade in my generator

Really E85........You got yourself one very special generator

 

[RWorth]

My father used to drain the tank every few months and dump it in his car . Then he decided to convert the gen to natural gas. He was very happy with that move. No gas, don't have to worry about quality, and it never runs out.

 

[theoldwizard1]

The gas in my generator has been in the tank for several years. I buy the cheap gas and use no stabilizer.

I run the engine every couple of months just to warm it up. I turn off the gas and let it run out of the carburetor.

Well, the fuel in my tank is not that old, but I probably have not started my generator in over 6 months. Started on the first pull. Ran fine. Plugged in my 240V, 2hp compressor and it ran that for about 20 minutes.

I have been doing it this way for about 15 years.

Buy some lottery tickets........your one lucky guy

Nope. Never won more than a couple of bucks.

 

[Jeepster04]

I always use 93 octane. Ive only recently started getting equipment that I care about so I may start using stabil.

Ive always used stabil in our boats and weve never had an issue with the carbs/gas in them. Never worry about how much gas is in them when storing them in the fall either.

 

[Streetbu]

Generally speaking, no carb gaskets don't dry out. The problems arise when people drain the gas tank or shut the valve off, then run the engine until it quits. They think that means there is no gas in the carb. Wrong, it just means there isn't enough for the engine to run. What's left will then evaporate and gum things up...I highly recommend that once you find a method that works for you, don't change it. I have heard of multiple ways that people do it and don't have any issues. I can only tell you what works for me and what I recommend to my customers.