Ethanol fuel

[CROSSBOLT]

I have had this 3500 watt generator forvseveral years. Always started on a couple of pulls. I would start it and run it a bit about once every year or so. Had some heavy weather last night and lost power.

Yeah, you are right! Murphy! Would NOT even pop...

Today I clean yet another carb gummed up by E10 gas although I ran it dry each test before!

[rjs987]

Doubt very much it was just Ethanol that gummed it up. Non-Ethanol gas (pure gas) will leave a very thin deposit over time that sticks to tank and lines and other places. Ethanol will clean that deposit off. So that is likely what gummed things up. BTDT. The only time (and happened only once right after I bought an older used car) I had that issue was when I switched from non-E10 to using E-10. After replacing the fuel filter I had no more problems and had cleaner lines and filter and carbs after that.
For any engine I have that doesn't get used very much I keep Sta-Bil in the tank, Ethanol or not. Never had an issue starting even only once per year doing that. And I do use E10 all the time in all those engines. Always starts on first pull for the snow thrower and mowers. Been doing it that way for the last 35 years at least.


Being in Iowa E10, and now E15 or even E85, are the norm everywhere. Non-Ethanol gas is available in some places but at a VERY high price.

[Iahawk]

Karl, I feel your pain! To exercise my generator (I get to it about quarterly..) I use a can of True Fuel and pour about half the can in the genny and run it, exercise it with a space heater, and run it until dry. Usually takes about half an hour. No issues after about 2 years...but only time will tell.

and RJS987, I'm in the Iowa City area and every station around here carries non ethanol in one form or another. It's usually 87 octane but at some stations its the premium version that is alcohol free. I run E10 in my cars but everything else gets ethanol free.

I regularly read on other forums where people in other parts of the country have no access to ethanol free gas...odd that here in Iowa, home to corn/ethanol, I have no issue finding ethanol free gas.

[airshot]

The folks that service my generator told me to run it !!  Most genny problems are caused from sitting!!  When the engine starts the genny is looking for output immediately and if none is found it will shut itself off..  As far as ethenol fuel, just add the proper aditive for long term storage and keep the tank full !!!  Yes run the carb dry if possible but a full tank slows down evaporation.  My motor home and generator havent been used in over 2 years due to wifes health issues.  I follow the recomended fuel treatment guides for older vehicles. I start it once a month and the genny as well, let them run for 30 minutes.  No problems in over 3 years, and they start instantly after a 6 month storage over winter.  Use the adatives...that is what they are made for !! 

[Ex-KLR]

I use Shell 93 octane in my Like 150i.  I also add marine Sta-bil and Seafoam, although that may be overkill.

[CROSSBOLT]

Standing outside right now after cleaning basically a clean carb, waiting to drain remnant fuel from generator tank. This stuff had a definite red tint to it and I know I did not put THAT MUCH Stabil in it three, four years ago! Same color as in a mower deck tank whose engine would not start. 
I have a small amount of fresh gasoline ... will report later...

[Stig / Major Tom]

I use Shell 93 octane in my Like 150i.  I also add marine Sta-bil and Seafoam, although that may be overkill.

I'm no expert on fuel.....but, yeah - adding anything to SHELL 93 is overkill IMHO.
It's already got everything a Ferrari, Porsche, Bentley,  lawnmower or Kymco will ever need.
Stig

[randyo]

I don't clean carbs, not worth my time for the cost of a new one, the genuine Honda carb for the GX160 in my Toe Hoe cost a whopping $26 and took all of 2 minutes to swap it out

I have a Tecumseh 11hp in my generator, always takes 3 pulls but never more, whether it has set for a day, or 5 years, don't run it any more than I need it, I usually have stabilized gas in it, but not always, doesn't seen to make a difference

[CROSSBOLT]

Runs like a top! Two pulls for prime, magneto on, CLEAR! Pull once and she runs!

Fresh fuel looks very light tan, not reddish. Guess you let it sit long enough, it gets fireproof!

[Neil955i]

Runs like a top! Two pulls for prime, magneto on, CLEAR! Pull once and she runs!

Fresh fuel looks very light tan, not reddish. Guess you let it sit long enough, it gets fireproof!

😂