Long term storage of generator

yard mongrel

yard mongrel

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Howdy folks,

After the latest world ending snow, I decided to pull out an old generator I inherited from my grandfather. It had never been gassed in 25 years. It fired right up, but now I need to put it back up for however long. I'm familiar enough with storing/overseasoning all my saws, leaf blowers, tillers, pressure washer, etc, but I may not use this generator for another decade.

What is my best option for long term storage and not have a varnished carb? Stabil and run it dry? Stabil, run it, and siphon out gas?

@LeeMajors
 
I kept one for 11 years that I actually used once during Hurricane Matthew. I stored non-eth gas with stabilizer that I rotated. I’d put about a cup of gas in it once a year and run it dry. Turn off the fuel tank petcock, and drag it back in the shop till next year. I was not faithful to do this every year, but it always fired right up.
 
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fieldgrade said:
I kept one for 11 years that I actually used once during Hurricane Matthew. I stored non-eth gas with stabilizer that I rotated. I’d put about a cup of gas in it once a year and run it dry. Turn off the fuel tank petcock, and drag it back in the shop till next year. I was not faithful to do this every year, but it always fired right up.
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I was thinking something along those lines, but trusting me to remember to do something once a year is not my best solution.
 
yard mongrel said:
I was thinking something along those lines, but trusting me to remember to do something once a year is not my best solution.
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I rotate gas, and water. I tape a post-it to one of the containers of each with a date, and mark my calendar. No way I would remember.
 
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yard mongrel said:
Howdy folks,

After the latest world ending snow, I decided to pull out an old generator I inherited from my grandfather. It had never been gassed in 25 years. It fired right up, but now I need to put it back up for however long. I'm familiar enough with storing/overseasoning all my saws, leaf blowers, tillers, pressure washer, etc, but I may not use this generator for another decade.

What is my best option for long term storage and not have a varnished carb? Stabil and run it dry? Stabil, run it, and siphon out gas?

@LeeMajors
Click to expand...
I do as Scott says. Run it dry tank and carb. I will then run a quart of 30:1 mixed gas, and let it run till it dies.

Last time I ran mine was 3 years ago, as above.
Pulled it out for this last storm, gassed it up, fired on the second pull.

For storage I use marine stabil.

I watched my grandfather do the oil mix in tractors that got ran 1x a year and it worked, so I now do it. He said the slight film of oil it leaves will stop the varnish from sticking.
 
Scsmith42 said:
you want the carb and tank empty. id start it up, shut off the fuel pet oak, and run it until the carb is empty. Then drain the fuel tank.
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Either that or drain the tank first and install a small amount of marine gas and then run it dry. Seal up the holes in the air filter to keep mice out. If it is electric start put a tender on the battery.
 
Schattenreiter said:
Either that or drain the tank first and install a small amount of marine gas and then run it dry. Seal up the holes in the air filter to keep mice out. If it is electric start put a tender on the battery.
Click to expand...

That is excellent advice. Avgas could also be used in lieu of marine gas. The entire generator could be sealed inside a couple of heavy plastic bags to keep moisture and critters out.
 
Some of them tell you to pull the spark plugs, squirt oil in the cylinders and gently turn the crankshaft, then replace the plugs.
 
I just run my generator monthly sometimes every two months. I keep the tank full with fuel mixed with stabil. Then when it gets low I add some more fuel mixed with stabil to it. I have had no issues thus far.
 
LeeMajors said:
I do as Scott says. Run it dry tank and carb. I will then run a quart of 30:1 mixed gas, and let it run till it dies.

Last time I ran mine was 3 years ago, as above.
Pulled it out for this last storm, gassed it up, fired on the second pull.

For storage I use marine stabil.

I watched my grandfather do the oil mix in tractors that got ran 1x a year and it worked, so I now do it. He said the slight film of oil it leaves will stop the varnish from sticking.
Click to expand...
I do this^^ using synthetic 2 stroke & non-eth gas 50:1. Same fuel I have mixed for the chain saw/blower/weed eater.
 
Scsmith42 said:
That is excellent advice. Avgas could also be used in lieu of marine gas. The entire generator could be sealed inside a couple of heavy plastic bags to keep moisture and critters out.
Click to expand...


Any gas without alcohol is great. Alcohol is for drinkin not drivin. LOL. I made a funny.
 
I run seafoam in all my gas and treat a lil more than recipe calls for. As was mentioned, shut off fuel valve whilst engine is running and let it starve itself. It will start to stumble and when shes taken her last breath close off choke(full choke) and fuel valve is already is closed...done.
When ur ready to fire again open fuel valve for few minutes first before starting. I like to have extra spark plugs on hand also.
R
 
cjcullom said:
I run seafoam in all my gas and treat a lil more than recipe calls for. As was mentioned, shut off fuel valve whilst engine is running and let it starve itself. It will start to stumble and when shes taken her last breath close off choke(full choke) and fuel valve is already is closed...done.
When ur ready to fire again open fuel valve for few minutes first before starting. I like to have extra spark plugs on hand also.
R
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Just an FYI Seafoam in a bowl, left to evaporate will leave varnish just like gasoline will.

B12 chemtool will not and works much much better than seafoam and will eat the varnish if left to soak
 
I'll have to check out B12 chemtool as I've never heard of it. I've not had an issue with SF but I'll take ur word on evaporation. Thanks

R
 
cjcullom said:
I'll have to check out B12 chemtool as I've never heard of it. I've not had an issue with SF but I'll take ur word on evaporation. Thanks

R
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I work on ALOT of small engines. I did a so called experiment with it when a small landscaper friend brought me 17 pieces of equipment at one time that sat over the winter, and every one was varnished. Seafoam was the common denominator with all of it.
 
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