Got the Honda 2000i out of the bay today so I could exercise my arm. After maybe 15 to 20 pulls and some choke lever play it started. Been sitting in the bay of the Pace since our last trip. So just over 4 months since it's last use. When it started it ran smoothly for a half hour before I turned it off. FWIW, there was no gas stabilizer in the tank.
Long term portable generator storage
- Thread starter rvlifer
- Start date
I started my two Champions about two (or so) weeks ago when it warmed up into the 40s to add stabilizer and circulate it through the system. Three pulls each (maybe 4... I wasn't counting) and both started. No stabilizer in the gas previously. They'd sat idle in the back of my pickup and in my garage since last June.
Firstime RVer
Senior Member
It took me a while to "see the light" .
All of my engines (lawn mower, gen sets, chain saw), even my old junk utility pickup, start very easily. I use Stabil in all my gas engines fuel.
not in our normal transportation vehicles. I usually add a can of injector cleaner about every 6 months.
It all but eliminated all of my starting issues. Most start on at most the 2nd pull.
Safe travels and all the best.
All of my engines (lawn mower, gen sets, chain saw), even my old junk utility pickup, start very easily. I use Stabil in all my gas engines fuel.
not in our normal transportation vehicles. I usually add a can of injector cleaner about every 6 months. It all but eliminated all of my starting issues. Most start on at most the 2nd pull.
Safe travels and all the best.
ButchW1
Senior Member
What’s all of this “pulling” stuff guys?
I put in stabilizer and run the carb dry in my Honda EU300 is on shut down…I just “turn” a key, and one or two cranks and away she goes every time..Butch
I've had as many as 30 or 40 small engines (mostly motorcycles) to prep for storge at one time. Draining the fuel was not a solution as sometimes a small amount of fuel is left behind to turn into goo and if not it can be a lot of work to get enough fuel into the carb or fuel injection to get it to start. I had 100% success with the following procedure:
1. prior to storage run the tank down near empty
2. procure "non-oxygenated" i.e. alcohol free gasoline
3. add a measured amount of stabil to the gasoline.
a. if a steel gas tank fill it full to prevent rust
b. if plastic tank put in a smaller amount, fill it if you expect to use it up in less than 2 years
4. run the engine with the stabilized fuel long enough to get it all the way thru the fuel delivery system.
this approach has worked for me 100% over MN winters. several years ago after a serious injury I left fuel in a lawnmower for 2 years outside storage. It started without difficulty.
The current Stabil product says on the label it's ok for alcohol contaminated fuel. I stick with "non-oxygenated" after a college room mate chemical engineer that works in the petrochemical industry told me only a politician or corn farmer would consider adding alcohol to gasoline a good idea.
1. prior to storage run the tank down near empty
2. procure "non-oxygenated" i.e. alcohol free gasoline
3. add a measured amount of stabil to the gasoline.
a. if a steel gas tank fill it full to prevent rust
b. if plastic tank put in a smaller amount, fill it if you expect to use it up in less than 2 years
4. run the engine with the stabilized fuel long enough to get it all the way thru the fuel delivery system.
this approach has worked for me 100% over MN winters. several years ago after a serious injury I left fuel in a lawnmower for 2 years outside storage. It started without difficulty.
The current Stabil product says on the label it's ok for alcohol contaminated fuel. I stick with "non-oxygenated" after a college room mate chemical engineer that works in the petrochemical industry told me only a politician or corn farmer would consider adding alcohol to gasoline a good idea.
workinonit
Senior Member
I never run gas out of carbs nor do I run stabilizer. I do run 100% gasoline in ALL of my engines. Including my '08 Tundra. Of course our dormant season is much shorter but I have never had any issues. My genset is a no brainer, it's propane and never had gas in it.
jymbee
Senior Member
Might have missed it but didn't see where anyone mentioned using Ethanol Free Gas to start with? That's all I use for our small engine gear.
Me too. Lawn mover, snow blower, chain saw, brush cutter, leaf blower, and now generators. All get "non-oxygenated" gasoline.
Derby6
Senior Member
This applies to many subjects and forum discussions — whatever's working or worked for you. LOL
RayIN
Senior Member
Yes, drain the carb. Most have a small drain screw in the bottom of the bowl.
When you allow the engine to stop running because you shut-off the gas flow, a bit of gas remains in the bowl. Todays alcohol-blended gas will corrode the bowl over time when unused.
jack.w
Member
Even with draining the gas and float bowl, a bit of residual fuel can still leave varnish in the carb. Try running non-ethanol fuel before storing, and before shutting it down, let it run dry with the fuel valve off to clear the carb completely. Also, fogging the cylinder with a little oil can help prevent moisture buildup and make cold starts easier after storage.
Lou Schneider
Senior Member
Site Team
RV LIFE Pro
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2005
- Posts
- 13,889
The fuel pump runs on the engine vibration. After the fuel bowl is drained it takes a while to pump enough fuel to refill it and let fuel flow to the engine itself.
On the first start out of storage remove the air filter and spray some WD-40 into the carburetor throat. It will act like starting fluid and the engine will start and run long enough for the float bowl to refill and let fuel flow into the engine.
Robert K1
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2011
- Posts
- 733
Try Silicone instead of starting fluid (especially for diesel)
Similar threads
- BinaryStar
- General RV Discussions
- Replies: 23
- Views: 1K
Try RV LIFE Pro Free for 7 Days
- Ad-Free experience on this RV LIFE Community.
- Plan the best RV Safe travel with RV LIFE Trip Wizard.
- Navigate with our RV Safe GPS mobile app.
- and much more...
