Storing a Portable Generator Until Next Winter

[Rene T]

I have a Yamaha EF20001s I need to store till next winter. While I was in FL last winter, my Grandson borrowed it t to go ice fishing and he had a real hard time starting it. Once it started, it ran rough for a while then cleared up.
I think when I last used it about 2 years ago, I just filled the tank, shut off the fuel supply to the tank then just ran it dry. What would be the best thing to do. I’m sure he’s going to use it again this year

 

[PancakeBill]

Store with full tank and fuel stabilizer in it. Drain the carb as you did by running with fuel shut off. Did he shut the choke off after starting?

 

[Rene T]

Yes he did and the vent was open in the gas cap.

 

[UTTransplant]

The Honda 2000 series generators we have say they should be run monthly for an hour or so. When we had them with us, we stored them with Stabil, ran them every few months, and they always started right up. Then we got the motorhome and let the kids have them. They never started them, and surprise, when they needed them for a long-term weather emergency they needed work. One was able to get it working themselves, the other one took Kevin doing some more significant work before getting it going (can’t remember details). So if you have to store them, definitely fill them with fuel and Stabil. But the best is to run them occasionally.

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

I personally run them empty and store dry. This after having to service carbs due to even a little fuel in them left and turns to goo. Mine has a bowl drain screw I open up. I leave the gas cap off with a paper towel stuffed in the opening so it can vent. After a month or so the tank and carb is bone dry. Come start time fill 'er up, yank the rope and off it goes. Sounds excessive but I went from having to service my small engine stuff once a year or more to never. The only thing I store full of uel is the RV.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[Domo]

Stabil or SeaFoam while running dry. Squirt of oil in the cylinder and crank it to coat. Follow @Mark_K5LXP's advice.

Blow out the lines can help, also. RV is stored full of fuel as it is diesel and you want to minimize condensation due to temp changes during storage... 'course you'd also add some Bio Kleen Diesel Algaecide to the MH... different beast, different issues.

Mark's advice yields easy starts for all gas equipment as I've also witnessed. It's reassuring to pull once (maybe one to prime) and the snowblower of lawn mower starts right up...

 

[Lou Schneider]

Mark's advice is best - store the generator dry. If you used gas containing ethanol you have to be especially vigilant because ethanol is hydroscopic, attracting moisture out of the air especially in humid environments. This can stratify out and collect at the bottom of the tank where the fuel pickup is located. You don't want to get a carburetor full of water when you go to restart it.

Fuel additives like Sta-Bul are designed to lessen the evaporation of volitive compounds so the stale fuel doesn't turn into goo, not disperse accumulated water.

If you want you can invert a portable generator and drain the majority of the gas in the tank to lessen the time it takes to run it dry. If the gas has been stored for a while put it in a clear container and see if any water stratifies out after sitting for 15-20 minutes. If you want, you can pour the good part of this ethanol-separated fuel into your car's gas tank or back into the generator, stopping before you hit the accumulated water. The reclaimed fuel will have lower octane, so dilute it by filling the tank the rest of the way with fresh premium gas.

 

[DonTom]

I have a Yamaha EF20001s I need to store till next winter. While I was in FL last winter, my Grandson borrowed it t to go ice fishing and he had a real hard time starting it. Once it started, it ran rough for a while then cleared up.
I think when I last used it about 2 years ago, I just filled the tank, shut off the fuel supply to the tank then just ran it dry. What would be the best thing to do. I’m sure he’s going to use it again this year

What I would do is put ethanol-free gasoline in it as well as try to start it every few months or so and let it run for a while.

I can buy the ethanol gasoline down the block from here. It does cost a bit more. It's what I use in the ICE motorcycles that I do not expect to use for a while.

What is the best way is kinda like asking what is the best engine oil, IMO. Many will have different answers.

-Don- Reno, NV

 

[Joezeppy]

I run ethanol-free in my portable genny for the house. I use the fuel shut off and run the carb dry every time. I keep the tank as full as possible but that's more for readiness than anything else. 27 years old and it takes just a few pulls to start when I need it. Knocking on wood right now!

 

[DonTom]

I run ethanol-free in my portable genny for the house. I use the fuel shut off and run the carb dry every time. I keep the tank as full as possible but that's more for readiness than anything else. 27 years old and it takes just a few pulls to start when I need it. Knocking on wood right now!

It my not be a good idea to run a carburettor dry after it once has gasoline on it.

Running a carburetor dry leaves behind a tiny amount of residual fuel that can oxidize and screw up jets.

IMO, the best way is to use non-ethanol and start the Genny every month or so.


-Don- Reno, NV

 

[Firstime RVer]

I let my genny sit for too long and it just wouldn't start. Took it to a service shop, who called me two days later and said it was ready.
The service charge was very reasonable and much less than I expected!! When I asked what they had done to get it to work, the technician said they used a can of carburetor cleaner!!!
Lesson learned..
As to the mechanics of the service, they just added the can of cleaner and loosened the float bowl retainer screw and allowing the stale gas in the bowl to drain out, and the carburetor cleaner to flow into the bowl. Retightened the retainer and let it sit overnight.
The rest is history.
PS: I religiously add Sta-bil to all of my gas. Haven't had a problem since.
Safe travels and all the best.

 

[Rene T]

My grandson just brought my generator back. He said he just ran it dry. The last time he used it, he just used regular gas with ethanol in the fuel. Tomorrow he has to go someplace and on the way, he’s stopping at a gas station that sells ethanol free gas. He’s going to buy a gallon or so. We’re going to put it in the generator and run it for few minutes, shut the tank valve then just let it run dry. Hopefully that will do it. I may also put in some Stabil. It will sit for the next 6 months until ice fishing season starts again.

 

[Joezeppy]

It my not be a good idea to run a carburettor dry after it once has gasoline on it.

Running a carburetor dry leaves behind a tiny amount of residual fuel that can oxidize and screw up jets.

IMO, the best way is to use non-ethanol and start the Genny every month or so.


-Don- Reno, NV

I'll stick to my routine. Hasn't let me down yet. I also use Seafoam in every tank (for all my equipment).

 

[CharlesinGA]

As Joezeppy said, a fuel additive, NON-ETHANOL fuel and running the carb dry is probably the best way to prevent gumming in the carb. I only run non-ethanol fuel in my mower and the tractor, and they sit for months and start right up when I need them to.

 

[RayIN]

Every portable genset I've ever owned has a tiny drain screw in the bottom of the float bowl. Running the engine until it stops leaves a small amount of gasoline in the bowl, which dries and forms varnish-like deposits during months-long storage, regardless of gasoline used,or additives used.

 

[garyb1st]

Our Honda 2000 is more than about 17 years old. I agree with Mark that running it dry is helpful. But that isn't always practical and I don't like turning it over and letting the gas run out. When we're not camping, I try to start it periodically. If I do, it usually starts right up. If not, when it sits for several months, I'll ware my arm out pulling the cord. I service it myself and I think spark the plug gap is quite important. On this trip, it has started almost every time with one pull. It runs everything but the microwave and AC. But then we're low tech and don't have a lot of big energy draws.