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alank2's avatar
alank2
Explorer II
Feb 21, 2026

Leaving generator wet or not

So I've had a Yamaha ef3000 for 15-20 years now and I have used a technique on it that has worked so far, but I wonder if it is the best strategy or not.  I only use double treated Stabil non-ethanol gas in it, but admittedly sometimes the gas is a year or two old, and still I haven't had a problem.  It always runs.

I leave the fuel turned on and always leave the carburetor wet.  My theory has been that if it is wet, it can't dry up and gum things, especially with the Stabil.

I keep reading though that people should turn off the fuel and let the carb run dry.  Is that a better method?  How do you ensure it is really dry?  My concern there being that even if you let the engine die, does that mean the carb is really empty of all gas?

I'm thinking about buying another gen now and wondering if it will put up with the same treatment of leaving the fuel on/carb wet, or if that is a bad idea.

4 Replies

  • old fuel can still varnish even if it is wet,  in as little as 2 months.  you are useing a fuel stabalizer in it, I had to look it up to see what you ment,  so you should be fine over the winter and just start it up and burn it through in the spring.  a stabalizer usaly is good for up to 6 months.    I used to do that, then I switched to running the carb dry as my genny hardly gets used and even with stabalizer I was getting gunking as somtimes it wouldnt even run during a season.  now I am back to wet but I am using synthetic fuel for the last tank.  doesnt need a stabalizer, doesnt break down at all and it is always ready to go.  

  • As an FYI, my Honda 2200i has a control that valves the fuel and switches the ignition. Turn it part way toward off and the fuel stops, all the way it kills the ignition too. It also has a screw to drain the carburetor. I didn't realize it had these features initially, and after storage it ran poorly. Now fixed; I always run it until it dies, switch off the ignition, and further drain the few drops left in the carburetor.  I'm guessing the manufacturer thinks it must be important to get the fuel out before storage.

  • Your fuel treatment OCD is likely just enough to combat the effects of old gas.  Maybe combined with a pinch of luck. 
    evaporation happens regardless. And some carbs evaporate out slower than others. 
    for example I have an old Jeep that will seemingly keep fuel in the carb for a long long time and most every other carb from weed whipper to Edelbrock 750 evaporate out much quicker. 
    So do what works imo as long as you’re aware of the effects you’re good. 

  • Fifteen to twenty years seems like a “proven result” to me; why change what seems to be working.

    I start my generator at least once a month and let it run for about 15 min (generally I put at least some load on it 20% - 75%). In the winter I may start it twice a month or more depending on prevailing temperatures). I generally only keep a minimal amount of gas in it and freshen it often. Every 6 mo. or so I will drain it, put the old into a can with 6 gal of new, then pour a some back into the gen.

    I have a second gen at the cottage. This one sits all winter without being started. So I run that one dry in the fall when we close up for the winter. Other than that, I do the same thing with that one.

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