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WYDOIN's avatar
WYDOIN
Explorer
Aug 16, 2018

Water Seperator for Onan Generator

Good Morning All, So I’ve run into the problem there was quite a bit of water in my Generator “30 Gal.” fuel tank. Had to drain it all out. I was told it was probably due to Ethanol gas not sure. Has anyone placed a inline water seperator for their Generator? If so what size of seperator did you use? Thanks ahead of time. I know I’ll get honest answers here.
Roger P.
  • Blackdiamond wrote:
    Thanks, interesting list but almost all of them are race fuel at $10+/gal.

    Bummer, my guess is that it's a California thing. We have three stations in my town, all are just Premium w/out Ethanol, usually runs about .75 per gallon more. I run it in all my small equipment.
  • Y-Guy wrote:
    Blackdiamond wrote:
    CarlT100 wrote:
    I use non-ethanol marine gasoline in my generator. When I am parking the rig, I add SeaFoam stabilizer.
    I wish we even had non-ethanol gas available, I would never run anything else.

    There aren't many in CA, but might check this list. Pure-Gas.org
    Thanks, interesting list but almost all of them are race fuel at $10+/gal.
  • Blackdiamond wrote:
    CarlT100 wrote:
    I use non-ethanol marine gasoline in my generator. When I am parking the rig, I add SeaFoam stabilizer.
    I wish we even had non-ethanol gas available, I would never run anything else.

    There aren't many in CA, but might check this list. Pure-Gas.org
  • CarlT100 wrote:
    I use non-ethanol marine gasoline in my generator. When I am parking the rig, I add SeaFoam stabilizer.
    I wish we even had non-ethanol gas available, I would never run anything else.
  • You can buy a small generic water separator at NAPA, I put one on a car I had contamination problems with. Just a small glass bowl.
  • I use non-ethanol marine gasoline in my generator. When I am parking the rig, I add SeaFoam stabilizer.
  • "Can't give honest answer" till have more facts.
    What generator?
    how old was fuel,
    how often to you exercise genny.
    Any bio fuel involved?
  • Roger, I went back and did a search of the archives and I could only find one post from 2012 where a member said he installed fuel filter and water separator, but I'm not sure if he had a gas or diesel generator but I suspect a diesel.

    You might see if Onan makes one. My only concern is if it would hamper the flow of fuel. Hopefully some others have more answers for you.

    Has your gas set for long periods? Condensation in a gas tank is an issue since there is already some water in the fuel, keeping the tank as full as possible is one strategy. I've actually read that the ethanol can help get the water out of your tank, but that is for a vehicle engine and I'm not sure the same advice holds for a generator. Never fill your tank at a gas station while it is taking a delivery of fuel, that mixes the water at the bottom of the tank.

    Have you tried using HEET?