ethanol killing generator--over and over?

lryrob9301 wrote:
Your "dealer" is full of ****. That Onan will run on ethanol gasoline just fine. I've had two coaches with Onan 5500 gas generators and they ran with it with no problems.

x2 It's been a long time since engines were updated to accommodate ethanol.

mowermech wrote:
I keep reading all these horrible reports about problems with 10% ethanol fuel.
I don't have any such problems.
My motorhome gets used as a guest house most of the year, except for Ham Radio Field Day in June (when the generator gets a real work out), and the Glacier/Waterton Hamfest in July.
The Field Day trip is about 50 miles one way, and the Hamfest trip is about 350 miles one way. I fill with 87 octane 10% ethanol fuel at each fill-up. In the fall, I top off the tank, plus a hefty shot of Sta-Bil, then it sits all winter (that reminds me, it is about time to do that!). I have never had a fuel problem with the Ford V10 or the Onan generator.
I have a can of mixed 2 cycle fuel (again, 87 octane E10) that is 2 or 3 years old. It still runs the Stihl trimmer just fine. It is mixed with Opti 2 lube and Sta-bil.
My Outdoor Power Equipment fuel cans (three 5 gallon cans), with Sta-Bil), will sit for months over the winter, until the fuel gets used in the ATVs plowing snow. They are also filled with 87 octane 10% ethanol, used in the Kawasaki ATVs, the lawn tractor and the zero-turn mower.
I have had no fuel system problems with any of that equipment.
I find it difficult to believe that the OP's generator problems are caused by E10 fuel.

same here. 2 autos, 2 snowblowers (both 4-cycle), 1 MH and a 1946 Willys CJ2A... all runing on 10% ethenol. the Willys’ engine is original other than the radiator. i do add a lead substitute every few fillups (its my daily driver most of the year) but the ethanol is still present. no fuel related issues. i wish we had a source for 100% gas in my area but then i wish for many things.

I keep reading all these horrible reports about problems with 10% ethanol fuel.
I don't have any such problems.
My motorhome gets used as a guest house most of the year, except for Ham Radio Field Day in June (when the generator gets a real work out), and the Glacier/Waterton Hamfest in July.
The Field Day trip is about 50 miles one way, and the Hamfest trip is about 350 miles one way. I fill with 87 octane 10% ethanol fuel at each fill-up. In the fall, I top off the tank, plus a hefty shot of Sta-Bil, then it sits all winter (that reminds me, it is about time to do that!). I have never had a fuel problem with the Ford V10 or the Onan generator.
I have a can of mixed 2 cycle fuel (again, 87 octane E10) that is 2 or 3 years old. It still runs the Stihl trimmer just fine. It is mixed with Opti 2 lube and Sta-bil.
My Outdoor Power Equipment fuel cans (three 5 gallon cans), with Sta-Bil), will sit for months over the winter, until the fuel gets used in the ATVs plowing snow. They are also filled with 87 octane 10% ethanol, used in the Kawasaki ATVs, the lawn tractor and the zero-turn mower.
I have had no fuel system problems with any of that equipment.
I find it difficult to believe that the OP's generator problems are caused by E10 fuel.

MarkieBob wrote:
I may just use my Honda 2000 instead :( How many of you are having this problem?

Don't leave gas (any gas) in your 2000's carburetor very long. Easy to drain.

I think your mechanic has some sort of axe to grind with ethanol fuel.

Ethanol will destroy an engine, but you can help it by adding Seafoam at 1oz/gal of fuel to every tank. My 1999 Onan 5.5 seems to like it!

I think I'd find another dealer. That guy is taking you for a ride.

The worst damage that I've seen is in 4 stroke carburetors. The bowl has to be vented to atmosphere and the ethanol is hygroscopic so it absorbs moisture and gunks everything up. Two strokes don't have a bowl, just diaphragms so they don't have as much problem and it would seem to apply to something like your fuel pump. I don't think the fuel will necessarily destroy the diaphragm but leaving it in there a long time may. We put a full sheet of paper notice on each piece of repaired equipment that said never use fuel over 45 days old.

MarkieBob wrote:
I guess I don't start it often enough. Once a month for a couple hours?

Well there is a reason Onan recommends you exercise the generator. Putting a slightly rich dose of Stabill before you let it set should be cheap insurance. That and following the exercise routine called out by Onan.
Let us know how it works.
Bill

read this it may help

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/culture/commentary/the-problem-with-ethanol-in-gasoline/article29103634/

As others have indicated - that's rubbish. Onan work just fine without having to buy special fuel - find another place to have your RV worked on.