Ethanol in small engines

Muddydogs wrote:
Running the engine dry is not always the answer as a little fuel can remain in the carb. After posting to this thread I thought I should get my genny out and run it a little, planned on using it to power the hedge trimmers while I cut the hedges. Well guess what, carb is leaking fuel once again. I guess 6 months setting after the fuel valve was turned off and the engine run dry didn't help.
I'm sure glad I live in a free state and can buy ethanol free gas, own firearms without registration and carry firearms were ever I want. I might not be able to buy hard booze on Sundays but I guess its a small price to pay compared to some other states.

When servicing small engines customers would be furious that their new unused 2 yr old generator had to have a carb rebuild/replacement. I would tell them the most basic thing they could do is run it out of fuel. I would also say it's NOT a guarantee that you will have no problems but a guarantee that it wont be as bad of a problem as leaving a bowl full of ethanol or non ethanol. The float pin/hinge was probably stuck in your generator.

I have seen several that were stored dry and had floats stick but the repair was simple compared to the damage of a full bowl of fuel. Even when running until it runs out of fuel does not get every drop out of the bowl but it's better than a full bowl. The slight fuel that's left can dry up and varnish then flake off and plug the jets. That's why I like to go empty then seafoam it.