I was helping my father in law get his genset running yesterday and ran into the same issue we ran into about 6 months ago. It wouldn't start, was difficult to pull the cord. It would finally start up and then stop shortly thereafter and gas would burst out of the air filter box. Checking the oil area reveals that it is full of fuel! Dump the fuel and put oil back in and it will start back up and run.Doing some reading and talking to my dad, the thinking was that something in the carb is stuck allowing fuel to slowly work its way into the engine because we are leaving the fuel switch on.I've done this for probably 8 years with my Yamaha 3000 and had no ill effect, but am a bit concerned that perhaps that isn't the best practice. I double treat my fuel with stabil the first day I get it and it is pure gas (no ethanol).So my question is - should the carb be left wet with treated fuel, or should I shut off the fuel switch and let it run dry. I've always thought letting it run dry might leave a little residual fuel in there that could dry up, gum up, varnish, etc.

I always use non ethanol gas in small engines and treat it with sta-bil. I believe running it dry may leave gaskets and seals subject to damage and cause premature leakage. For items not ran often I always double the dosage of sta-bil like it suggests. Keep treated fuel in all the time :)

I've done both. Run it dry or store it with treated gas.I've never had problems either way. I always use treated gas in my small engines.

Does his generator have an owner's manual?

I can tell you what works for me with my 4 Honda EU generators for many years. I use Stabil marine (blue stuff) with mid octane ethanol laced gas and do not leave any treated gas in the tank for more than a month. When I am through with the generator I siphon all the gas I can from the tank and drain the carb. Then I keep cranking it until it will no longer even try to start. Prior to this procedure I left Stabil treated gas in an EU 1000 for a year and it would not run without the choke on until I had the carb cleaned.I treat my lawn mower a little differently since it is used more frequently. I use the same blue Stabil but at the end of the mowing season (which for me is in December since I am mulching leaves) I fill the tank and it sits unused until March. I have never had any problem starting my mower. I get rid of the gas purchased in the fall and stored over winter by putting it in one of my vehicle's gas tank and buy fresh mid octane gas to continue the spring mowing.

2oldman wrote:Does his generator have an owner's manual?No personal thoughts, huh?

Generator question - let carb run dry or keep it wet?

44 Replies

dclark1946
Explorer
Jul 15, 2016
I can tell you what works for me with my 4 Honda EU generators for many years. I use Stabil marine (blue stuff) with mid octane ethanol laced gas and do not leave any treated gas in the tank for more than a month. When I am through with the generator I siphon all the gas I can from the tank and drain the carb. Then I keep cranking it until it will no longer even try to start. Prior to this procedure I left Stabil treated gas in an EU 1000 for a year and it would not run without the choke on until I had the carb cleaned.

I treat my lawn mower a little differently since it is used more frequently. I use the same blue Stabil but at the end of the mowing season (which for me is in December since I am mulching leaves) I fill the tank and it sits unused until March. I have never had any problem starting my mower. I get rid of the gas purchased in the fall and stored over winter by putting it in one of my vehicle's gas tank and buy fresh mid octane gas to continue the spring mowing.
2oldman
Explorer II
Jul 15, 2016
Does his generator have an owner's manual?
gbopp
Explorer
Jul 15, 2016
I've done both. Run it dry or store it with treated gas.

I've never had problems either way. I always use treated gas in my small engines.
lc0338
Explorer
Jul 15, 2016
I always use non ethanol gas in small engines and treat it with sta-bil. I believe running it dry may leave gaskets and seals subject to damage and cause premature leakage. For items not ran often I always double the dosage of sta-bil like it suggests. Keep treated fuel in all the time :)

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Generator question - let carb run dry or keep it wet?

44 Replies

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