Genset start up after winter storage

[wrsmsgt]

Nice day in Upstate NY so went to let the Genset run a bit. Winter storage with StaBil 360. First attempts would run 3 to 4 minutes and blah blah blah out. Checked the fuel cap, air filter, restarted with air on for the load ran for35 minutes skipping some and shut down with code 36. Spoke with Jake at the dealership, use frequency biggest problem with running the Genset, I've only 40 hours on it. Jake also suggested the common cause for poor running is the needle valve on the bottom of the bowl with the 2 wires connected to it, his recommendation was to remove the jet and clean with carb cleaner. The removal of this jet easier said then done so tried removing the fuel line running the fuel out of the carb and inserting the plastic tube from the can of car cleaner up into the bowl and filling it with the cleaner, and while letting it soak I filled the fuel line with cleaner and put the air box back together primed the unit hit the start and the Genset ran for an hour with the air on and no skips or hesitations. With the crimped on fuel line clamp changed for a new band I'll be able to remove the fuel line and spray the cleaner much easier in the future.

[R3Jones]

I had an error code 36 that was corrected by replacing the fuel filter. Could be several different problems though.


-R.Jones
Nitro 31FQSL

[the.wilsons]

I don't know if you can get non ethanol gas in your area but that is another big help to small engines not gumming up the carb.

[The Big Toe]

Many Wawa Stations carry non-ethanol gas.

https://www.wawa.com/Fuel.aspx

[The Big Toe]

Just had a thought -- Many Marinas will carry ethanol-free fuels. Ethanol attracts water/moisture, so......

[Skyliner]

I use a double dose of Stabil and had fuel stored for a year with no issues on start. I used to use a single dose of Stabil but that didn't work well.

[Taranwanderer]

+1 for non-ethanol gas for anything with a carb. Download the app "Pure Gas" to find stations near you that carry it. Good luck!

[Plug32]

I agree 100 percent! I do not use fuel with ethanol. It is blended with Gasoline. When it sits for 30-40 days it separates and is very damaging to rubber and gasket type materiel. Also Onan realizes this, their warranty info states they do not cover warranty issues if the carb is gummed up. Corn is for food and not fuel!!!!

[Gidyupgo]

Hello folks. Reading this with great interest. I see the Stabilz method. Is it possible to shut off the fuel to the gen and let it burn fuel out of the bowl before long term storage? I have done this with my other small gas engines for years when mowing season is over and have never had a carb problem. Is there a valve? Thoughts?

[Plug32]

Mine does not have a shut off. Fuel still separates. It still ruins the lines and rubber components. It is so bad they are making pre mix now for 2 stroke motors. Look up Trufuel.

[Plug32]

Pure-gas.org is a site that tells you who sells ethanol free fuel. It has a map and phone numbers address and hours. These are everyday gas stations. This is an awesome site. We switched to ethanol free fuel for our power equipment at the fir department. We have noticed in 18 months we minimized our down time by 90%.

[KFX450RXC]

Although I don't necessarily disagree with the opinions, I'm not as opposed to going ethanol-free as the others. I don't like ethanol fuels. I think its a racket. But they're here so we gotta deal with them.

I have multiple pieces of equipment for my landscape business that sit for almost a year between uses. Aerators are a prime example. When I put them away for awhile, I put fresh fuel in with Stabil and make sure to run them to get the Stabil fuel in the carb. 12 months later, they usually fire up on 2nd or 3rd pull and run perfectly.