Why don't portable generators start WITHOUT starting fluid?????
- Thread starter Dave_B
- Start date
borderstaff
New member
I've never had problems with my 2. They are run about every 4 months and ONLY use NON-ethanol gas.
No dumping of the bowls. Just Stabil and fresh gas as needed. Don't run it every 4-6 weeks but at least every 3 months.
Should start with just a choke like a snow blower. Need to make sure it's good to go when I'm 500 miles away sledding!
Oh, It's a Craftsman, for whatever that's worth.
Should start with just a choke like a snow blower. Need to make sure it's good to go when I'm 500 miles away sledding!
Oh, It's a Craftsman, for whatever that's worth.
I shut the gas off and let it die every time I use mine. Then the next time I need to start it I open the gas and flip the choke to full and only have to pull on it 3 times and its off to the races. I've never had to use starting fluid on it, but I also put sea foam in the fuel when I put more in.
Never any problems with my Honda. I use it mainly 3 months out of the year (hunting camp, to power my camper) except for the odd few times we have power outages at home. When hunting season is over, I dump some SeaFoam in the tank, run it for a while, shut it off, drain the bowl, empty the tank, change the oil, fog the cylinder, and put it to bed. Always starts and runs like a champ.
polarisrider1
New member
Went out and started the Honda (since you brought it up) It has sat for 2 years. 3 pulls then realized gas was off. turned gas on 2 pulls and away it went. No stabil, no sea foam, not sure what gas I have in it.
millertime
New member
Mine starts with 1-3 pulls every time, it may sit for as many as 5 months without being started.
I am stuck with ethanol blended fuel...So here is what I do:
1. Shut of the fuel and drain the bowl
2. Add both marine Stabil (the blue stuff, not red) and seafom
3. Fill the gas tank full (this keeps moisture from gathering which is attracted to the ethanol)
4. Fog the spark plug and valves with sea foam and oil
This is based on a recommendation I got from a small engine mechanic friend of mine.
I am stuck with ethanol blended fuel...So here is what I do:
1. Shut of the fuel and drain the bowl
2. Add both marine Stabil (the blue stuff, not red) and seafom
3. Fill the gas tank full (this keeps moisture from gathering which is attracted to the ethanol)
4. Fog the spark plug and valves with sea foam and oil
This is based on a recommendation I got from a small engine mechanic friend of mine.
polarisrider1
New member
Dave, give me a call and I will give you a pretty correct answer. Oh and what's up with the bag? wrong color?
Use the shut-off valve, run it till it quits, then crack the bowl nut loose, or the drain screw if it has one. Thats about it, stabil is only good for 90 days according to stabil, we sell it. The gas now days, at least here in Mi. is terrible. Generators are the worst for fuel problems, we just forget how long its been, who wants to dump 5 gallons of crappy fuel into something else, so we add fresh stuff to old stuff, over and over. Whats in the carb is key, get rid of it, thats what they do at the factory.
arcticgeorge
New member
When gas sits in an unsealed container it loses whats known as the "light ends" or the ability to ignite easily or quickly.........The guys are right No Methanol, I bought a motar mixer and the guy said the repair shop said Ethanol will clog the tiny areas in the carb. If Stabil is only good for 90 days try the Fitch Fuel Catalyst.. http://www.fitchfuelcatalyst.com/ And drain the old gas and put fresh gas in after it sits a long time.