I've searched for other newsgroups surrounding care small engines, and this
was the only area that I was able to find that discusses a few small engine
issues. If there is another newsgroup area for this type of question, I will
gladly post it there.

I have a small gasoline engine generator that I use for electricity during
outage emergencies. I've read various suggestions towards storing it for
long periods of time. A couple of items seem to make sense like:

1. Adding a good fuel stabilizer to the gasoline.
2. Removing the spark plugs, spraying a little WD-40 inside the cylinders,
and then place the spark plugs back in after each use.
3. Running the generator for a short period of time every few months.

My question concerns more towards the carburetor:

1. How can I reduce the amount of problems associated with the carburetor,
such as gum and resin build-up, diaphragms and gasket dry rotting? I've only
heard that I should run out the gas going to the carb (but keep the gas tank
full), and that I should spray a little WD-40 into the carb. Yes, no, or
other suggestions?

2. Is there any other suggestions that I should do or think about regarding
the long term storage of the engine or generator?

Thanks.
John

--
Change [comcast.non] to [comcast.net]

"John B." wrote in message
...
I've searched for other newsgroups surrounding care small engines, and
this
was the only area that I was able to find that discusses a few small
engine
issues. If there is another newsgroup area for this type of question, I
will
gladly post it there.

I have a small gasoline engine generator that I use for electricity during
outage emergencies. I've read various suggestions towards storing it for
long periods of time. A couple of items seem to make sense like:

1. Adding a good fuel stabilizer to the gasoline.
2. Removing the spark plugs, spraying a little WD-40 inside the cylinders,
and then place the spark plugs back in after each use.
3. Running the generator for a short period of time every few months.

My question concerns more towards the carburetor:

1. How can I reduce the amount of problems associated with the carburetor,
such as gum and resin build-up, diaphragms and gasket dry rotting? I've
only
heard that I should run out the gas going to the carb (but keep the gas
tank
full), and that I should spray a little WD-40 into the carb. Yes, no, or
other suggestions?

2. Is there any other suggestions that I should do or think about
regarding
the long term storage of the engine or generator?

Thanks.
John

--
Change [comcast.non] to [comcast.net]


alt.home.repair

has some good small engine advice.

Peter H

"John B." wrote in message ...
I've searched for other newsgroups surrounding care small engines, and this
was the only area that I was able to find that discusses a few small engine
issues. If there is another newsgroup area for this type of question, I will
gladly post it there.

I have a small gasoline engine generator that I use for electricity during
outage emergencies. I've read various suggestions towards storing it for
long periods of time. A couple of items seem to make sense like:

1. Adding a good fuel stabilizer to the gasoline.
2. Removing the spark plugs, spraying a little WD-40 inside the cylinders,
and then place the spark plugs back in after each use.
3. Running the generator for a short period of time every few months.

My question concerns more towards the carburetor:

1. How can I reduce the amount of problems associated with the carburetor,
such as gum and resin build-up, diaphragms and gasket dry rotting? I've only
heard that I should run out the gas going to the carb (but keep the gas tank
full), and that I should spray a little WD-40 into the carb. Yes, no, or
other suggestions?

2. Is there any other suggestions that I should do or think about regarding
the long term storage of the engine or generator?

Thanks.
John


I don't think spraying oil in the carb is going to help anything.
Running an engine for a short period is not beneficial. Any water
vapor generated doesn't have enough time and heat to get rid of it, so
it just condenses back in the oil, which is not good.

The two accepted practices are either gas stabilizer or getting rid of
all the gas. The first method some people believe helps eliminate
problems with gaskets drying out. If I were putting it away for an
unknown and possibly extended period, beyond 6 months, I'd go with the
draining method.

Either way, squirting some light oil in the combustion chamber and
turning the engine over a few times prevents any rusting problems,
sticking rings, etc.

Peter and Chet,

Thanks for the replies.

Your best bet would be to squirt some oil, not WD-40 into the cylinders.
WD-40 will wash away the oil that is already on the cylinder walls. As for
the gas, either stabilizer, or just run the engine till it runs out of fuel.
Then, just don't worry about it. I have a lawnmower that I stored for 2
years and it fired right up 2 years later. The 1st or 2nd pull too. All I
did was turn it off, and park it under a tarp.


"John B." wrote in message
...
I've searched for other newsgroups surrounding care small engines, and
this
was the only area that I was able to find that discusses a few small
engine
issues. If there is another newsgroup area for this type of question, I
will
gladly post it there.

I have a small gasoline engine generator that I use for electricity during
outage emergencies. I've read various suggestions towards storing it for
long periods of time. A couple of items seem to make sense like:

1. Adding a good fuel stabilizer to the gasoline.
2. Removing the spark plugs, spraying a little WD-40 inside the cylinders,
and then place the spark plugs back in after each use.
3. Running the generator for a short period of time every few months.

My question concerns more towards the carburetor:

1. How can I reduce the amount of problems associated with the carburetor,
such as gum and resin build-up, diaphragms and gasket dry rotting? I've
only
heard that I should run out the gas going to the carb (but keep the gas
tank
full), and that I should spray a little WD-40 into the carb. Yes, no, or
other suggestions?

2. Is there any other suggestions that I should do or think about
regarding
the long term storage of the engine or generator?

Thanks.
John

--
Change [comcast.non] to [comcast.net]

Your best bet would be to squirt some oil, not WD-40 into the cylinders.
WD-40 will wash away the oil that is already on the cylinder walls. As for
the gas, either stabilizer, or just run the engine till it runs out of fuel.
Then, just don't worry about it. I have a lawnmower that I stored for 2
years and it fired right up 2 years later. The 1st or 2nd pull too. All I
did was turn it off, and park it under a tarp.


"John B." wrote in message
...
I've searched for other newsgroups surrounding care small engines, and
this
was the only area that I was able to find that discusses a few small
engine
issues. If there is another newsgroup area for this type of question, I
will
gladly post it there.

I have a small gasoline engine generator that I use for electricity during
outage emergencies. I've read various suggestions towards storing it for
long periods of time. A couple of items seem to make sense like:

1. Adding a good fuel stabilizer to the gasoline.
2. Removing the spark plugs, spraying a little WD-40 inside the cylinders,
and then place the spark plugs back in after each use.
3. Running the generator for a short period of time every few months.

My question concerns more towards the carburetor:

1. How can I reduce the amount of problems associated with the carburetor,
such as gum and resin build-up, diaphragms and gasket dry rotting? I've
only
heard that I should run out the gas going to the carb (but keep the gas
tank
full), and that I should spray a little WD-40 into the carb. Yes, no, or
other suggestions?

2. Is there any other suggestions that I should do or think about
regarding
the long term storage of the engine or generator?

Thanks.
John

--
Change [comcast.non] to [comcast.net]

Not knowing where you're located but if in a cold area change your
oil to 5w-30 synthetic (e.g. Mobil 1) which won't turn to the consistency of
grease in the cold. Fuel stabilizers? Just be sure that your gasoline
funnel has a strainer in it. Once a year .. . drain the gasoline out and
use it (e.g. for your auto, lawnmower, Ryobi etc.) and refill. Fuel de-icer
will bind up any free water vapor from seasonal weather change. Fuel isn't
that much of a problem with existing gasolines. In the era of "leaded" fuel
it was. Enjoy!


"John B." wrote in message
...
I've searched for other newsgroups surrounding care small engines, and
this
was the only area that I was able to find that discusses a few small
engine
issues. If there is another newsgroup area for this type of question, I
will
gladly post it there.

I have a small gasoline engine generator that I use for electricity during
outage emergencies. I've read various suggestions towards storing it for
long periods of time. A couple of items seem to make sense like:

1. Adding a good fuel stabilizer to the gasoline.
2. Removing the spark plugs, spraying a little WD-40 inside the cylinders,
and then place the spark plugs back in after each use.
3. Running the generator for a short period of time every few months.

My question concerns more towards the carburetor:

1. How can I reduce the amount of problems associated with the carburetor,
such as gum and resin build-up, diaphragms and gasket dry rotting? I've
only
heard that I should run out the gas going to the carb (but keep the gas
tank
full), and that I should spray a little WD-40 into the carb. Yes, no, or
other suggestions?

2. Is there any other suggestions that I should do or think about
regarding
the long term storage of the engine or generator?

Thanks.
John

--
Change [comcast.non] to [comcast.net]