This reminds that i have to replace belts and plug on my snowblower.i used to do that with all my snow equipment. then i just stopped.
to get to the spark plugs on 2 machines, it's a PITA to remove the covers, and snake my hand into the machines.
the "bigger" machine, the spark plug sits in the wide open, but i still just do not "fog it" after the season is over.
be careful on the belts replacement....!!!!!This reminds that i have to replace belts and plug on my snowblower.
I used to shut mine down by turning off the gas supply and letting it run to pull the bowl dry, also believed in changing the oil regularly to ensure good lubrication especially on an engine that runs full bore to supply a positive/good energy source.I've had an old Coleman Powermate for about 15-20 years. One year I couldn't get it started. I had my neighbor ( now deceased) work it over and never had another problem. Until last year when we lost power. I did get it started, but the run/stop switch broke and the only way to kill it is to choke it. Then I discovered the valve under the tank is leaking a little bit. Nevertheless, as old as it is it still fires right up. I also have a bigger newer generator but there's no reason to get rid of the old one just because it has a few issues. I have a few issues and I haven't went to Skynet for an upgraded model so....
Never used it but my father in law sweared by it. With all this talk about generators, I'll be firing mine up today for a test run.Suggestion: Seafoam I add a cup to two gallons of unleaded gas, NO Alcohol. My chainsaws can sit for 2 years and still start. Another hint: Fogging oil. Pull spark plugs and spray into the cylinder. It limits ring and cylinder wear on startup after storage.
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My other generator is a Briggs and Stratton Elite 5500.I used to shut mine down by turning off the gas supply and letting it run to pull the bowl dry, also believed in changing the oil regularly to ensure good lubrication especially on an engine that runs full bore to supply a positive/good energy source.
The bottom line is you can’t beat the older units that are adequately maintained.
I agree that propane is the best way to go. Natural gas is nice but you have no control over supply interruptions and it down-rates the generator due to the lower BTU content. You can get a liquid line installed on your house tank that allows you to refill the portable bottles yourself for mobile operation.I had a 7000 watt generator and I had it converted to propane.
I never had to worry about the gas going bad or having to put in additives for long term storage, started every time.
That conversion can also work on natural gas.
This house I am going to price a whole house generator.
Good Luck !!!!
Just an FYI - If you don't live in Oklahoma where you can get alcohol free gas at many gas stations, consider going to an automotive speed shop. Many of them sell racing fuel at a price that is 50% to double the price of the standard stuff but still cheaper than TruFuel.Isn't the "TruFuel" and other alcohol free (uncontaminated) canned gasolines just an alcohol free fuel with a treatment of some kind included? I called it 'uncontaminated' because I hate the alcohol content in gasoline so bad. It's hard on the fuel systems of almost every small engine and on most vehicle engines built prior to the late 90's. The alcohol is so corrosive to unprotected fuel lines, carb gaskets, etc, and has so much less BTU content by volume than clean gasoline, whatever decrease in dirty emissions obtained, is lost by the decrease in mileage per gallon. I know there are dozens of tests and reviews, but the main one that sticks with me is that on average a decrease in emissions of about 11% can be obtained with 10% alcohol while at the same time with the same fuel will show a loss of almost 20% in mpg. So not only are we paying more for the fuel to begin with, we're also paying for a decrease in miles per gallon, as well as higher maintenance costs in some cases.
Alcohol contaminated gasoline has cost the avg working man literally billions of dollars in ruined equipment like chain saws, weed eaters, outboard motors, etc, and/or repairs to the same equipment it's a sin. And the lawmakers who insist on this crap never are even aware of the trouble it causes because most of them have chauffeur driven vehicles and have never been bothered personally with having to deal with the alcohol crap. Most have never even had to pump their own gas.
Yes, it's a little cheaper by the gallon at the pump, but when the decrease in performance/mileage and increased maintenance costs are factored in, it just ain't worth it. I hate it with every fiber of my being.
I drive a Silverado 'Flex fuel' PU truck so it's supposed to be able to burn anything up to E85, but so long as I've owned it (bought it almost new at 6K miles), I've never been forced into any E85. Obviously the 10% crap is about the only thing available so I use it most of the time, but when close enough to a station with uncontaminated gasoline, and low enough in the tank to warrant it, I'll stop and fill up with alcohol free gas.
Did I mention just how much I hate alcohol contaminated gasoline. Almost as much as I hated the lead free when that happened. Oh well!!!!
Edit: I store all my small equipment (well used to when I had small equipment) with a clean, dry carb having been run only on alcohol free gas and a treatment just prior to storage. My favorite treatment is "StarTron" used just a little over recommended dosage. I'll use "Sea Foam" or "Stabil" in that order if I can't find the "StarTron". But that's just me, YMMV.