Generators: Long-term Storage Question
Hey folks! Happy Sunday. Quick question for anyone who may know:
I have a couple of smaller portable generators that we got in late winter for power outages. Of course, as soon as I got them, we never had another outage, and now we have moved and I am not likely to use them for 2-3 years where we are stationed. Both generators are still in the box. Haven’t added oil, gas, or run them at all. For long-term storage, is it best to just leave them as is, or do I need to get them running and run periodically?
Thanks!
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Pull the spark plugs and squirt some fogging oil in there. That'll help keep the rings from sticking. I would think that the crankcase should probably be fine if left empty.
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I second the above . Fog/ oil the cylinders and keep in a dry place, should be fine.
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I third the above. However, if the starter cords could be pulled a few times once a year it would be added insurance.
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Thanks! Not too familiar with fogging oil. Amsoil seems to look pretty good, but I don’t know. Any recommendation on brands?
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Stabil makes a fogging oil. Most any auto parts store should have some or maybe even Wally World if you're desperate.
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What they said.
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I am gonna go a different direction here. I would add oil, and non ethanol gas. Follow the break in instructions! Then change the oil and add sta-bil to the fuel. Run long enough to get sta-bil into the carb. Turn the fuel off, try to leave about a half a bowl full in the carb(this will keep the needle from sticking open or shut!)
There is NO guarantee they will even work out of the box. So this would verify they are good. AND they should be broken in correctly for longevity's sake!
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just my experience and every ones may vary
the portable generator we bought at least twenty years ago I just used it after almost a year
we use it maybe once a year some times several years it just sits not even thought about or checked on
after I use it before putting it back away I drain all the gas back out of the tank then just let it run until it shuts its self off .
I use to put the wonder gas treatments in the gas but all I have seen latly they really do not work . many have been debunked on youtube small engine repair shops . but to each ther own use them if you like
any way after 20 years of just running it dry and putting it up in a out building and changing oil a few times along the way
it has never failed to start after just a couple pulls and of course adding gas .
pulling the plug and spraying oil in the cylinder is not a bad idea I just have and over the years of having small engines like push mowers sitting for years I have never had a issue not doing it . maybe just luck but all are stored in out buildings and subject to the changing weather .
but to be safe and not take the chances or If I had any doubt or fear of a problem I would follow the advice of at least fogging the cylinder adding the fuel mix is subject to each and their personal experience.
as for the carb sticking or gaskets drying out or just pluged up is always a possibility, rebuild kits are cheap and a set otr torch cleaning picks are also cheap to clear out the tiny vents and gas passages but for 25.00 or less you can get a new carb air filter and spark plug on ebay ( they all come from china ) for about most any small engine
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I bought a gas powered generator 7 years ago and left it sit in its new state without oil or gas for a bit over 2 years before setting it up to run. Everything worked just fine and the only problem I ran into was the small 12 V battery it came equipped with was dead and did not hold a charge.
I never did replace that battery. Just hook up jumper cables and she starts right up.
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I have had a 3500 gen from Aldi for around 10 yrs. Went heavy on the Seafoam, right off and it sat for years, full, until heavy use a few years back, for a week. I shut it down by switching the tank off and it dies in 10 min or so lol. Ran fine a few weeks ago for some exercise.. Another small one stays fine also with lots of Seafoam. Hope for no jinx now.
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