visch1
CAPE COD, MA
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Joined: 05/04/2008
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I have a 4K Onan generator in my past June acquired ’06 class C. I understand the need to run them under load as opposed to letting them sit idle for long periods, so I run it every 2 weeks with the air conditioner on for about ½ hour and so far it has 8 hours running time. The last time I ran it I had put into the ½ full gas tank a can of Sea Foam for it’s cleaning and preservative qualities.
For periods of not using the Rv much instead of using full cans of Sea foam I’m thinking of putting lets say 2 gallons of gas in a small boat fuel tank with Sure Foam added in a stronger solution. I’d run the generator as usual, shut it off and connect the hose to the carb intake tube, pump fuel into the carb and run it for lets say 5 minutes. The main reason is to prevent gumming up the carb. I’m wondering if there is a fuel pump pumping fuel into the carb and any downsides to the above "brain storm"? OK start throwing rocks. TIA
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midnightsadie
ohio
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Joined: 01/07/2008
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sounds like a great idea to me . I do about the same thing to my boat motors .for storage . you might want to do a little plumbing with small valves and barbed fitings to make it even easier. like a three way valve . main tank portable tank and off.
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midnightsadie
ohio
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I forgot ,take it easy on the sea foam its some strong stuff , this is a case where to much can be bad ,
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Fiverwheel
Southern CA
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Could you just as easily run it dry and let it sit? We used to do that on our Honda EU 2000 and our boat motor.
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john b
anywhere USA!
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Running it dry usually still leaves gas in the bowl of the carb and it gets gummy quickly!!
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SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
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I run mine dry and have not had a problem with restarting or idling in the 5 years I've had it. I have not used any kind of stabilizer in it. Not that I'm against it, I just don't see a need for it as long as it runs fine without it.
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Cool Mike
Mendocino. Calif.
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This generator does have a fuel pump, to answer your question. But If your going to continue to run it every 2 weeks for 30 min with the AC for a load, that's really all you need to do, and its all that Onan and other Mfg recomend. The gas wont go bad in the carb bole in two or three weeks.
Warming up and drying out the winding is far more important, you could have the carburetor replaced 10 times for what one new set of winding would cost.
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PapPappy
Wilmington, NC
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I've got a portable 4Kw Genset (one of those Walmart deals) that I had a problem with after storing it dry. I've since filled it with gas and the proper amount of Stabilizer....start it every month for 15-20 minutes with a load on it, and no problems.
The genset in the RV (a 4Kw Onan) is also run every month, and I'll be adding Stabilizer to the fuel tank of the motorhome pretty soon, if we don't get on the road and use the damn thing!!
As mentioned...it's the using of the thing that matters. Same with the RV...I'd almost rather have it sit, than just start it up. I do like to take it out for a 20 minute drive....to warm it up, burn out the condensation in the exhaust, and for the sheer fun of it! Even the DW enjoys a trip down to Walmart in it.
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TexGeorgiaBoy
Fort Worth Texas
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Seafoam is great for the engine but won't help the generator one bit. Your still going to have to exercise the generator under load every month and that can't be done without the engine running. Use it or lose it! Tex
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visch1
CAPE COD, MA
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Hello again and thanks for the above info. I’ve used Sea Foam for years in my outboard engines, snow blower, house gen, lawn mowers etc. for both its stabilization quality, cleaning ability, both gum and carbon. I have in back of my head a statement, probably a bit overstated but in the ball park: this new gas lasts about as long as milk stays fresh. I used to run the carb bowls dry then it was pointed out that gaskets and seals will dry out and be a problem.
Any ideas where the idea came from that the charging part of a generator needs to be exercized. WHY? Facts please.
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