Your last generator Maintenance Run

[dragoneggs]

I never do a maintenance run on my generator during late spring to late fall. Just don't lose power here during these times... but I need to get into a routine I think for best long term care.

 

[daugen]

one thing the Generac isn't particularly smart about, it ran for about 45 minutes yesterday morning, under full load with all that a/c going, and then when 1pm came, on a Saturday, it started back up again for its regular maintenance run. Probably was still warm from running that morning, but no brains in circuit to figure that out.

 

[3930dave]

I never do a maintenance run on my generator during late spring to late fall. Just don't lose power here during these times... but I need to get into a routine I think for best long term care.

Most of us humans need light to medium regular exercise to stay in shape. I know one guy, who as another friend puts it, "He was born ripped" - but he is a genetic freak, definitely an outlier.....

I've come to view most forms of mechanical equipment the same way.... they need regular loading and movement to stay healthy. Fuel is an issue for most today, but there have been a few other examples in this thread of things coming up that need a bit of attention..... I seem to recall somebody replacing a past-due battery on a Honda ....

I zeroed in originally on my generator as a critical function unit..... if my weedeater doesn't start, I'll be irritated, but that one doesn't enable my sump pump to keep running.... some of the Improved Practices I went to with my generator also help out my other small engines.

I don't get to the "gym" as much as I'd like to some months, but knowing it is important and getting there at least some of the time is a reasonable compromise....

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

one thing the Generac isn't particularly smart about, it ran for about 45 minutes yesterday morning, under full load with all that a/c going, and then when 1pm came, on a Saturday, it started back up again for its regular maintenance run. Probably was still warm from running that morning, but no brains in circuit to figure that out.

Modern AI is another kettle of bananas, but most of what we deal with for programmed appliances falls into the Nothing More or (in your case) Nothing Less category

Hey, it could be worse..... they could have programmed it to exercise only on Leap Day :laughing:

Rgds, D.

 

[Einthewoods]

Good luck with your carb servicing E.

Worst comes to worse, you may be able to buy an entire carb online for a good price.

I used to store dry, but after dealing with a stuck float, I switched to wet storage, with a full tank. So far (about 10 years) so good. My target for generators is to run at 3 months; sometimes that slides to 6 months, but that is still well within what a decent fuel stabilizer delivers. All my small engines get Efree gasoline, with stabilizer, all the time.

Let us know how the carb wrangling goes....

(Edit - just re-read your first paragraph..... are you running it out on pure Seafoam ? I like SFoam, but ultra-high concentrations may cause issues).

Rgds, D.

No, I was running it with fresh gas just to see if I could get it to clean up the carb.

After messing around with it again today, I have given up. I wish I would have seen how cheap these carbs are to get a new one. I probably have used for sea foam and carb cleaner than it costs to just get a new one. :thumbdown: Have one on the way and will give it a try.

I think I will go back to storing with fuel in it along with additives. Can't be any worse than it is now.

 

[Guidshir]

I have one in my RV that I run monthly for a few hours. Once you pay for a repair for lack of exercise you start working it into the monthly schedule.

 

[3930dave]

No, I was running it with fresh gas just to see if I could get it to clean up the carb.

After messing around with it again today, I have given up. I wish I would have seen how cheap these carbs are to get a new one. I probably have used for sea foam and carb cleaner than it costs to just get a new one. :thumbdown: Have one on the way and will give it a try.

I think I will go back to storing with fuel in it along with additives. Can't be any worse than it is now.

Knock wood, I haven't had to buy one, but the prices I see discussed just on here for complete carbs seem really cheap. Probably worth keeping a spare for a generator, stored with dessicant.....

You've had the cowling off ? Just wondering if you have a mouse nest or some other debris hanging up the speed regulator...

You may have plenty of stabilizer stocked up, but if you have any metal gas tanks in play, check out Stabil's 360 Protection. They brought it out originally as a standalone product, but now have also blended it into other of their products.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

I have one in my RV that I run monthly for a few hours. Once you pay for a repair for lack of exercise you start working it into the monthly schedule.

Pain or No Pain is a good teacher !

RV gens have a tough life - many don't run much and the fuel often doesn't get stabilized.

Rgds, D.

 

[Einthewoods]

Knock wood, I haven't had to buy one, but the prices I see discussed just on here for complete carbs seem really cheap. Probably worth keeping a spare for a generator, stored with dessicant.....

You've had the cowling off ? Just wondering if you have a mouse nest or some other debris hanging up the speed regulator...

You may have plenty of stabilizer stocked up, but if you have any metal gas tanks in play, check out Stabil's 360 Protection. They brought it out originally as a standalone product, but now have also blended it into other of their products.

Rgds, D.

This is actually just a portable Generac and all clear of critter activity. The engine just searches not stop when running with the choke opened up. You can mostly close the choke and it'll steady out. I suspect either gasket between the carb and engine is leaking air (though carb cleaner sprayed around it says otherwise) or the carb has some crud in it that I can't clean out.

I'll look at the Stabil 360 product. Thanks. I use Stabil in other things without complaint.

 

[3930dave]

Does sound lean.... guessing no fuel filter, and screens are clean..... pls let us know how the new carb does, and where you sourced it from.

Rgds, D.