FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Wrong time to buy a Generator??

| Posted in General Discussion on October 16, 1999 03:30am

*
I bought a motorcycle a while ago that had been sitting in some guys garage for three years. He had drained the fuel tank before putting it in storage. The small amount of fuel in the carb float bowls evaporated leaving only sticky gum and varnish. The bike was emaculate but couldn’t be started. I bought it for a song hoping that whatever the problem was, I could fix it. Took only a few minutes to figure out that the carbs were not passing any fuel. I opened them up and I still can’t believe how much solid stuff is in a half cup of gasoline.

Rebuilt the carbs and It ran like new.

(They then leaked like a sieve and I had to do it all over again)

-Ryan

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. Guest_ | Oct 16, 1999 07:49pm | #17

    *
    I need a generator for building and am tired of forking out fifty bucks a weekend for a rental. Problem is, with all the Y2K hype I'm concerned about cheesy products being dumped on a naive market. Here's some current observations:

    • Compared with US products, the Japanese ones cost twice as much for half the wattage (Yamaha, Honda, Mitsubishi).

    • The Japanese machines run much quieter and claim to be longer lasting and better built.

    • Almost all the rental outfits around here use Japanese products.

    However, my construction needs are temporary and I hope to have hydro hooked up within a year. From then on the generator will be for backup use only.

    I'm currenty thinking about the 5000 watt Coleman, Devilbiss, or Generac. I don't think I my needs warrant the Japanese stuff. Anyone have anything positive/negative about these machines?

    Thanks,

    Scott.

    1. Guest_ | Oct 13, 1999 02:31am | #1

      *I've been thinking about getting one for quite a while. I've decided to wait unitl January 2nd. I figure that when the world doesn't end, there will be hundreds of unused generators in the classifieds for half price.

      1. Guest_ | Oct 13, 1999 03:27am | #2

        *The deVillbiss uses a Briggs and Straton motor ... a good name, at least in the past. Make sure you get one in which you ahve to change the oil -- they run way too hot for oilless motors. Then use top grade synthetic oil and keep it topped up. Auto-idle is best and it should have a manual shut-off... look for tis feature (manual override).The US generators are loud, maybe you can get a better muffler.Most of them are rated for start-up watts of 1/2 the operating watts. This means you can't have more than 25OO start-up watts on the 5000. You might want to go for something bigger if you plan on using big saws in tandem.

        1. Guest_ | Oct 13, 1999 04:33am | #3

          *There have been several threads on generators over the past several months. Go up to the top of "Breaktime", click on "search", and enter "generators". One of the threads included some interesting thoughts on how the waveform of the AC output affected certain tools.

          1. Guest_ | Oct 13, 1999 05:20am | #4

            *I've got a Generac 2500 watt machine that I use with a 6", 9 amp, PC sawboss, Panasonic battery charger, and an old Maytag ringer washer. Cost under $300 when I bought it. Works great for me so far. I store it for months at a time. Take Fred L's fuel suggestion one further if your a belt and suspenders type, Stabil fuel stabilizer in all fuels before draining and storing. Joe

          2. Guest_ | Oct 13, 1999 11:19am | #5

            *Ryan;I've been thinking the same thing for months. Need one to make my welder portable, but just gonna wait.

          3. Guest_ | Oct 13, 1999 06:20pm | #6

            *I owned a 5000watt generac until last year, I bought a honda 6500 watt this year. There is no comparision between the two .The generac had a briggs and stratton engine that was so damn loud it would rattle your teeth if you were too near it. Go for the honda or one with a honda engine on it.I hear there is a shortage of gen sets.

          4. Guest_ | Oct 13, 1999 09:26pm | #7

            *Thanks All.Think I'll go for the Coleman ProGen 5000. To my thinking it offers a reasonable compromise between the el cheapo teeth-rattling side valve B&S motors and the wonderful (but expensive) Japanese gensets. The Pro Gen has a OHV B&S Vanguard motor, a reasonable noise level, a two year warranty, and a long life air filter. Everything I've read so far indicates that fuel, oil, and air quality is what keeps these things running, so I plan to pay close attention to all these maintenance duties.Much thanks for all your thoughts,Scott.

          5. Guest_ | Oct 13, 1999 10:56pm | #8

            *Lots of different opinions, but one piece of misinformation, at least in my experience; most generators are rated for a surge of at least 1/3 ABOVE rated capacity. For example, a Dewalt radial arm saw can be used on a 5KW generator even though the startup is amperage is higher than the constant rated of the generator.Please do a good job of research in the archives. This subject comes up fairly often and there is a lot of information there. Basically, gen life depends on free cooling air flow and changing the oil frequently. Even then most are only designed to about 900 hours. But many people get much more than that out of them if properly maintained.I'm also buying my new generators in February, or as soon as this Y2K nonsense quiets down. LOTS of money being made of it though. Guess I'm just jealous I didn't think to turn Y2K into a profit center.

          6. Guest_ | Oct 14, 1999 04:59am | #9

            *Gee, you guys, what happened to the strident "Buy American" cry?Can anyone explain what the deal is with gasoline going "stale"? I accept that it happens, but why? I hace some very old lawnmower gas -- went electric a couple of years ago -- any suggestions what to do with it?

          7. Guest_ | Oct 14, 1999 07:56am | #10

            *Andrew:http://www.chevron.com/prodserv/bulletin/longterm_gasoline/background-info.html

          8. Guest_ | Oct 14, 1999 08:40am | #11

            *Pour it into your car when your tank is near full.(it soaks into the uphostery and after you drive with the windows down for six months, it is gone):-)Rich Beckman

          9. Guest_ | Oct 15, 1999 02:08am | #12

            *Andrew: Re: Stale Gasoline Since I do a fair amount off the road system where I use generators, etc many times from cached fuel I did some research on the subject. According to the labs at a couple refineries what makes fuel go "stale" are the additives in the fuel. Depending where you are in N America this means fuel might last anywhere from 3 months to 3 years with no problems. As a general rule I was told the further north you are the fewer the additives and the less the problems. Back in the leaded fuel days the problem was much worse than now. From experience I find that water in the fuel is a much bigger problem so I always refuel using a good aviation grade fuel filter.

          10. Guest_ | Oct 15, 1999 04:58am | #13

            *The Chevron site was quite interesting -- their argument was that the lighter volatile hydrocarbons boil off over time if the gasoline is not perfectly sealed in ... and that these light volatiles are necessary for starting an engine and keeping it running properly. Also, "gum" tends to build up over time and can foul the engine, for which detergents are added by federal law.Gen. aviation fuel (still heavily leaded) always presented us with a lot of water problems ... but the water simply sank to the bottom of the tank where it was easily drained out.Sooo... should hermetically sealed gasoline be useful forever? (Haven't finished my Y2K bunker yet, so there's still time to make changes.)

          11. Guest_ | Oct 16, 1999 10:21am | #14

            *Scott-I started with a $1300 Makita generator and used it for a year until it was stolen. For a replacement I bought a $600 Generac (sold by Sears). Four years later and a couple of hundred hours of construction use, I'm convinced the Generac is a better genset than the Makita. It's reliable, has better controls, came with spare parts and plugs, and they don't gouge you on the price of the wheel kit.Scott D.

          12. Guest_ | Oct 16, 1999 10:54am | #15

            *While very similiar to the answers I got from the labs I checked with the Chevron site differs in a couple of important ways(it is 1996 info so may not be current). First, depending on where the fuel was produced there may or may not be stabilizers that can degrade. They point out Federal and California fuels will store longer than "conventional" fuel. In 1998 more and more fuel meets Federal standards so that may now be the normal.In the north us and western canada much of the fuel doesn't have many additives at all, I've been told. So the refinery can't really say how long it will be useable as a motor fuel.Best answer is to filter for water and try it. If it works it is ok. If it doesn't it isn't. Personally, I use the sniff test. If it smells ok it is ok. Never let me down yet.All that said; just how many folks on this board really care about how long fuel can be stored? Not very many I suspect. But it is interesting to us knowledge sponges.

          13. Ryan_ | Oct 16, 1999 03:30pm | #16

            *I bought a motorcycle a while ago that had been sitting in some guys garage for three years. He had drained the fuel tank before putting it in storage. The small amount of fuel in the carb float bowls evaporated leaving only sticky gum and varnish. The bike was emaculate but couldn't be started. I bought it for a song hoping that whatever the problem was, I could fix it. Took only a few minutes to figure out that the carbs were not passing any fuel. I opened them up and I still can't believe how much solid stuff is in a half cup of gasoline.Rebuilt the carbs and It ran like new.(They then leaked like a sieve and I had to do it all over again)-Ryan

          14. Guest_ | Oct 16, 1999 07:49pm | #18

            *Gasoline is a witches brew ......different formulations for diffent areas of the country ....... different formulations for different seasons (winter/summer)- tough to make a blanket recomendation as far as storage. As far as storage goes, I do know that Echo power products recomends no longer than 30 days for fuel storage/ 60 with a fuel stabilizer. For storage, I've had the best luck with a full tank of fuel and a stabilizer added to it. If you run a tank dry, there still is fuel remaining in the carb- gum and varnish can result. It would not hurt to change the oil before storage ..... clean oil doesn't have the corrosives found in dirty oil. Remove the spark plug and squirt some WD-40 in the cylinder. It will help prevent rust, sometimes a problem with cast iron cylinder liners. Store the generator in a dry place. When it comes time to fire it up again, check the engine for mouse nests (especially if it was stored in an outbuilding). It sounds funny but we've run into a rash of blown motors because of the nests .....the nests clog the cooling fins and the motor overheats.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Mortar for Old Masonry

Old masonry may look tough, but the wrong mortar can destroy it—here's how to choose the right mix for lasting repairs.

Featured Video

Video: Build a Fireplace, Brick by Brick

Watch mason Mike Mehaffey construct a traditional-style fireplace that burns well and meets current building codes.

Related Stories

  • Fire-Resistant Landscaping and Home Design Details
  • A New Approach to Foundations
  • A Closer Look at Smart Water-Leak Detection Systems
  • Guest Suite With a Garden House

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data