Old Gas in the Generator? Start It in October, Not During the Ice Storm

The generator that ran fine last winter has been sitting in the shed since March. If there's gas in it, that gas is probably going stale. The time to find out is a sunny Saturday in October, not the first night of an ice storm.

01Why old gas is a problem

Gasoline breaks down over time, especially gas blended with ethanol. Left in a carburetor for months, it can leave gummy deposits that clog the tiny passages. The result: a generator that won't start or surges and dies.

02The October check

1. Fuel - If the tank has old gas in it with no stabilizer, drain it (follow your manual) and dispose of it properly. Many auto parts stores or household hazardous waste sites take it. - Fill with fresh gas plus fuel stabilizer. Some people use ethanol-free gas for small engines if they can find it.

2. Oil - Check the level and condition. Change it if it's dark or it's been a season. - Many generators have a low-oil shutoff, so low oil means no start.

3. Spark plug - Pull it, look at it, replace it if it's fouled or worn. Keep a spare in the generator box.

4. Air filter - Clean or replace it.

5. Start it and run it under load - Run it for 20 to 30 minutes with something plugged in, like a work light or a space heater on low. Running it with no load doesn't tell you much. - Outside, 20 feet from the house. See where the generator goes.

6. Cords and connections - Check your extension cords for cuts and burned plugs. - If you have a transfer switch or interlock, test it. See transfer switch vs. interlock kit.

03Store it right

After the test, either run it dry or keep the stabilized fuel in it, depending on what your manual recommends. Then run it once a month through the winter.

04Fuel on hand

Store gas in approved cans, away from the house, and rotate it.

Same Saturday: test the CO alarms and put the hose bib covers on.

Photo by 652234 on Pixabay.

Related: Midwest Power Outages: How Long They Really Last (NIPSCO's August Storm)