running a 2 stroke gen on coleman fuel

[stickle]

Met a prep goal today by buying a small 2 stroke generator. But I have a real dilemma regarding fuel storage. My question is can I run my gen on white gas, (which is just unleaded gas...right?) if I add the 2 stroke oil? Besides the cost, what are the downsides?

Here is another one...can you leave gas in it if a stabilizer has been added? I ran it for about 30 min to check function, shut the fuel valve and let it die. The fuel I used is stabilized but....?

Third question, is there any difference in 2 stroke oils? (keep it clean guys!!)

Thanks for making your wisdom and experience available to us fools.

[tgriffin]

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_gas?wasRedirected=true

Make sure you don't put camp fuel in it.

Most 2stroke oils are created equal. I'd suggest going with whatever the manufacturer recommends and not mixing it until time of use.

[tozan]

White gas???? I don't really know, but it doesn't sound like a good idea to me...

The best way to keep a generator on standby is with no fuel in it at all and the fuel tank fogged with fogging oil you will also need to remove the carb and clean it and all the passageways out. Running it out of fuel like you have may still leave enough fuel in there to cause a problem later. I repaired a lot of generators in the past when I worked for Honda that had ben run dry and a lot that had been stored with various stabilization products in them, nothing will last for ever so, DRY is best.

Using any kind of stabil mix will only be good short term if TEOTWAWK is a few years away your generator may no longer run...

My back up Generator is completely cleaned out every time I use it...

The best Generator to have is one that runs on LP gas... I plan on converting mine in the future that way I can use it anytime without worrying about cleaning it...

[G-forceJunkie]

A generator is not something you buy, toss in the shed, and forget about untill you need it. Come up with a schedule to pull lit out, run it for 10-15 minutes, then store. I do mine every 2 months. I dump the fuel out and replace it twice a year. I store it with stabalized fuel. It always starts on 1-2 pulls. My extra fuel storage (20 gallons) is stored un stabalized. I just replace it every 2 months by dumping it in my truck and refilling with fresh fuel. Thats the key, keep your stores fresh by cycling through it (this goes for food, water, batteries, etc as well.) Yes, it will probably run on white gas in a pinch, better if you mix it with some gasoline, but I would not plan on it for extended use. If you have to have canned fuel, this would work well and is already pre-mixed, 2 year shelf life: http://www.baileysonline.com/itemdet...0125538&catID=

[stickle]

great info guys...

What is fogging oil? Not a term I know. I don't really feel inclined to dismount a brand new carb, not really my skill set.... is there a product I can flush through the tank/carb to clean it?

They also recommend putting a little oil directly in the cylinder for storage and putting the piston at the top...Is that a good idea? Would running it every few months do the same thing?

Again thanks for the great info

[smle-man]

Not only should you run it every other month but you need to run it under a load. I plug my wife's 1500w hair dryer into my 5KW generator and run the HD on high heat for a couple minutes, then off and then back on again several times to load the engine. You can hear the engine bear down when the load comes on.

[damon1272]

I would give it a try. Simple reason is that fresh white gas is only around 50 octane without any of the regulor additives of pump gas. If it is low compression, which I am sure it is it may run but I would put a load on the generator to see if it pings. I would only put a little in to try. Also, make sure you mix it with oil. The worst thing that will happen is the generator will not run. If it pings under load then shut it off and dump the fuel. Reason why I say it would be good to try is that white gas would represent gas that has sat around for quite some time. If it will run off of that then you would in better shape knowing that you can run off of a old poor quality gas.

[bohoki]

i wouldn't

although i did run a coleman lantern with charcoal lighter juice

[OHOD]

great info guys...

What is fogging oil? Not a term I know. I don't really feel inclined to dismount a brand new carb, not really my skill set.... is there a product I can flush through the tank/carb to clean it?

Ah ha!!!!
When TEOTWAWKI happens, or SHTF.....I will fix your generator for 50 rounds of 38 special, 5 gallons of water and two buttons for my jacket. Deal?

[Dubious_Beans]

When TEOTWAWKI happens, or SHTF.....I will fix your generator for 50 rounds of 38 special, 5 gallons of water and two buttons for my jacket. Deal?

I think that depends on where you got the water.