Is it safe to use premium fuel in a carburated Honda EM7000is generator?

[Horseflesh]

I may have some unwanted premium gas to dispose of, and I want to make sure that it is safe to use in my Honda EM7000is genny.

I believe that for cars it's generally OK to use higher octane fuel than needed, it's just a waste of money. Any reason it would be different in a small engine like this?

 

[y_p_w]

No. Certainly not with modern fuel. The biggest worry should be that it be used up if there are oxygenates that might attract moisture. I've seen phase separation in a lawn mower tank.

 

[Horseflesh]

Fantastic, thanks for the reassurance.

 

[97prizm]

I may have some unwanted premium gas to dispose of, and I want to make sure that it is safe to use in my Honda EM7000is genny.

I believe that for cars it's generally OK to use higher octane fuel than needed, it's just a waste of money. Any reason it would be different in a small engine like this?

You're fine to use it up but I use Ethanol free or Avgas in small engines as ethanol over time seems to harden fuel lines and leave white crust in the bottom of the carburetor bowl. I'd throw a splash of heat to make sure theres no moisture separation.

 

[Horseflesh]

We normally use ethanol-free gas in this genny -- but if I do dispose of the premium it will be fairly fresh and only a few gallons.

 

[97prizm]

I don't know if it's an old wives tale or whatnot. A neighbor the next block over from me is in his 80's and repairs push mowers and riding mowers has said repeatedly that using high octane gas in push mowers will "burn your valves".

 

[RoadDukie]

I guess that extra octane must "Bring the Fire" that burns the valves!

I'm certainly no expert, but I'm going with the wife's tale explanation.

 

[eljefino]

If it's older, like 6-12 months old, I'd mix it in with the tank of my fuel injected car.

Small engine carbs are finicky, even more finicky than cars, IMO.

 

[TmanP]

Minnesota only allows non-ethanol gas to be sold in Premium (91) flavor, not lower grades like other states, so tons of people run that in their small engines of all sorts - boats, snowblowers, mowers, etc. Interestingly, they prohibit running it in cars that aren't "collector cars" per a sticker on the pump.

I'd rather get 87 E0 than 91 E0 in the small engine scenario, but you have to take what you can get sometimes. I see no issue at all in your case.

 

[Slick3914]

I don't know if it's an old wives tale or whatnot. A neighbor the next block over from me is in his 80's and repairs push mowers and riding mowers has said repeatedly that using high octane gas in push mowers will "burn your valves".

That’s a bunch of horse feathers.

 

[Cujet]

Honda products are very tolerant of 10% ethanol fuels. They expect people to simply get gas at the station and run it. Honda does a good job of using quality fuel lines, carb parts, seals, fuel pumps (if used) and so on.

 

[locomaster1969]

I don't know if it's an old wives tale or whatnot. A neighbor the next block over from me is in his 80's and repairs push mowers and riding mowers has said repeatedly that using high octane gas in push mowers will "burn your valves".

Clogged cylinder cooling fins and neglected air filters are most likely going to "burn your valves" before high (93) octane fuel will.

 

[locomaster1969]

Use the premium fuel in your genny provided that it is not stale. I have ran all grades of gasoline in my Honda 5000 genny. I have ran many tankfulls of mixed grades of gasoline in my genny. I top off the fuel tank with gasoline that I have on hand at the time. No fuel related problems yet.

 

[meep]

Since owning an ecoboost in 2018, all my gas cans have had premium + stabil. All the OPE gets it. No issues.

 

[Nessism1]

No. Certainly not with modern fuel. The biggest worry should be that it be used up if there are oxygenates that might attract moisture. I've seen phase separation in a lawn mower tank.

That's what Stabil is for...

 

[kschachn]

Lots of silly misconceptions about a fuel octane rating. You will not damage your engine.

 

[y_p_w]

That's what Stabil is for...

It can reduce oxidation, but it's not going to do much in a small engine environment without a sealed fuel system. If someone is constantly a small engine (like yard service using a leaf blower every day), I don't think there's much to worry about. An emergency generator is another matter.

 

[nomas]

Premium grade gas is not going to damage your generator . You won't notice any difference in how it runs .

 

[Astro_Guy]

I may have some unwanted premium gas to dispose of, and I want to make sure that it is safe to use in my Honda EM7000is genny.

I believe that for cars it's generally OK to use higher octane fuel than needed, it's just a waste of money. Any reason it would be different in a small engine like this?

Why not just put it in your car or truck? It won't hurt your OPE, but there is a more obvious solution.

 

[TimeFlies]

It's fine to use in your genset.