Y2K 5000 watt gasoline generator

[AntiMatic]

Bought one then, checked it out then, (obviouslyly did not need it for the intended purpose) stored and moved it a few times over the next 17 years until Sunday after Matthew hit here in NE SC. Had nothing else to do since no major damage and we had not had power for 18 hours or so. 16 cu ft Freezer full of meat, 16 cu ft fridge full of beer (!), 25 cu ft side by side, slowly warming up. Dug generator out of the back of the garage, checked to make sure the spark plug was clean, pulled the rope a few times without the plug to get that 17 year old oil slinging, reinstalled the plug. Sprayed a little starting fluid in it to confirm it had spark. Opened the shut off valve on the empty tank, and added a little 93 100%, choked it, and it fired right up. Shut it down quickly, drained oil, and put some old GTX 10w30 in it. Ran it some Sunday AM and then in the evening. Power came back on Sunday night, shut it back down.

As a BITOGer, I bought 2 exact replacement spark plugs for the single cylinder (B&S 10 hp) Will change the oil to Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5w30 or RP 5w30, as I have a quart of each on hand. Will empty the fuel, run the carb dry, ...thinking of fogging it with Stabil Fogging Oil.
BTW, Freezer is normally -22 degrees F, and after 18 hours with no power, had warmed to -5 degrees F. Good for long storage, didnt lose anything. For those interested, the beer stayed plenty cool enough to drink. Some here are still without power, due to huge oak trees and lots of water, with a little wind to tip them over (they dont break).

 

[Astro_Guy]

Some of us like to exercise them and change the oil annually, whether needed or not. Your strategy seems to have worked this time, but one has to question how much ethanol was in the gas back before the year 2000 and how much different the circumstances are today...

 

[CT8]

I would run 10w30 0r 15w40.

 

[AntiMatic]

CT8, that was intention until late today, when I saw on the B&S website that 5w30 was recommended for all temps. Does not get that cold here, maybe in the teens a few days in the winter. Thought maybe the 5W would be easier for pull starting, if generator needed in the Winter.

 

[Donald]

Some might loose the ability to generate electricity if they sit unused for years. You then have to excite it with a battery or plug in electric drill and turn chuck by hand to generate some electricity. Best to find out the method for your generator and print it out. Might not be easy to look it up online during a hurricane.

 

[EdwardC]

I think the 5W30 will work fine, or if you have some 5W40, or 0W40 for other OPE on hand, that'd be great too.

I assume you drained the carb and tank before you stored it 17 years ago? I'm certain that's what made the difference this time around.

 

[JTK]

How the unit was stored is everything. Not having any fuel left in it and the fact it was kept clean and dry in the garage and your chances of issues are mostly gone. Is this an attached garage that doesn't see huge temperature/humidity swings? That's another bonus.

 

[AntiMatic]

Must have...though I dont recall younger me doing it. Made all the difference evidenty.

 

[AntiMatic]

Attached garage, doors closed mostly. Used to store car, cycles, coolers...Would be neat to store a daily driver in there.

 

[JimPghPA]

Stabil Fogging Oil is good stuff for long term storage however after several uses of it, burning it off when you start the engine will foul the sparkplug.

You can also spray down the carburetor with WD-40. Be sure to get some into the small hole for the idle air somewhere near where the air enters the carburetor, and try to get some in the carburetor emulsion tube that sits in the center of the air flow through the carburetor.

 

[bubbatime]

Surprised it ran, honestly.

True that they can lose the ability to generate electricity over time, without use. Probably should run it at least once a year. Run a quart of fuel through it.

For summer use, 15W40 oil minimum.

 

[crainholio]

Put it away with the piston at TDC firing, so the intake and exhaust valves are closed. Just pull the starter cord gently until resistance builds, then a smidge more. Close the choke. These steps help keep moisture out of the combustion chamber.

 

[Oldmoparguy1]

I've run Mobil 1 5w30 in all my B&S OPE for years, but the last time we lost power for several hours, the motor i was sounding rough, so changed the oil to DTD 5W-40. Runs much quieter now. Don't know how many hours my Colman PowerMate 2500 motor has left in it. It's had many hours over the last 10 or so years. Put another 3 hours on it last weekend.

 

[The motor guy]

I think 5w30 is just a good all around weight for all climates as stated before on here. Of course when it's 110 degrees outside and your running it hard for hours on end the oil is going to get HOT and 5w30 may not be the best choice.