Generator Won't Start After Sitting 

Can you explain how ethanol gas ages vs non-ethanol? How about E-85? How long can these fuels sit in storage safely?

@@raiderdawgranch The ethanol in the gasoline is able to slowly absorb moisture from the air space in the tank. The ethanol and water have an affinity for each other (think vodka). Water is denser than gasoline, so the "vodka" sinks to the bottom of the tank, and ultimately to the carb fuel bowl. And the engine won't run on water. I have no proof, but I think the "aging" is not so much a chemical composition change over time, but rather a moisture absorption problem over time. And a Mr. Funnel device can separate water from gasoline. In fact, I once saw someone deliberately add water to gasoline, which had ethanol, shake it up, and then pour the mix through a Mr. Funnel. The goal was to remove that ethanol. Seems like a lot of work, especially if you can just buy gas you know is ethanol-free. But it is cool that this is possible.

@@raiderdawgranch for storage, I store my *premium* gasoline (which I can only hope is ethanol-free; it's hard to get an answer around here) in 5 gallon/20 liter NATO fuel cans. They are airtight, so if gas does absorb moisture, it is limited to whatever H2O was in the small air space remaining when I fastened the NATO can closed.

Glad to help

Glad to help! Thanks for watching

Papa D, you are right! But I’m not running a science channel here 😜

Thanks for watching. Glad it was helpful!

Sounds like a bad ground? The electricity is flowing through your hand instead of the igniter. Make sure the igniter is connected tight to the grill frame then make sure the igniter tip is close to the burner

Check oil sensor. Disconnect and try starting again. Just watched a video that says it stops spark

Yep, you are right. 3 options here (1) use propane all the time. Although I understand it burns colder(?) and doesn’t create the same power. (2) use a fuel stabilizer in your gas (or ethanol-free gas) and (3) drain the carb. I switch over to propane input now when I’m ready to shut down, so I can burn through the remaining gas in the bowl.

Problem for me was someone else used gas. Thought it was completely empty but no. Opened ignition coil and it poured gas. Could have happened on bumpy roads during transport. Cleaned it all without disassembly of carb and it started right up

Well if you only use propane, you'll never have this problem because the carburetor isn't really used and it doesn't matter if the solenoid is stuck or not. Agree 100% on draining the carb bowl. I do like the fact I can use both types a fuel. In the case of a long power outage, I could see running out of gas and switching to propane for as long as it lasts.