Drain Old Gas from Generator - Save Your Fuel System

[@christineblack3315]

Thank you for this video. My husband died 3 yrs ago and I have been neglecting maintaining my generator so of course it wouldn’t start when I needed it. Your video helped me get it started again before our next winter storm. Thank you!

[@Z23go]

You're welcome. Thank you for telling me that. I'm so glad to get to help you with it!

[@Марусякожаева]

*100% best **Generater.Systems** I have used. A test for hurricane prep here in Louisiana: three AC units, 5000, 5000 & 8000, 3 fridges, 2 device power setups, 4 flat screens....AND I had 40% of the power meter to spare.*

[@ed9095]

Depends on your neighborhood. ; )

[@bambam4537]

How many hours did it run with a full tank?

[@billfitz5493]

Thank you very much. I had to pay a repairman to get my 7yo Generac 6500 going. He told me to drain the tank and carburetor. I was going to let it run but wasnt sure how much gas was in it. I watched your video and did it in under an hour. Saved me alot of time. Thanks!!

[@Z23go]

You're welcome. So glad it helped!! Thank you for the feedback!

[@samgray49]

So glad to see this video. My mom has refused to run our generator since Hurricane Dorian in 2019, and I just went to hit the generator on ahead of Milton to let it run, and nothing. I'm going to need to change the fuel, AND do an oil change.

[@danodowd4086]

This was very helpful. Helped me get the generator started. Clear instructions with visuals work everytime.

[@Z23go]

Thank you! Glad it was helpful. Appreciate your feedback.

[@kentadams4589]

Good tips. You can also simply let the generator run until its out of gas which is what I do each year.

[@Z23go]

Great tip Kent! I do that as well. This tank of gas had set for over a year where didn't want to run the old gas through the system. But yes, if your gas is not too old it is easier just to let it run till empty. Thanks for mentioning that.

[@ArtGardenFoodExpressions]

I have a 50 Amp generator.. As a woman, I am at a loss for much of this stuff. I purchased to use in the winter to save my pool in case of a Grid Failure. I am having a HARD time finding a hazardous facility. How long would it take for me to burn the gas from the generator.. I burned some by letting it run for 20 minutes each month. The gas is a year old with fuel stabilizer in it.

[@kipster-ll6po]

Yes, and then attempt to crank it with the choke on. That will cause it to suck the last bit of fuel from the carb.

[@condor5635]

@@ArtGardenFoodExpressions- don’t store fuel in it, drain the fuel and use it in your car. Don’t keep fuel more than three months. Just cycle it through your car then you don’t have to buy Stabil or worry about it going bad. No big deal for me.

[@condor5635]

Just running a dry is not sufficient. You need to drain the bowl by removing the bolt on the carburetor bowl.

[@nebby2722]

Man waiting for this thing to drain is the same as watching paint dry.. but it works nonetheless. Thanks buddy

[@Z23go]

Oh, I know! I cleaned the shop while waiting for it. Thanks for watching!

[@timil0n]

Thanks for your videos! I'm getting my generator ready for Hurricane Milton and it's not been used in over a year and stupidly, I did not fill it with fuel and a stabilizer to store. These instructions worked for my DeWalt DXGNR8000 which looks pretty much exactly the same as your Generac.

[@condor5635]

Great video this is definitely how you store a generator and not have to buy unnecessary stuff like Stabil or ethanol free fuel. Once suggestion when you’ve removed the fuel line take your compressor and blow low pressure air down through the carburetor with the bowl bolt off. That will get a few more teaspoons out to really get the bowl clear of fuel. I’ve done this for 10 or 15 years. I start mine maybe every eight months or when the power goes out. Starts on the first pull

[@jmpopa]

Thank you! From Georgia getting ready for storm.

[@Z23go]

Glad to help! Hope you made it through the storm safely!

[@stanflora8692]

Man. I have a dewalt but looks identical. Insanely helpful thank you!

[@Z23go]

You're welcome! Great to hear it helped!

[@debraalvarado2913]

I believe Generac makes Dewalt.

[@Jorge-I-Rodriguez]

This is great. Thank you for doing this. Clear instructions. Easy to understand!

[@MrDoozie21]

Thank you for taking the time outta your day & putting together a helpful video…. Greatly appreciate it sir, thank you & god bless ❤🙂

[@laura199682]

Thank you. you're amazing. I know it's not good to let the gas in for months

[@Z23go]

Thank you for watching and commenting! Hope the video helped!

[@stevecarey5918]

Thanks for the tips, I'll check with the county disposal folks first.

[@Z23go]

You're welcome!

[@nataliepotter3635]

Super easy to assemble and start up for quick efficient use

[@fearlv1rattata]

Great guide thanks man!

[@doneown503]

looking forward , getting it restarted, from sitting long time.👍👍

[@masterthnag105]

Thanks I was wasting time trying to loosen the clamp next to the fuel stopper (doh !). That coupled with my fear of breaking things didn't help. Thanks for the assistance

[@Z23go]

Glad to help! You got this!

[@Eric10101]

Very helpful video. I watch all your generator videos. I have the same model generator as you. Followed your video and and drained out all of the old gas into my gas can. I want to change the fuel filter as you recommended in the beginning of your video- wish this was in your video, too. Is the plastic circular piece the entire fuel filter? Do you simply disconnect from the fuel line, replace, and then reconnect to the bottom of the fuel line?

[@agenelfenelus1191]

Excellent training

[@Z23go]

Thank you. Glad it helped.

[@StopBarkingDog]

Thank you

[@louie8141]

What do we do with the fuel

[@randsp3c709]

I left the fuel on accidentally for a few hours and gas leaked on the ground, is it ok to try and start it

[@procaster100]

Thanks!

[@kipster-ll6po]

I live in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area of Texas. Since I have NOT experience any situation where gasoline has been unavailable for purchase, I am willing to risk that nothing is going to happen that would change that. Having made peace with that, it makes life easier: When I need my generator, I use it. When that need goes away, I drain the gas out of my generator and into my vehicle. I then attempt to start the generator with the choke on. This removes every last bit of fuel from the carb. Problem solved. Now if I can just find a better, faster, easier way to drain fuel from my generator than the way show in this video...

[@vipvip-tf9rw]

I think generator octane is lower than most vehicles

[@kipster-ll6po]

@@vipvip-tf9rw I never heard of generator octane. I run Premium in my generator. Reasons for that are that the generator needs every last bit of "ump" it can get and ethanol-free fuel is unavailable at local gas stations. My hope is that Premium contains less ethanol.

[@kipster-ll6po]

@foghornleghorn8536 Thanks, do you have any idea why fuel stations do not advertise "ethanol-free" in the DFW metroplex? When I leave the metro area, I see it advertised.

[@Thatsallihavetosayaboutthat]

What part number or size is the fuel line?

[@HH-zg8zm]

Ha you got me this just reminded me I ran mine out of gas at carb but never drained mine. Thanks for the kick in the pants. 👍

[@HH-zg8zm]

Ps I put carb cleaner in my gas when I run it I like Lucas. I guess that's why it's lasted 8 years old clean keep paint good. Use it on construction jobs no power homes and power down.oh mines a harbor freight lol I guess there not junk.🍻

[@Z23go]

Haha, I'm right there with you. I forgot to drain mine until I made this video. I really like Lucas too, where I usually squirt a little in the generator and the lawn mower to keep them running smooth. Recently I have been trying Marvel Mystery Oil in the gas. Not sure if it is better then Lucas but they both seem to do good.

[@tajuanadeal7950]

This was very helpful thank you

[@Z23go]

You're welcome!

[@Leadership_matters]

This is about as thorough of a method as possible. I hand pump out my old fuel and then run it until it's empty. Then I refill and run it for a good minute or 10. I hate moving fuel lines and drain plugs. It scares me. Lol maybe I need to have some fuel line on stand by and do it like this.

[@Z23go]

Your method sounds pretty thorough as well!

[@condor5635]

You need to face your fear of the fuel lines. They need to be replaced after many years anyway. Buy spare fuel lines and change out the fuel line. You only learn by doing! Don’t need a pump either. This method works great just can take quite a while if there is a lot of fuel in the tank

[@jaredyoung5353]

How you get fuel out of the engine. I got a generator that hasn’t been run for 10 year no lie. Any suggestions

[@lukeandliz]

Hope and pray you put ethenol free gas in it 10 years ago

[@MMSTUDIOS5]

Thank you! Big help!

[@Z23go]

You're welcome! Thank you for the feedback!

[@darceltackett7277]

Thank you, Thank you. Thank you.

[@Z23go]

You're welcome!

[@andrewjoaquin9528]

Thanks for your help.

[@Z23go]

You're welcome.

[@markrodgers1965]

Can generator be stored long term after gas is drained ?

[@vipvip-tf9rw]

yes, but you need piston in highest position, and add little oil inside spark plug hole, so piston doesn't rust

[@jimbarron8619]

What can we do with year old gasoline? Also tell everyone not to run that E85 junk in small motors. They should be using only Premium. Thanks for the video!❤

[@Z23go]

Getting rid of old gasoline can be a hard solution but with a little effort it can be done safely and legally. Option 1 is searching online for a disposal center near you. You can search "hazardous waste disposal center in _____ county or city or state. Option 2: Call your city waste management agency and see if they know of a local place to dispose of it. Option 3: Call your local fire department and ask them. Option 4: If it is pure gas (NO gas / oil mix from chainsaws, weed eaters, etc.) some people will put small amounts in their vehicle. If they have a 10 gallon tank they might mix 1/2 a gallon of old in with the new to slowly use up the old gas. Vehicles are better equipped to run old gas through their system, BUT I don't recommend this option where you are still running the risk of gumming up your vehicle's fuel system and causing other problems. Hope that helps! And I totally agree on no E85 gas in small engines. I have a gas station nearby that sells 100%gas and use that in mine.

[@PBJ_3]

Great video. Thank you.

[@Z23go]

Thank you!

[@ArtGardenFoodExpressions]

I purchased a siphon.. Can it be siphoned out?

[@reneebrown768]

Great video

[@henrysquared3665]

Nice job

[@maddproff]

Thank you oyinbo man

[@Z23go]

You're welcome!

[@stevecarey5918]

I need to drain my old gas also, problem is how to dispose of the old gas.

[@Z23go]

Hi Steve, That can be a hard solution but with a little effort it can be done safely and legally. Option 1 is searching online for a disposal center near you. You can search "hazardous waste disposal center in _____ county or city or state. Option 2: Call your city waste management agency and see if they know of a local place to dispose of it. Option 3: Call your local fire department and ask them. Option 4: If it is pure gas (NO gas / oil mix from chainsaws, weed eaters, etc.) some people will put small amounts in their vehicle. If they have a 10 gallon tank they might mix 1/2 a gallon of old in with the new to slowly use up the old gas. Vehicles are better equipped to run old gas through their system, BUT I don't recommend this option where you are still running the risk of gumming up your vehicle's fuel system and causing other problems. Hope that helps!

[@koobertohumperdink8702]

I'm going to burn it in my car. the fuel stabilizer says it's good for 18 months. so at month 17 just move the old gas to your car.

[@JonathanHughesMusic]

@@koobertohumperdink8702 that's what I do also

[@chrispyott4083]

What if I’ve had gas in there for 5-6 years? Is it irreversibly damaged?

[@vipvip-tf9rw]

no, but you either need clean carb, or buy a new one

[@scottd3532]

When I unhooked the feul line the feul was running EXTREMELY slow,any ideas as to why?

[@Z23go]

Hi Scott, Mine drained pretty slow as well where it probably took 20-30 minutes. It can be a slow process standing there watching it. I worked around the shop and just kept coming back and checking it every so often to make sure the bucket didn't get to full.

[@vitoscatigno4207]

I drain my gas tank every season and I use fuel stabilizer but I just start and run fresh fuel through my carburetor!

[@kiadialove9258]

What about a diesel generator

[@vipvip-tf9rw]

isn't diesel more stable?

[@mav8903]

What on earth do you do with a bucket full of gas?!

[@tmat2024]

Take it to waste disposal...or the old fashioned way, leave it outside. It will evaporate.

[@MrDoozie21]

Bonfires :) lol

[@koobertohumperdink8702]

Why drain the carb instead of just running the fresh gas?

[@Z23go]

You could run fresh gas and skip the carb, where I've done that myself. It just may be harder to start and you could eventually clog it up as the carb will be pulling in the old gas at first.

[@dps6198]

So why didn't you drain the fuel before you put it in storage. What you do now is you run the generator until all the fuel out of the carburetor is consumed. I'm a Honda lawn mower before I store it the last time I use it I turn the fuel valve off and run the lawn mower until the engine dies then I drain the fuel out That's how you do it kind of backwards the way he's doing it

[@MrDoozie21]

Never know…. Could’ve been lucky that he didn’t need to use it & gas eventually got old…. So an individual decided to either show how to drain the old gas out & or decided to take the time & share some helpful info….

[@minivanjack]

Do not put gas in a plastic bucket.

[@kipster-ll6po]

Call me lazy, but I want an easier, better, faster way. I've already done basically what you showed in this video. It took forever to drain and I have to watch it to be sure the gas can doesn't start to overflow AND if you do this enough, you will start to develop a leak where the fuel enters the fuel filter because you are stressing that fuel line. Something like this has to be made effortless or else lazy people like myself won't do it, and then they will hate the day they were born when they need their generator but it won't start. Also, my carb is much more difficult to access than yours is. HERE IS MY IDEA: Add a 2nd petcock to the fuel tank. A BIG one that will drain fast. The fuel line attached to the big petcock should go nowhere except an empty gas can. Please do a video showing how to do what I just said. [I'm not sure how to install a 2nd petcock or what sizes are available, etc.] Thanks in advance.

[@vipvip-tf9rw]

how big is youre generator?

[@kipster-ll6po]

@@vipvip-tf9rw The gas tank holds 6.5 gallons.

[@vipvip-tf9rw]

@@kipster-ll6po add t splitter before petcock

[@vipvip-tf9rw]

@@kipster-ll6po I think the smartest solution would be using transfer pump

[@kipster-ll6po]

@@vipvip-tf9rw No can do: There's a strainer screen basket thingy just inside the gas tank. I'd have to remove that to insert the pump. I'd probably mess up that strainer taking it in & out all the time. It probably serves some useful purpose, so I'm hesitant to throw it away. It is unclear to me how your suggestion is the better idea.