How To PREVENT VAPOR LOCK In Your GENERATOR, Small Engines, And Carbureted Classic RV Or VAN!

[@guzzialfa]

I use MMO sparingly in my air tools for lubrication. Something I've recently started using in my Ariens snowblowers is Seafoam. The Ariens service techs recommended it over Stabil to keep gas fresh. They also insisted that I shut off the gas supply and run the carb & lines dry if i can't drain the tank when the season ends. They said use Seafoam in the gas, the oil and even in diesels to keep the gas alive longer. Thought I'd share.

[@BlueCubAdventures]

Awesome, worked for me… 92F in Casper WY. Honda 3000 wasn’t running in those conditions…

[@alanhester9984]

As a teenager growing up in Indio CA we had a '67 VW bug I drove. When it got over 115 it would vapor lock from time to time. We clipped on about 5 wooden clothes pins on the gas line between the fuel pump and the carburetor and it solved the problem. A lot of old timers swore by it and it sure did the trick.

[@kevinj8258]

Thanks HT. Have not heard about vapor lock issues and over heating.

[@jimrodda]

Hi Tom, here in the UK in the 70s, we had, 2,3,4 and 5 star petrol ( Gas to you ) octane rating ( lead related ) but now all we have is petrol unleaded (gas) green pump and diesel (black) pump handle's at filling stations, no more octane related fuel, safe travels 😀🇬🇧

[@whoistheroach136]

jimrodda Opposite in USA. Black for gas. Green for diesel.

[@jimrodda]

@@whoistheroach136 yes very strange, gas more eco friendly, hence green, diesel more pollutant black !!

[@gheckopoint8846]

Petrol/Gasoline octane seems to be advertised at the garages I use here in the UK. Usually it’s a number on the trigger or on the newer pumps it can be on the display. I’ve not noticed any ratings on Diesel. Octane only pertains to petrol.

[@jimrodda]

@@gheckopoint8846 there is no octane related numbers on petrol pumps we do not have lead in petrol anymore, classic cars can buy leaded petrol at certain station's.

[@jerrygray7148]

try starbrite star tron gas treatment I wont run my gen. or mower ,boat motor without it haven't had any problems with it

[@byronbrasher8118]

great video what kind of screen tent are you using and how do you store it ??

[@HOBOTECH]

Everything I use is on hobotech.tv/amazon. I store it in my cargo basket. Go back a few videos you'll see it.

[@rickcooperjr62864]

A cheap farm trick that works for vapor locking and corrosion from ethanol is 2-4 oz of multi purpose transmission fluid to 5 gallons of gasoline this also will stabilize the fuel similar to stabyl additive basically will keep fuel fresh / usable for a longer period added perk is it adds a small amount of carbon to protect the valve seats some carbon is needed fro proper valve sealing modern fuels with ethanol do not really do this non ethanol fuel does this and the corrosion inhibitors in the transmission fluid ( also cleans the carb ) will help stop your carb from getting gummy ( also helps rejuvenate all rubber parts in fuel system ) if you let it sit for a month or 2 without use also protects the fuel lines and rest of system especially vacuum diaghram fuel pumps in lawn mowers and such give it a try remember it only takes a little bit like 2-4 oz's for 5 gallons of gas we often use 1oz per gallon you can use it also with a 2stroke mix to help keep chainsaws / weed eaters and such from having carb issues when not in use for a short period of time 2-3 months.

[@manatee419]

Keep the videos coming!!! 👍

[@ivantotravel8665]

Thanks for the tip Tom, my van keeps spitting out the vapor lock code and I keep clearing it. I'll try that tip and let you know how it works. We had snow today in Canada today so no fear of gas boiling in the lines.

[@gheckopoint8846]

Nothing related to vapour lock or anything, but have you tried combining your new Ecoflow Delta and it’s automatic generator to power your aircon? You could use a plug in timer to switch the aircon on an hour before you arrive home (to camp) and if it runs the Delta batt down, the generator would start to recharge it. Just a thought.

[@centralcoastcamper9631]

Good info Hobo.

[@parksguy3018]

Great information and tips👍 I down to see your attempt at fixing you broken solar panel🤓🇨🇦

[@snsfabricating]

Not sure how much room you have inside the generator but it helps to clip a wooden close pin to the fuel line. It acts as a heat-sink. Probably won't work as well as on a vehicle because the fuel tank is so close to the engine heat but it worked great on an old truck I had.

[@vanomadic]

Great Tips & Tricks!

[@MrDanaful]

Hey bud! I have the same RV on a Chevy 2005 “3500” engine. It’s configured pretty much the same way. My question is. . . What’s the smallest gas generator you’d recommend to run my ac? Thank you !

[@turbofiat]

I had something like this happen on a small dirt bike and tried this and seemed to work. Assuming your fuel line is 1/4" , get some 1/4" poly tubing so you can see what's going on inside the line and a 1/4" tee. If there is a vent line coming off the filler neck (3/16 example), run a 3/6" line from the tee to the cap. Drill a small say 1/64" hole in the cap so it can breath . Place the tee as close to the inlet to the carb as possible. The head pressure should force vapor back into the top of the tank. If the cap is already vented with a pinhole, run the vent line above the filler cap. Gas may puke out as the vapor pressure increases. You may have to keep the tank above 3/4 or 1/2 tank if the vapor pressure excides the head pressure too much as the temperature rises. See if that works.

[@bgd5339]

Good info! Do you know what the boiling point of a gallon of gasoline is with the addition of 4-6 oz. of mmo? 😀

[@HOBOTECH]

Higher than without ... lol

[@wytchwoodhomesteadandkenne5036]

91! Ouch! I'm up here in gorgeous, shady, Walnut Canyon about ten miles outside of Flagstaff lol. 69 degrees, 45 tonight. Perfect for me! Thanks for the good info; I can't afford solar on disability so I am very much dependent upon my Champion 3500 :)

[@wytchwoodhomesteadandkenne5036]

Oh btw, if you know anything about diesels and have an hour to kill on your way to cooler climes, please stop by! I'll buy the beer if you'll let me pick your brain. Pretty sure I know what's wrong with my 7.3, but sure would be nice to know for sure. :) Bonus: Odin can play with my four lol. Though, we might get my Dusty and him confused...twins!

[@FloridaHomesteading]

Love this video...thank you! 😁

[@knutblaise9437]

Thanks for publishing this great content! I wonder if there is a mechanical solution to the problem. Thinking about this as elevation increases atmospheric pressure and a liquid's boiling point decreases. If you could increase the pressure in the fuel system to say sea level then it seems there would not be a problem but this would require a mechanical pump to push air into the carburetor and fuel tank at 14.7PSI. OK, forget that LOL. MMO and non ethanol gas sounds like the way to go.

[@HOBOTECH]

Fuel injection fixes the problem which is why they use FI on the new Onan's. Also more fuel efficient. Yes, for these cheap gens just running ethanol free basically resolves the issue.

[@Tim921]

Hi Tom, Super informative video I am going to buy some MMO from your amazon link now. Also I would like to see the attempt to revive the broken solar panel. Take Care.

[@jessarellanes6648]

Didn't know that, thanks bro

[@rmcnasty7319]

Hello Tom Good video, Thank you for the info. My Honda never vaporlocks, u might try propane conversion. I Suggest a Easy up , pop up awning to park & sit under. Have fun, Drive safe

[@chrisgadbury9204]

Wait you said that you highly recommend MMO additive to the ginny fuel, but do not suggest it for larger engines especially fuel injected engines, however the same fuel tank that feeds the ginny also feeds the engine in most RV's, so how would this help?

[@Sewspcl]

Another great video Tom! Can I put that in my chevy class C engine since My Onan and generator pulls from the gas tank? Thx

[@HOBOTECH]

Yes, MMO is safe to use in any engine. Although I'd follow the directions on the bottle for the amount to use. I also put it in my oil to combat sludge and quiet the valves.

[@Sewspcl]

@@HOBOTECH thx

[@scottmcmunn5369]

Thank you

[@TravelsofShadoWolf]

Great tip... 👍🎩. HOBO CON...HOBO CON

[@gregsworkshop2]

Good tip...

[@minutesagoedited9761]

Rawlins ain't too hot during the summer! hehehhe Great video, thanks!

[@yesyoga]

Helpful! 👏🏼🎯

[@scottbogatin9063]

Great tip. Thank you.

[@tedcfh3113]

Good morning

[@pesomistic7656]

i fix the same issue cheaper with store brand octane booster.

[@bruceh3786]

Interesting and an informative video, thanks! Is there something about the Sportsman design that makes it more prone to vapor locking? I have not come across this the few times I have run generators in hot weather. I bought a new Ford truck in 1979 with a carbureted 400 cubic inch V8. It ran fine for years then the fuel formulations changed and it started vapor locking. I never got a good solution and after it dying a few times in bad situations, I sold it in 1991 for a fuel injected Chevy. Problem solved! The other issue was fuel mileage was terrible with the Ford at about 11 MPG unloaded flat freeway.

[@HOBOTECH]

The compact ones with the side panels can overheat the fuel lines due to lack of air flow.

[@bruceh3786]

@@HOBOTECH That is good to know. Sounds like it would be a good idea to check the routing of the fuel line before purchasing a generator.

[@DesignerAviaries]

@@HOBOTECH Honda 2200 doesn't have choke bulb and won't run properly with the side panel removed. Contemplated only burning propane but generator expert suggested breaking it in with gasoline. Unsure why propane couldn't be used for break-in.

[@secretsquirrel8273]

Good info -- thanks!

[@sean7554]

Well, will see if this is the problem. Running my Predator in 86 degree weather. It runs for about 10 minutes, just fine. Then it starts sputtering. Covered the fuel tank with a cargo blanket. Ran a bit longer, ended up doing the same thing. It's sitting on the back of my rv in direct sunlight.

[@sean7554]

The Marvel Mystery oil didn't work. I just ended putting the gas cap on, but not twisting it close. Works fine.

[@kareneighth6045]

How do you hang your tarps?

[@HOBOTECH]

I use really strong magnets.

[@IRONMAN-kb4su]

? Would octane boost help ?

[@HOBOTECH]

Octane boost might work to lower the vapor pressure if you add enough but it seems a more expensive solution.

[@gregyohngy]

Why toss out the solar panel? I had a broken plastic frame for my 5 watt panel and a carpenter made a wooden frame for it. Go to a glass shop and get new glass or did you really have more issues?

[@HOBOTECH]

The glass won't come out. Besides, you need special lead free glass for solar panels.

[@rmcnasty7319]

Also shade the AC unit.

[@scottd9024]

That generator is pampered! M. M.O. and synthetic oil. Checking spark plug gap ect. 😏

[@dwdkokab8406]

Hey if you're cat starts panting, he's overheating. Put him in the sink and wet him. He'll stop panting in a few minutes. This saved my cat's life.

[@gailjohnson6670]

Your generator is so very loud. What kind is it?

[@thisspotrules3631]

Take the SP behind the barn!

[@EOFugate]

Hahahaha - next video "101 ideas to re use your broken solar panels"... lol. Stay safe (and cool)....

[@shawnquinn4356]

Time to upgrade generator

[@teddyr7901]

😎 👍

[@jerrymc9495]

My boat mechanic swears by Marvel Mystery Oil.

[@thespacecowboy420]

Best use for broken solar panels lol

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

WHERE you hiding your honey?? I see you have 2 seats setup outside, come on, get her or him out of the closet !!

[@ricks.1318]

Ba ha ha ha ........ :) :)

[@gc19932004]

Tom you're going to kill Odin if you're keeping him locked in that dark cave of a van.

[@HOBOTECH]

You have no idea what you're talking about, but thanks for your opinion.

[@patriciaalexander9751]

Gc your a jackass!! Odin is a pampered spoiled kitty loved by his daddy. Get a life!!