Generator engine seized up.
Now! Not when you need it, is a good time to check out your emergency generator. Most home owners think having a small gas powered Genset solves the problem when the power goes out. Its true but only if its in perfect working order when you need it. Generators just like pets and people need a good diet and regular exercise to be in good working order (Physical condition). Todays Gasoline blends have a very short storage life. Three months or more sitting with a tank full of stale gas will make engine starting difficult and will often create gum in the engines fuel system, plugging carburetor jets as well as making floats stick. To avoid fuel system problems its a good idea to run your genset under load for an hour every three months to keep your fuel system from gumming up. A few electrical appliances or tools are all you need to give your generator a load. Make sure to refill the gas tank with clean fresh gas and a little fuel stabilizer to keep things clean for the future. Never use the bottom of the gas can that has been kept around ½ full for an extended period of time to top up your gas tank. The last cup of gas in a container should not be used because it is usually contaminated with water and dirt. Dispose of this properly before refilling your container with fresh gas. Best place to store a gas powered generator is in a warm, well ventilated dry place. Warm and dry keeps your ignition system in top shape. High humidity will eventually cause Starting problems or worse! Your garden shed is not the place for long term storage of an important piece of equipment like a genset. In addition to starting problems a high humidity environment often causes engines to seize up if not regularly exercised, airborne humidity causes corrosion to form in the engines cylinder bore. Just a little corrosion between the pistons rings and cylinder wall are all it takes to seize-up a perfectly good engine. Engine Release is the product to use to free up all types of engine that have seized-up during storage. An Engine Release treatment can save you the cost of an unnecessary trip to the repair shop as well as a big bill for an engine rebuild. Engine Release requires no special tools and is sold with a money back guarantee www.seizedengine.com An owners manual is important. Its almost as important as the generator! Regular oil changes some time every 25 - 50 hours are required due to constant use and should be performed when recommended. More often is better for low budget engines that dont have oil filters. Check the manufacturers recommendations when selecting the proper weight engine oil for your unit. The more sophisticated your generator the less supervision it requires when in operation but it will require more attention during storage periods in addition to whats mentioned above. If it is a water cooled unit checking the coolant level is important as well as changing it regularly to keep the rust inhibitors active. Also if it is a battery start unit the battery should be serviced regularly and hooked up to a trickle charger at all times when the generator is not in use. A fully charged battery will make the higher horse power units easy to start when you need them most! 35 years in the Heavy Equipment business. Started off as a welder Moved on to Mechanics helper Went on to construction as a sub-contractor doing welding on The Montreal Metro, James Bay Power Project, Many piling jobs in Montreal Proper as well as Marine work. http://www.enginerelease.com