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prt328
Junior Nomad
Posts: 51
Registered: 2-13-2007
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Bad Gas??
Brought my RV down at the beginning of January and have had it parked since then. Started the engine a few times (Vortec V10) and she ran perfect. I
am now trying to start the ONAN 4KW gen set and can't seem to keep it running. Since it's been only 4 months in warm temperatures I did not fog it or
put it into "storage mode." I've tried starting fluid and have held the prime switch down; it fires for a few seconds and stops.
I had a boat in storage down here and upon returning it to the States couldn't get the twin Mercs to run either. The mechanic disconnected the fuel
line and ran it into a 5 gallon can of fresh Chevron. Ran like a top. My plan is to do the same on the ONAN.
I have about 75 gallons right now in the RV. Does the Pemex gasoline (Verdi) go bad in that short of time? Any workarounds or should I just drain it
and start over if it turns out to be a fuel problem?
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bajabuddha
Banned
Posts: 4024
Registered: 4-12-2013
Location: Baja New Mexico
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Mood: Always cranky unless medicated
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I'm a firm believer in using 'Sta-bil' in both my generator and outboard motor (4-stroke) gasoline tanks, ALWAYS. I'd dump your old gas just on
General Principles, and go w/ new gas, and have the Sta-bil in it. Couldn't hurt. Also, maybe pull your plug(s) and either put in new, or clean 'em
up a little. Hope it helps.
bb
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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bajalearner
Senior Nomad
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Location: Tijuana
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Mood: in search of more
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Did you hit the start switch for a good 20 seconds or more? Then if it doesn't start let the starter cool down awhile.
Onan's have an electric fuel pump. I would start by making sure it's pumping gas to the carb.
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Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5912
Registered: 7-18-2011
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I'm genuinely interested in what one does with the gas once it's drained.
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David K
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Posts: 65186
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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As I understand it (and Ateo or BajaCactus can correct me), ethanol diluted gasoline (as sold in California) has a shorter 'shelf life', but pure
gasoline (Pemex) lasts longer and is better for your engine... ?
Any long term engine storage should be drained of fuel or at least use the stabilizer mentioned above.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Ateo
I'm genuinely interested in what one does with the gas once it's drained. |
you don't want to know.....
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Russ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6742
Registered: 7-4-2004
Location: Punta Chivato
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| Quote: | Originally posted by woody with a view
| Quote: | Originally posted by Ateo
I'm genuinely interested in what one does with the gas once it's drained. |
you don't want to know..... |
Put it in your car..... works for me.....
Bahia Concepcion where life starts...given a chance!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65186
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Use it to start a fire... it is easy!
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Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
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Mood: Optimistic
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A quick can of Heet works wonders with condensation problems. Have used it for years in Baja.
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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basautter
Senior Nomad
Posts: 862
Registered: 7-1-2013
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Algae can grow in gas that has ethanol (I know, it sounds impossible). I had this happen to my generator. Not sure if some plastics in the fuel
system promote this, but some motors seem to be more susceptible. It's always best to drain the gas if a motor is not in use for a while. Try
blasting out the carb with carb cleaner. If that does not work, take it apart and clean it. Best of luck!
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captkw
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3850
Registered: 10-19-2010
Location: el charro b.c.s.
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Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
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GAS !!
Hola prt328...AS I don't know the make up of Pemex gas..I can say its come a lonnng way from what was a few years back... your "ONAN" should be a
small brass screw on the bottom of the carb..losen a full turn or so and lighty tap down word on the roundish (floatbowl) penetrating oil helps to
stop gasket cracking..find a way to drain tank & fuel lines...get a can of "seafoam".. read can twice.. pour in to tank a let run thur the system
till you know its coming thru carb.. drain a cup or so.. close brass nut..let sit over night..start motor with ether if mandated and jab & release
throttle shaft many times while running..Ive saved many carbs this way...Sta-bil gas or diesel brand is good as is "soltron".. on ethanol gas Nothing
Helps at all...if gas smells/looks/taste bad it is and should (at best) be run in small mix of known good gas in a old big carbed motor...never in a
invected motor...any ?'s u2u me...wish ya luck......K&T ..ps...some fuel
pumps ck valves wont drain thru and need to crank motor to clear the fuel system....
[Edited on 5-8-2014 by captkw]
[Edited on 5-8-2014 by captkw]
[Edited on 5-8-2014 by captkw]
[Edited on 5-8-2014 by captkw]
[Edited on 5-8-2014 by captkw]
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ehall
Super Nomad
Posts: 1906
Registered: 3-29-2014
Location: Buckeye, Az
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Mood: It's 5 o'clock somewhere
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4 months is a long time to store gas. You can usually tell by the smell when it starts deteriorating. Stinks really bad.
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acadist
Super Nomad
Posts: 1125
Registered: 3-31-2007
Location: Spanaway,WA
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Mood: Waiting for the Sun
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somehow I thought this thread was about "Rice and Beans"
Dave
I moved to CO and they made me buy a little rod to make it feel like a real fish
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prt328
Junior Nomad
Posts: 51
Registered: 2-13-2007
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Thanks for the tips (and humor) guys...especially CaptKW. I did put some Stabil in the tank before parking it but never ran it through the genny. I
also happen to have a couple of cans of Seafoam so I'll give that a go too. I may get lucky by being in Cabo since there are probably lots of
mechanics that know that genset...and parts MAY be available if needed! Heading out next Wednesday with lots of dry camping along the way so no
genset would suck..
Ateo....trust me...there is a long line of people that would welcome the "used" gas. The big motor seems happy with it!
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absinvestor
Senior Nomad
Posts: 725
Registered: 11-28-2009
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I have had the same problem in Mexico twice. I also have a v10 engine and a onan generator. A Mexican mechanic changed the fuel pump and it worked
fine for the week that I remained in Mexico. (The fuel pump was generic since I was in Mexico.) Returned to the states and two months later same
problem. Again replaced the fuel pump and again it ran fine for two months before it wouldn't start. Finally took it to a certified ONAN repair shop
and was told that a non Onan fuel pump will just not work right for more than a couple of months. After installing an Onan fuel pump I have not had a
problem and that was 2 years ago. I do believe that there is something in the Mexico gas that doesn't work well with an ONAN- I am willing to bet that
you will have to change the fuel pump but I would not replace it with anything other than a fuel pump supplied by ONAN. I also was told by ONAN that
you must start the generator and run it under load for at least 1/2 every 30 days or you'll have problems. I had previously been told that by
Winnebago but now, from experience, I know it to be true. Good luck- it's going to get hot and you'll need that generator!!
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durrelllrobert
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7393
Registered: 11-22-2007
Location: Punta Banda BC
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Mood: thriving in Baja
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| Quote: | Originally posted by acadist
somehow I thought this thread was about "Rice and Beans"
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....and Ateo is "genuinely interested in what one does with the gas"
Bob Durrell
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6364
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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I am in agreement with ABS that regular protocol is to start an ONAN generator (gas or diesels) every 30 +- days. That is part of a regular exercise
for the power plant to keep it in good running order. Minimum run time is about 45 min. to one hour.
Run the gen. at partial power (I.E. just run the microwave), and alternate with running all the A/Cs, microwave, coffee maker, TVs, hair drier, hair
curler, etc.
You should also do the same for the coach engine. And if parked, cycle the transmission from drive, neutral and reverse.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
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Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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Disconnect gas line and plug solid at fuel pump intake.
Start generator and suck everything out of the carburetor
Reconnect temporary hose from WHITE GAS container.
Start generator and let run 15-seconds.
Shut it off
White gas can not deteriorate. Like 100,000 times more effective than "Sta-Bil"
Taught to me my pacific northwest loggers. In a generator or chainsaw (no oil) I have started them with one pull after 4 years.
A Lot To See And A Lot To Do
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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white gas will EAT rubber...don't do it
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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you need a water separator...easy fix
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