[K3PZN-List] Generator Update Carburator/Unleaded gas

[Frank Rodski]

Rob

The generator engine no doubt was designed to run with leaded gas and we
probably have been running it with unleaded without proper gas treatment. If
the generator has valve problems it was caused by using unleaded gas without
a lead stubstitute. It it don't have valve problems, it probably will unless
we use a lead substitute which is inexpensive and readily available. An
alternate is to mix 2 cycle engine oil with our gas. When leaded gas was
phased out, I remember a number of folks mixing one quart of engine oil with
a tank of gas. About 20 to 1 ratio. I would think 2 cycle engine oil at 16
to one or 1 qt of non detergent oil, 30wt. would do the trick. If we have
excessive smoke, the the ratio needs to be increased until the smoke is
reduced to normal or just a tad more. Too much can foul the plugs.

Using the above concepts, I have run a lawn mower engine for over 24 years
before it was junked (because the magnesium deck cracked in half). The
engine still ran.

The problem with the carb was for the most part OLD gas. Nobody ever put any
thing like STABIL or other sabilizers into the gas. Since we use it so
little, it should always be left with some gas and a stabilizer. That will
make it easier to start. Running the gas completely out makes starting it
harder and ups to chances that residual gas in the carb will turn into a
varnish type substance and that internal gaskets will dry out and become
brittle and crumble or leak. Leaving untreated gas in an engine of that type
and especially in small engines like lawn mowers make them hard to start
and/or they tend not to run right because of the blocked carb passageways.
Every time we run it we should add a can of carb cleaner and at least to the
last tank if not all, add some stabilizer.

Frank  K3MTT


-----Original Message-----
From: k3pzn-list-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:k3pzn-list-bounces at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Andrew Leeds
Sent: Tuesday, July 06, 2004 6:12 PM
To: Carroll County Amateur Radio Club
Subject: Re: [K3PZN-List] Generator Update


Wayne Wilson wrote:

>Rob,
>There were two of them. The other was in a box by
>the barn for years unused?
>
>It is an Onan and we checked with them.  They do not have
>an electric starter for it.  So only way I believe you will get an
>electric starter is to fabricate one. (Not a small task)
>
>Yes, not everyone can crank "Big Bertha" to life!
>
>Other than keeping oil in the crankcase, gas in the tank, air in
>the tires, there was little done to it.  I would say the club has
>had it longer than they have used it.. It is 60-70's vintage?
>
>Again I am passing along NOT what I know, only what I have
>heard over the years I was active with the club.
>73 Wayne N3UN
>
>
>
Set the wayback machine...

The information from Wayne is the story as I remember it as well, I do
remember Harold (I think) checking on a starter and coming up dry back
about 12 years ago. I remember using some sandpaper on various contacts
and Steve cleaning around the brushes one year to remove corrosion and
get a clean connection.  We talked about overhauling the carborator back
then but always got it to turn over with some carb cleaner spray and
never got around to doing it right.

73,
Andy
-----------------------------------------------------
BREAK -----------------------------------------------
Next CCARC meeting Monday July 12, 7:30 PM, at the FTC.
Our guest speaker is Bruce Carpenter, ++ Grounding Techniques in the Ham
Shack. ++
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