propane carbs

ryanwheelock · Apr 6, 2010

After reading the post below about changing a small engine over to propane got me wondering about propane carbs and long term sitting. I've got a small 5000watt generater that sits most of the time until a power outage. I've had problems with the carb from sitting all the time and has to be cleaned every so often. I've tried Sta-bil but kinda liked the propane idea. I know it will cost some $$$ to change over but could the propane system sit for months or a year without running and still fire right up?? I know propane keeps the oil and engine like new inside compared to gas burning.
Thanks for the input
Ryan

Curt Cooke · Apr 6, 2010

I think the answer is yes. I have several tractors of different makes and models. Some are LP, some are gasoline and some diesels. Being a hobby guy, they don't see much action. I routinely have trouble with the gasoline burners, I've never had a problem with LP. Those tractors can sit for years and, if all the fuel hasn't leaked out, they fire right up and run perfect.

Offandgone · Apr 6, 2010

Ryan
Your problem may be the small engine can not take the heat of LP fuel. I have been a mechanic for a company that sold many of these units and have seen this tried many times and they just don't last. Honda has a nylon gear that drives the governor that will sheer the teeth when it gets that hot and many have valve and head problems.
Frank

greenbeanman in Kansas · Apr 6, 2010

I agree that the answer is yes. While a gasoline engine will stumble around until the carb gaskets gets soaked up and well sealed by fuel an LPG engine is ready to go as soon as it is running.

About the only thing to go wrong with an LPG fuel system is dry rotting of the rubber diaphragms. That doesn't generally for a few decades.

kendak · Apr 6, 2010

why would LP make a engine run hotter? ...BS...useto run everything on LP my car ,tractors , lawn mower ,trucks...Onan power unit & Onan welder...still got the mower carb & reg.

Owen Aaland · Apr 7, 2010

Timing and fuel mixture are more critical on propane than they are on gasoline. Properly tuned a small engine should work just fine on propane. When a propane mixture becomes too lean or too rich the burn rate slows down and can easily get to the point where the fuel is still burning as it is expelled from the cylinder.

bosn · Apr 7, 2010

I have a old 5000 colman generator that I've converted to propane. It work great and sits for extended periods of time waiting for a power outage. I lived off of this one several times in Guam after typhoons. All I had to do was shut the fuel off and run it dry then spray a good amount of marvel mystery oil in the carb. Four crankes and it would start right up. I've used it like that for 10 years with no major work been needed till I converted.
bosn

propane carbs

ryanwheelock

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Curt Cooke

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Offandgone

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greenbeanman in Kansas

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kendak

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Owen Aaland

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bosn

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