Before Starting The Generator; Adding Engine Oil; Adding Gasoline; Starting Pull Start Engines - Generac Power Systems GP Series Owner's Manual

2.7 BEFORE STARTING THE GENERATOR

Prior to operating the generator, engine oil and gasoline will need to
be added, as follows:

2.7.1 ADDING ENGINE OIL

All oil should meet minimum American Petroleum Institute (API)
Service Class SJ, SL or better. Use no special additives. Select the
oil's viscosity grade according to the expected operating temperature
(also see chart).
• Above 40° F, use SAE 30
• Below 40° F and down to 10° F, use 10W-30
• Below 10° F, use synthetic 5W-30
1 0 W - 3 0 10W-30
Sy nthetic 5W-30 Sy nthetic 5W-30
Any attempt to crank or start the engine before
it has been properly serviced with the
recommended oil may result in an engine
failure.
• Place generator on a level surface.
• Clean area around oil fill and remove oil fill cap and dipstick.
• Wipe dipstick clean.
• Slowly fill engine with oil through the oil fill opening until it reaches
the full mark. Stop filling occasionally to check oil level. Be
careful not to over fill.
• Install oil fill cap and finger tighten securely.
• Check engine oil level before starting each time thereafter.

2.7.2 ADDING GASOLINE

Never fill fuel tank indoors. Avoid spilling
gasoline on hot engine. Allow engine to cool
entirely before adding fuel. Never fill fuel tank
when engine is running or hot. DO NOT light a
cigarette or smoke when filling the fuel tank.
Gasoline is highly flammable and its vapors are
explosive.
8
Section 2 – Operation
Portable Generator System
SAE 30 SAE 30
DANGER
Do not overfill the fuel tank. Always leave room
for fuel expansion. If the fuel tank is over-filled,
fuel can over flow onto hot engine and cause an
explosion.
• Use regular UNLEADED gasoline with the generator engine. Do
not use premium gasoline. Do not mix oil with gasoline.
• Clean area around fuel fill cap, remove cap.
• Slowly add unleaded regular gasoline to fuel tank. Fill to bottom of
screen filter. Be careful not to overfill (Figure 10).
• Install fuel cap and wipe up any spilled gasoline.
Figure 10 - Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank
Fuel
IMPORTANT: It is important to prevent gum deposits from forming
in fuel system parts such as the carburetor, fuel hose or tank during
storage. Alcohol-blended fuels (called gasohol, ethanol or methanol)
can attract moisture, which leads to separation and formation of acids
during storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel system of an engine
while in storage. To avoid engine problems, the fuel system should
be emptied before storage of 30 days or longer. See the "Storage"
section. Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel
tank as permanent damage may occur.

2.8 STARTING PULL START ENGINES


Never start or stop engine with electrical
devices plugged into the receptacles AND
devices turned on.
• Unplug all electrical loads from the unit's receptacles before
starting the engine.
• Make sure the unit is in a level position.
• OPEN the Fuel Shut-off Valve (Figures 11 and 13).
• Turn engine RUN/STOP switch to
• Pull engine CHOKE knob outward to
(Figure 12).
• To start engine, firmly grasp the recoil handle and pull slowly until
increased resistance is felt. Pull rapidly up and away.
• When engine starts, move choke knob to
engine runs smoothly and then fully into RUN position. If engine
falters, move choke back out to 1/2-CHOKE position until engine
runs smoothly and then to RUN position.
DO NOT Fill Above Lip
ON position (Figure 12).
FULL CHOKE position
1/2-CHOKE position until