Why is There Gas in My Oil on My Generator? Reasons And Solutions

During a power outage, which is already stressful enough, oil spills from the generator can be very frustrating due to gas and oil mix-ups. Especially when you are trying to start the machine in a hurry. But that seems something that shouldn’t happen. Because oil and gas are in two different places in the generator that are separate from each other.

So Why There Is Gas in My Oil on My Generator?

The simplest answer is the float-actuator valve which is responsible for stopping the gas flow from the tank to the carburetor, has malfunctioned. So, the gas found its way through the idle engine and eventually made its way to the bottom, into the oil.

Here’s a more detailed explanation and how to fix it.

Reasons Behind Why Gas in Oil on Generator

 A compromised actuator valve or the float needle is not the only cause of this. So how else does it happen? Let’s see.

Reason 1: Float Needle

When the gas enters your carburetor, the float gets lifted and keeps on doing so until the gasoline bowl in the carburetor is filled. When fully lifted, the float pushes the float needle to close the line where the gasoline is pouring from. This stops fuel or gasoline overflow.

However, due to stuck dust and debris or compromised seals of the float needle, if it fails to seal off the gas flow completely, it causes overflow, which eventually gets all mixed up with oil. Carbon residue on the actuator can cause this too.

Fixing Float Needle

When you notice gas is mixing with oil, the best practice is to turn it off immediately and remove the spark plug to stop it from starting accidentally during any repair.

Fixing the float needle or the float actuator, whatever you may call it, is relatively easy. First, locate the carburetor on the generator.

If it’s a deformed rubber ring, replace the ring. If you see no visible deformities in any of the rubber rings or the float needle itself, just clean the debris and carbon buildups with clean gasoline and reassemble everything. You can buy specialized carburetor cleaner too, for this purpose.

To access the float needle, you must first remove the carburetor and inspect all the rubber gaskets closely. Turn the removed carburetor upside down and remove the gas bowl. Remove the float assembly from the bowl, and inspect it. if it doesn’t need replacement, clean it and reassemble it. That’s it.

Preventing Float Needle Overflow

If you are planning to put your generator away for a few days, turn off the fuel valve while the generator is in use. This will use up all the leftover fuel from the bowl. And an off-fuel valve means it will never overflow.

Reason 2: Compromised External Fuel Pump

If you are using an external fuel pump, a gas and oil mix-up can indicate that the fuel pump is compromised. The reason? Well, an external fuel pump uses compressed air to push fuel into the generator. But when there’s a hole in the diaphragm, gas gets into it with compressed air, which it isn’t supposed to.

This compromises the functionality of the pump and leads to gas leaking into the engine, where the engine oil resides.

Fixing the Compromised Pump

Unfortunately, there’s no DIY fix for the external fuel pump. You can’t patch its hole in any way. But the good news is, they are fairly cheap so replacing them shouldn’t be costly. Also, it saves you the hassle of opening up the entire engine assembly.

Preventing Oil and Gas Mixture in the Future

To prevent this from happening in the future, maintain your engine regularly. Here’s some recommended maintenance for generator owners.

• Don’t fill up the generator’s gas tank completely. Leave at least 2 inches of room for air.
• Clean the air filter at regular intervals.
• For long idle times, drain out any gas from the generator completely. Empty the gas tank as well.
• When draining engine oil, if it smells like gas, you have possible leaking. Check your carburetor gaskets and filters before filling up the engine oil again.

Frequently Asked Questions And Answers

How do you get gas out of oil?

You don’t. Once gasoline mixes up with oil, you can’t separate them. Do proper maintenance of your engine to prevent it from happening in the future.

How does gas get in the oil on a lawn mower?

It’s likely a compromised float needle. Replace it.

What happens if gas mixes with oil in the engine?

Gasoline will reduce the viscosity of your engine. This will lead to engine failure in the long run. So, get it fixed immediately.

Will gas evaporate out of oil?

Yes, it will. But the actual quantity is very little. So, your best bet is to replace the oil.

Is the gas in oil normal?

No, it is absolutely not normal. A continued mixture of gas into oil will lead to engine failure.

Final Thoughts

When you suspect that your gas is leaking into the oil, you should stop using your generator immediately. Inspect it yourself. If you can’t get it fixed, take it to service as soon as possible. And remember to drain your generator out of gas when putting it away. A well-serviced generator will serve you for years to come.