OPERATION
ADDING / CHECKING ENGINE
FLUIDS AND FUEL
Before adding/checking engine
fluids and fuel, review Safety on
page 7.
!
DANGER
Filling the fuel tank with gasoline while
the generator is running can cause
gasoline to leak and come in contact
with hot surfaces that can ignite the
gasoline.
Before starting the generator, always check the level of:
• Engine oil
• Gasoline in the fuel tank
Once the generator is started and the engine gets
warm, it is not safe to add gasoline to the fuel tank or
engine oil to the engine while the engine is running or
the engine and muffler are hot.
Checking and / or Adding Engine Oil
!
WARNING
Internal pressure can build in the
engine crankcase while the engine
is running. Removing the oil fill plug/
dipstick while the engine is hot can
cause extremely hot oil to spray out
of the crankcase and can severely
burn skin. Allow engine oil to cool for
several minutes before removing the oil
fill plug/dipstick.
The unit as shipped does not contain oil in the
engine. You must add engine oil before starting the
generator for the first time. See Checking Engine
Oil on page 28 and Adding Engine Oil on
page 29 for instructions on checking engine oil
level and the procedure for adding engine oil.
NOTICE
The generator does not contain engine oil as shipped.
Attempting to start the engine without adding
engine oil can permanently damage internal engine
components.
22
Adding Gasoline to the Fuel Tank
!
WARNING
Never refuel the generator while the
engine is running.
Always turn the engine off and allow
the generator to cool before refueling.
Required Gasoline – Only use gasoline that meets the
following requirements:
• Unleaded gasoline only
• Gasoline with maximum 10% ethanol added
• Gasoline with an 87 octane rating or higher
Filling the Fuel Tank – Follow the steps below to fill the
fuel tank:
1. Shut off the generator.
2. Allow the generator to cool down so all surface
areas of the muffler and engine are cool to the
touch.
3. Move the generator to a flat surface.
4. Clean area around the fuel cap.
5. Remove the fuel cap by rotating counterclockwise.
6. Slowly add gasoline into the fuel tank. Be very
careful not to overfill the tank. The gasoline level
should NOT be higher than the filler neck (see
Figure 15).
7. Install the fuel cap by rotating clockwise until
you hear a click, indicating the cap is completely
installed.
Figure 15 – Maximum Gasoline Fill Level
!
CAUTION
Avoid prolonged skin contact with
!
gasoline. Avoid prolonged breathing of
gasoline vapors.