Gasoline Spill while filling Generator - power out

[frndshpcptn]

Power is out from Sandy and we spilled gasoline while trying to fill our generator. It's a 2000 watt generator - so not that big.

We hosed it down and the covered the spill in sand. We have not turned the generator back on yet - should we just not use it again? Don't want to set fire to the house...

Help!!!!

 

[abdmom]

How much was the spill? Hosing down - I assume with water - was NOT the right thing to do.

 

[frndshpcptn]

Maybe 3/4 a cup? How do we know if it's safe to turn it in again?

Will the sand help?

 

[shortbun]

Where is it? Can you get kitty litter, get it all absorbed and sweep it up? No more water. Why would it cause a fire? You need to have it outside, on a cement or brick base and NOT under a window-10 feet from the house, pointed away so it vents away from the house. Do not run it in the garage.

 

[frndshpcptn]

We do have it on a brick patio - so that's good. We put sand on it - can go and try and find the kitty litter at a store.

No more water - got that. It's our first generator....

 

[tOSU]

You are fine - what would cause a fire is gas spilling onto the muffler of the generator.

 

[frndshpcptn]

Thank you!

 

[mrodgers]

You are fine - what would cause a fire is gas spilling onto the muffler of the generator.

Or a spark from any of the electrical.connections.

 

[SandrA9810]

I would look up trying to clean it with Dawn dish soap. Just a dry sponge with the soap on it. Or maybe head to a Camping/RV store see if they have any recommendations for cleaning the unit. I would also move it over, away from the spill area.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Gasoline is very volatile - meaning it evaporates rapidly. Your biggest danger is a spark getting to the vapors. If you're no longer smelling a strong gas smell, you're probably out of the woods. People spill gas all over lawn mowers, chain saws, weed eaters, etc, all the time.

 

[sam_gordon]

Gasoline is very volatile - meaning it evaporates rapidly. Your biggest danger is a spark getting to the vapors. If you're no longer smelling a strong gas smell, you're probably out of the woods. People spill gas all over lawn mowers, chain saws, weed eaters, etc, all the time.

That's what I was thinking. I've overfilled my lawn mower plenty of times. Started it right up and nothing's happened. Within 10-15 minutes that gas will evaporate.