> Turning over the fuel is a great idea. The first batch of fuel I used
 > during the ice storm blackout had been in the tank about 9 mths and was
 > really very poor performing. It was about 1/2 a tank so I had topped it
 > up from the fresh fuel batch but the engine still ran quite rough.
 > 
 > I read that old fuel tends to burn with a slightly different chemistry
 > so that it leaves a varnish type coating behind in the engine. That info
 > made a lot of sense when I experienced the rough running first hand.
Old fuel doesn't varnish the engine while burning that I know of, but it DOES 
varnish the fuel tank and carburator while sitting. They say that using 
Sta-Bil in the gas tank helps a lot, so I started using that.
If you already have varnish in the fuel system, you can use carb-cleaning 
products in the gas tank. These will sometimes cause rough-running during 
their cleaning action, but should help later on. I experienced this with my 
lawn tractor years ago. It had gotten varnished up, and I had to open up the 
high-speed jet a bunch to get it to run at all. Put the cleaner in there and 
started mowing, and all of a sudden it kinda coughed and started running REAL 
rich (blowing black smoke). Screwed the high-speed needle back in and all was 
well.
On my own generator, I am in the practice of closing the fuel shutoff valve 
and letting the engine run the carburator dry, THEN shutting off the 
ignition. I feel that this has helped me a lot; I had gas sit in the tank for 
several years and the carb was OK. I don't remember if I was able to start 
the engine, but I think I was, but it ran pretty raggety until I got some 
fresh fuel in there.
If you have a smaller generator, simply draining the tank and running the 
carb dry might be the best bet. Keep 5 gallons of fresh gas handy for when 
the emergency strikes; pour it into your car every few months and refill it 
at the gas station.
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