If your generator won’t start after trying all the above tips, I’d recommend you to consult a certified maintenance specialist. Before getting “serious” with troubleshooting, first, make sure that all the basics required to start a generator are present. Additionally, not all generators have fuel lines- so this is a hack for those who have units that do have filters. In this case, most people only check for fuel and will argue that the gas tank is full, and the unit won’t start. HOW-TO Quickly Start A Generator That Won't Start! Rural areas also oftentimes lack access to natural gas, so propane, LPG, diesel, and gasoline are the only fuel options. In addition, it is also a good idea to head out to the gas station for a fresh tank of fuel whenever severe weather is predicted. Generator leaking gas. If this still doesn’t work, you can remove the entire bowl from the bottom of the carburetor and clean out any stale fuel. If there is an in-line fuel filter between the fuel valve and carburetor, also check it to make sure it is not blocked. If this does not resolve the problem, it is possible that the stale fuel has clogged the fuel lines, engine, or fuel pump. Check the temperature of the generator; if it's too high, it will cease to function. Also, make sure that there’s no corrosion on the terminals and the terminal connection is tight. The fuel valve controls the flow of fuel from the gas tank to the carburetor. Generator won't stay running. Free repair advice! Having … It’s important to note that some of the hacks in this article can be implemented on other brands of generators like DuroMax or any affordable Firman generators. If the generator starts once this has been unplugged, then the oil sensor is not working. View solutions. Turn the circuit breaker OFF when starting the generator. The choke of any engine should be set to “closed” during startups and then moved to “open” once the engine warms up. Save $1,799.01. Kohler marine generator could have several problems. There are situations when the generator starts but shuts down after a few seconds, and this means that there is a problem to be fixed. If you want to avoid such a scenario where your generator won’t start, I’d recommend regular maintenance. Make sure the electrode is properly gapped (check the specifications page of your manual to see the proper gap for your particular model). Keep in mind, this is a general overview for generators of all shapes, styles and sizes. If the filter looks too tough to clean or worn out, you will have to replace it. When your portable genset doesn’t start when it’s needed the most, there are things to try. Inadequate gas flow can cause appliance malfunction such as … Your engine is low on oil Changing oil after several uses is as important as inspecting the spark plugs and the air filter. Hopefully this will be helpful: Generator Will Not Start on Natural Gas 1.) 10 Common Reasons Your Generator Won’t Start 1. The single most frequent service call for generator failure is related to battery failure. To prevent this from happening in the future, try to run your generator dry or use some fuel stabilizer. Predator. You can use carb cleaner to clean the carburetor. For your Generac generator to start, it needs some airflow. This will ensure a sufficient volume of natural gas for the engine to run properly. … If your Generac won’t start even after trying all the tips above, then it’s time to inspect the fuel line and make sure that there are not any clogs, pinches, leaks or cracks there. Secondly, unplug the outlet hose from the intake side of the fuel valve to see if gasoline is freely flowing or not (have a bucket ready in case the gas flows fine). A generator battery is used to provide power to the … Overtime, deposits and buildup can appear on the spark plug. Honda Generator Problems & Causes. The fuel valve is closed or clogged. Most modern generators... 3. For electric start generators, the battery may lose its charge over time due to a lack of use. It’s always recommended to have a spare plug at hand. Add to Cart Add to My List. we ran … read more She always done that countless times now and every time I have to remind her to check if the generator has enough fuel. First of all, if there is a vacuum relief valve on top of the gas tank, make sure that it has been opened. Fuel Filter Issues. For a more specific breakdown of recommended starting and troubleshooting guidelines, refer to the manual of your specific model of generator. Depends on the features of the generator. However, if the battery is fine, you have to make sure there are no blown fuses. Regular maintenance will ensure that your portable genset is in good working condition. The first thing to check with Natural Gas is the correct pipe sizing for your application. Hello my name isXXXXX am a technician working for an Electrical Contractor and I am new to the Natural and Propane gas systems we had a crank but no start problem with a Generac 8kw generator. Old gasoline that passes through the carburetor can mess things up for your Generac generator. If the fuel looks cloudy or looks like there’s been some separation, you should consider replacing it with fresh fuel. Simply replacing the fuel will solve many starting problems. I had the carb off a couple of times to adjust the float and general cleaning, investigating. Make sure that this is set to OPEN to allow fuel to flow into the proper channels. If your Generac generator doesn’t start even after all the steps, you may have to consider replacing the spark plug. Clean out the main jet (the brass nozzle found in the central stem) with a needle. With the engine now running on gasoline, slowly turn the load-block adjustment counterclockwise (open) until the engine speed is affected. Change the Fuel. Once it starts it runs great with constant speed under heavy and light load. To check this, disconnect the wire coming from the side of the crank case. To avoid this in the future, try to run your generator at least once a month, and never store it for long periods of time without draining the gas tank and the carburetor first. To test the plug, pull the recoil starter while holding the spark plug’s body to the engine crankcase. Once you’ve identified a symptom that looks familiar, we can show you the cause of the problem. Monitor the temperature gauge and take note of the temperature immediately after the generator shuts down. A clogged air filter will prevent it from starting at all costs. Compared to natural gas, propane provides more than twice as much energy per cubic foot. 8 possible causes and potential solutions . The plug may go bad even when they look like they’re fine. Honda EM5000SXK3 at $2319.00. If the unit is still under warranty, it’s important to send it back to the manufacturer for repairs. Contrary to popular belief, running an engine until the fuel is all out will NOT damage an engine. To keep it simple and straightforward for you, we’re going to look at some of the reasons why your Generac generator won’t start. If there is no spark or if the spark appears weak, remove the spark plug and cap. If this happens, simply start the generator using the pull starter to add juice back into the battery. But it’s no guarantee against problems. You’ll have to replace it if it’s dead. If fuel stale fuel is the suspected problem, the tank should be drained and fresh fuel added. What did you do? Keep in mind that attempting to run the generator on an uneven surface might cause the low-oil sensor to trigger despite there being enough oil. If your Onan generator isn’t running, it may be because fuel levels are too low. I know that it can be infuriating if the power fails or you arrive at a campsite, just to find that your generator has just given up the ghost. On others, the choke is builtin to the power control knob (such as with the WEN Inverter series). Generator won’t start. If damage occurs during a storm to these gas pipelines, your generator will lack fuel. The generator is low on fuel Perhaps it’s belching plumes of white smoke. - YouTube If there are now sparks appearing between the spark plug boot and engine, then the spark plug needs to be replaced. A fuel stabilizer is a must-have accessory for anyone with a portable generator. It can, however be bad for a PUMP. If the spark plug is properly gapped, deposit-free, and still not igniting, it may be that the low-oil sensor isn’t working correctly. Now wait for the engine speed to smooth out. Whack it against the floor or countertop to get rid of dust and any other dirt. If the sparks are strong with a blue color, then the ignition coil is good. Clean the spark plug using a small knife or a similar tool as needed. But if you want to be sure that your generator is up and running every time there’s a blackout, it won’t hurt to have a spare fuel line ready. 3 possible causes and potential solutions . Gasoline tends to degrade over time. Here we describe the common causes of inadequate LP or natural gas flow or pressure to appliances and generators. Oil is just as important as having fuel for running your generator. Open up the air filter housing on the side of the generator and check the spongy air filter element inside. No Video Available. 6500 Watt Max Starting Gas Powered Generator - CARB $ 519 99. Every generator manufacturer recommends adding fuel stabilizer to the gas to minimize fuel breakdown and varnish and gum buildup. It may seem obvious, but it’s worth checking whether your generator has gasoline in the... 2. For video instructions on checking and changing a generator’s air filter, click here. Start the generator and wait 15 seconds to let it come up to speed and generate the proper voltage, then turn the loads on. The air filter may need to be cleaned or replaced to let the necessary amount of air into the carburetor for ignition. 1 cause of generator starting problems. Inspect the Air Filter. This is why it is important to drain a portable generator when you intend to store it for long periods of time. How to Connect Generator to House without Transfer Switch, 7 Reasons Why Generac Generator Won’t Start, Top 15 Best Portable Propane Generators in 2020. Once the engine ignites, move the choke to the ON/RUN/OPEN position for operation. … However, like any power equipment, they can still experience issues. If it looks too dirt, use this Berryman Chem-Dip Carburetor to clean it up. If the engine is already warm (for instance, if it was running for a while and you are refueling), the choke lever should be set to the RUN (open) position for starting. Fuel tends to degrade while it is stored and stale fuel is a common cause of generator failure. Bad Fuel Can Stop You in Your Tracks Stale fuel is the number one cause of starting problems on all gas-powered small engines. To fix this, shut off the fuel valve, and then open the carburetor drain found at the bottom of the carburetor’s bowl. Check the gas tank to make sure a sufficient amount of gasoline remains in the tank. This way, you won’t caught in the darkness when the lights go out. Generac generator troubleshooting guide with five examples from the above does not apply only on one model, but on other as well. The first step in generator troubleshooting is to browse the Repair Clinic list of symptoms. Start the generator on gasoline with No Load. So your generator is having some problems. In most cases, these simple troubleshooting will solve the problem and your unit will be back to normal functioning. Alternatively, you can use a fuel stabilizer in this case. Engines on a generator need to warm up if they have been cold for long periods of time. I use this multimeter to see if the generator is dead. One of the common causes your Generac generator won’t start because the gasoline is old. This is the wire running from engine’s body into the low oil sensor, see the images below. To check this, use the spark plug wrench included with your WEN generator to remove the spark plug and check for deposits. First, you have to check if fuel is available whether the Generac generator is running on natural gas or propane. Honda Eu2000i Companion Review is It Better than Eu2000i Regular? If the generator runs then shuts off it may be a temperature issue. Always make sure all electrical devices have been unplugged before starting the generator. Issue A. Generac generator battery keeps dying. These are the most common Honda generator problems we see. Check for the oil level. Check the fuel levels. Spray this cleaner to the orifices without removing the carburetor. My propane generator will not start, why? This is primarily during emergency power losses in the event of natural disasters. The generator won’t start. Put the end of the spark plug wire near the engine’s body and pull the recoil starter to check the ignition coil. How to Change Your Generator's Voltage Regulator (AVR), How to Change Your Generator's Carbon Brushes. Is your generator starting but not running smoothly? Some generators have low oil automatic shutdown feature, which will shut down the unit when the oil levels go below the recommended levels. If the valve is set to OPEN but the fuel still does not properly flow, you can do two things. Compare to. If the gas tank is full, but no fuel is getting to the carburetor, there may be a problem with the fuel line or fuel valve. The location of this wire will vary slightly from generator to generator. Stale fuel is the No. Manufacturers advise adding fuel stabilizer to the gas to minimize fuel breakdown, varnish and gum buildup. Clean or replace as needed. This is fixable only if you are mechanically inclined. Here is a troubleshooting guide to help customers having a difficult time getting their engines to run on Natural Gas. Just breathe easy, and follow these simple instructions to help diagnose your unit’s problems. Ever since I've owned this boat my generator has given me problems starting. 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