Generator starts but backfires.

[Russ from MN]

The little plastic links broke. This was a long time ago when they blamed it on ethanol and I had to pay a lot for
a stupid gas/oil cap, not happy!

We had the same problem with a Stihl weed eater/brush cutter! In this case the cap cracks all the way around, I made a tin cover for it and it works ok.

 

[Bill of TN]

Which little inline fuel filters? Are you adding the cheap little plastic ones from automotive stores? Most of those are junk, not designed to withstand ethanol fuel, and I've never had good luck with any of them.

I usually buy them at one of the big box auto parts stores so perhaps that's one of the problems. I'm glad a lot of the fellows are able to run it. Maybe the local climate with high humidity most of the time adds to the problem. Wish it worked for me!

 

[showcrop]

I have found that as RayIn posted, that most generator and snowblower carburetors have a very small screw at the bottom of the carb for draining the water out. I'll bet that twisting that little screw is all that you need to do.

 

[Russ from MN]

I have found that as RayIn posted, that most generator and snowblower carburetors have a very small screw at the bottom of the carb for draining the water out. I'll bet that twisting that little screw is all that you need to do.

Our snowblower has a spring-loaded drain on the bottom, no tools necessary if you don't mind your finger smelling like gas! I just use a screwdriver to hold it up while the gas drains. Most others have a drain with a 10 mm hex head or Philips.