Generator starting issues.

[Jay87T]

Hey guys my brother gave me a Generator he bought a couple years ago from walmart, its almost new still. Trouble is it wont start unless I pour some gas into the carb, then it starts and runs. but I cant get it started for the life of me from a dry start without pouring gas in the carb. what can be causing this?

 

[buickanddeere]

Is there a choke blade that supposed to be closing? Or a primer builb that requires a few pumps?

 

[MarkB_MI]

The carburetor is gummed up. You always want to shut off the fuel and let it run dry before you store an engine.

Take the carb apart and clean it with lacquer thinner. You'll need to clear out all the passages with a fine, stiff wire.

 

[RodinNS]

Dunno. Had the same problem with a Ducar gen last winter. That's a chinese knockoff of a Honda engine. Being it was a miserable snow storm at the time and I needed the generator... it got a wee shot of ether from a can and that got it going.
I'm more inclined to think that the chinese haven't quite figured out the carb quite as well as Honda because I leave the Honda sit all summer, sometimes outside... and true to Honda, it starts on the first good rip. If it was just the gas... the Honda should be gummed up too.

Rod

 

[Dalex]

Does the choke plate have a little 1/8-3/16 hole in it ? Try a little piece of tape over the hole (as a test. ) It maybe needs more vacuum to suck the gas up to the cyl. If this helps , maybe solder up the hole . I had a 10 hp B&S that had this problem , that fixed it .

 

[Billy Shafer]

Most common thing is a clogged carb. You need to clean it and then add some carb cleaner to the gas. Let it run for a few hours.When you get it running ok. Shut off the gas and let it run out before you store it.

 

[JDemaris]

I don't know exactly what you have. I've had similar problems on many newer small engines with Chinese carburetors. Gensets, mowers, etc. Just have to pull the fuel bowls off once in awhile, blow out with air and then all works fine. Not a bad fuel or gum problem. I've never had the same type of problem with older US built stuff. Chokes, dirt, gasket problems, yes. This? No.

Even bought a new push mower last year with a Chinese engine and a hand-choke (pretty rare now adays). Used it once and put it way. Next spring, no start without ether. Then ran fine. So, I pulled the carb all apart and it looked like new (maybe because it was?). No gum, no dirt to be seen, etc. Blew it all out, put back together and then started fine all year. I suppose next year I'll have the same problem over again.

 

[k9mills]

Injector cleaner fuel additive added to the mower tank (also tillers and other not regularly used small engine equipment) at about twice the recommended concentration for autos seems to work well for me without the disassembly of the carburetor. I do it last use of season and first use of subsequent season.
KM

 

[CBBC]

How do you like that chinese / honda knock off Rod. Has it been reliable, how often do you use it? They have a 6500 W gen at Costco for abour $600.
I wonder if the engine went, could a honda could be bolted up? Of course the gen is made in China too.
I know, you get what you pay.
Grant
Yellow Point Cranberries

 

[Anonymous-0]

I have a Champion water pump from Costco and it's been great for the 2 years I've had it. I've also been told that Costco really stands behind what they sell. If you have a problem, they will just give you a new one. Apparently even if it's several years old. Dave

 

[Crem]

jdemaris, I have had that same problem where blowing the carb out with air makes them work again. It almost seems like that small screen in there gets an invisible scum on it. It sure is aggravating to be out there weed whipping and have to increase the choke as you go to keep it running.

 

[RodinNS]

I've only used this one twice so far. I forget the watt output but it's got a 20 amp breaker on it... so whatever that works out to. Basically nowhere near enough.
The gen works alright for what it is once you get it going. It would probably start better if it was used more often... but as a backup power source I don't think I'd buy another one. Personally, I'd go looking for a good used Miller Bobcat or Lincoln Ranger welder. Those things will make about 40-50 amp which is a quite respectable figure for backup power... plus you have a good heavy duty welder. More money no doubt, but a lot more usable for the money you spend.
We've also got one of those little 1200W Ducar's on our rescue truck at the fire department that we use for running a couple of lights. They work well for that but not much else.
They're Honda knockoff... but they don't start like Honda's. For that purpose tho, I'd buy another. Actually, we plan to buy another shortly...

Rod

 

[john *.?-!.* cub owner]

Is it by chance a Honda knock engine such as a JD TEK? I have one of them that was like that. After doing a little checking I discovered that the choke mechanism was striking the air filter housing and preventing it from closing completely. Took the air filter off, and gave the critical spot a couple taps with a ball peen hammer, and problem solved.