This covers how to keep your generator running well and issues you may run into. This covers the generator with the carburetor and not fuel injection. See photo of generator control panel to compare with yours.
1. When stopping your generator for an extended time, disconnect the fuel pump and let it run out of gas. This removes all the fuel from the carb and prevents varnish build up. After the generator stops, turn off the raw water supply to the generator cooling. Leaving the water on will foul the spark plugs.
2. When starting your generator:
a. check fuel pump power is connected and fuel valve is on.
b. check choke is ON if needed. This means verify the choke lever is pulled toward you.
c. check oil level is good.
d. check coolant level is good.
e. check raw water supply is off.
3. If generator cranks, but does not start:
a. check for 12V on anti diesel solenoid at bottom of carb when you are cranking engine. This verifies no issue with high engine temp, low coolant or low oil pressure. There will also be 12V being fed to fuel pump, ignition and choke heater.
b. remove anti diesel solenoid with 21mm socket. Catch the fuel drip in a glass jar. Look at this gas in the light. There should be no separation of two layers or dirt. Separation of two layers means water is present. With the solenoid removed, place 12V on end terminal and touch the spring tip slightly. It should retract freely under 12V power. If not, replace solenoid.
c. using a spark tester like the one at harbor freight. Test for spark on both spark plugs while cranking.
d. remove spark plugs. If center insulator is chipped, then you forgot to turn off the raw water and you need to replace the plug. Verify no water. If you find water, then you forgot to turn off the raw water.
e. verify that the choke plate and throttle plate move freely. The governor regulates the throttle plate based on load. f. rebuild or replace carb. Make sure you install gaskets correctly. The gasket with two holes goes on the right next to the engine. The gasket with three holes goes on the left toward the flame arrestor.
4. If generator runs rich and you smell gas at exhaust. Generator may run rough and shut off prematurely:
a. check to make sure choke is working properly.
b. check to make sure throttle plate can move freely. It should not be hard to overcome spring on governor.
c. clean carb with solvent spray cleaner.
d. check small spring on throttle plate is working and installed correctly.
5. If generator shuts off prematurely:
a. verify fuel is present and air is not restricted.
b. check for 12V at choke heater while running or cranking. If 12V disappears then check high engine temperature, low oil pressure, or low coolant sensors.
c. verify water output from exhaust. Check temperature with finger. It should not be too hot to touch.
6. High engine temperature shutdown:
a. verify water output from exhaust. Check temperature with finger. It should not be too hot to touch.
b. verify raw water impeller is in good condition and turning when engine is running. If impeller is in good condition, but not turning when engine is running then you need to check the plastic coupler between engine and water pump. This fails frequently.
c. verify high engine temperature sensor is working properly.
1. When stopping your generator for an extended time, disconnect the fuel pump and let it run out of gas. This removes all the fuel from the carb and prevents varnish build up. After the generator stops, turn off the raw water supply to the generator cooling. Leaving the water on will foul the spark plugs.
2. When starting your generator:
a. check fuel pump power is connected and fuel valve is on.
b. check choke is ON if needed. This means verify the choke lever is pulled toward you.
c. check oil level is good.
d. check coolant level is good.
e. check raw water supply is off.
3. If generator cranks, but does not start:
a. check for 12V on anti diesel solenoid at bottom of carb when you are cranking engine. This verifies no issue with high engine temp, low coolant or low oil pressure. There will also be 12V being fed to fuel pump, ignition and choke heater.
b. remove anti diesel solenoid with 21mm socket. Catch the fuel drip in a glass jar. Look at this gas in the light. There should be no separation of two layers or dirt. Separation of two layers means water is present. With the solenoid removed, place 12V on end terminal and touch the spring tip slightly. It should retract freely under 12V power. If not, replace solenoid.
c. using a spark tester like the one at harbor freight. Test for spark on both spark plugs while cranking.
d. remove spark plugs. If center insulator is chipped, then you forgot to turn off the raw water and you need to replace the plug. Verify no water. If you find water, then you forgot to turn off the raw water.
e. verify that the choke plate and throttle plate move freely. The governor regulates the throttle plate based on load. f. rebuild or replace carb. Make sure you install gaskets correctly. The gasket with two holes goes on the right next to the engine. The gasket with three holes goes on the left toward the flame arrestor.
4. If generator runs rich and you smell gas at exhaust. Generator may run rough and shut off prematurely:
a. check to make sure choke is working properly.
b. check to make sure throttle plate can move freely. It should not be hard to overcome spring on governor.
c. clean carb with solvent spray cleaner.
d. check small spring on throttle plate is working and installed correctly.
5. If generator shuts off prematurely:
a. verify fuel is present and air is not restricted.
b. check for 12V at choke heater while running or cranking. If 12V disappears then check high engine temperature, low oil pressure, or low coolant sensors.
c. verify water output from exhaust. Check temperature with finger. It should not be too hot to touch.
6. High engine temperature shutdown:
a. verify water output from exhaust. Check temperature with finger. It should not be too hot to touch.
b. verify raw water impeller is in good condition and turning when engine is running. If impeller is in good condition, but not turning when engine is running then you need to check the plastic coupler between engine and water pump. This fails frequently.
c. verify high engine temperature sensor is working properly.
