Chicago Electric Portable Generator Carburetor Remove and Clean

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In this video I take on the task of trying to figure out why my Chicago Electric Portable 800w Generator would not crank. I remove the carb and find that the needle is stuck from some corrosion of the aluminum. With a little time and some basic hand tools I was able to get this little generator running once again. I have used it many times over the years that I have had it and was well worth the money I spent on it. It was purchased from Harbor Freight Tools.
I didn't always use an additive in my gas but I always use Sea Foam or Stabil these days.
Thanks for watching.

[@DottedQuarterNote]

i got mine going thanks to your video. I'm glad you took the time to make this.

[@TheManCaveVideo]

+DottedQuarterNote that's excellent news. I'm glad it was helpful.

[@kgreene500]

Finally working after sitting a couple years. Thanks. I turned the carburetor bowl a bit clockwise so I can get a screwdriver in the side to empty the bowl so it doesn’t clog anymore.

[@FloridaGuns]

Thank You for this video. I had the tools I needed ready to go before going out in the heat and was finished in 15 minutes.... Turned out to be a stuck needle.

[@oscargarcia-rr4ee]

My gennie has a very low idle and seems fuel deprived prior to dying. Im gonna dismantle the carb in the morning using your informative vid. Thanks again!

[@TheManCaveVideo]

+oscar garcia you're welcome. I hope everything worked out for you.

[@oscargarcia-rr4ee]

Crazy thing, it ended up being the spark arrester screen! It was 100% clogged. I cleaned the carb before finding the spark arrester. I have upgraded since but it still runs great in 2019. Thanks Again.

[@jerrymcswain2656]

Thanks man ...here in Houston with Harvey and mine wouldnt start. Gonna be workin on it 2morro !! Thanks again

[@videriepa]

careful with the shutoff same thing happened to me but when i tried to turn it off put too much pressure and snapped the thing right from the tank, cheap pot metal but easy to find part for under 10 bucks. good vid.

[@1995dresser]

I have the newer one Red gas tank. it was hard to start also and leaked gas from the carb all I did was unbolt and drain the tank and flip over the Generator to gain access to the carb . there was Black silt like dirt in the Bowl and the O ring was not seated properly and the tank from Manufacturing (Over Spray Dirt Etc ) in it Cleaned it and Runs Fine I would suggest a fuel filter I try to store all my Power equipment with either Tru Fuel or Sea Foam

[@lorpaularabello9519]

Very very very very good!!! your video saved my life thank you for shared

[@moore2522]

Very helpful video.! I have a Storm Cat, the Harbor Freight version that needed a serious carb cleaning. Unlike the Chicago version the Storm Cat has two long bolts going through the plastic front and once released, the carb just hangs down until everything is disassembled. Unfortunately for me, the small throttle spring and the connecting rod came apart as the front plastic was coming off without me getting the correct orientation, and upon reassembly it ran very fast and erratic. I pretty much figured that I had something wrong, and sure enough, watching your video I discovered that I had the rod upside down and the spring not connected correctly. Once I duplicated your setup, it started right up and now runs perfectly! Thanks!

[@TheManCaveVideo]

That's awesome! Glad to hear my video helped you. Thanks for watching and commenting. It's much appreciated.

[@elcuate0001]

Thanks for your video. It helps a lot.

[@TheManCaveVideo]

+elcuate0001 glad it helps. Thank you.

[@TalklikeAPirate]

Got one on sale $39 some time ago. Loud as hell from the start and eventually rings and piston burnt out. Got new piston and ring set online $14. Now it's the quietest one I own. Comparable to a Honda.

[@themdg]

Thank you very much for this helpful video.

[@TheManCaveVideo]

You're welcome.

[@ThugNugget33]

Thank you so much.. this video was a big help

[@rastafarae1983]

great reference! great man! thanks!

[@TheManCaveVideo]

You're welcome. Glad it was helpful!

[@omarazz7925]

Thanks for your video 1

[@shitbrake10]

nice.....!!! Very helpful

[@johnzurowski3192]

If I may make a suggestion ? If im storing my harbor freight generator for extended periods , I tip the unit on its side , remove the bowl and spray the float, needle and bowl with WD-40. Reassemble and next time I need to use it I'm good to go.

[@josem.2909]

Thanks I need es to know where and how the air filter goes on it 👏

[@TheManCaveVideo]

I'm glad this helped.

[@t.c.3027]

How was it possible that even though tank was shut off, running til the bowl emptied, or bowl been drained before storing for a long period of time, that the needle became stuck??, was it due to possibly residue of oil mixture/gas remaining in the value port, gumming up & sticking the float needle?

[@brycesstuff]

Thanks for the video, im fixin to get my carb cleaned out as well. Did you remember to re-tighten your bowl drain?

[@JohnPaulsEuropa]

Picked up one of these from my neighbor that won't run, changed the gas out, and the plug ...going to do the carb drill on it and see what happens.

[@saracen7774]

great vid my freind.

[@TheManCaveVideo]

Thanks.

[@pnwoutdoorlife2720]

So being bored I watch your video and decided to pull and clean my carburetor. I followed along and not really any problems. But after getting it all back together it will only run on choke and the idle seems way slower. Any suggestions.

[@muhahahaproduction6069]

How many turns for the mixture screw? Please help

[@Donnwestt]

i have this same exact carburetor, question for anyone reading this, the fuel elbow on the cab that the fuel line attaches too, does it have to have anything inside it?? because mines have a white rubber thing inside it with a tiny hole in the middle and i cant help but wonder if its the reason the bowl is not filling with fuel.

[@kbird529]

Appreciate the how to, hopefully thats the issue with my Harbor Freight Storm Cat as it looks to be the same model

[@yellow_panther]

at 20:38 shouldn't you have tightened the drain screw?

[@willsmith475]

I had the exact issue and I cleaned it all up. Got it back together and the engine will only run if the choke is fully closed. If I move the throttle up. It kills the engine. Any advice?? Anyone?

[@lucifchristo]

I went to scrap one of these the other day and came to find there's not a single bit of copper inside of it

[@ingebrecht]

Use those blue nitrile gloves to work on stuff.

[@henryssurfshowcase]

Audio is a little too low in this one?

[@TheManCaveVideo]

Yeah, it is a bit low. Didn't do voice over on it and didn't boost the volume before uploading. Hope it wasn't too bad for you.

[@frankcalvert5612]

Should have pulled and cleaned the jets but otherwise great