DIY Generator Maintenance: Oil Change - Portable Generator

[@melburncraig822]

Thanks for taking the time to make the video! WELL DONE!

[@EverythingElliott]

Hope it helped! Thanks for watching!

[@maryjohansen2494]

My late husband used to check my oil every other night or so. You have tobe careful when your unit gets older. Our grandkids definitely appreciated all of his efforts!

[@johnsellers9623]

Mary that was funny

[@ryand9036]

Thanks for the tip, had to use my generator in FL this past week for the first time in 6 years when I purchased it and it was still in the box. Info was accurate down to the 12mm socket. 🥰

[@EverythingElliott]

Hope you’re doing alright after these storms

[@rosarioporalmasdelpurgatorio]

Great! Thank you for showing the dipstick level

[@EverythingElliott]

Hopefully the video helped!

[@johncarlson8125]

Thanks

[@BigCityCountryBoi]

Read your manual because you don't have to screw the oil cap in to check the oil level in some generators

[@EverythingElliott]

Excellent suggestion!

[@anybodysguess960]

In this case you do screw it in to get the correct level. I just read that in the manual for this generator

[@KennyAyers-qo1ks]

Where is the oil plug on a generac gp175000e portable generator located

[@EverythingElliott]

Look at the base of the motor where the motor meets the frame of the generator, you should see a small 1/2” plug

[@Honestandtruth007]

How is Generac generator Reliability ❓❓

[@EverythingElliott]

I haven’t had any issues with mine, fired right up every time.

[@sachem3211]

It would be great if you could do a video on the best way to disconnect the low-oil sensor. I realize this normally should never be done, but I want to do it temporarily to determine if it is a bad low-oil sensor that is preventing my generator from running. There is plenty of oil (and gas) in the generator.

[@EverythingElliott]

Disconnect the plug and use a jumper wire between the two terminals

[@Honestandtruth007]

​@@EverythingElliottHow Reliable is Generac generator ❓❓

[@EverythingElliott]

@@Honestandtruth007 I’d say fairly reliable if you stay up on maintenance

[@mmiles55]

Thanks doing mine today. 5w-30 - roughly 1 Qt of oil sound about right?

[@EverythingElliott]

Yup that sounds about right from what I remember. I pour it out of a big jug so I’m not sure on exact measurement

[@JohnSmith-uv4ox]

Why only fill oil to half dip stick? I'm about to do mine, just makin sure I follow correct. Do you know roughly how much oil it is?

[@EverythingElliott]

Just did that so its between the full and add lines, feel free to send it all the way up to the full line. I don’t recall off the top of my head. I’d venture a guess somewhere between a quart to quart and half

[@dianeellsworth]

I can't seem to budge the oil drain plug. Do you have any solutions.

[@EverythingElliott]

Do you have a bolt plug or one of the plastic quarter turn ones?

[@EverythingElliott]

Some of the plastic ones need to be pushed in past a cam lock then twisted

[@richgallagher725]

I know it varies w/CC’s but it would help to know how much you just poured into that GP 7500 ? I’m guessing a @Qt jug.

[@EverythingElliott]

The Generator I was changing was a Generac 7500 and took appx 1.5 quarts. Be sure to consult your owners manual for your specific machine.

[@richgallagher725]

@@EverythingElliott about how many CC’s is it? I just purchased a GP6500 which is 389 CC’s and it took a Qt, which came in the box with the machine. Owners manuals don’t specify how many ounces or liters, they just say to check the dipstick but it would help clueless novices like me to know about how much to start pouring into a new machine, which is usually when guys like me go to KZbin for video demonstrations. Brand spanking new machines & oil can be very tricky to see how much is on the dipstick since it is nearly crystal clear.

[@EverythingElliott]

420cc, but the oil capacity varies by manufacturer due to different size oil sumps, CC is not a perfect way to gauge oil capacity. You should be able to Google your make and model oil capacity

[@EverythingElliott]

Your CC refers to the amount of cubic centimeters of volume that your cylinder will hold and has very little to do with the amount of oil.

[@richgallagher725]

@@EverythingElliott yes, CC’s measure displacement. Generally, the larger the displacement of an engine, the more oil it needs. Looks like your 7500 was bigger displacement than my 6500, hence it accepted more oil.

[@joelarevalo4068]

What oil can be use in my generator 7500w gasoline

[@EverythingElliott]

Full synthetic 5w-30

[@EverythingElliott]

Brand is your choice

[@NanciUliano]

I have the same generator, seems I have gas that mixed with my oil, I removed the dip stick and oil came flowing out that smelt like gas. How could that happen?

[@EverythingElliott]

Float in the carb is most likely stuck and allowing fuel to freely flow into the combustion chamber, going past the piston rings and into the crank case. Carb rebuild on these are pretty easy

[@MartyBryce]

I got a maint kit from generac. I have a GP6500GE they sent an oil filter. I have looked all over for an oil filter on the generator Does yours have one.? I think I got took to the cleaners. Gave them the serial number so dont know what gives. Didnt see one on the parts list manual.

[@EverythingElliott]

There’s no oil filter on these small engines

[@scottworley1479]

My new generac 6500 said fill to full line on dip stick but the dip stick has an H at the top and a C at the bottom. I presume for hot or cold. So what is full? I filled it up to the H but it was cold. Should I have just filled it to the very bottom C line? No F or E line. It took the whole quart they gave me.

[@EverythingElliott]

You’re correct in the hot and cold assumption. The C line is the full level when the oil is cold, the H line is the full level when the oil is at operating temperature. You should have filled to the C line. Once the oil is up to operating temp you’ll notice it will be at the H line.

[@scottworley1479]

@@EverythingElliott hmm, well I watched another video, a guy had the same machine and he filled his up to the bottom of the threads. Which is where mine is at now, but it means my oil level is at H on cold. So I should drain some oil? It says revert to the manual but the manual is not very clear.

[@EverythingElliott]

If I were in your position, I would run it so it’s at operating temperature, shut the machine down, and check the oil level. If the oil is then overflowing I would take a small amount out. If it’s still at the H mark, I would keep running it as you have it currently.

[@scottworley1479]

@@EverythingElliott rightoh! Good advice, thanks alot.

[@allabouthim03]

What weight oil did you put in it?

[@EverythingElliott]

5w-30

[@marinsalazar3364]

When do you change the filter

[@EverythingElliott]

My specific portable generator doesn’t have an oil filter, if yours has a filter you’d change the filter after draining the oil and before putting the new oil in.

[@rbnjr]

how many quarts did you add?

[@EverythingElliott]

Every machine is different, I believe mine took about a quart.

[@unitabob]

y0our getting better

[@carmac1652]

. what oil used .🤔

[@EverythingElliott]

Check what your machine requires but I used full synthetic 5w-30

[@elavarasanelavarasan5632]

4 stroke oil or 2 stroke

[@robchemberlin7369]

@@elavarasanelavarasan5632 I know your question was a while ago, but 2 stroke oil is a different thing. Only use 2 stroke oil for mixing with gas in 2 stroke engines (chainsaws, weed whackers, old dirt bikes, etc). For a generator, use 5-30 or 10-30 synthetic. I always get jugs of Rotella and use it in everything.

[@toddharris-i7i]

Why did you not state oil type? Weight?

[@EverythingElliott]

oil type and weight is going to be specific to your particular machine. but a safe bet is full synthetic 5w-30

[@peaceful24]

What oil you used

[@EverythingElliott]

Full synthetic 5w-30

[@timmymorath879]

what is the proper way to attach this to a house?

[@EverythingElliott]

Sounds like I should make a video on how to do that Timmy!

[@The_Happy_Aviation_Enthusiast]

Don’t forget about the generator safety rules: anyone who uses portable gas generators really needs to see this safety reminder. All generator safety rules should be followed carefully. This advice is just to make sure that everyone is aware of all the warnings and it’s just to remind people to be careful using portable generators. Generators can be dangerous if not used carefully. Every year, hundreds of people die or get injured when using portable generators due to carbon monoxide poisoning and electrocution. Make sure you are using your generator carefully and keeping others safe as well. There is something very serious that everyone should always be aware of when using generators. Some people do run their generator indoors which is not safe and that increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning which can cause death of family and you. Some people run their generator in wet conditions which can electrocute them. Please remember that you should never run your generator indoors. Remember that carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas that you cannot see or smell. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer. Keep that in mind. Make sure your generator is 15-20 feet away from your house and away from doors, windows, and vents. Never use your generator in your porch too. Having a carbon monoxide detector is very important against generator safety. Some people also allow children to go near the portable generator which could pose risks. We need to keep an eye on our children making sure that they are not near the portable generator so they won’t get electrocuted or burned by the generator which is dangerous. A locking enclosure also keeps kids safe. A generator shed might look like a tempting place to explore, or take cover during a game of hide and seek, but a generator is a dangerous piece of equipment that can cause injury. It says on the manual that we should also keep children away at all times from the portable generator to avoid injuries. Please do not allow a child or unqualified people to operate the portable generator. Just because some manuals missed what should be listed doesn’t mean it’s safe to do. Always follow the generator safety rules when using portable generators. Generators pose electrical risks. If you need to use your generator during wet weather, you need a generator tent to protect your generator from getting wet. Don’t let your generator get wet. Keep your generator dry and before using your generator, please make sure your hands and your generator is dry. Do not wear loose clothing when operating the generator. Everything that is said on the generator’s operating manual should not be ignored. Never smoke cigarettes near the generator. Please keep flammable things away from the generator. Never overload your generator too. Your generator can catch fire. Never ever try to plug a generator cord into a wall outlet to avoid back feeding. Back feeding your generator is dangerous. Always turn on your generator first before plugging in appliances and shut off the appliances before turning your generator off. Use a heavy duty cord for your generator and the cord should not be worn out. All the instructions should be followed carefully. Never refuel your generator while it’s running. It can cause fire if fuel spills while your generator is hot. You should turn off your generator and let it cool off before refueling it. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important. This is only a reminder for everyone’s safety of using generators. Make sure your generator is properly grounded. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important against the safety rules. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2LNhWZ3g6qBrKs and here is a video more about keeping others safe when using generators and also about our family’s safety. Hope this helps. Thank you.

[@EverythingElliott]

@@The_Happy_Aviation_Enthusiast Excellent Recommendations! Lengthy, but well worth the read especially for the average homeowner!

[@obinnaobiekwe4910]

@@EverythingElliott Quick question, should the oil guage be half before I know it's okay? Or should the oil be filled to the brim?

[@EverythingElliott]

@@obinnaobiekwe4910 it should be somewhere between the hash marks on the dip stick

[@marcaustin]

should have used a bigger funnel...

[@EverythingElliott]

It’s less about the size of the funnel, and more about how you use it.

[@jimmy-yk7mf]

you forgot to change the oil filter

[@EverythingElliott]

That would be an important step, if this model had an oil filter

[@keshandrasooruth1717]

Badly filmed

[@EverythingElliott]

Constructive criticism at its finest. Negative comment with no suggestion as to fix the problem, how would you do it better?