Easy Fix for Generator Not Starting

Carb Cleaner and Starting Fluid can be found at your local auto parts stores, farm & ranch stores, Wal-Mart, or at the links below.
Carb Cleaner: amzn.to/3JKhFFN
Starting Fluid: amzn.to/3D2lJ38
Safety Glasses: amzn.to/3jLmK64
Nitrile Disposable Gloves: amzn.to/46zhU3j
What to do when your generator will not start. If you have tried the basic start up procedures and the generator won't start there are a couple generator fixes you can try. The first is doing a quick clean of the generator carburetor. Remove the air filter cover and air filter. Open the choke all the way up and spray carb cleaner in the hole that goes into the carburetor. Also, with the engine cold and the fuel shut off valve turned off, open the drain plug by removing the bolt on the side or bottom of the carburetor. Catch the small amount of gas in a cup that drains out and spray carb cleaner in the bolt hole to flush any grime or fuel deposits from the carburetor that may have gummed up inside. Wipe up any puddles and let it air dry for 5-10 minutes before assembling and trying to start the small engine.
If the generator wont start after trying this then the next step is to use starting fluid. Turn the fuel line ON and the on switch to ON. Remove the air filter and spray a small amount into the carburetor. Quickly pull the cord a few times. If it doesnt start spray a little more starting fluid in the carb, put the choke on, and pull the engine cord again a 2-3 times. If this doesn't work, stop and let the carb air out. Too much starting fluid can foul the spark plug because it is putting to rich of a gas mixture into the engine. Let it air out for 5 - 10 minutes where the starting fluid will evaporate. Then try starting the generator again, not using starting fluid, and then using starting fluid. Usually this will get the motor to start.
In this video we are using a Generac 6500 generator with a pull start, but electric start generators would have similar steps, just turn the key vs pulling the cord. As will most all small engines, good generator maintenance will help the engine start easier. This is a good thing to do when preparing for winter storms, electrical outages, or other storm preparation.
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[@user-hd5vo6ki6q]

Freeze coming in Texas. Got busy and left the gas in the generator for 6 months. Drained it and no luck. This advice got my generator running. Thank you!

[@Z23go]

Thank you so much for the Super Thanks!! Glad you got it running. Stay safe and warm!

[@xgtownboy]

Heading to homedepot now, I thought mine was good but dont run. I am glad worked for you

[@user-uv9fz5rw4z]

I’m over in Louisiana. Doing the same thing you’re doing…

[@E85_STI]

Yup and I started mine today but I’ve been doing maintenance and starting mine frequently and using stabilizer but I drain the tank and it’s hard to start like today with the 20 degree weather but propane it fired right up.

[@ccquiz]

Thanks for doing this video. I have a Generac 3300 and haven't started it since September. Your recommendations to drain the carburetor worked after everything else failed.

[@bpomeroy3]

Thank you for making this. After viewing this, I went straight to the hardware store for carb cleaner. Drained gas. She fired up! Saved me much money and hassle.

[@cracr47]

Great video super simple to follow and mine started right after draining it and spraying it with the carb cleaner. I especially appreciated that you didn't edit the video when it didn't work the first time, because thats exactly what would happen to most of us lol. Great job.

[@Z23go]

Thank you! Haha, yes if they would only start when they're supposed to.

[@gregoryriley9940]

Thanks I got a brand new one and it started during the summer. I started it twice during the year and now a big rain storm with 50 mph winds is coming to the NE. It would not start and I did this and it worked!

[@Z23go]

Awesome! Love to hear that!

[@macpearman958]

Really appreciate the help man. Carb cleaner plus starting fluid did the trick, although it took a few starts before I stopped choking it too fast. And fyi for anyone who is wondering - this is exactly the same for a Predator 7500

[@deadonarrival2882]

This tutorial got me up and running! Huge thanks!

[@Z23go]

Awesome! So glad it helped!! Thanks for letting me know!

[@AdamLisiewski]

My generator was not working. After watching this video and following your quick instructions on how to clean the carburetor....the generator started up like NEW! I never thought old gas would gum it up. Amazing...thank you thank you!

[@Z23go]

Glad it is running like new again!! Thank you for the feedback.

[@doughutchens8087]

Thanks for the article. Cleaned out the carburetor and fuel line, started like a champ.

[@Z23go]

Awesome! Glad to hear!!

[@scottmcculloch7685]

Worked like a charm! Much appreciated!

[@Z23go]

You're welcome!

[@stephaniejimenezdpt4655]

Thank you!! We have a winter freeze coming to Texas and I need to drain the old gas, clean the carburetor and spark plug etc and your videos are so clear, concise and helpful!

[@PaintThePicture0710]

wow im here too trying to start mine lol

[@Z23go]

Thank you so much! Hope you guys stay safe and warm!

[@ericreichenbach5480]

FIXED. THANK YOU!!

[@the_digital_nomads]

This video saved me this morning. Thank you 🙏🏼

[@Z23go]

You're welcome. Glad you got it started!

[@bryanpeters7457]

Awesome video thank you for the help!

[@wisdombright9821]

I almost gave up on till I came across your video. My genset refused to start and if it managed to it will turn off immediately. Your video guided me to service it and now it’s working. Thank you 🙏

[@Z23go]

You are welcome. So glad it's working for you now.

[@tarneman]

Thank you. Worked exactly as explained.

[@Z23go]

Great to hear! Thank you for the feedback.

[@garrettgarcia7115]

We have used the kzbin.infoUgkxOTeIs0vv4_9B5hsmnLsk9r930uDQLu_Y for probably 30 hours with our camper and it’s been great! The noise level is really only noticeable when running the AC and other appliances like the microwave, hair dryer, or coffee pot. It’s not huge like other ones and it has wheels so even at 90lbs, I can move it!

[@IvanBoden]

Mine wouldn't start when I needed it a week ago! Just followed your instructions and it started after the first pull! Thank you!!

[@Z23go]

You're welcome! Love to hear you got it running!!

[@chrisburnsed6349]

You need to take the bowl off and check the float seat to make sure the needle isn’t stuck not allowing fuel into the bowl. If it is, check the jets and emulsion tube. Compression, fuel, air, and spark are all you need. All simple to check.

[@MG-uu6vt]

@chrisburned6349… I just bought a Generac generator and am new to all this. I don’t understand what you meant in your first sentence when you wrote…”take the bowl off and check the float seat to make sure the needle isn’t stuck”. I believe you likely meant the needle in the carburator. If so, what bowl and what float and do those relate to the needle, please?

[@owentimo]

​@@MG-uu6vtbasic carburetor anatomy. Look it up

[@zoellar11]

Great video.....I'm getting ready to tinker with my Westinghouse Igen 2500......I hope it starts as easy as your video!

[@Z23go]

Thank you! I hope it does start easy for you!!

[@user-hd5vo6ki6q]

Thanks!

[@nidalshehahadeh7485]

Old generators ? I'm sure many of you would like to dust off the generator , here's some tips for you and I speak as someone who have been in the automotive business for over 38 years . 1st remove the spark plug , 2nd squirt small amount of WD-40 through the spark plug hole on the piston to lubricate the Rings, if WD-40 is not available then any other similar rust9 treatment or light lubrication will do , 3rd spin the engine few times before installing the spark plugs , you want to make sure that the lubrication you squirted inside the spark plug hole have blown out , one of the biggest problems with small engine not starting is a dirty spark plug , brush whatever it is on the spark plug with a clean wire brush , the spark plug have to be clean and dry especially from any oil or carbon residue that might be on it , use a propane torch to heat up the spark plug , heat up the spark plug until the electroids negative and positive on the spark plug will turn red , allow the spark plug to cool down before touching it , if you don't have a blow torch then use the barbecue , if all fails as the last ditch effort , do the following and be extremely careful ,it is what I used to do in the old country Palestine, put a small amount of gasoline in a metal dish , if a dish is not available then do it on the ground , put the spark plug in it and Light It Up , wait until the spark plug cool down before cleaning it , again clean the spark plug and reinstall it on the engine , if a generator is left outside ? look on the bottom of the carburetor to see if there is a carburetor drain plug, open it and drain any liquid it might be in it , most likely there will be water in the carburetor ball , if there's too much contaminants you might have to open the carburetor ball and clean it out , make sure that the carburetor float freely operate without sticking , 5th rd check the oil level , small gasoline engine require constant oil replacement , some small engines require oil change every 40 hours , if possible do an oil change before starting the engine , 6th ,make sure the ground connection is hooked up , 7th make sure the generator or engine is an inventilated area before starting it up .

[@anhbaoconnecticut3128]

My generator started after following what you shown! Thanks!

[@Z23go]

Awesome!

[@BariGloria]

Felicitaciones!, me funcionó sin desarmar el carburador, en un generador powerforce 6500w, muchas gracias!

[@lensquires6580]

Its "good" to have a spare spark plug also. They gunk up. I've switched those out with problems and it got it going! Don't underestimate an old or gunked up spark plug. It's also a good idea to keep your portable generator in the garage or house so you don't have to "thaw" it out when needed in cold weather. 😃

[@user-xm1jj9it4l]

This worked perfectly to fix mine after a year sitting with a small amount of old gas thanks!

[@Z23go]

Great to hear!

[@gregoriopassport]

My rainier 4000 was giving me all kinds of fits. Definitely hit some cold points in tennessee in january. It started and ran but stumbled quite a bit off choke off a jumper. So i removed the filter, sprayed the carb with cleaner, replaced battery, drained the gas, shot it with the starting fluid. even replaced the spark plug. ran like a new again. thanks for the advise.

[@jeffallen559]

Great video. I did everything but the starting fluid and it started up right away. I'm so glad I did not have to take apart the carburetor. Thanks again for the video!

[@Z23go]

You are so welcome! Glad it started up for you!

[@jeffallen559]

@@Z23go can you tell me if it’s okay to leave a small amount of gas in tank as long as the gas is treated and the carburetor bowl is empty. The reason I ask is because it is a pain to symphony out tank and I plan on starting once per month.

[@Z23go]

Hi Jeff Allen. If you treat the gas with a fuel stabilizer I think you would be just fine doing that.

[@jeffallen559]

@@Z23go Thanks again.

[@Z23go]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@GirlCarpenter]

Thank you!!

[@Z23go]

You're welcome!!

[@raulaguero611]

Straight and to the point! Great video!

[@Z23go]

Thank you!

[@MasteringMayhem]

Thanks for the tips. Only needed to drain the fuel for a few seconds and my DuroMax started up just fine after that.

[@Z23go]

Awesome to hear!

[@davidstewart2496MH]

If you read the manual when you by it . They say to clean every 25 hrs for sparknaresstor and 25 for air filter . If you just clean things after every use it will last4ever

[@ala4900]

Thanks! These videos have been very helpful to me, as i own the same generator. Here's my question: store with the tank full (after shutting off the valve, letting it run until it stops and draining the carb bowl), or leave the tank empty. I've heard both.

[@alexreyes807]

Glad this work for many, I tried this steps in my 8000e and no avail. When I removed the side screw I got a lot of gas out of it, thank God my wife was home and kept passing me empty gallons I filled two gallons of juice with gas from that tiny hole. I then sprayed it with the carb cleaner, chocked, pulled cord, etc. Tried turning it on and nothing… my generator is not even a year old it has less than 2 hours

[@Z23go]

@alexreyes807 sorry this didn't work for you. Did you try starting fluid? Sometimes even new engines can be frustratingly hard to start.

[@richardstump4582]

Alright!! Great Job, Thank You!!😊

[@Z23go]

Thank you so much!! I appreciate that!

[@bakervinci163]

Really good video. Thx

[@Z23go]

Thank you! I appreciate it!

[@foreign-patriot]

Super helpful. 💥!

[@Z23go]

Awesome. Glad it helped!

[@mhelmi73]

Noted with thanks bruh ❤

[@Z23go]

You're welcome!

[@jobycantony]

Great video!!! Short and Simple. Thank You.

[@Z23go]

You're welcome!! Thank you for the feedback.

[@gauravsharma5196]

Thanks for all these videos. I got the same generator as you. The gas was never taken out of it for past 8 years. Going to see if all the videos help. Let me know if there’s an any other thing I should do it hasn’t been turned on for 8 years either.

[@Z23go]

Hi Gaurav, that’s awesome. Sitting for 8 years I think your main focus will want to be draining that old gas out of the tank and spraying the carb cleaner in the carburetor to wash out any gummed up gas from sitting so long. After draining the gas, if your anxious to see if it will start just check to make sure the oil is full and go ahead and give it a few pulls to see if it will turn over. If it starts, GREAT, if if doesn’t then changing the spark plug and making sure the air filter isn’t clogged would be your next step. It would be good to replace the oil with it being so old but as long as it’s full you can wait to change it until you see that the generator will start first. That way if there happens to be a major problem and the generator won’t run, you won’t have spent extra money on new oil. Best of luck and hope it works for many years for you!!

[@WelchFamilyHomestead]

I am having trouble getting my Generac started. In my way to get carb cleaner and starter fluid. Thanks.

[@Z23go]

Hope it worked for you!

[@blindtech6416]

awsum man got my generator started in secs

[@Z23go]

Great to hear!! Glad you got it started!

[@erickrivas48]

Cam I use for start my natural gas generator?

[@stellijer]

I have a generator which works just fine for a few seconds on starting fluid, but won't start at all without it, and won't keep running. It sat for a few years with gas in it, but I cleaned all that out and put in fresh. Any ideas what to try? And is that "drain" on all generators? I will have to look for it. I was wondering if something got in the carb keeping gas from flowing. But as far as I can tell the fuel line is fine.

[@edadan]

I've got the GP6500 and this is exactly how it behaves. I tried to start it yesterday and I was just worn out after pulling the starter cord so many times. I'll try your tips and see if I can get it going this weekend. BTW, is it best to let the generator run until it runs out of gas (with no load on it of course) or is there another way to get all the gas out of it?

[@abdulhaseebparacha4157]

Which is safe spray

[@danielstimpson4365]

my Generac will run for 5 seconds when starting fluid is applied in carburetor, but then turns off. I am assuming I need to change my gas? LMK if you can. Love the direct and digestible content. TIA

[@Z23go]

Hi Daniel, glad you’re liking the content! If your generator is fully starting and running (not just sputtering) it may be the low oil sensor is causing it to die. Check that it has plenty of oil then try starting it again. If it still starts and dies then disconnect the wire to the low oil sensor. Here is a video that shows how to disconnect it. Start at 3:30. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnisZ2R9nbB6d9k After disconnecting the sensor if it starts and keeps runing, then you have a bad sensor. You can leave it disconnected and just be sure to check your oil often (wrap the end of the wires with tape to prevent them from shorting out) OR replace the sensor. If that doesn’t fix it and you have old gas in the tank (9-12 months with no fuel stabilizer) then it would be good to drain the gas. As gas gets older it loses some of its “spark” or ignitability where it’s almost like it is watered down. The engine can’t ignite the old gas as good and may be the reason it will start with the starter fluid but can’t stay running with just the gas. I’d try the low oil sensor first since it should be pretty easy to disconnect. Then try draining and adding new gas. Best of luck!

[@bananadude698]

Massive blizzard in Michigan, 12-18 inches of snow im pretty sure, generator not working, hope this helps!

[@Z23go]

That's some major snow! Hope it helps too!

[@Syoma]

Thanks, I am now ready for the entity's realm

[@jonathanlandrau1692]

I use your advice and my caterpillar started. But I have a problem with the choke, I have to leave it out because the generator turns off. Any advice......thanks

[@Z23go]

Hi Jonathan, If you are having to leave it on full or half choke to run it there may be an issue on the gas side. Where it is not getting enough gas to mix with the air, so choking it reduces the amount of air going in. Some possible things to look at: 1. Make sure you have fresh gas, old gas can clog it up. To drain the gas you can check out this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/e17NZYmViMZpotU 2. Change the fuel filter if you haven't in awhile. It could be clogged. 3. Clean the jet in the carburetor 4. Adjust the throttle adjustment screw on the carburetor 5. When you do 3 make sure the gaskets look good where they are not cracked or torn creating a vacuum leak. For 3, 4, and 5 you can check out this video that gives an overview of them. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJjbmJeBoZyArZI Hope that helps and get's you fully running!

[@almabrown9358]

I bought as generator last year use it only 4 days, my husband started on and off every month, but now we try to turn it on and it was leaking gas. When we turn the little handle. How to fix it please 🙏🙏🙏

[@johnny-td5hv]

when ever its rains or get cold my generator gives lots of trouble to start and i don't know why can someone help

[@shermansales9026]

I installed a new carb ….still no start..not even with starter fluid

[@v8maro]

I have this exact generator and when I spray in it then pull the chord, it starts right away but then DIES! It keeps doing this over and over. What can I do next??

[@eddiecooper5986]

I found out my off/on switch was bad.

[@Strigat]

"that's why we put the air filter and the cover with the engine running because if we killed it we'd still have a cold engine and it may not start for us again" - he says this at the end but I don't understand what he means by it. Killing a cold engine will make it difficult to start the next time? If yes, why?

[@BugBunny978]

Mine blew out fire after spraying starter fluid and then caught fire

[@jeffrey8977]

is it okay just to try starter fluid by itself?

[@Z23go]

Yes, you can skip the carb cleaner and try starting fluid first if you like.

[@Doniehg]

Trouble I'm having is it'll start fine when cold, once it's been running a while you shut it off and it won't fire back up again until it's cold. Any ideas?

[@range4506]

Could be low oil level. There is a automatic low oil shut off switch. Check oil level.

[@docsavage4414]

Unplug your low oil sensor and see if it runs. Those things are junk and go bad a lot.

[@caroloconn]

The plastic straw came flying off of the can and I'm pretty sure it actually flew into the carburetor. Help - what now? This is one of those it could only happen to me moments!

[@Z23go]

Oh no! I hope you found the straw. If you think it went in the carburetor you can take the metal "bowl" off the bottom of it to check inside.

[@caseymcnamara3735]

Sorry that happened to you

[@caseymcnamara3735]

Can you do a Titan generator 7000 plz I'm begging you 😢😢😢

[@caseymcnamara3735]

If you can't that is ok

[@hibahraheel27]

@@caseymcnamara3735 Followed the instructions and my generator starts right away.

[@caseymcnamara3735]

@@hibahraheel27 ty

[@caseymcnamara3735]

It's very old

[@unrivaledmind]

Please don't spray to much cleaner. Spray a squirter or 2 and start it..

[@xaralamposxaralampous3061]

Ουλλα ξέρεις τα

[@robertsimpson7113]

WD40 makes a safer starting fluid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@braydenkelley1946]

The most obvious tips, this video REALLY… did not help .

[@_o.0_.]

If you had no idea where to start how did this video NOT help? Lol would you have touched your air filter, would you have known to use carb cleaner to spray out the carb? Exactly, what was the point of this comment?

[@thagedorn]

generac. the neverending human need to overpay for things that don't work.