Generac / Honeywell Generator Overspeed Failure Plus Engine Problems!

Honeywell stand-by generators are built by Generac and generally have more features included otherwise there's absolutely no difference between the two. I located the initial problem at the end of the call but that doesn't excuse the engine problem I found. After interviewing several small engine mechanics it appears to me that a lot of these problems are because of the short run cycles resulting in a poor break-in period.
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#hvacrsurvival #hvaclife #hvacservice #hvacr #refrigeration #troubleshooting
00:00 TruTechTools
00:11 Generac standby generator
01:34 First start shows problems
02:21 Engine speed controls frequency
03:09 checking engine servo speed control
03:53 battery check revels problems
07:14 Servo resistance check
08:13 how to reset the code
09:15 check the oil level first
12:10 checking frequency with the meter
13:33 things I checked so far
14:21 spark plug problems
14:49 check engine compression
15:43 valve adjustments
17:13 valve adjustment didn't help
17:44 testing valves and rings with air pressure test
18:40 More engine problems
22:17 Finding the root but not the full problem
22:43 Now it works but still has issues
22:56 explaining to the customer what's going on
23:54 Testing the transfer switch

[@360ModsandHacks]

I really enjoy watching your Generac videos. I don't have a generator and probably won't ever get one, but there's something about how you diagnose these and go deep into detail about your repairs that makes me love to watch. Good work!

[@HVACRSurvival]

Thanks So Much! I'm glade you like them!

[@jasonjohnsonHVAC]

Hell....you did more than what 90%, of other techs would do. Never worked on a gennie before so i like these videos. You also seem to know more than what im guessing 90% of other techs know. You performed all the tests/ diagnostics that was called for....came to a solution that would fix the problem right the first time. Was able to get it up and running, as close to specs as you could do on site. Brought that frequency down from 70hz to a proper 60hz. This video is exactly what we as service techs are supposed to do. Diagnosis, fix what we can, provide information on repairs that are needed...give customer value for their money...thats it. Another great video as always Rick.

[@HVACRSurvival]

Thanks Jason! I figure I'll get crap for not repairing the engine. 😳

[@jasonjohnsonHVAC]

@@HVACRSurvival you might...but it'll be unwarranted. Unless your company advertising as a engine shop....not your job. Your job was to fix what you could, identify the problems and notify the customer.

[@HVACRSurvival]

👍👍🤜🤛

[@rv10flyer84]

Just for all of us DIY’ers….those battery testers are great for all of your preventative maintenance checks on your autos, lawnmowers, motorcycles, Generac/Honeywell generators, etc. If you see anything over 5 milliohms (not Mega), you need to watch it and prepare to get yourself a new battery. Anything over 10 milliohms replace immediately. Thanks for the great videos!

[@scotts4125]

Your attention to detail is very impressive. I know those older ones had issues. I have the new type which they claim they solved them. Mine is 2 years old a 22kw and they already replaced the starter. It gave an RPM error on startup. I played around with the manual start and could hear the starter wasn't sounding normal. It did start after that. This is also monitored. They told me there is a bulletin that in hot weather when you get that code to replace the starter. It's covered but they put the same model starter back in, not upgraded. lol Not sure how that fixes the problem in the long run. Florida heat kills. It's damn nice though when the electric went out at 2am (I was up) within 30 seconds the gen came on and we had power. If you never lived through a hurricane without power for a few weeks you will understand how much I love this thing. Keep up the great videos!

[@sterlingarcher46]

Don't know the 1st thing about generators but I always watch your videos on them , there's always something to learn innit.

[@HVACRSurvival]

New either🤣🤣

[@timothyhargadon752]

Always nice to watch a pro at work.

[@HVACRSurvival]

I don't know about that but I appreciate you watching 🤜🤛👍👍

[@IAmSidTheRealKid]

Great Video Rick! Very informative! Thank you for bringing us along!

[@HVACRSurvival]

👍👍🙌

[@Ted_E_Bear]

You sure are a master of many things ! Great job

[@berylwhite2983]

You may not work the same things every day but you're better than average bear! You did a great job stay safe. And don't get too hot

[@TheWilber09]

As a small engine mechanic i Might have to add this to my small engine menu.

[@Eddy63]

Like the way you troubleshoot , very thorough ... I always liked troubleshooting too . Thx

[@HVACRSurvival]

🤜🤛👍👍

[@tbelding]

When getting a new engine of any type, even a lawn mower, it's a good idea to run it for a full tank of fuel under minimal load just to work things in. For automobiles, they go for a 1,000 mile break in period, IIRC.

[@briancarlisi2224]

You did I your job in diagnosing an underperforming cylinder due to a poor intake seal between valve face and seat. Charge the diagnostic fee, battery, oil & install then on to the next call. Thanks for the vid!

[@HVACRSurvival]

Thanks Brian🤜🤛👍👍I appreciate the understanding!

[@frankvucolo6249]

Definitely worth repairing. A small engine guy can pull the head. Probably just lap the valves or replace a cracked valve so that intake valve seats.

[@rupe53]

Good call on finding that slipped idle screw. If the stepper motor moves freely the next step (shooting from the hip, not the book) is to see if you can manually hold the throttle down. If it won't go down then that is the FIRST thing to diagnose. On the other stuff, I think you focused too much on trying to solve a minor engine issue. Yeah, the compression was a little down, but that can also be from many hours of running poorly. I usually stick with the basics on those so check valves, new plugs, and such first. If you are worried about the compression, you could go back in a few weeks and see if it's improved after running better for a bit.... or make notes and check it at the next service. These other service items will NEVER let an engine run too fast. As for that oil leak... I find its usually the OP switch, oil filter not tight, or the breather gasket. On the older sets I saw the oil cooler lines leak too. Just add a hose clamp and walk away.

[@refrigerationconfidential4376]

No idea what I just watched but Rick makes it entertaining 👍

[@HVACRSurvival]

Basic electricity, no biggie 😁. You take a motor and with a two-pole rotor then you spend it at 3600 RPMs, you inject a DC voltage into that rotor via slip rings, it creates a magnetic field and that's captured by the stator, then use a voltage regulator to regulate the dc voltage going into the rotor and you have a generator. 1800 rpm if you have a 4 pole rotor.

[@geraldfoon6283]

I have a 10-year-old 12 kw Honeywell generator I do all the oil/filter changes, valve adjustments, etc. myself once a year. The generator now has the front spark plug which looks exactly like the rear one you took out. The back spark plug is clean just like a new one. When it does its weekly, test a huge cloud of smoke comes out on startup but clears up right after it starts running. There is a little black residue bult up on that exhaust side manifold connection bolts. My "shade tree" mechanical diagnosis is bad rings letting oil into cylinder. The engine runs smooth with no vibration, so I was going to just run it till it died like someone suggested in the comments. My voltage and frequency are not rock steady anymore and I have flickering in my lights because I had a lightning strike close by that took out several electronic circuit boards in TV's, HVAC systems, garage door openers, etc. about a month ago. I think my automatic voltage regulator in the control board was damaged from the lightning but not "fried" or my engine is now having enough RPM variation to cause the shift in voltage/frequency. (119-125 volts/ 59-60 Hz frequency). You are a very professional, extremely well-trained technician and I really enjoy watching the very detailed steps you take in all your videos. Any suggestions/advice? Thanks

[@HVACRSurvival]

I think you're on the right track. I'm not a big engine kinda guy, my brother in law is certified by most of the popular small engine companies so I call him if I'm not sure. It's hard to be good at everything.

[@Camaro17k]

GT530 engine breather gasket is leaking common issue.. 1.5 to 2 hr job

[@drozcompany4132]

Maybe when it had the low oil pressure alarm it caused some damage, although I wouldn't think that would cause the intake valve seat to fail. A ring, definitely yes.

[@randallweaver7034]

You did good troubleshooting - you didn't just stop when you found leaking valve, you fixed the issue you were called to fix. I noticed that you didn't say if the valves were tight or loose before you adjusted them - if intake valve is to loose it can indicate crud or burnt oil build up on valve seat - this oil typically comes from breather. Oil from breather is caused to by breather flowing higher CFM than designed to flow. Excessive crankcase CFM is typically caused by leaking crankcase - leaking crankshaft seals or oil fill cap(also can be from leaking piston rings). Just a side note - valve clearance will loosen up approx .004 when at operating temperature compared to 60F valve clearance. Always compensate valve clearance when adjusting valves on a warm engine.

[@HVACRSurvival]

I forget, I think it was loose. My brother in law was certified by several small engine manufacturers when he was in school working for Ace hardware. I usually call him asking questions. I was never into engines like most guys, I was mainly into electronics type stuff.

[@harrydickson4575]

Another great one 👍👍👍

[@HVACRSurvival]

Thank you!

[@tombernier861]

I'm working on my generator as we speak. It has similar hours. It's the same/ similar unit. 135psi in the front and 110psi in the back. I did a cylinder leak down test and the back cylinder wouldn't hold any air. It turned out to be a blown head gasket. The cylinder and piston looked new, as it should on a machine with 120 hours. The head was a little dirty and the valves and seats were good. The oil at the bottom of your generator is probably not spilt oil, but oil blown out of the crankcase vent because of the head gasket. These generators I'm told, start to leak oil out the crankcase vent. My generator has been leaking for about a year. I'm almost 100% sure it was the head gasket starting to go bad and causing excessive crankcase pressure. Now it's bad enough for a no start. $35.00 in gaskets and 4 or5 hours she will be as good as new!

[@KRich408]

Glad I didn't buy a Genercrap . I'll just run my Honda manually when needed. With the hours on that engine it shouldn't have compression issues

[@dougking7592]

Hay brother I have around about same problem with these generators the company I work for has HVAC-R techs, electrocution, plumbing techs also and like you said up around your area the gensets happen to call on the havc techs down this way too great video Rick, I’m working on a generac now that just keeps cranking what a headache thanks for sharing

[@HVACRSurvival]

Thanks Doug, I get some crap for the way I do things but that's why I level with the people and explain I'm over working on these, either go all in on these or get out. No one else will work on them 🤦🏻

[@dougking7592]

I feel the same way brother, I know if we worked on nothing but generators the diagnosis would be quicker and be able to touch and feel like all techs do with line sets

[@HVACRSurvival]

Exactly 💯%👍👍

[@roceloi]

You are right if you do the same equipment every day the life is eazy!! The last years i have take a new job and only i see type of laboratory equipment, this is good but in my previous company i work on all type of things and some times you miss the challenge!And for sure you are a better tech than anyohe who only touches one type of equipment!

[@HVACRSurvival]

I know what you mean👍👍

[@fellpower]

The internal resistence of a battery is MILLIohm, not MEGAohm ;)

[@HVACRSurvival]

It’s been years since I’ve been in electronics class so I’ve forgotten, my bad

[@johnwalker890]

Good job Rick, The wires on the transfer switch did look a little small and I'm not sure if the engine is worth fixing, and once you fixed the screw on the solenoid, it seemed to run fine, good job regardless.

[@HVACRSurvival]

Thanks man!

[@rupe53]

Wires on the gen side of the TF switch are sized to meet the gen capacity. It's only a 10 Kw so likely #6 wire. (protected by a 50 amp breaker at the set)

[@johnwalker890]

Thanks, I was so upset about it.

[@shine-cg9uf]

🇺🇸👍❄💪 u r one talented tech! Thanks for sharing 🙏

[@HVACRSurvival]

🤜🤛👍👍

[@stevem6711]

Well the fouled plug on the rear cylinder is telling you where the oil went due to bad rings. It's the only place oil can get to the plug. As long as the volts/cycles are good, it can run a long time like that with oil added as needed. These high KW gensets are way under taxed when running so it's not going to push a lot of oil through. It is BS that this problem exists with such low hours though. It could be something as simple as manufacturer failed to offset the ring gaps during install.

[@HVACRSurvival]

And what you’re saying is very possible. When they first ran us through their schooling back in 2006-07 area they used to let you come to the factory where they build it. They sure as heck don’t wanna let you do that now…. what I seen was a total NASCAR style assembly process and they wonder why their stuff fails. They literally were in a hot hurry to get that thing down the line as fast as they could. I’ve never seen anything like they were doing, all they were missing, was six-year-olds building it, it was a modern day, American slave labor workshop, you’re just asking for problems and they’re getting them, now today’s generators are a lot better than they were back then a lot of that has to do with them upgrading the electronics technology by following what the other companies have been doing for a while, like integrated controls.

[@user-dr1zd4fx2d]

There are a few cylinder leak down test videos on KZbin that may be useful. If you are hearing the leakage in the intake, ithe leak is probably going to be an intake valve not seating correctly.

[@martehoudesheldt5885]

engines that don't run enough can get gooy rings or skin rust on valves. run for 1 hr and retest and do a dry then wet(squirt some oil in the cylinder) test if it is rings it will be different between wet/dry test. and the oil might break loose the stuck rings. common problem.

[@tln8424]

Thanks for your video. I have a Generac standby, made 2008, 15kw. Has been working fine. Yesterday failed to check self start. Getting flashing light - overspeed/rpm sense. won't manual start. also lot of oil on/in carb housing under air filter. Oil is good, air filter good. What can I check next? Thanks

[@jonnymac31]

Hell yeah, man.

[@xxmrgoatxxzzz4782]

Lol I bet it’s the stepper or controller for the over speed the oil in bottom is common for some models at certain years most likely rear engine seal

[@thefathvacguy6341]

Ive had couple of those where the butterflies stuck

[@clifton6693]

What happens to the engines you pull out? I need a cover off the back of the engine.

[@bobsterner5597]

10kw Generac’s known for oil leak at the engine breather. I fixed this many times

[@HVACRSurvival]

What did you do to fix it?

[@bobsterner5597]

Generac offers replacement gaskets.

[@rupe53]

@@bobsterner5597 ... gasket is good to have but I noticed those retaining screws are always slack. I take a coffee break and snug them a second time before reassembly. I also use a light coating of high temp silicone. BTW, be sure to keep any of that metal mesh well away from the breather flap. If it hits you will be tearing your hair out looking for an oil consumption issue.

[@bobsterner5597]

Yes ive done silicone as well. And extra thread lock.

[@rupe53]

@@bobsterner5597 ... personally, I don't think the bolts back out. I feel the gasket just compresses with time. When you add silicone, then run your finger around, it fills the edge up nicely, so a little slack doesn't leak oil in the future.

[@jimjeffries5564]

It’s the plunger style that I see in some of your videos. It was the one from your generator fails to run and transfer back to standby video from 2 years ago at the 7 min 11 sec mark

[@HVACRSurvival]

Are you talking about the red and Black short jumpers?

[@davidfannin6873]

So I can’t find anyone to service mine . Just closed on the house today . Found the fuse blown . Now red and green light is flashing what could be the problem. It also says low battery which I will replace.

[@joeshearer1247]

I think you missed your calling as a auto mechanic. I can talk to Zsa and see if he is interesting in partnering up with you and open a shop

[@HVACRSurvival]

🤣 Whatever 50% wannabe J..😁😁.... Your not funny but I laughed👍👍🙂

[@coldfinger459sub0]

Automotive guys who understand air-conditioning and do it on car for a living make excellent HVAC technicians. Not necessarily the other way around the reason being. In HVAC when we have to pull out a evaporator it’s a panel directly in front of us and it’s a 20 minute job to 45 minutes On a car it could be 4 1/2 hours to 22 hours with a few hundred clips in springs electrical connectors vacuum hoses actuators and if you got one thing wrong you have to pull the dash back off and the steering column and dig into it again. And not to mention having to twist backwards upside down under the dash who the hell would want to do that I would not wish that torture on any HVAC technician. And the majority of automotive mechanics make shit for wages. And have cheap bosses who don’t wanna pay overtime Especially if you’re in commercial refrigeration. If you want to work 80 hours there’s 80 hours of work there and your boss is glad to pay you because they get paid and they actually make money. And you don’t get greasy fingers in HVAC crack hands from all the solvents and oils. Change the expansion valve on your ICP or your Train or your Courier it’s a 20 minute job Changing expansion valve on your 2009 Prius is 7 1/2 hours

[@joeshearer1247]

@@HVACRSurvival hey I’m just glad I’m one of Abraham children! Even at only 50%!

[@HVACRSurvival]

🤣🤣 Father Abraham had many sons and I am one of them and so are you...la la la goes the song.... If you're old enough to remember it.

[@joeshearer1247]

@@HVACRSurvival oh yea that takes me back for sure 🥹🥹

[@kevinmarchini5272]

With air cooled small engines you don't want to use automobile oil it does not have nearly enough zinc and phosphorus car oil is only around 700 to 900 ppm small engines need to be at least 1200 ppm or more similar to racing oil the problem with racing oil is its designed for frequent changes very little detergents for dirt, Amsoil 5w30 true small engine oil is really good also Kohler, Kawasaki, Briggs and Stratton, Exmark, Generac is also good oil but standard oil like Mobil 1 or any other big name oil do not have the zinc and phosphorus do to emissions NG and LP are even more critical for this causes excessive wear and oil consumption

[@Cleofizoid]

What meter (the green one) are you using for a battery tester? I like that it gives you the internal resistance.

[@HVACRSurvival]

This is it, it's cheaper now but the only review listed makes it look bad, it's not perfect but does a good job. You might want to look for a better rated one. Here's the link. amzn.to/3W7RzCZ

[@joeshearer1247]

Did you take the oil fill cap off while it was running the leak down Test to see if it was going in the crankcase

[@HVACRSurvival]

I believe I did, It was not the rings this time.

[@peterking1134]

The valve leak does not explain the overspeed. You were wise in persisting your search further!!

[@HVACRSurvival]

Correct, the screw was the initial problem on the governor, you got to remember I couldn't see that screw when I had the plastic on the carburetor in the beginning, it was after I tore it completely apart that I saw the screw.

[@peterking1134]

Great job sir!

[@knightfly12]

What is the diagnostic manual that you are using? Is it generalized to small generators or specific to generac? Thanks

[@HVACRSurvival]

I have several different ones, I have commercial up to 250,000 watts down to some portables but my manuals are about 2 years old right now. And the commercial ones are 10 plus years old

[@matthewrichmond5179]

On first crank sounded like it was running on 1 of 2 cyilnders.

[@resumacar6607]

Excellent video, please in Spanish too, 👍👍

[@HVACRSurvival]

I don't know Spanish. Thanks for checking it out!

[@shielduniversity419]

Hi does Generac sell you all the tools you use to trouble shoot inckuding that pressure test manifold

[@HVACRSurvival]

They have some of them for sale, others I buy local.

[@hphillips7425]

I am having a kholer 20kw installed. Hopefully I made a good decision

[@HVACRSurvival]

From what I've seen they are good. Not cheap but good

[@krisw8597]

Great video, how old is the unit?

[@HVACRSurvival]

I believe it was 8 or 10 years old. But at 130 hours that's ridiculous. Most lawn mower engines are good for a 1300 to 2,000 hours

[@michaeloakley5800]

What model and brand is your battery tester. Great Vedic I like your process.

[@HVACRSurvival]

Which tester did you see? The green one or black one?

[@michaeloakley5800]

@@HVACRSurvival the green one please

[@ShainAndrews]

Keep good oil in them. When new run it 15 minutes change the oil. Run 30 minutes change the oil. Back cylinder is going to run hotter and that's where a synthetic oil gives a guy a fighting chance. That being said... I see plenty of scored back cylinders. Everybody wants a small footprint and quiet operation, this is the result.

[@HVACRSurvival]

We use 5w30 full synthetic oil in all standby generators per the manual for our weather conditions. I agree, government regulation has caused most of all the problems we have today.

[@user-gk4ms5wb9r]

9:26 моторное масло вытекает из под клапана вентиляции картера. На всех моделях 8 киловатт есть такая проблема. Нужно закрутить болты клапана вентиляции

[@HVACRSurvival]

Thanks! What country are you in?

[@user-gk4ms5wb9r]

@@HVACRSurvival From Russia, I am here repairing and maintaining these generators. Turns out colleagues😁🤝

[@watermanone7567]

NIce job finding issues. Does Generac make that engine or is it made by another engine mfg.? I have a small engine shop and see issues with different brands all the time. Example is Kohler has oil leak issues, Briggs has head gasket issues etc. Thanks for the video.

[@HVACRSurvival]

Generac builds the motor, they make motors for Briggs & Stratton and Briggs & Stratton makes a couple motors for them. They are both in Wisconsin. When I went to the factory in 2006 they were having China manufacture some of the parts, probably more now.

[@watermanone7567]

@@HVACRSurvival Many thanks

[@fredlogan3849]

at times carbon gets between the valve and the seat and holds the valve open a couple thousands and it leaks a small amount of compression tapping on the top of the valve brakes it loose and will reseat the valve, its worth trying before disassembling the engine. still has an over speed warning

[@HVACRSurvival]

Good ideas👍👍

[@leiferickson713]

Looks like he’s gotta orange can of death on there.

[@stephwaylonwells3218]

👍

[@walkingfreak]

If the engine is out of warranty i'd just run it till it popped or started to make some hellacious racket. Running it low on oil though sure don't help anything at all.

[@HVACRSurvival]

That's what I told the customer 👍👍, I don't think it's worth spend the money fixing it until it's dead.

[@mikeadler434]

👍👍

[@jameslang9170]

Minimum allowable compression is 150 cold per manual. I’d rather investigate this than change magnetos or see an under voltage alarm. Good job.

[@HVACRSurvival]

Thanks James! I try to not get the book out every time, I have had so many problems with Generac engines that I usually check all the same things every time.

[@jameslang9170]

Had to go to CT for training. Generac are trying to blame techs for the failed engines because they won’t adjust valves. The training is getting more strict and in-depth which I appreciate but I just don’t touch em enough to be super comfortable as I am with heat and AC like you said.

[@HVACRSurvival]

Their training is a joke right now, they're forcing you to get recertified every year which is a waste of money, and then they want you to do it all in all online.

[@rupe53]

@@HVACRSurvival ... actually, I was pushing for on-line recertification a few years ago. (pre-covid) because unless they came out with a new unit it was kind of a waste to send techs to a multi-day class when they already knew 90% of the material. This was something I figured out years ago while I was doing automotive work and they offered new model updates to senior techs. The classes were a single day and only covered changes, rather than everything from scratch. Since it was only senior techs we also got a chance to discuss problems and actually write service bulletins with approved field fixes.

[@throttlebottle5906]

@@jameslang9170 technically if they're not adjusted they could become too tight from valve seat wear and burn the seats/valves or cook the head around the seat, etc. it could also be rodent/low airflow issue causing overheating which can loosen the seats and expand too much at different rates, causing the same issues. the valve lash becoming too tight very well may have been their findings.

[@garymiller3194]

Prime movers being combustion engine, or water💧 and wind.. to make a alternator move, so you move electrons combustion engines biggest painin the ass . trying resurrect a engine

[@criticalcritic2346]

Have you ever done a video on a Kohler Whole Home Generator?

[@HVACRSurvival]

I don't work on them.

[@criticalcritic2346]

@@HVACRSurvival Thanks for the reply! I still enjoy your videos even though I went with Kohler over Generac.

[@HVACRSurvival]

I don't blame you. Kohler is a great product. I only got interested in generators back in 2006 because I was bored with residential HVAC. I mainly do refrigeration and commercial HVAC now.

[@hitekrednek66]

I am guessing that you don't like generac genies? What do you like? What do you own?

[@HVACRSurvival]

I own two Generac gas generators. A 8kw with 12kw starting watts and I just purchased an inverter 3kw starting, 2300 running watt. I make sure to properly start up and break in my generators unlike these home standby generators that are just verified to run and left to break in on their own. That's why I think most of these fall apart... not to mention I think these things sitting outside and hardly ever running is another huge reason for the problems I keep seeing. In my opinion they're a waste of money unless you're disabled or unable to take care of a regular generator. They are a convenience but they have a high cost for the convenience.

[@joehead1294]

That grass is mighty green. Astroturf maybe?

[@HVACRSurvival]

🤣. Nope I'm in Ohio it rains here.

[@abrahamben-zeev9142]

Why does it not have hydraulic lifters so that no valve lash adjustment would be necessary?

[@HVACRSurvival]

I'm not an engineer nor did I design this but I would say probably the cost is why, people are cheap and that's why this is the number one selling generator, people don't want to pay extra

[@Guillotines_For_Globalists]

My Father has had 3 Generacs at various properties throughout the year. One thing I notice is MILKY OIL consistently. The oil never really gets dirty but it gets very milky. I am told this is due to condensation. I change the oil much more often than the 100 hours of run time it calls for in the book. I also disabled quiet test mode to make sure it runs at full RPM during its weekly exercise, and also have it set to weekly exercise rather than bi-weekly or monthly too! I use full synthetic 5W30 and also use a Purolator L14476 oil filter as that is very easy to source!

[@evan1kx125]

The less of the short 5min excercises the better. If it could run 10mins instead of 5 it would solve issue..pre 2012 models ran 12mins and was never an issue. So monthly or biweekly exercises are better then weekly because of the short run times especially in the cold temps and no power loss, a common misconception

[@Guillotines_For_Globalists]

@@evan1kx125 I believe the weekly exercise is 10 or 15 minutes or somewhere in-between, not 5.

[@HVACRSurvival]

I agree with your settings and your maintenance schedule 👍👍

[@Guillotines_For_Globalists]

@@HVACRSurvival Thanks.

[@evan1kx125]

@@Guillotines_For_Globalists yes non quiet test is better. 2013 and newer units only the smaller kw units under 11kw run longer then 5mins. Switch it to bi weekly from weekly and it will help with moisture. It's not building up moisture from sitting its building up moisture from not heating up engine fully from exercises mainly in the colder months. Also a spring time oil change will help rid moisture. Iv been doing generac service for 15yrs

[@acetech9237]

I'd love to work with you for a week.

[@HVACRSurvival]

That would be cool!

[@twinturbo3470]

hold up.......its not water cooled but isn't it oil cooled? That sure looks like an oil cooler to the right of the oil filter?

[@shielduniversity419]

Air cooled

[@HVACRSurvival]

Correct, its air cooled and has a oil cooler.

[@hartsfire5706]

yep this is a known problem that generac-junk has. i have tried rebuilding 2 or 3 of them for people even over sizing a slugs 0.10 and in about 100 or 150 hours it is down for the same thing. wow that engine is week that was a lot of governor droop when it took the load.

[@HVACRSurvival]

It's hard to believe Dixie Chopper actually uses their engines in their mowers. I have a Kawasaki engine in my Gravely that has 480 hours and it's perfectly fine and it's from 2007. Never had to adjust the valves, doesn't use oil, it just starts and runs... I lost a starter so far that's it. I watched how they build these Chinese engines. They don't let you go through the factory anymore because they build these like a sweatshop assembly line, it's no wonder there's so many mistakes. This is before they had a dedicated training center.

[@hartsfire5706]

@@HVACRSurvival and there is the difference that maters. putting this engine on a mower is ok, you are running liquid gasoline witch strange as it sounds does have a tiny bit of lucubrating and cooling property's to it. and the engine it self is kind of out in the open were it can breath and cool properly. in a generator they stuff them in a tiny place and cover them with every bit of insulation they can to make it quiet to meat sound codes. heat will kill any thing. and most people just have no clue of how much heat even a 8kw gen will make.. I have a 45KW diesel (diesel will run cooler then gas any day) and when it is 0 out side the middle on winter i still have to open my two garage doors to help it stay cool and that is just the heat coming off of the generator head. here is what i tell people who want a generator. get a mini barn and set it up in side that. most places to not tax a 10x10 barn and now it is in the open so it can breath. and stop running nat or propane gas it kills there life span. now granted i am out in the country and people around me know how to change a light bulb or work on things and have no problem under standing how to go start a real gen-set not one of these tiny toys. if you ever want to know were to get a diesel send me a message and i will try to get you hocked up with a suppler.

[@nanareynolds1705]

It's needs wd412. Hahaha

[@HVACRSurvival]

It needs a lot of things🤣👍👍

[@generatorjoe9933]

There's a reason why Genecrap's are so cheap.....you get what you pay for....Kohler or Cummins if you want reliability

[@HVACRSurvival]

Agreed 👍