Predator 3500 Running Problems and a Fix

[@BrainStormAcres]

Funny that you had this problem. Just diagnosed the same problem here. Someone else started the generator and accidentally left it choked. Carboned up more than I realized. Tried the easy cheesy fix of the spark arrestor and shot some carb cleaner. Tomorrow I take the parts off and do the job right. Got the backup 1500 Predator running right now. Take care.

[@ArizonaHighDesertHomestead]

Wow..coincidence for sure. Yeah they are great generators.. just run so rich at the higher altitudes. Hope you get it all worked out

[@BrainStormAcres]

@@ArizonaHighDesertHomestead it WILL submit! I've thought about getting the altitude jet ...

[@leslieb6038]

Thank you so much for this video!! We’ve only owned the generator a couple months now but we pretty much use it every weekend all weekend to power our camp in northern Maine. The generator hasn’t run great since we first bought it and I wasn’t impressed coming from a Honda. After tuning it up exactly as you say….holy cow. It’s like night and day. Starts instantly, which again it didn’t from the start. Thank you so much!!

[@ArizonaHighDesertHomestead]

You're very welcome. I'm so glad I was able to help you!! Have a great day

[@USAMark70]

Thank you so much! The screen on the spark arrestor was completely clogged on mine causing the engine to barely idle and then die after a couple minutes. Thanks again! I appreciate you taking the time & effort to make this video! God bless!

[@ArizonaHighDesertHomestead]

You're very welcome..yeah the predators run super rich and really clog up fast. So glad it helped you..God Bless

[@eddiesandoval2234]

Thank you for the tips, knowledge and for making the video.

[@rob-pm7gb]

Bought one of these last week and its been surging since day 1 , going to return it tomorrow and hopefully the replacement doesn't have the same problem.

[@ArizonaHighDesertHomestead]

If you are running it at a high altitude make sure you have the high altitude jet kit. Also if you are able to afford a Honda generator that is the way to go. These predators just don't hold up well in my opinion.

[@markmccune5871]

I have a Predator 6500/5500 non-inverter generator. Been using it for two years. Runs great. I don't know about yours but mine actually came with a carburetor jet kit. You are supposed to install the jet if you are above 5000 feet elevation or you void the warranty

[@ArizonaHighDesertHomestead]

Yes I have heard of the high altitude jet kit.. I never got one with mine but plan on picking them up and installing them on all of mine for sure

[@Shallow-pockets-acres]

Thanks for sharing I have the same generator may need to know this in the future.

[@ArizonaHighDesertHomestead]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rgarizonahomestead2729]

i was going to get that one but i chose to get the 9000 generator and i love it Maintenace is key to any engine and it's good to pouched on this subject. check your engines from time to time. one side note is an hour meter is great to have on your generators it tells you how much you have been using it. take care and have a great day

[@ArizonaHighDesertHomestead]

So very true.. maintenance is so very important.. I really like the idea of getting an hour meter for them. Thanks for watching and I hope you have a great night

[@vashon100]

pouched ?

[@BryanRichardson1939]

I have this generator but it now only runs on start, which is choke, when I put it on run it stalls

[@ArizonaHighDesertHomestead]

That is strange. I would suggest changing out the carburetor. They sell replacement ones on Amazon

[@ellafields9424]

I live @ 6,5000 in NM Ordered a generator of different brand but it was too heavy for me to handle & it was not dual fuel as I wanted. In reading the manual before unboxing / said that carburetor must have different ?part installed if you use it @ different altitudes. I wanted for RV & use it @ home then in winter in Tucson area. Did not want to do mechanical stuff every trip so tookbit back to TSC. In researching I found that most will have same problem. So I gave up. Decided to get solar inverter generator/ an panels as I only need one for backup & sometimes boondocking. I'm not off grid @ home place.

[@ArizonaHighDesertHomestead]

You chose the right path in my opinion.. yeah any generator just really struggles at that elevation. Solar generators are excellent and work great. Even having the high altitude carb jet we were still having problems. Now we hardly ever have to use a generator as I have the solar dialed in very well. Thanks for the great comment and I hope you have a fantastic day

[@cduemig1]

Just pulled my plug and it’s a Bosch. My last use the generator would die then restart and it ran fine for awhile. Made me think the tank vent was blocked.

[@Blindhomesteader]

I have a Coleman 6250 started on Monday, Tuesday nothing. We are trouble shooting it.

[@ArizonaHighDesertHomestead]

Dang that sucks.. does it turn over at all?

[@Blindhomesteader]

@@ArizonaHighDesertHomestead not even a little bit

[@ArizonaHighDesertHomestead]

@@Blindhomesteader have you checked the connection at the spark plug? I wonder if it's not firing

[@Anthrit]

Never used a generator. We all on solar, had to change the devices and tools to make it work. I will see how long we can pull that off.

[@ArizonaHighDesertHomestead]

Cool. I admire you doing that..we are power whores lol

[@butchtruman9558]

What would make my moter surge when running?

[@paraquetepike]

Thank you so much.

[@ArizonaHighDesertHomestead]

You're very welcome

[@mrgreenbudz37]

I love my 3500 and have had it for about 4 plus years so far. I am having a problem right now with mine. When I go to turn it off it keeps wanting to run and chug and like it's dying but just won't shut off. Any advice?

[@ArizonaHighDesertHomestead]

To me it sounds like the spark arrestor is plugged as mine used to do that as well. Or it could need a new carburetor which doesn't cost much and isn't too difficult to change out. The good thing about the predators is they are easy to work on and parts are easy to find. Hopefully this helps you somewhat

[@mrgreenbudz37]

@@ArizonaHighDesertHomestead Hi and thanks for the reply The SA is clean. I wonder if it is the wiring and not the carb? If it is the Carb any idea where to find one? I am looking on HF website and looking at a parts list and don't see a full carburetor.

[@MrKeithsplace]

So what was the Sparkplug #

[@eknott1000]

What Spark Plug did you install?

[@doseven]

Filling the tank above the red plastic level indicator will cause this super rich running and carbon buildup. There is a tank vent that goes into the intake, if you fill above that level marker it dumps fuel into the intake causing a massively rich condition. Stop filling there and this does not happen nearly as bad. Also carb cleaner blew all the carbon off mine real quick.

[@ManuelLopez-gw4ui]

Great video I have the same generator What spark plug did you use?

[@ArizonaHighDesertHomestead]

Thank you !!! this is the spark plug I used.. works great amzn.to/3ti8q9s

[@bravliohernandez8147]

Is there a gap for this plug or is it install ready?

[@jeremiahroper8464]

Map gas torch burns that carbon right down to new clean screen. 👌

[@alek8881]

ones i use my air fryer in 10 min shots off, only works on my portable AC that all to be honest im tire of the generator

[@donhgr]

The cleaner for that carbon on the spark arrester is a map gas torch, burn it off

[@jamesmason7124]

Hello from the high desert of New Mexico USA 🇺🇸. I have the same generator, if you want to fix the rich problem you need to replace the main jet to a number 68. I hope this helps you

[@ArizonaHighDesertHomestead]

That helps tremendously, I will for sure order one soon. thanks neighbor and I hope you have a happy new Years

[@joepaullawncare7222]

505

[@FresnoJoe2]

Amen~!

[@ArizonaHighDesertHomestead]

Thank you so much !!!

[@commonman7776]

thumbs up

[@ArizonaHighDesertHomestead]

Thank you so much !!

[@leoneentertainment2950]

These people be breathing heavy

[@dogman807]

Carbon monoxide center keeps Shutting down generator. I took out all the screen filters. It's getting all the air it needs. And keep shutting down. What a piece of junk.

[@ArizonaHighDesertHomestead]

Those CO2 detectors are such a joke. Any small amount of wind sets them off and shuts it down. Yes I highly recommend getting a better generator. Honda is the best IMO.. you get what you pay for

[@Jon-cg8sq]

I have the 3500 predator and two Hondas save your money by the Honda

[@vashon100]

Aren't Hondas like twice the price?

[@jamesray3920]

I took mine off left it off

[@chriseller757]

Not very efficient if it runs rich. There's nothing wrong with those plugs. I know tons of power equipment that come with those in it and run for years just fine.

[@okiedoke6373]

That crap plug has 3500 hours on mine