Top Reasons Generator Won't Start - Generator Troubleshooting

[@Baileys.small.engine.repair]

1. Defective spark plug 2. Restricted carburetor 3. Defective ignition coil 4. Malfunctioning recoil starter 5. Faulty switch/switches 6. Broken flywheel key

[@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 .

[@clamman7505]

what if it did start but does not stay on and then after a load of attempts it jams the wire suddenly stops in the middle.

[@nidalshehahadeh7485]

@@clamman7505 One out of two either water in the fuel , or the flywheel key is broken or bent , clean the carburetor and if worse comes to worst you would have to remove the flywheel and check the flywheel key , a broken flywheel key will cause difficult to start or bad Idol .

[@nidalshehahadeh7485]

Bad engine idle

[@katieschrock4341]

Thank you so much! Very helpful! ❤

[@stellijer]

I have a gen which sat for 6 years with old fuel. Cleaned, replaced gas, etc - now it starts on starting fluid only, but won't keep running. Could this be a gummed carb? How do I tell? I know carbs aren't that expensive, but don't want to go through that effort unless I know that's probably the problem. Also - what if I want to convert to propane? Any suggestions?

[@GeraltOfRivia99]

Yes old fuel and debris will clog up the jets in the carb and the main intake..... new carb or clean it

[@jaeb.2842]

Great video!!!