This Generator Backfires & Won't Start - Let's Fix It!

[@gcarson19]

Just wanted to thank you for helping me gain the confidence to work on my own engines and equipment. Been subscribed for a while, and have always enjoyed your content. Best of luck!

[@donyboy73]

Thanks buddy, I really appreciate your support!

[@jimyeske8498]

So many people are concerned about finding TDC. Your way is my way too. Always works!

[@cottydry]

Yet another clear, concise video with excellent image quality. In a mere 13 minutes you took the mystery out of valve adjustments on this style of engine.

[@Rjp1983]

Dude, you rock. I’ve been waking my neighbors every other day trying to start my generator hoping for it to fix itself. This was a very simple fix thanks.

[@mikeb6431]

This channel is becoming one of, if not my favorite on KZbin. Excellent work!

[@prairiemushroom]

Great help guy - thanks - have a Princess Auto 420 wood chipper that started waking the dead with backfires in cold weather - this is the fix !

[@100vg]

Great troubleshooting to find the valve gaps are suspect because the pull start indicates no compression. All these tips help us build our troubleshooting arsenal. I was thinking a carb issue at first. Thanks, Don. Another great one!

[@UhBuddy1976]

Hi Donny. Greetings from the state of North Carolina in the United States. There is a store here called Northern Tool & Equipment. I don’t know if you guys have those in Canada. They carry this same exact series of generators. They look just like the one you worked on except they are blue, and they are called Powerhorse. Like you, I know most of these come from China but they seem like decent little motors for the most part. I actually sold it after we moved a few years ago but recently I purchased a used generator that is a Generac/Briggs & Stratton PowerBoss 8500/5500 W generator. The man was honest and told me the engine ran, but it would not make power. I knew immediately I had stumbled across a GEM of a generator as long as the engine ran. I brought it home, ran some resistance tests, hooked up a drill and spun it backwards and excited the magnets, and it immediately started producing power. I cleaned it up and made it look brand new again. I’m keeping this one! I am just about to go and pick up an another generator made by DeVilbiss which is older and has a Tecumseh engine on it. I am going to restore it and turn it into a propane generator since I already have a gasoline generator. I know it will work fine because 20 years ago I sold it to my sister and they have since bought a new one that is dual fuel.

[@mjg263]

Great demonstration on valve lash symptoms, Dony! I have also seen issues where the intake valve is too loose and makes the engine very hard to start and run too lean. That looks like it had almost no hours on it, hard to believe that it was so far out of spec that it wouldn’t even run already!

[@donyboy73]

it had just over 100hrs

[@steveriggenbach90]

Thank you, great information. A lot of difference in the valves with a simple adjustment. Take care.

[@EddieRAHMING]

Good day to you sir. I have been watching your videos for the past two years or so. This is my first time commenting. I just had to let you know sir how much I enjoy your teaching. Very simplistic and detailed. I have truly learned a great deal from you.

[@the_izB]

After watching 1,000,000,000 or so videos on what to do to get my shytt generator to start, this one actually worked. 👍 And it's because you said one thing...one valve open, one closed to check the lash. I did that fix in 5 minutes... but 4 days into the project

[@DIYVariety]

Well done donny

[@Odawg3709]

Done that exact repair many times. Good job.!

[@michaelspencer301]

Excellent video! Loved the way you adjusted the valves without worrying about TDC . Your way is by far the easiest. Had a generator that would sputter, miss and was sometimes cantankerous to start. Oil level was good. Come to find out ( After making multiple checks ) it had a defective low oil sensor. Simply unhooked it and it ran fine. Unfortunately it was an older unit and the sensor was no longer available. Customer said that's the Best it has run in years . I reminded him to check the oil level daily or 8 hrs to avoid burning the unit up. Once again great job! 👍👍

[@amandapuopolo3177]

I have the same Benchmark generator with the same problem! Finally feel like I have a good starting place to get it running again. Thanks for this!

[@JamesBeasley-s3x]

That was in depth!!! Thank you sir for the as always explanation.

[@acecurry2766]

Just repaired my generator following these exact steps. Thank!!!

[@gjensen500]

Donny, you are amazing. Thank You for sharing this video. I appreciate your expertise.

[@timmoore8036]

Another awesome video Dony! Greatly appreciate all you do!

[@baloglogable]

Thank you for sharing sir,my generator finally working after many checking up the carburetor, plugs,for 3days. I opened the valve cover and found out one is out of clearance. Godless you

[@gregoryking9348]

A clear and concise demonstration that even a mechanically challenged DIY-er can understand. 👍🏻 I've got to search your video's to find the valve diag for an ancient Simplicity Techumseh 8ish HP snowblower. I saw it like a year or so ago before my machine backfired very loudly and now won't start. Wish me luck. 😂

[@ezelk1337]

I had a Onan Propane generator with only 15 hours of use on it and this happened. I wouldn't start either. Last thing that I checked was the valve lash, Sure enough zero lash on the exhaust side. Set it correctly and it ran great. Wish I would have know about your KZbin site back then. Would have saved me hours of Troubleshooting. Thanks for everything that you do.

[@rodneygreen9968]

Great Job Donny. I always like to view what you are repairing & I learn more.

[@joeywatkins480]

Had same thing, opened up the valve cover but noticed that the intake valve was slow to return. I removed the plug, sprayed lubricant on the valve stem under the spring and pulled multiple times slowly, each time allowing the valve to return. After a few cycles of this I noticed that the valve was returning better, put all back together, cranked on second pull then I gave it the Seafoam treatment, running great again

[@richardmillership3002]

Thanks so much for this video. Genset backfired badly then cranked but wouldn't start. No fire at all. Suspecting dodgy fuel, I swapped it out and then ran through your checklist (new plug and oil top up but no fire at any point) until the Aerostart into the intake. It fired straight up. Thanks again.

[@ronstewart4241]

Thanks, good to know. Buying the same generator tomorrow.

[@robertsimonofsky3959]

Thank you for going over the steps so clearly….also thanks for showing that sometimes the valves need a second adjustment to get the correct. Enjoyed the video

[@richarddrempel8912]

Thanks for sharing a clear video for valves. I have 49 hours on my benchmark 6250 and now I’m pretty sure this is why it’s not starting. Thanks.

[@michaela3029]

Fantastic video. I never knew valves could be too tight. I've only ever adjusted loose ones. Thanks for posting this great, informative video.

[@Mudcat597]

Good tip! Thank you for sharing

[@abbyscott3213]

Thanks,! My husband really liked your video, we are going to try it!

[@barrypettit3668]

Don, Another great informative video . Keep them coming, i enjoy every one.

[@1badhoekaren903]

This saved my life and my family thank you

[@ChuckD59]

Thanks dony.

[@tonybrock5228]

I just watched your video.Thank you!! It worked perfectly!!

[@mantrahaki3838]

Thanks I’m living off grid and this video helped me get my generator started 😌 amazing content

[@RaysLaughsAndLyrics]

Great video on a must do maintainence step. Change oil, check valve lash and gap plug. 👍

[@TheCrittercam001]

Awesome instructional repair video Don♥

[@lgh081960]

Thanks donyboy for all the advice you provide. You have helped me out in many occasions with my Ariens snowblower and other small engines. On a slightly different topic, I noticed that some of these engines have Torch brand spark plugs installed from the factory. I recently had a no start problem related to a bad Torch plug and I replaced it with a NGK equivalent. Anyone else had issues with the Torch brand spark plugs.

[@AnnsTinyLife]

You saved my summer and generator! ❤

[@rickmucci4785]

Great video as always! Well explained and more! Many thanks 👍

[@johnbelliveau4704]

Hi Don, You mentioned not to worry about TDC. Does this apply to all valve adjustments or just this application? Another great lesson. Thanks.

[@donyboy73]

I do this for all small engines!

[@andrewsteele7663]

Thanks Don, cracking demo and problem solving, Cheers

[@donyboy73]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@randi740]

Great job Dony, boy that valve was really tight!

[@reginaldcobb5456]

Thanks for sharing knowledge! This method shows how valve adjustments are not hard to perform. Are the Briggs engines similar.

[@donyboy73]

Yes Briggs are similar.

[@tonym6920]

Great demo Dony, as always! 👍👍. I always thought you had to worry about top dead center, this way is a lot easier. Is this the same process on lawnmowers? 😮

[@donyboy73]

Yes same process on most ohv engines including lawn tractors

[@kjell-richardlvdal373]

excellent explained, I wonder on my 1450 briggs & stratton 20m314 engine on snowblower is thar also 0.004 inch clearence

[@jeffanthony5434]

Thanks Donny! I like these for the remote start. Do you or anyone have any feedback regarding longevity of these units and if the output power is really dirty or not?

[@Jursaw]

Great video! Had a similar issue with a dirt bike.

[@robertsimpson7113]

So what caused the exhaust valve to "suddenly" become too tight?? after it apparently was running fine before stopping to re-fuel?

[@donyboy73]

wear and tear and lower quality engine

[@Talachachannel]

👏👏👏👏👏👏 no cabe duda Eres el mejor Motor made in china 🇨🇳

[@sebstream8440]

Thank you.

[@deanmoore420]

Been there done that but great video. Nice tips for people that don’t know. Great job.👍

[@ВовкаЯ-т4х]

Познавательно и по существу.😊

[@johnropeleski6006]

You' re setting the valve lash at .004 on both valves?i thought the lash on the exhaust valve should be a bit more than the intake?

[@philliphall5198]

Book said 6/8

[@ratt727]

Great tech session once again!

[@Paul1958R]

Don, Great video -thank you. Paul (in MA USA)

[@harrygrimley4352]

Great video. Nicely explained. That's experience for you.

[@vonvoyage14]

Fixed my problem! Thank you so much!

[@trcass1]

excellent video. thanks for showing and sharing

[@darwindropmazda]

Very well explained

[@MrBgwolf]

Solved my problem thank you.

[@hofnerbass]

Genius... excellent video

[@Francisco-sx7th]

Thanks for the video. How to differentiate an open valve from a broken connecting rod when no compression?

[@davidquinn6161]

Remove spark plug. Insert drinking straw till it touches top of piston. Pull starter cord slowly. If straw doesn't move, broken connecting rod is evident.

[@Francisco-sx7th]

​ @davidquinn6161 I repaired a B&S engine recently with a broken connecting rod. It's impossible to have access to the piston while removing the spark plug as it's located on top of valves. That's why I ask for an advise here

[@davidquinn6161]

If you've already repaired it, why do you need to ask for advise ?

[@Francisco-sx7th]

​@@davidquinn6161 It was an old machine so I decided to remove the oil pan and see how it was inside, I had nothing to lose. I just ask whether a better way to check this is possible.

[@davidquinn6161]

So it must be a flat head. I would remove the cylinder head. Only a few bolts and less messy than removing the oil pan. Also allows you to check the valves at the same time.

[@nitro74cs]

Great job Dan, thanks a lot

[@jessicaurias83]

awesome ours works now!

[@PatHiggins-Mayo]

Learned so much from your videos. Thanks Dony

[@williesimpson6757]

Wow. Awesome 😎 👏

[@Skunkheaven1979]

What type of oil do you use for generators?

[@OceanBreeze2022.]

Certainly glad I stumbled across this video. I have the exact same machine I might have 10 hours on it yet, so no issues as of yet. Danny, how many hours was on that unit?

[@donyboy73]

approx, 100 hours

[@bigteeist]

Thanks just learned something new

[@pinatek100]

Thank's Dony for this instruction video, is it the same to ajust the 9HP Craftman snowblower ? Thank's for your help and GOD bless you !

[@donyboy73]

Yes almost the same.

[@johnduff36]

Thanks for the excellent tutorial,You did mentioned a low oil shutoff pressure sensor,does this sensor create basically a no spark issue through the ignition? Is this sensor located internally or externally on the motor . Thanks again

[@donyboy73]

Yes low oil will cause it to have no spark, it's located on side of engine bock.

[@donskelly6586]

Nice job donny...u da man

[@annierenard5954]

good video, thank you

[@garyhodder2784]

Great informative video Donny,thank you.

[@1oldteck]

Thanks

[@1beltfed]

Thanks for the video. :)

[@THExLAWxMAN]

Real good info , thank you 😊

[@kencurtis228]

TY for Sharing

[@johnbelliveau4704]

Thanks again. Best Wishes!

[@timcolton4680]

Good Fix

[@timd5597]

Thank you Donny, adjusting valves like this doesn't matter what stroke engine is on? Can I use this procedure for any four stroke engine?

[@donyboy73]

Yes, absolutely

[@timd5597]

@@donyboy73 okay, I thought the tickets were looser on the compression stroke.

[@30roundclipazine79]

Brilliant explanation. Does valve lash decrease from carbon buildup on valve seats? Ive noticed that a lot of the honda clones can burn quite a bit of oil especially on break in. What oil do you recommend? Single weight multiweight synthetic? Thanks been watching uour channel for 14 years

[@donyboy73]

for generators I use 5w30

[@BearE9090]

Thanks for the excellent video.

[@chrisssmallengines7163]

Great fix , I have seen the same problem , I also check the voltage , and frequency to ensure proper RPM settings . To do this I use a watt meter sold on Amazon it also tells you how much draw a appliance has in wats . Nice meter easy to use not very expensive .

[@donyboy73]

Could you post link here on the meter you use? thanks

[@chrisssmallengines7163]

P3 P3IP4400, Kill A Watt Electricity Usage Monitor

[@michaelotoole1807]

how does a watt meter help with adjusting rpm/frequency adjustments?

[@chrisssmallengines7163]

As RPM goes up so does frequency and output voltage , this is how you can check to see that your generator is running at the proper RPM , if not turn carb. adjustments to get proper output voltage .

[@warrenvalentino5763]

Great video! Thank You So Very Much for making this video! it Realy helped me out! i Love watching your videos!

[@liljoeii6091]

Thank you for the video

[@mscir]

Well done.

[@canoetipper019]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge...it's very empowering...lol.

[@UhBuddy1976]

Hey Donnie. Can you tell me what the recommended valve lash is for a 420 cc Ducar generator engine? I wanted to say also that while my Ducar generator it’s not a Honda, it runs very well and has going on 900 hours on it. Does not burn oil or anything.

[@donyboy73]

I set at approx. .003"-.005"

[@williamalbright8878]

Awesome job sir

[@ericstainz9072]

Great info. So glad I subbed. Thank you.

[@petemaverick4538]

Was the pull cord more difficult to pull over as well? Thanks

[@donyboy73]

Yes it was!

[@robertmailhos8159]

Great job on your thinking of the vavles might be out of spec

[@tsherbs1309]

excellent, as always

[@canyonken]

Excellent video. Make more

[@tomwarren5258]

Donnie, I got a 212 predator that I’ve been adjusting the lash for the last two days and when I think I got it right go to crank it. It still pop and won’t stay running. What do I do, buddy?

[@rjb6327]

We had no doubt, Dany.

[@YukonHawk1]

It looks a lot like a Predator genset. from Habor Freight.