Getting some fire but won't start
SOURCE: Generator won't start. Seems to
have you had the generator stored with fuel in the carburettor since its last use if so the fuel goes bad and blocks up the main jet, remove the float bowl and clean out all the residue you can clean out the main jet with a suitable piece of wire
SOURCE: Honda gx410 18 hp generator
Suggest you add either Heat fuel restorer (watch the amount you add) or almost pure alcohol to the fuel to get rid of any water in your system. Make sure the fuel filter is not blocked. Then pull the spark plug and spray one 1-2 second spray of WD-40 into the spark plug hole. Turn over 1-2 times, replace the spark plug - then try to start.
This has worked on my generators for years, and hope it works for you. But take a close look at all your hoses because even a small tear will give you problems.
SOURCE: i can't start my generator
Hi Chuck and welcome to FixYa, I am Kelly.
First off will it fire over if you add a splash of gas to the throat of the carb?
No = you probably have a stuck valve. I just add gas straight to the spark plug hole and slowly pull the recoil through with the ignition off. Most of the time it works to free sticky valve stems after 2 or 3 cycles of adding gas and slowly pulling the recoil through. Then you have to place rags on the cylinder head to catch all of that gas as you pull the recoil through rapidly for expell the gas. WIPE up any residual fuel before attempting a start.
Still no start check compression... If you don't have a compression tester you can make a poor mans tester... Form a paint brush handle to fit into the hole tightly so that is does not extend into the cylinder any farther than the spark plug would. Pull the recoil.... It should LAUNCH the paint brush out of the hole quite some distance and with force.
Yes it fires: SEE BELOW
If this unit had been sitting for some time there are some things you should do: (I note you said you cleaned the carb but the steps below are what need done on a unit that was idle for an extended period)
1. Clean the fuel float bowl
2. Make sure the main fuel jet orifice located in the area where the float bowl nut or solenoid attaches the float bowl to the body of the carb is cleaned. It will have a pin hole in it that ports fuel to a brass tube at the 6 o'clock position in the throat of the carb. The jet is removable but...most of the time you have to modify a regular screwdriver by grinding off some of the wide portion of the blade shank to make it fit the slot in the orifice and the body of the carb. If you use a screwdriver that is too small it will damage the jet and the only way to get it out is to drill it out VERY carefully.
THE PIN HOLE of the main fuel jet MUST BE VISIBLE
3. Check fuel flow to the carb via the float needle, With the float bowl off, place a spray paint can lid under the float and turn on the fuel selector. The spray can lid should fill in about 10 seconds.
If you do not have this amount of fuel flow then remove the main fuel line from the carb and check flow again. If you still have fuel flow problems
a. Check gas tank exit port for obstructions
b. Check feul flow beforr and after the fuel filter (if used).
c. Check fuel flow before and after the fuel shut off / fuel selector Many fuel selectors have a sediment bowl under the selector.. if yours had a sediment bowl remove the bowl and clean out the contents.
4. You have good fuel flow to the carb manifold....
a. Recheck fuel flow at under the fuel float with the float down. It must provide a reasonable fuel flow that would fill a spray can lid in around 10 seconds. If you still have fuel flow problems only at the the float needle remove the float and float needle. Also the main fuel line. Spray carb cleaner from the flat needle seat are to the fuel manifold and then from the manifold to the float needle seat.
5. Float check... must shut off fuel flow as it is raised to level i.e just as it reaches level.
b. Reassemble and test.
This USUALLY does the trick... if not I need the model number of your generator that starts with a "P" so I can look up the engine and carb data.
Given you have already cleaned up the carb I think you may have a valve stem that is slowing the operation of the valve.... or preventing it from closing (
Thanks for choosing FixYa,
Kelly
SOURCE: Our Honda EB 3500 generator
It's either not getting enough fuel, or the govenor is not working. When the engine is running, watch the throttle linkage between the carburetor and engine, looks like a bent wire. When you throw a load on it, it should move to give the engine more power, if it dont, try moving it by hand.
If that appears to be working ok, check the fuel line from the tank to the carb for good gas flow.
You can also remove the float bowl on the bottom of the carb, it's a round bowl on the bottom of the carb with a bolt in the middle of it...clean it out and check the float. The float looks like a little catamaran, make sure it is moving freely up and down. That is about all you can do without removing and cleaning the jets in the carb.
Good luck, & i hope this helps.
SOURCE: Winco WC12000HE won't start...fired up last
Sounds like a fuel problem, check your filter if there is one. Check fuel in tank, make sure there isn't a valve off. Check your choke if you have a manual choke.
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