Engine will not run after sitting six months

On some float-type carburetors, you can adjust the air-fuel mixture and engine speed at idle. Check for an idle speed screw designed to keep the throttle plate from closing completely, and an idle mixture screw that limits the flow of fuel at idle. If your carburetor contains these screws, proceed below.

1. With the engine off, remove the air filter and air cartridge.
2. Locate the idle mixture screw and turn it clockwise until the needle lightly touches the seat. Then, turn the screw counterclockwise 1-1/2 turns.
3. If your carburetor has a main jet adjustment screw at the base of the float bowl, turn the screw clockwise until you feel it just touch the seat inside the emulsion tube. Then, turn the screw counterclockwise 1 to 1-1/2 turns. Replace the air cleaner assembly and start the engine for final carburetor adjustments.
4. Run the engine for five minutes at half throttle to bring it to its operating temperature. Then, turn the idle mixture screw slowly clockwise until the engine begins to slow. Turn the screw in the opposite direction until the engine again begins to slow . Finally, turn the screw back to the midpoint.
5. Using a tachometer to gauge engine speed , set the idle speed screw to bring the engine to 1750 RPM for aluminum-cylinder engine or 1200 RPM for engine with a cast-iron cylinder sleeve.
6. With the engine running at idle , hold the throttle lever against the idle speed screw to bring the engine speed to "true idle." Then, repeat the idle mixture screw adjustments from Step 4 to fine-tune the mixture .

The engine isn't getting enough fuel. Your carburetor needs cleaning. Generators are notorious for gummed carburetors because of the ethanol alcohol in today's gasoline and the generator sitting idle for weeks, months & even years without use wicks moisture into the fuel. Drain your carburetor of gasoline, & remove the carburetor. Clean your carburetor with Carburetor Cleaner spray & make sure the float needle valve & seat are clear of gum & varnish. To help prevent this from happening again, shut off the fuel petcock at the fuel tank and run the generator carburetor out of fuel before you put it away. It'll help keep the carburetor free of gunk. Also, replace the old fuel in the tank with fresh fuel every 3-6 months.

If the fuel in the tank has sat for over six months, replace all of the fuel with new (not from old fuel in a can in your shed, either... new fuel).
Ethanol blend fuels are less stable when stored, and can become useless in just a few months of sitting.

By "skips," I'm assuming that you mean it has a misfire.
Check all of the following:

1. Fuel filter;
2. Fuel pressure regulator:
3. Spark plug wires;
4. Spark plugs;
5. Fuel injectors;
6. Coil packs
7. If there is a CHECK ENGINE light showing, have all codes read and correct all conditions.
8. If the car sat for more than six months recently, if you live in an area where humidity is high, or if there is any chance of fuel contamination, manually drain ALL FUEL and replace with new. Use FUEL SYSTEM AND FUEL INJECTOR CLEANER every six months.

If the RPM is high check for a vacuum leak. Examine all vacuum hoses for cracking or disconnections. If no problem is found, spray carburetor cleaner on the intake manifold and any other gasketed areas on the top of the engine. If, when spraying, the engine RPM fluctuates, then suspect a gasket leak where the spray is entering the engine. Also check throttle body for sticking. Clean it with carburetor cleaner.

Low RPM could indicate a clogged fuel filter, low gas, dirty or bad fuel injectors. If engine idle is low because it is running poorly (e.g., a misfire), check engine for misfire. Misfires can be caused by bad spark plugs, bad spark plug wires, bad fuel injectors, a bad coil pack, low compression in a cylinder, etc. Check the obvious cheapest things first.

If RPM is varying up and down, check Idle Air Control Valve (IACV) for sticking or obstructions. You may need professional help at this point.

It's been sitting for six months, plugs probably have corrosion or rust on them. That and your fuel is probably turned to soup. Put in new plugs and a really heavy duty fuel system cleaner. You might consider changing all filters too - especially fuel filter.

pres.reg.or TPS

Sounds like a possibility of a vacuum leak. Inspect the vacuum tubing for damage or wear or just not being connected. One mechanic's trick is to spray carburetor cleaner on the vacuum lines with the engine running. Use safety goggles when trying this. If there is a vacuum leak - when the carb cleaner hits it the engine will speed up.

Hello;
It sounds as if you have a couple of possible problems. First could be the fuel pump. If yoou disconnect the fuel line, put the line in a jar and crank the engine over, you should get a pint in 15 seconds or so. Also check the pressure, should have around 5 psi. Secondly, you may have a vacuum hose cracked, broken, or leaking. Check your hoses and also the carbureator for leaks.
Hope this helps;
Thanks;
Rich
RPM Northwest