Generator issues/help

[TheMan419]

Power went out last night due to an ice storm. About 28000 homes wo power in the area.

I woke up about 3 am. Temp in the house down to about 60. Power to fridge had been off for almost 8 hours at that point so decided to fire up the generator.

Electric start would turn it but it would not catch. So I used the pull start. It did not catch either. So I hit the electric start. It started just fine that time.

Choke also needs to remain about half way on to have smooth operation.

I know this summer when using it around the farm I adjusted the set screw so it would run smoothly with choke all the way off.

Possible I need to readjust that now that it is colder out.

What accounts for the trouble starting? Any thoughts?

Power company has no estimate yet of restoration. So I think we are in for a long few days. We have horses so need to make sure we have access to water.

 

[seville009]

this may not apply to yours, but i have a whole house stand by generator that runs on propane. Started having issues where it wouldn’t started until it cranked and rested (vs usually starting on the first crank set). The technician adjusted the valve lash clearance and it worked better after that. Evidently they slowly go out of kilter.

It always ran fine; it was just in starting that the issue showed up.

 

[Aquamoose]

Likely you just need to turn the engine over a few revolutions by pulling on the cord slowly before starting. (Or disconnect the spark plug / leave the on/off switch off) Engines that sit for a while usually needs this extra step before starting it. Also mind the fuel and don’t leave ethanol added fuel sitting in the carb for long periods of time. Using Stabil or non-ethanol gas helps.

It also helps to have a fuel shutoff valve and let it run with it switched off before storing it. Your owners manual should explain what you can do for storage.

 

[DIYOrangeDave]

Monthly starting and running for 10 minutes looks after issues when the generator is needed. Like the other posters said, use Stabil or other gasoline stabilizers.
12 years on my latest generator with over 200 hrs for outages only. Twice I have found issues when doing monthly testing. Repaired immediately and never missed an outage or worried about it.

 

[Diggin It]

decided to fire up the generator.

Electric start would turn it but it would not catch. So I used the pull start. It did not catch either. So I hit the electric start. It started just fine that time.

Choke also needs to remain about half way on to have smooth operation.

I know this summer when using it around the farm I adjusted the set screw so it would run smoothly with choke all the way off.

What generator? How old? How long has it been unused? How often do you test run it?

I have an old ETQ 8250 that gives me fits when trying to start. Test run a few days ago it took basically what you just posted. Electric didn't start it, pull rope didn't start it, but it fired and ran fine on the next attempt using the electric. I had turned the fuel off and ran it dry last time a couple of weeks back. My guess it that it needed a few revs to get fuel back in the system.

 

[Popgadget]

The fact that it requires choke to run smoothly points to an issue with the carb. It should be disassembled and cleaned, there is no mechanic in a can for that task.
I’ll echo the call for no ethanol laced fuel. If there is a drain on the carb, that’s a much better choice than running it dry, as it will quit running with fuel still in the carb. And now it’s exposed to air to help oxidize it. I have easy access to a gas and have used it in seasonal equipment for decades with perfect results. If it’s available to you I would highly recommend it

 

[TheMan419]

It is a 6500/8000 watt Power Stroke powered by a Honda engine.

Started at least quarterly of not used on projects around the farm. My notes show it was last started in September so a bit longer than 3 mo.

Fuel is always stabil treated. Cant find E0 around here but manual claims E10 is ok.

Guess we will pull the carb once this power outage is over. Current estimate is Monday afternoon. I hope they are like Scotty from Star Trek and vastly over estimating the time frame on purpose to look like a miracle worker.

 

[CobyRupert]

Getting back to basics, it has to run with choke on, the fuel/air balance is obviously off. That’s usually a sign it’s not getting enough gas (blockage in the carb, fuel lines or gas filter, or getting enough “good” gas (instead of water, etc.)); or conversely it’s getting too much air (often an air leak, air filter has crumbled, etc.).
Probably not a bad idea to check the plug too.

 

[HEC]

A little speck of dirt in the wrong place can cause carb problems , with a Honda engine you probably have a fuel filter already installed . My new smaller china generator quit on me during the last outage and it turned out I needed to replace the coil . My old heavy 40 year old one started on 2nd pull and carried us through , but it is a gas hog . All I have ever done with the old one is shut off the gas and run it dry after each use and it always starts right up . The carb has never been off it . It does have a fuel filter and I burn ethanol free gas when I can get it . I only use it for power outages so it doesn't have a huge amount of hrs. on it .

 

[Halftrack]

For your info, ethanol free is available at BP in Lakeville, BP at Ireland and 331, and Martin's at Western and Mayflower. They refer to it as Recreational gas, directed at boat and snowmobile owners. You might consider a small inline filter on your genny. Cold air being thicker does require more fuel and your adjustment last summer may have leaned it too much.

 

[TheMan419]

For your info, ethanol free is available at BP in Lakeville, BP at Ireland and 331, and Martin's at Western and Mayflower. They refer to it as Recreational gas, directed at boat and snowmobile owners. You might consider a small inline filter on your genny. Cold air being thicker does require more fuel and your adjustment last summer may have leaned it too much.

Thanks for the info on ethanol free gas. I will look for it.

Seems that adjustment over the summer/fall may be the culprit. I will have to adjust when we fire it up again.

Power company just said power should come on by 11 am tomorrow. So total outage time of like 42 hours.

Gen appears to burn between 1/2 and 1/3 gal per hr of operation.

 

[Popgadget]

Honda engines have a fixed main jet, there is no mixture adjustment that will impact performance under load.

 

[rademamj1]

Yes indeed, Honda Gensets have a fixed main jet. They are great generators, but they are more susceptible to ethanol fuel issues than just about all other generators. I only run ethanol free gas. Some I purchased from ethanol free gas stations. Sometimes I also hand mix and fully remove the ethanol myself, followed up with an octane booster from NAPA. I typically can store this fuel 2+ years and still be 95 octane after two years.

 

[oosik]

I guess I'm just fortunate. I belong to a co-op owned/run electricity provider. They have an EXCELLENT maintenance program for their infrastructure. 39 years and NEVER ONCE have I needed my little Honda generator because of a power outage. They do have scheduled "shut down" twice a year for any needed repairs/upgrades. These shut downs last for two hours.

Bottom line - all this successful operation and electricity cost - six and a half cents per kilowatt hour.

I run Stabil in my gasahol and have never had any problems with any of my small engine equipment.

 

[TheMan419]

I guess I'm just fortunate. I belong to a co-op owned/run electricity provider. They have an EXCELLENT maintenance program for their infrastructure. 39 years and NEVER ONCE have I needed my little Honda generator because of a power outage. They do have scheduled "shut down" twice a year for any needed repairs/upgrades. These shut downs last for two hours.

Bottom line - all this successful operation and electricity cost - six and a half cents per kilowatt hour.

I run Stabil in my gasahol and have never had any problems with any of my small engine equipment.

We had 2/10 of an inch of ice. I suspect the weight of that ice alone would take down some lines.

I run stabil in my fuel unless I know I am using it immediately. For example the fuel in my Jerry can was stabiled. When I went to the gas station for a refill I did not stabil as I suspected I would use it all. I did not. So now the fuel tank on the gen and the jerry can have been stabil and the gen was run for 15 min after to allow circulation.

Next up oil change and fuel filter change. Then some diagnosis for the hard start.

I suspect it had to do with just sitting. When I shut down to check oil or refuel it started back up no problem.

 

[JimRB]

Last time I wanted to use my Honda generator I remove the fuel bowl and cleaned it. I think I cleaned the fuel strainer at the fuel cut off. That engine usually will start in one or two pulls, even with 6-8 year old fuel. First time I have cleaned anything in 10 or more years of owning the generator. I do shut off the fuel valve and let the carb empty out. Generator may sit for a year or more without any running. Once I used up that ancient gas I replaced it with high test which I think has less ethanol. A few stations are selling recreation gas ethanol free so I started using that for my 2cycle mix. That said I used to by high test for the 2cycle equipment and it all starts just fine not being used for months.

I may say blah blah blah never any fuel issues but that is a crock of forgetfullness. I have removed carbs to clean jets in the Honda mowers, the Honda generator mentioned and another small Northern Hydraulic generator. Not every year and not often I have to clean anything.I think they call it a pilot tube which is above the main jet is what has gotten clogged on most everything. Easy to clean if you can get to that part and the main jet. Lots of bad words used as some machines are challenging to remove the carb.

 

[murphy1244]

Use some Seafoam next time you fire it up. Works wonders for carb problems!

 

[3930dave]

You may have to tear into the carb TM419, but I'll add a second vote for Seafoam, and another one for E0.

If a jet is only partially plugged, it will often clear up with a dose of SF+runtime.

Rgds, D.

 

[Diggin It]

I was in an area hit by a massive ice storm that affected several states and millions of households and businesses . Uncountable numbers of trees down that took power lines down. Other than that, ice was so thick it took the wires down between poles in open spaces, even took several of the large metal transmission towers down. No amount of routine maintenance was going to prevent that. Outage was so wide spread that people couldn't even drive out of it. Gas stations and hotels were all dark. Banks couldn't even get into some of their safes to get cash for people that needed it because stores couldn't process CCs.

 

[TheMan419]

I was in an area hit by a massive ice storm that affected several states and millions of households and businesses . Uncountable numbers of trees down that took power lines down. Other than that, ice was so thick it took the wires down between poles in open spaces, even took several of the large metal transmission towers down. No amount of routine maintenance was going to prevent that. Outage was so wide spread that people couldn't even drive out of it. Gas stations and hotels were all dark. Banks couldn't even get into some of their safes to get cash for people that needed it because stores couldn't process CCs.

Yeah I awoke to 3:00 a.m. and the houes being 58* or so. Fired up generator and knew I only had about 6 gallons of fuel on hand (poor planning knowing a big ice storm was coming). So at 7:00 a.m. we finally could get some internet service on our cell phones. Looked like ALL the gas stations in the area were without power. So threw all the gas cans in the pick up and set off on an adventure. Took cash with me incase no CC processing available. Drove to our usual gas station. About a blokc before getting there it was like driving from a 3rd world country into the US. from dark to everything being lit up. CC processing worked just fine, pay at the pump. Got 15 gal of gas and filled up the truck. Even got me and the wife a hot breakfast at McDonalds.

I'll hit the generator with seafoam and see what we get. After running for a couple hours for showers, watering the horses etc. we turned it off. Couple hours later when we fired it up it started like it was new.

At is is now probably 8 years old I will likely defensively change the battery in it. Also noted in with the manual and spark plug removal tool there is an empty package for a spark plug. Can't believe I did not buy a spare when I last had to change it out. So I'll get a couple of those as well... cheap insurance they are like $2.00 each.

per the manual the screw adjustment is the idle speed. I craked it down in the summer when I was using the gen. Likely needs to go UP in the cold. So I will adjust that and use seafoam.

Thank all for the suggestions.