I have a 30 year old 4,000 watt generator made for Sears Roebuck. I've never had a problem before ( I usually start it twice a year). I use fresh fuel always, the carburator doesn't stick, spark plug is cleaned, gapped properly, and sparks well (my 15 year old stepson got a good jolt when he was supposed to be holding the wire close to the plug to see if we had a good spark Ha, Ha, ...I mean oops, should of warned you Andrew!...). The generator turns over but will not keep running. I don't appear to be flooding it - as stated, I run this thing a couple times a year in the past with no problems.
An aquaintence said that in his opinion, the coil is shot and will need to be replaced.
Any thoughts from you multitudes who are much better mechanics than I will ever be????
Thanks,
Andy
Andy,
ReplyDeleteHad a similar problem with my John Deere mower this
year.
For a few bucks you can replace the plug and that
solved my starting. Plugs can become saturated with fuel and even drying them
out won't solve the problem. Replace it.
CB
Hey CB: I actually had contemplated replacing the plug despite the apparent good spark... You just gave me the push to spend a few bucks and do it. It would definitely save me some dollars and time. Much better than a needless visit to a repair shop. As a side note, I thought that if the plug arced it should continue to arc as the engine turns over. I take it from you that this is not neccessarily true.? I know - sort of a mute point as I am going to put in a fresh plug. Thanks CB Andy
ReplyDeleteYour welcome Andy, let me know how you come out. CB
ReplyDeleteHey CB: Put in the new plug, then discovered that the fuel bowl and its attendant mounting hardware was all plugged with gunk. I took that all apart and thoroughly cleaned it, and flushed the fuel tank as best I could, made sure the fuel line was clear and flowing with fresh gas. Unfortunately, no go... I couldn't even get it to fire. I ended up trying starting fluid. This got the engine to fire but would not continue to run. I tried this with the choke in open/1/2 open/ and closed... Any more suggestions? Andy
ReplyDeleteCheck and see if it is sparking everytime it should. If the coil is weak it may only spark a time or two and then quit. Stick a spark plug in the wire and turn the motor over for about 20 seconds. Hope this helps. Scott
ReplyDeleteAndy,
ReplyDeleteSince the fuel bowl and lines were gunked
up its likely the carb is the same way
It probably should be rebuilt. Kits may be
available. You could try it yourself or
take it to a auto carb shop. There
are a lot of small passages in a carb that can
become clogged real easy.
Hang in there, you shall over come.
CB
Hi Andy I used to work on briggs and stratton engine and they had a problem of the valves sticking if not in regular use so the engine losses compresion,or the rings on the piston could be sticking throught lack of use also causing low compression. you need the air to get in get burnt then get out so check the air filter and exhaust are clear remove if in any doubt then try to run the engine again hope that helps bogdolics
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone - Air cleaners good - continuous sparking is good - I think I'll go the carburator route. Do you think I could clean all I can reach (carb off the gen.) and then soak it in kerosene, flush, soak again? Andy
ReplyDeleteTry some Varsol instead of kerosene. It evaporates without leaving a residue.
ReplyDelete