generator wont start.

[laam999]

Hi, I bought a generator to work on my car project asit's away from home, it was working when I got it and was working for around 2 weeks after that but then it simply wouldn't start. It turneds over fine, I have checked and cleaned the sparkplug and it is sparking fine. I have also cleaned the carb and checked there is compression in cylinder.

I simply can't figure out why it won't start, I'm going to try and new spark plug and try dumping the fuel in it and cleaning all the fuel lines.

If anyone has any idea as to what may be causing this I'd love any help/advice you could give.

Thanks

Liam

[Pickled Piper]

From your description it is sparking and turning over. It must be a fueling problem. Check lines for blockage and that the carb is OK.

pp

[Matt Harper]

See here:

http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t...

I shared your current anguish earlier this year.
It turned out to be a fuel-contaminated idle jet - which I had a go at clearing with a thin pick.
For me the fuel deposits were so hard, that in order to clean them off thoroughly, I ended up making the jet a tiny bit bigger than factory and it wouldn't run cleanly after that.
Solution - entire new carb assembly - $52 from my local supplier.
Result - runs perfectly again.
Your generators fuel is old/stale and what happens is the gas in the float bowl evaporates and as it does so, the resulting non-evaporate clogs up the carb internals. Unfortunately the process is self perpetuating, because if the fuel tap is left open, as the gas evaporates, it's replenished from the tank, by gravity.

[saleen836]

What make is it? I have a Honda generator and they come with a cut off switch when the oil level is too low!

[allegro]

Sounds like a fuel blockage. Common problem with generators, especially if you forget to turn the fuel off.

Best bet is to remove the spark plug, clean it, tip some fresh fuel into the cylinder, plug in and give it a tug. It may help pull the crap through.

Failing that i have had luck in the past holding the sparking end of the plug over a stove until its red hot. Pop back in the gennie and away she goes.

Also, i know it sounds obvious but make sure the cut off switch is in the on position.

[Pickled Piper]

Try squirting some Eezi Start or failing that some WD40 in to the carb. It should fire and run for a few seconds on the vapour, this is often enough to dislodge anything blocking the fuel flow and draw clean fuel through.
pp

[Pobolycwm]

My generator wouldn`t start, must have spent 30 mins trying, spark and fuel ok, fresh fuel put in as it can go "flat" still no joy, choke / no choke / half choke no joy, eventually just pulled cord repeatedly 10 times very quickly so engine wouldn`t stop between pulls as opposed to trying maximum effort with each pull....ta ra

[AWRacing]

Is the plug actually getting wet during the time your trying to start it?
its not something silly like you havent turned the fuel on is it?