Now the Generator!

[jp10558]

Well, my cheapish portable generator I use is really giving me trouble again. Well, it's the first time for this one, but I already replaced one. They seem to work on the occasions I need them for ~ 2 years. Then somehow they crap out without warning. This one is a DuroMax XP9000iH I got from Amazon to replace my last one that died. It's very strange - it has the push button start, and it will turn over, start to catch and then die. It ends up flooding the spark plug. Carb is good, it's doing auto choke, we saw spark wasn't consistent at the wire to the plug, so replaced the coil, and spark plug cause it came in the kit. Now it sparks consistently, but still dies the exact same way.

On the potential good side is reddit at least seems to think DuroMax is pretty good at customer service, and the generator had a 3 year warranty. So now to see what tech support says to my message, hopefully tomorrow, but I'm ready for it to take days for an e-mail back. Well, I hope there's a fix that doesn't need me to spend a bunch of money again.

 

[TUGBrian]

first test for me would be to see if itll run on carb cleaner or starter fluid sprayed right into the intake.

if so its a fuel problem (delivery, or bad gas)

 

[jp10558]

first test for me would be to see if itll run on carb cleaner or starter fluid sprayed right into the intake.

if so its a fuel problem (delivery, or bad gas)

I'm pretty sure my BIL tried that. The gas is new, treated with stabil and getting to the plug.

 

[BJRSanDiego]

Since you are only running it every couple of years, it is a good idea to drain the tank after use and start the generator and run it until it stops running. That way there is nothing in the carb to turn to varnish. I did that with a number of my gas engines. It made a huge difference.

I've also used SeaFoam to help clear out a gummed up engine. Pour it in, and let it sit for a few hours. Sometimes I would drop the bowl on the carb to make sure that some gas with SeaFoam made it to the carb.

 

[geist1223]

My Portable Generator runs on Propane.

 

[easyrider]

I'm pretty sure my BIL tried that. The gas is new, treated with stabil and getting to the plug.

Sometimes when some generators get tipped, the oil moves out of place which can cause the oil sensor to shut it down.

Bill

 

[isisdave]

I have a dual-fuel model (Firman, from Costco a couple of years ago) and always run it on propane. I test it quarterly (it's on my calendar) to make sure it starts OK. That's how I discovered the battery was weak and replaced it, as I'm pretty sure I couldn't start a 3500w generator with the Armstrong Method any more.

 

[jp10558]

I have a dual-fuel model (Firman, from Costco a couple of years ago) and always run it on propane. I test it quarterly (it's on my calendar) to make sure it starts OK. That's how I discovered the battery was weak and replaced it, as I'm pretty sure I couldn't start a 3500w generator with the Armstrong Method any more.

I tried running mine on propane, it wouldn't work. Not enough pressure when it's cold, so not useful to me only when it's 65+ degrees.

 

[TUGBrian]

I have a dual-fuel model (Firman, from Costco a couple of years ago) and always run it on propane. I test it quarterly (it's on my calendar) to make sure it starts OK. That's how I discovered the battery was weak and replaced it, as I'm pretty sure I couldn't start a 3500w generator with the Armstrong Method any more.

the little portable USB jump packs are ideal to keep around just for this....will even start large diesel trucks! they are a lifesaver and super simple to use.