Generator repair

[Walkers]

I picked up a generator my neighbor left on the curb. I tried not to, left it for 2 days (low traffic road), but ended up throwing it on the truck. It is a Coleman Powermate 5500 watt pull start. Overfilled by at least a half a quart of oil, so I drained and refilled, it took about 3/4 quart. No start with fresh fuel. No spark. I put on a coil and fixed the no spark, but still no start with gas in the cylinder. The vacuum seemed off when pulling, so I pulled off the valve cover. I found one of the rocker arms was off, so I reinstalled it and gave it a little lash. Still low compression, so I looked up a valve lash spec of .04 and went to set the lash and found the exhaust valve about a quarter turn too tight. Reset valve lash and it cranks right up and immediately dies after the priming fuel is gone. Pulled the carb and found what I would call maybe the main jet (little plastic gizmo that goes in the float bowl tube) to be missing. It seems as though this thing was deliberately fucked with in every conceivable way to make it not run. Sadly, I don’t think it was purposely screwed wit, I think someone with good intentions was trying to get it running. I ended up ordering a carb for it for $19 and the coil was $15, so a generator for $34.

 

[WildBill]

Nice, I get a lot of generators for free or close to free, usually just need the carb cleaned or replaced. I usually get them in the fall when people preparing for winter buy new ones because they won't start, or during spring cleaning. Then I sell them during camping season or the next fall. Have three right now that all run good after a little carb maintenance.

 

[nadogail]

The Small Engine Repair forum spoke well about Seafoam and Staible. Seafoam to clean the fuel system and Staible to treat the gasoline.

 

[Walkers]

The Small Engine Repair forum spoke well about Seafoam and Staible. Seafoam to clean the fuel system and Staible to treat the gasoline.

I usually just leave them dry. My truck mounted welder uses enough fuel I don’t do anything.

 

[dcg9381]

The Small Engine Repair forum spoke well about Seafoam and Staible. Seafoam to clean the fuel system and Staible to treat the gasoline.

I have never once had any luck with a crapped up (ethanol/old fuel) carb self-cleaning with anything you can add to the fuel.
I drain every single carb, every time unless it's seeing use once per week... And I buy non-ethanol fuel only.

 

[WildBill]

I use ethanol free gas in everything, it seems ok to sit for at least 5-6 months over the winter without any issue. I'll run stuff dry if i think it's going to be longer than that.

 

[D45]

I've also had the fuel shut off valve clogged

Does it have a fuel filter?

 

[Walkers]

I have never once had any luck with a crapped up (ethanol/old fuel) carb self-cleaning with anything you can add to the fuel.
I drain every single carb, every time unless it's seeing use once per week... And I buy non-ethanol fuel only.

There is only one time I have had a fluid fix a mechanical problem. That with by using a BG power steering pump squeal fixer. It took the glaze off of the vanes in my pump and absolutely fixed my pump for many thousands of miles.

I use ethanol free gas in everything, it seems ok to sit for at least 5-6 months over the winter without any issue. I'll run stuff dry if i think it's going to be longer than that.

I cant buy that conveniently, have to drive an hour to get it. Any time I am passing by there I fill up a jug.

 

[bwringer]

Nice!

If you have any small engine chops at all, it's not too hard to get power equipment for free or nearly free.

I haven't ended up with a free generator, though... nicely done!

 

[mm08822]

Nice find. Some repairs are simple if you have the time.

I run everything dry even with stabilized gas when put away.
Make sure your gas cans have stabilizer in them when refilling.
Make sure gas is fresh. Cycle it through the car to get rid of older.

I had a lot of problems with ethanol-based gas in my 2-cycle equipment. I changed to ethanol-free and all of the problems went away. Costly, but dependable!

 

[WildBill]

It is generator and pretty much anything with a small gas engine on it season here as people are doing spring cleaning, crazy how many free or close to it items are on craigslist and facebutt marketplace right now. It's about a two week window of crazy deals. Have two nice looking riding mowers, three generators, two pressure washers, and a old snowmobile lined up to look at tomorrow, all free or extremely cheap. The highest cost is a spotless riding mower for $50. All "ran fine last year, can't get started". I love spring. Will fix these and sell them in about a month when it finally gets warm here. Probably make around $2,000 for 4-5 hours work. I always bring starting fluid to see if they will run on that before I take them, then I know it's just the carb.

 

[Walkers]

Nice!

If you have any small engine chops at all, it's not too hard to get power equipment for free or nearly free.

I haven't ended up with a free generator, though... nicely done!

I really enjoy small engine repair. The only reason I don't do it for a living is that there is no money in it. If I tried charging my current $125 an hour to repair a lawnmower I would be laughed at.