Generator Won't Start After Sitting
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- čas přidán 14. 09. 2022
- My portable generator won't start after sitting for several months.
This video includes troubleshooting a generator that won’t start after sitting almost a year. This Champion 3400 Dual Fuel generator is only about two years old and it wouldn't start with gas. It would start with propane. This video shows me cleaning the carburetor bowl to get it running again. Make sure to use fuel stabilizer in your small engines or drain the tank each time you use them.
Product Links
New Champion 4500-Watt Dual Fuel Inverter Generator - amzn.to/3Scx0nn
STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer - amzn.to/3BJSpi2
No Spill Gas Can - amzn.to/3Uii3Sj - Jak na to + styl
Just fixed my 3400. The solenoid was frozen, starter fluid, WD40 and a little coaxing had it running again. Thank you very much!
THANK YOU!!
I am halfway down the baja peninsula. Spent 2 hours on the phone with Champion customer service that did NOT help.
I almost never use gasoline only propane. A year ago a friend used gasoline. I thought I had emptied it all.
Opened the ignition coil, gas poured out. Cleaned it with carb cleaner and it fired right up!!
Thank you again for common sense troubleshooting and highlighting patience and can do tactics.
I think it just felt sorry for you and decided you had suffered long enough so it started running. I'm having the same problem. Hope mine has a heart as well.
Outstanding video. Cleaned the fuel cut off solenoid and fixed my issue.
Thanks for watching. Glad it was helpful!
This is why regular maintenance is so important who the heck wants to go through all of this
Just followed your procedure, and mine started right up, I have the 3100 the step down from yours all the same. Thanks
That sweet smell is the benzene in the gasoline. Good stuff for sniffers for sure!
Thank you for recommending and using our STA-BIL Storage fuel stabilizer. If anyone has any questions, please let us know and we are happy to help!
Can you explain how ethanol gas ages vs non-ethanol? How about E-85? How long can these fuels sit in storage safely?
@@raiderdawgranch The ethanol in the gasoline is able to slowly absorb moisture from the air space in the tank. The ethanol and water have an affinity for each other (think vodka). Water is denser than gasoline, so the "vodka" sinks to the bottom of the tank, and ultimately to the carb fuel bowl. And the engine won't run on water. I have no proof, but I think the "aging" is not so much a chemical composition change over time, but rather a moisture absorption problem over time. And a Mr. Funnel device can separate water from gasoline.
In fact, I once saw someone deliberately add water to gasoline, which had ethanol, shake it up, and then pour the mix through a Mr. Funnel. The goal was to remove that ethanol. Seems like a lot of work, especially if you can just buy gas you know is ethanol-free. But it is cool that this is possible.
@@raiderdawgranch for storage, I store my *premium* gasoline (which I can only hope is ethanol-free; it's hard to get an answer around here) in 5 gallon/20 liter NATO fuel cans. They are airtight, so if gas does absorb moisture, it is limited to whatever H2O was in the small air space remaining when I fastened the NATO can closed.
Ethanol gas is hygroscopic, meaning they absorb moisture from the air. Water weighs more than gas/oil and goes to bottom of tank. Pickup to feed motor is very near bottom of tank.
People seem to think that "old gas" is a way, way bigger problem than it really is. It can sit for 3 years and start a motor without trouble. Water, on the other hand, won't start a motor no matter its age.
I have changed the fuel to ASPEN 4 alkylated fuel. It doesn't go off if left sitting. Husquvarna also make both 2 (2stroke) and 4(4stroke) fuel as well. I also use aspen2 in all of my 2 strokes. Starts easier, burns hotter, no smoke.
I believe what you meant to say is that you need fuel, spark, and compression for an engine to run. You need fuel, spark, and oxygen for fire to burn😉. Good video
Papa D, you are right! But I’m not running a science channel here 😜
This is exactly what I was looking for because I have the same model. $5 can of brake cleaner probably save $500
Glad to help! Thanks for watching
Thanks for the video. You fix my problem. 👍
Glad to help
thanks.
Same thing here - the solenoid at the bottom of the carb bowl was stuck hard. I'm guessing this blocks the gasoline flow if the generator is switched to propane. That solenoid seems to be unique to the dual fuel models. From now on when the generator is going to sit a while, I'll drain the gas out of the carb bowl. Thank you!
I don't run gae in my tri fuel, but if i ever do, i will run for carburator dry when i turn it off.
I assume that tapping the fuel solenoid with a screwdriver may have dislodged it. If you don't have a fuel shut off valve, id look into seeing if you can install one: it will Simone all your long term storage parties without the need for fuel conditioners. I ran a Bonus beggar that way: i bought it used in 1998 and it lasted until our house fire in 2022. Never used a drop of fuel conditioner and it started fine all the time.
IF you had drained the carb when you put it away, you could have avoided gumming it up. We have the same unit and only burn propane. Eliminates the gummed up carb issues, old gas, and having to carry gasoline. Because we burn clean propane and disconnect the battery during long storage, there has never been an issue with our inverter.
Yep, you are right. 3 options here (1) use propane all the time. Although I understand it burns colder(?) and doesn’t create the same power. (2) use a fuel stabilizer in your gas (or ethanol-free gas) and (3) drain the carb. I switch over to propane input now when I’m ready to shut down, so I can burn through the remaining gas in the bowl.
Problem for me was someone else used gas. Thought it was completely empty but no. Opened ignition coil and it poured gas. Could have happened on bumpy roads during transport. Cleaned it all without disassembly of carb and it started right up
Well if you only use propane, you'll never have this problem because the carburetor isn't really used and it doesn't matter if the solenoid is stuck or not. Agree 100% on draining the carb bowl. I do like the fact I can use both types a fuel. In the case of a long power outage, I could see running out of gas and switching to propane for as long as it lasts.
I use 94 Chevron never had a problem good 789 months later.. And I'm thinking your problem is needed in seats dirty the jet
gee i wonder if it could be the carb clogged up
Why does mine show no spark to the plug but it shocks me when pushing the start button but still no spark to the spark plug
Sounds like a bad ground? The electricity is flowing through your hand instead of the igniter. Make sure the igniter is connected tight to the grill frame then make sure the igniter tip is close to the burner
Check oil sensor. Disconnect and try starting again. Just watched a video that says it stops spark
Why is my generator licking gas?
Leaking gas through the carburetor
3 months sitting with regular gas is not good, just take the gas cap off, if it doesn't smell like gas it won't run...