New Generator will not start

I would try removing the plug, dump in a little gas, replace the plug and see if it fires. If it does, you may have a stuck carburetor float

It has both a fuel shut-off valve (which must be turned) AND an electrical switch that you have to flip.

The switch on mine is close to the fuel shut-off valve.

In your case, I suspect the switch is the culprit.

Thanks both. Neighbor came over and said something about fuel inlet in the carb has crystallized or something from non-use. Left over gas from the manufacturer test. He sprayed a little carb cleaner in the choke and it fired right up. Only weird now is it runs great, but won't run if the choke is turn from choke to run. I conks out.

On Sat, 30 Aug 2008 17:51:47 -0400, "WendyC88" wrote Re Re: New Generator will not start:

My guess is that the fuel outlet orifice is still a bit clogged. Try some more carb cleaner, let the cleaner set a while, then start up and let it run a while.

Liberal use of carb cleaner will help, also, if you run it with some carb cleaner in the gasoline for a while that will also soften up the clog. Just keep running it with the choke closed, and gradually open the choke, every 5 or 10 minutes, until it will run with the choke open.

Be sure to use Stabil in the gasoline when you put the generator away, and either keep the gas tank filled and use Stabil, or run it until the gasoline runs out. If you do the latter, as the gasoline gets low you will need to start closing the choke until it is fully closed and the generator stops. That way you have drained enough gasoline out of the system that it should not clog again. But, you must be sure that all gasoline is gone from the tank. If there are some irregularities in the bottom of the gas tank, even after it stops running, If you should accidently move the generator, some of that gas can get into the carburetor and clog it. So, as it gets low on gas, move the generator around a bit to get ALL of the gas out of the tank and into the carburetor.

Bob Hofmann

The switch must be on if the spark plug sparks don't you think?

It should not be clogged, He DID say that it was new in the box with NO OIL AND NO GAS in it. How the hell can it be clogged? Malfunctioning maybe. Defective possible. People should learn how to read before answering.

If it wont run with choke off, it isnt New because carb is clogged. Machines are test run before being sold. His carb needs a cleaning.

That's far from a "new" generator. It's only "unused". The fuel lines, carb, bowl, jets etc. have probably all become full of varnish from the time in storage. You'll have to have it cleaned out and checked.

Tossing gas in the spark plug is stupid advice as it can easily keep the thing from ever starting period, til the gas evaporates and in some cases can cause damage to the engine. If you wan to do something like that, get a can of starting fluid to squirt into the carb. But, that will cause the engine to almost start and you'll pull the dirt/grime formed in the old fuel harder into the needles etc. and it still won't start. Lost cause til you get it serviced.

Fuel system needs cleaning~

There is always some gas in the lines with new engines and the bowl will be full initially.

"plenty of spark" means switch is on, and working.

If the engine won't run with choke off, it very possible the gasket dried out, between the carb and the engine. Pull the carb off, the gasket is probably loose. Put a tiny bit of Permatex #2B non hardening gasket sealer on the gasket, and reassemble. Should work a lot better. May also explain the no-start.

I seriously doubt that the manufacturers leave gas in, for shipping. The carb gasket is my best guess, from here.

Doesn't really matter what you doubt; that is the case. They are pre-run before shipment by hooking a line up to the carb's fuel input, started, and allowed to run a few seconds, not enough to empty the bowl, and shipped. All you have to do is check on ANY freshly delivered item with a gas powered engine. I even had one lawn tractor that actually started while I was testing the battery connections of the battery I'd just put in. I figured I'd turn it over a couple times to be sure hte battery was up to charge, and it started. Ran for about half a minute or so, too, long's the choke was kept on. Never thought to try that before that one though. Most won't start because the gas is evaporated & floating around in the air, I presume, in the lines & bowl. But it's there if you look; pull the bowl off next time and give it a look-see. I wouldn't suggest that for just anyone but I know you know everything there is to know about such things so you can do it without problems or ruining the gasket.

Twayne

My first generator, the fuel shutoff worked opposite from the depiction in the instruction manual. When the book said it was ON it was actually OFF. It fired up when I started it the first time, ran for a few seconds and died. I fiddled with it, which probably got some fuel into the lines again, started it up again and it ran for a few seconds and died. I had gone 100 miles each way to find the last one in the region for sale (it was during a recent hurricane season when the entire area lost power for up to a week) and finally a neighbor figured out the problem. So the fuel shutoff is one of the areas I'd check if a new one had problems.

Another possibility is the oil level. Fill the crankcase until the oil runs over, then cap it. In my experience, newer generators have a VERY sensitive low-oil sensor. Mine looked full, but wouldn't start until I completely filled it....

that's a great way to blow the seals out.

Worked for me, and the gen's been fine since Ivan...