Problem

Possible Causes

Probable Solutions

Engine will not start

FUEL RELATED:

1.        No fuel in tank or fuel valve is in OFF position.

 

 

 

2.        Low quality, stale, dirty or deteriorated gasoline.

3.        Choke not in START position, cold engine.

4.        Carburetor not primed.

5.        Dirty fuel passageways.

 

6.        Carburetor needle stuck. Fuel can be smelled in the air.

7.        Too much fuel in chamber. This can be caused by the carburetor needle sticking.

 

8.        Intake valve stuck open or closed.

9.        Clogged Fuel Filter.

FUEL RELATED:

1.        Fill fuel tank with fresh 91+ octane unleaded stabilizer-treated gasoline and turn fuel valve to ON position.

Do not use gasoline with more than 10% ethanol (E15, E20, E85, etc.).

2.        Drain fuel tank and carburetor; fill with fresh fuel.

 

3.        Move Choke to START position.

 

4.        Pull on Starter Handle to prime.

5.        Clean out passageways using fuel additive. Heavy deposits may require further cleaning.

6.        Gently tap side of carburetor float chamber with screwdriver handle.

 

7.        Turn Choke to RUN position. Remove spark plug and pull the start handle several times to air out the chamber. Reinstall spark plug and set Choke to START position.

8.        Contact the distributor or after-sales service.

 

9.        Replace Fuel Filter.

IGNITION (SPARK) RELATED:

1.      Spark plug cap not connected securely.

2.      Spark plug electrode wet or dirty.

3.      Incorrect spark plug gap.

4.      Spark plug cap broken.

5.      Incorrect spark timing or faulty ignition system.

IGNITION (SPARK) RELATED:

1.      Connect spark plug cap properly.

 

2.      Clean spark plug.

 

3.      Correct spark plug gap.

4.      Replace spark plug cap.

5.      Have qualified technician diagnose/repair ignition system.

COMPRESSION RELATED:

1.        Cylinder not lubricated. Problem after long storage periods.

2.        Loose or broken spark plug.

(Hissing noise will occur when trying to start.)

 

3.        Loose cylinder head or damaged head gasket. (Hissing noise will occur when trying to start.)

4.        Engine valves or tappets mis-adjusted or stuck.

5.        There is liquid in the cylinder, causing the cylinder to be unable to compress.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. The piston is stuck due to poor lubrication.

 

COMPRESSION RELATED:

1.        Pour tablespoon of oil into spark plug hole. Crank engine a few times and try to start again.

 

2.        Tighten spark plug.

If that does not work, replace spark plug.

If problem persists, may have head gasket problem, see #3.

3.        Tighten head.

If that does not remedy problem, replace head gasket.

 

4.        Have qualified technician adjust/repair valves and tappets.

5.        Remove the spark plug cap and use tool to remove the spark plug. Then use a flashlight to check if there is liquid in the cylinder.

If you see liquid inside, move the generator to an open area outdoors, keep your face away from the spark plug hole, and then slowly and gently pull the starter handle. If you no longer feel the sticking, quickly pull the handle several times to flush the cylinder. The liquid in the cylinder will spray out of the spark plug hole.

After completing this operation, reinstall the spark plug and securely cover it with the spark plug cap.

6.        The piston has been operating for too long without proper lubrication, leading to overheating and the piston seizing against the cylinder wall.

Pour a teaspoon of engine oil into the combustion chamber through the spark plug hole and let it sit for about an hour. Then, try gently pulling the starter handle while the spark plug is still removed to see if the oil can allow the piston to loosen by itself.

If it is still seized, the engine is no longer operational and needs to be completely replaced.

ENGINE OIL RELATED:

1.      Low engine oil.

 

2.      Engine mounted on slope, triggering low oil shutdown.

ENGINE OIL RELATED:

1.      Fill engine oil to proper level. Check engine oil before EVERY use.

2.      Operate engine on level surface. Check engine oil level.

Engine "hunts" or falters (Engine RPM is fluctuating)

1.      Carburetor is running too rich or too lean.

2.  Clogged or dirty fuel filter.

1.      Contact the distributor or after-sales service.

 

2.      Clean or replace fuel filter.

Engine lacks power

1.      Cylinder pressure is low.

2.      Dirty air filter.

1.        Contact the distributor or after-sales service.

2.        Clean or replace fuel filter.

Engine misfires

1.      Spark plug cap loose.

2.      Incorrect spark plug gap or damaged spark plug.

3.      Defective spark plug cap.

4.      Old or low-quality gasoline.

 

 

 

5.      Incorrect compression.

1.      Check wire connections.

2.      Re-gap or replace spark plug.

 

3.      Replace spark plug cap.

4.      Use only fresh 91+ octane stabilizer-treated unleaded gasoline.

Do not use gasoline with more than 10% ethanol (E15, E20, E85, etc.).

5.      Diagnose and repair compression. (Use Engine will not start: COMPRESSION RELATED section.)

Engine stops suddenly

1.      Fuel tank empty or full of impure or low-quality gasoline.

 

2.      Low oil shutdown.

 

3.      Defective fuel tank cap creating vacuum, preventing proper fuel flow.

4.      Faulty ignition coil pack.

5.      Disconnected or improperly connected spark plug cap.

1.      Fill fuel tank with fresh 91+ octane stabilizer treated unleaded gasoline.

Do not use gasoline with more than 10% ethanol (E15, E20, E85, etc.).

2.      Fill engine oil to proper level.

Check engine oil before EVERY use.

3.      Test/replace fuel tank cap.

 

 

4.      Have qualified technician service ignition coil pack.

5.      Secure spark plug cap.

Engine stops when

under heavy load

1.      Dirty air filter

2.  Engine running cold.

1.      Clean or replace the air filter element.

2.      Allow engine to warm up prior to operating equipment.

Engine knocks

1.      Old or low-quality gasoline.

 

 

 

2.      Engine overloaded.

3.      Incorrect spark timing, deposit buildup, worn engine, or other mechanical problems.

1.      Fill fuel tank with fresh 91+ octane stabilizer treated unleaded gasoline.

Do not use gasoline with more than 10% ethanol (E15, E20, E85, etc.).

2.      Do not exceed equipments load rating.

3.      Have qualified technician diagnose and service engine

Engine backfires

1.      Impure or low-quality gasoline.

 

 

2.      Engine too cold.

 

3.      Intake valve stuck or overheated engine.

4.  Incorrect timing.

1.      Fill fuel tank with fresh 91+ octane stabilizer treated unleaded gasoline.

Do not use gasoline with more than 10% ethanol (E15, E20, E85, etc.).

2.      Use cold weather fuel and oil additives to prevent backfiring.

3.      Have qualified technician diagnose and service engine.

4.      Check engine timing.

Generator shuts down

during operation

1.      Out of fuel.

2.      Low oil level.

1.      Fill fuel tank.

2.      Fill crankcase to the proper level. Place generator on a flat, level surface.

Generator cannot

supply enough power

or overheating

1.      Generator is overloaded.

2.      Insufficient ventilation.

1.      Review load and adjust.

2.      Check for air restriction. Move to a well

ventilated area.

No AC output

1.      Cable not properly connected.

 

2.      Circuit breaker is open.

 

3.      Faulty brush assembly.

4.      Faulty AVR.

5.      Loose wiring.

6.      Other.

1.        Turn off and unplug the device, check all connections, then plug it back in again and turn on.

2.        Turn off the generator and unplug device, reset Circuit Breaker, plug in device and turn on.

3.        Replace brush assembly.

4.        Replace AVR.

5.        Inspect and tighten wiring connections.

6.        Contact the distributor or after-sales service.

Generator gallops

1.      Engine governor defective.

1.      Contact the distributor or after-sales service.

Repeated circuit

breaker tripping

1.        Overload.

2.        Faulty cords or device.

 

3.        Defective receptacle.

 

1.        Review load and adjust.

2.        Check for damaged, bare or frayed wires.

Replace defective device.

3.        Replace receptacle.

Attached device

begins to operate

abnormally

1.        Problem with device.

 

2.        Rated load capacity exceeded.

1.        Immediately unplug device. Have device repaired by a qualified technician, or replace device.

2.        Lower the number of items plugged into the generator to stay within the rated capacity, or use a more powerful generator.

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