SOME OF OUR MOST FREQUENT QUESTIONS
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Petrol Engine Generator
Q. Why does my engine need the choke on to stay running?
A. Requiring the Choke to stay on to run is usually a fuel delivery problem and you should clean or replace the Air Filter and Carburetor. For further info on this, please Click Here:
Q. How do I fix a fuel leak from my Carburetor?
A. There are broadly two reasons for fuel leaking from the Carburetor. Either failed Seals or Gaskets. Or there is a Float Needle problem. We go into more if you Click Here:
Q. Why is my engine backfiring through the Carburetor?
A. On this type of engine, backfiring through the Carburetor is usually caused by problems in the Cylinder Head. Most commonly, the Valve Clearances need to be reset, or a Valve is stuck but this could also be other problems within the Cylinder Head so the parts need to be examined carefully. You can find a guide to resetting your Valve Clearances and more info, Click Here:
Q. I have no spark, what do I do?
A. There are initially three things to check, the low oil circuit, then the spark plug and ignition coil. For detailed instructions, Click Here:
Diesel Engine Generator
Q. Why is my engine backfiring?
A. On this type of engine, backfiring is usually caused by problems in the Cylinder Head. Most commonly, the Valve Clearances need to be reset, or a Valve is stuck but this could also be other problems within the Cylinder Head so the parts need to be examined carefully. You can find a guide to resetting your Valve Clearances and further instructions, please Click Here:
Q. My starter motor is spinning but the engine will not fire?
A. These engines do not have a spark so this is often a fuel issue, for diagnostic steps, please Click Here:
Q. Why is my generator producing excess smoke?
A. This can depend on the colour of the smoke: black smoke is too much fuel/not enough air, so clean or replace the air filter then examine the injector; white smoke is usually water in the fuel, change the fuel and filters; blue smoke is a sign of burning oil, usually this is caused by failed valve seals or piston rings.
Inverter Generator
Q. Why doesn't my generator produce output?
A. This is almost always the inverter module at fault, they are sensitive to both overloads and heat, particularly as most inverter generators are enclosed. Inverter modules are not repairable and can only be replaced.
A. There are two possible reasons, either the switch itself is faulty, or the inverter module is faulty and not controlling the stepper motor correctly. To check the switch, check the continuity in the on and off position, if it checks out, your inverter module is faulty.
Q. Why doesn’t my generator control its speed?
A. The generator has two components to look at, firstly, the stepper motor that controls the throttle, that needs to be tested, if that checks out then it’s the inverter module that controls the stepper motor that is at fault.
Q. Why is my generator so hard to pull start?
A. This could either be an engine problem or a faulty inverter module. If the Inverter module has shorted, it puts resistance on the engine so its hard to pull over, disconnect the large connector from the stator to the inverter module and if its easy to pull over, then the inverter module needs to be replaced. If this makes no difference, then the engine needs a closer look, its most likely to be valve clearances.
Electric Start Generator
Q. Why does my generator battery keep going flat?
A. Generators recharge their own battery and the part that is responsible for this is called the Battery Charging Rectifier or Regulator and provides a steady voltage back to the battery while it is running, these parts are prone to overheating and failure, for please Click Here:
Q. Why doesn’t my electric start work?
A. Firstly, whether this is an engine problem or electric start problem needs to be established. If the generator starts with the pull start, please see the link below, it will describe the different electric start circumstances and what to do. Click Here:
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