Last summer I checked my generator and it would not start, so I had the carburator rebuild. I asked the guy what to do to prevent this from happening again. He sold me a bottle of gasoline stabelizer. I went home and put some stabelizer in the generator gas tank and then stored it in my garage. I just tried to start it without any success. What did I do wrong? Should I take it back to the shop? Any suggestions?

-- snodgrass (snod@grass.com), December 05, 1999

Answers

Did you open the valve between the fuel tank and the motor (usually hidden under the tank), turn on the ignition switch and set the choke? There should also be no electrical load on the generator when you start it.

What does it do when you try to start it?

-- John (jh@NotReal.ca), December 05, 1999.

Also make sure there is enough oil in it as there is usually a low- oil ignition cut-off switch. :-))

-- John (jh@NotReal.ca), December 05, 1999.

You didn't say if you started the genny after you added the additive to the fuel tank so that the untreated gas in the float bowl of the carb would be used up and replaced by treated fuel. Guess it goes back to the shop.

-- Don Kulha (dkulha@vom.com), December 05, 1999.

I sometimes have that problem with both 2-cycle and 4-cycle engines that have been sitting through the winter, even after using fuel stabilizers, cleaning the spark plugs, draining the fuel lines and carburetors, etc.

What usually does the trick is to remove the air filters and give them a shot of automotive starting fluid (spray), then crank them over.

Hasn't failed me yet.

-- Norm Harrold (nharrold@tymewyse.com), December 05, 1999.

Thanks guys, I noticed that I had failed to turn on the ignition switch, however is still will not start, so I will buy some starting fluid spray. Thanks for all your suggestions!

-- snodgrass (snod@grass.com), December 06, 1999.

Save your money on the starting fluid it is cheaper to put a few drops of gas onto the airfilter ot use a old rag with a few drops of it on the air intake.

-- me (meandnotjustme@justme.not), December 06, 1999.

As a one time journeyman mechanic and having run an engine rebuilding plant I will not use ether starting fluid for anything. Never needed it. Seen too many broken engine parts caused by it (collapsed piston tops most commonly). Gasoline works just fine (for diesels too).

Pull the plug (...and assuming it isn't wet), hook up the plug wire, lay the plug on the engine, pull the cord to see if you get spark. If not check the ignition, if you do, put a few drops of fuel in the plug hole, put the plug back in, hook it up and try starting again. If it starts or tries to it's a fuel problem.

-- Don Kulha (dkulha@vom.com), December 06, 1999.

I use gasoline antifreeze methanol ("HEET" for one) as starting fluid. I loosen nut that hold air cleaner cover. Pour in methanol. It drips directly into carb. Then tighten nut. Starts easily.

-- RT (Rngfr49@yahoo.com), December 28, 1999.