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Posted: 10/22/2011 4:27:05 PM EDT
[#1]
Originally Posted By The_Beer_Slayer:
Originally Posted By 35mm_Shooter:
What type of spark plug should I get for this thing? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CSEZQ0 Thanks. Finally got around to breaking mine in. Very happy with mine, only gripe is the gas cap isn't worth squat. Fuel/oil leaks if you tilt it while lugging it around. |
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LA, USA
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Posted: 10/22/2011 11:42:03 PM EDT
[#2]
5 amps.
Originally Posted By The_Beer_Slayer:
what's the rating on the freezer? you have to check such things before just plugging them in  |
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Posted: 10/23/2011 12:56:06 PM EDT
[#3]
if 5amps is your max draw on startup it should have pulled that fine. check your output
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OH, USA
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Posted: 11/1/2011 11:05:19 AM EDT
[#4]
Hi, quick question.
Among the other problems I have with this generator, the pull cord has gone out of whack. For the first couple of times, the pull starter behaved properly, it would slack after about 3-4 inches then I would be able to pull it out to the full length smoothly, and it would catch. Now, after the slack, I can jerk it about another 5-6 inches, then it locks and recoils back (almost ripping my fingers off). I can sort of get it going with short strokes of the pull starter but obviously not ideal, and the lock and recoil is so strong I'm afraid of breaking the entire assembly. Anyone have this problem? Any ideas on how I can fix it? |
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Posted: 11/1/2011 11:22:44 AM EDT
[#5]
sounds like the timing on the spring has slipped. remove the assembly and rewind it. i'd wager to pulled the shit out of it once or twice. it doesn't take that much force to pull it.
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OH, USA
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Posted: 11/1/2011 11:31:05 AM EDT
[#6]
Originally Posted By The_Beer_Slayer:
sounds like the timing on the spring has slipped. remove the assembly and rewind it. i'd wager to pulled the shit out of it once or twice. it doesn't take that much force to pull it. Trust me I pulled it until my fingers are bruised...I'll take it apart when I go home and see if I can rewind it. Also going to try to replace the spark plug. I hope I don't set myself on fire or electrocute myself Thanks for your help |
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Posted: 11/1/2011 11:44:55 AM EDT
[#7]
Originally Posted By monkeymagic:
Originally Posted By The_Beer_Slayer:
sounds like the timing on the spring has slipped. remove the assembly and rewind it. i'd wager to pulled the shit out of it once or twice. it doesn't take that much force to pull it. Trust me I pulled it until my fingers are bruised...I'll take it apart when I go home and see if I can rewind it. Also going to try to replace the spark plug. I hope I don't set myself on fire or electrocute myself Thanks for your help if you have to pull harder than an easy tug.... something is wrong. |
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USA
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Posted: 11/3/2011 10:38:41 PM EDT
[#8]
Originally Posted By Bones45:
Originally Posted By The_Beer_Slayer:
Originally Posted By 35mm_Shooter:
What type of spark plug should I get for this thing? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CSEZQ0 Does it really make a difference over stock? It a made a huge difference on mine. With the stock plug it would take 6 to 10 pulls to start it. With a new plug it starts in 2. |
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NC, USA
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Posted: 11/6/2011 5:46:51 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Pforty]
[#9]
I bought one yesterday and ran it 5 hours today at about a 400 watt load. Looks like it still has at least 1/3 of a tank of gas left. I used 93 octane gas and the recommended 50:1 mix ratio.
The stock spark plug that came with it looks fine but I'll probably pick up one or two of the replacements that are better quality. The comment about the gas cap was right. Pick it up while it has gas in it and it will leak around the top. The break in time in the manual states 25 hours of run time before exceeding 600 watts. Do you guys think this is mandatory? I'm ready to try a 750 watt electric heater load :) Any tips on quieting the sound a little? I was wondering if I could get an inexpensive styrofoam cooler and put over the top of it and cut a few small holes for venting to see if that cut down on the sound. I can't believe this thing for $89. This is my first generator and I'm pretty pleased with it. I'm hoping that it would run my fridge if the power went out. My fridge sticker on the inside of the door says 6.5 amps. *Edit* Mine starts with about 2 or 3 pulls with the stock spark plug. I have to slide the choke over pretty quickly after it starts running to avoid flooding it. I noticed when I first started it up with my kill-a-watt that I was only getting 115 volts with the 400 watt load. After a few hours the voltage slowly climbed to 119.5 - 120. I figure this is the thing just getting broke in. The sticker on mine says it was manufactured in 2010. |
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Posted: 11/6/2011 11:51:11 PM EDT
[#10]
Originally Posted By Pforty:
The break in time in the manual states 25 hours of run time before exceeding 600 watts. Do you guys think this is mandatory? Yep, if you want a long lifespan and best fuel economy out of the engine. |
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Posted: 11/7/2011 8:36:59 AM EDT
[#11]
Tried making a cover of insulating foam board the foil covered stuff 2 layers thick, had a 120v fan in one side with a baffle then a small hole for exhaust. Didn't make any noticeable difference in sound. Think a 1/2" piece of emt slit and pipe clamped over the exhaust then bend a 90 in it up and make it into a glass pack muffler or such might do the most good.
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TX, USA
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Posted: 11/7/2011 10:49:17 AM EDT
[#12]
we experimented with a few things to see if we could get it quieter and had little luck. Our solution was a heavier gauge extension cord and set it a few feet further away from us
I will also add that our little genny has gone all over the place with us. From camping to power outages and even on a couple trips surf fishing at the coast and still just chugs along. I have no idea how many hours we have on it now but I already feel I have got my moneys worth on it. I'm not saying it is a great quality genny but for the crazy low cost, I think it is something everyone should have even if only as a backup or loaner genny. |
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Posted: 11/7/2011 7:33:27 PM EDT
[#13]
Originally Posted By oldrock:
we experimented with a few things to see if we could get it quieter and had little luck. Our solution was a heavier gauge extension cord and set it a few feet further away from us
I will also add that our little genny has gone all over the place with us. From camping to power outages and even on a couple trips surf fishing at the coast and still just chugs along. I have no idea how many hours we have on it now but I already feel I have got my moneys worth on it. I'm not saying it is a great quality genny but for the crazy low cost, I think it is something everyone should have even if only as a backup or loaner genny. Does fuel leak from the cap when you lug it around? |
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Posted: 11/8/2011 4:45:34 PM EDT
[#14]
mine don't leak at all
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TX, USA
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Posted: 11/8/2011 5:10:10 PM EDT
[Last Edit: oldrock]
[#15]
ours does leak a little. Not alot of leaingk but the sides of tank area around lid will be wet after a road trip with it in the back of the truck. We keep ours in a covered rubbermade tote so a little leakage doesn't bother us. The tote is handy to keep rain/sand/salt out and also keep the genny out of sight. The lid does double duty as a base we set the genny on to keep it off the sand.
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CT, USA
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Posted: 11/8/2011 6:40:38 PM EDT
[#16]
I picked up one of these generators right after Irene hit CT. Just in time for Alfred to knock out our power for 10 days. I ran the generator for about 6-8 hours per day over that time frame, and it powered my refrigerator and one of my furnaces during that time. I must have gone through no more than 10 gallons of gas in that time frame. It also provided power to charge my lantern batteries, cell phones, and my laptop.
I picked it up during one of the sales when it was $89 - well worth the money. |
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MS, USA
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Posted: 12/19/2011 3:00:56 PM EDT
[#17]
I guess I have seriously abused mine, but it has served me well. I have nowhere near 25 hours on it, and it has already been used to run a 1500 watt tabletop grill, along with a 12 amp circular saw this past weekend as I was adding on to my shed. I replaced the sparkplug just before running the circular saw, and it only really died once (tripped the breaker another time without dying.) This thing was so cheap, its amazing. I will pamper it more now, but if it dies next week then I can say it went above and beyond the call of duty.
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Posted: 12/19/2011 7:01:33 PM EDT
[#18]
I had a Big Fail with mine. I figured I would use it to run just the pellet stove at night since the big generator was too loud. I tried to use it during the October blackout but the output was so dirty the ups wouldn't start. I hooked up some lights to it and the lights dimmed and got brighter, up and down to the point it made me nauseous. Since then I picked up a Honda eu2000i to run the heat at night. The output of the Honda is clean enough I don't have worry about burning out the boiler electronics or the cpap machine.
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Posted: 12/19/2011 8:37:45 PM EDT
[#19]
Originally Posted By secamp32:
I hooked up some lights to it and the lights dimmed and got brighter, up and down to the point it made me nauseous. Sounds like you inadvertently had the AC output switch set to "Disco"... 
Have you given it a good break-in? Some owners report that the engine smooths out quite a bit after it's accumulated a few hours of use. |
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USA
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Posted: 12/20/2011 11:57:31 AM EDT
[#20]
Originally Posted By steve_moore:
Originally Posted By LOW2000:
If I wanted to use it to spin my electric meter backwards by plugging it into a wall socket, would that work? How much gasoline would you go through to break even on the price of the gen vs. $80 worth of electricity? Assume I get gasoline for free. WTF?  WTF Also? |
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Posted: 12/21/2011 2:09:37 AM EDT
[Last Edit: EXPY37]
[#21]
Originally Posted By LeanordLumpkin:
Originally Posted By steve_moore:
Originally Posted By LOW2000:
If I wanted to use it to spin my electric meter backwards by plugging it into a wall socket, would that work? How much gasoline would you go through to break even on the price of the gen vs. $80 worth of electricity? Assume I get gasoline for free. WTF? WTF Also? If you sync'd the genny and connected it to your house wiring with no loads on your meter, you could probably make the meter run backwards. If you figger $80 worth of electricity is equal to about 640kw-hrs, then you'd need to run your little genny about 800 hours. If it burns a gallon of gas every 5 hours then you'll need about 160 gallons of gas if my figgers are close. At that point you'd prolly need to buy another genny. 
Good question! Shows you're thinking -sorta.
Now if you had one of the new smart meters and tried this, the electric company would probably come out and take your genny and lock you back up in your Mom's basement where you were hanging out when you got this idea. |
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Posted: 1/14/2012 9:07:25 AM EDT
[#22]
It's on sale again:
http://www.harborfreight.com/800-rated-watts-900-max-watts-portable-generator-66619.html Use coupon code 20SAVE to save 20% and with $6.99 shipping my total came to $78.98 I already have one, but for that price I'll get a 2nd one. |
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Posted: 1/14/2012 4:03:27 PM EDT
[#23]
Originally Posted By pc299:
It's on sale again: http://www.harborfreight.com/800-rated-watts-900-max-watts-portable-generator-66619.html Use coupon code 20SAVE to save 20% and with $6.99 shipping my total came to $78.98 I already have one, but for that price I'll get a 2nd one. you got lucky. the 2 stores here won't let you use coupons on sale items, generators or welders. |
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Posted: 1/14/2012 6:15:18 PM EDT
[#24]
Could the genny be disasemmbled to get the genny head and mount it onto another driver, like maybe two heads on a small diesel engine???
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Posted: 1/14/2012 9:24:03 PM EDT
[#25]
The alternator head uses one of the engine crankshaft bearings to support the rotor at one one end. To use it as a stand-alone head, you'd probably have to cannibalize the back side of the engine, or fabricate your own end piece.
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Posted: 1/15/2012 1:34:40 PM EDT
[#26]
Ordered mine today, $6.99 shipping online. Will read this thread for tips. Thanks!
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Posted: 1/15/2012 2:01:57 PM EDT
[#27]
Originally Posted By secamp32:
Originally Posted By Bones45:
Originally Posted By The_Beer_Slayer:
Originally Posted By 35mm_Shooter:
What type of spark plug should I get for this thing? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CSEZQ0 Does it really make a difference over stock? It a made a huge difference on mine. With the stock plug it would take 6 to 10 pulls to start it. With a new plug it starts in 2. I just ordered one of those plugs and it showed up in the mail a few days back. Now I need to switch it out and finally fire up my generator. 
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Posted: 1/15/2012 6:15:51 PM EDT
[#28]
Originally Posted By The_Beer_Slayer:
Originally Posted By pc299:
It's on sale again: http://www.harborfreight.com/800-rated-watts-900-max-watts-portable-generator-66619.html Use coupon code 20SAVE to save 20% and with $6.99 shipping my total came to $78.98 I already have one, but for that price I'll get a 2nd one. you got lucky. the 2 stores here won't let you use coupons on sale items, generators or welders. Buy one online (that's what I did) |
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Posted: 1/16/2012 10:45:10 AM EDT
[#29]
Originally Posted By pc299:
Originally Posted By The_Beer_Slayer:
Originally Posted By pc299:
It's on sale again: http://www.harborfreight.com/800-rated-watts-900-max-watts-portable-generator-66619.html Use coupon code 20SAVE to save 20% and with $6.99 shipping my total came to $78.98 I already have one, but for that price I'll get a 2nd one. you got lucky. the 2 stores here won't let you use coupons on sale items, generators or welders. Buy one online (that's what I did) the website absolutely will not accept the coupons. i have tried in the past. they are STORE only. |
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Posted: 1/19/2012 2:47:45 PM EDT
[#30]
Originally Posted By The_Beer_Slayer:
Originally Posted By pc299:
Originally Posted By The_Beer_Slayer:
Originally Posted By pc299:
It's on sale again: http://www.harborfreight.com/800-rated-watts-900-max-watts-portable-generator-66619.html Use coupon code 20SAVE to save 20% and with $6.99 shipping my total came to $78.98 I already have one, but for that price I'll get a 2nd one. you got lucky. the 2 stores here won't let you use coupons on sale items, generators or welders. Buy one online (that's what I did) the website absolutely will not accept the coupons. i have tried in the past. they are STORE only. I ordered one for 20% off using the coupon code I listed in my post... |
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NY, USA
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Posted: 1/21/2012 12:19:05 PM EDT
[#31]
Price shows $129.00 and coupon code is expired ... wow what a diff in price !
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Posted: 1/21/2012 12:30:57 PM EDT
[#32]
Originally Posted By pc299:
Originally Posted By The_Beer_Slayer:
Originally Posted By pc299:
Originally Posted By The_Beer_Slayer:
Originally Posted By pc299:
It's on sale again: http://www.harborfreight.com/800-rated-watts-900-max-watts-portable-generator-66619.html Use coupon code 20SAVE to save 20% and with $6.99 shipping my total came to $78.98 I already have one, but for that price I'll get a 2nd one. you got lucky. the 2 stores here won't let you use coupons on sale items, generators or welders. Buy one online (that's what I did) the website absolutely will not accept the coupons. i have tried in the past. they are STORE only. I ordered one for 20% off using the coupon code I listed in my post... nevermind that is an online code, not the regular printed coupon code. i know it won't accept those. |
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Posted: 1/21/2012 2:40:51 PM EDT
[#33]
Be patient.
HF sells these for $89 or less at least 4 times a year. Its worth holding out for the lower price. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Posted: 1/21/2012 5:55:08 PM EDT
[#34]
Originally Posted By billyjoebob:
Be patient. HF sells these for $89 or less at least 4 times a year. Its worth holding out for the lower price. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile +1 the value in these is in the sale price. I have also seen specific coupons for this unit for $89 too. For example, the February issue of Bassmasters has one ($89.99) with the coupon good through 5/24/12. Same as is probably in most outdoor magazine (I know Field and Stream has the ad, just don't know if it has the geneerator in it). Worth checking the magazine rack somewhere - a $4 magazine to save $30 bucks, plus the ad always has the 20 % coupon for something else too. |
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Posted: 1/21/2012 6:18:59 PM EDT
[#35]
Originally Posted By CarbineDad:
Originally Posted By billyjoebob:
Be patient. HF sells these for $89 or less at least 4 times a year. Its worth holding out for the lower price. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile +1 the value in these is in the sale price. I have also seen specific coupons for this unit for $89 too. For example, the February issue of Bassmasters has one ($89.99) with the coupon good through 5/24/12. Same as is probably in most outdoor magazine (I know Field and Stream has the ad, just don't know if it has the geneerator in it). Worth checking the magazine rack somewhere - a $4 magazine to save $30 bucks, plus the ad always has the 20 % coupon for something else too. The NRA magazines regularly have Harbor Freight coupons in them, too |
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Posted: 1/24/2012 12:23:42 PM EDT
[#36]
Mine arrived today and is purring away out back with a 100w light attached just for a light load. Mine seemed to run equally smooth either way, but it's early.
Seems to be a great unit for the price thanks again. |
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Posted: 1/24/2012 2:41:37 PM EDT
[#37]
My second will be arriving tomorrow also... I also have two NGK plugs on the way, one as a spare, one to install.
I'll have to rig up some lights or something more useful to test mine this weekend also... |
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AR, USA
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Posted: 2/6/2012 9:51:27 PM EDT
[#38]
While I know it's not the Harbor Freight Genny mentioned in the thread, I was at Autozone Yesterday and they had a 1000W 2-stroke on sale for $79.99 in store. Thought I'd pass it along to those who might be interested.
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Posted: 2/6/2012 10:20:02 PM EDT
[#39]
Originally Posted By Rayzar:
While I know it's not the Harbor Freight Genny mentioned in the thread, I was at Autozone Yesterday and they had a 1000W 2-stroke on sale for $79.99 in store. Thought I'd pass it along to those who might be interested. honestly, i'd surprised if it isn't the same one. i'd bet all these chicom gensets come from the same factory. |
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Posted: 2/18/2012 2:46:00 PM EDT
[#40]
I try and start my generators the first of every month... time flew by and I just started them up today.
My first HF genny is almost 3yrs old and my second is about a year younger. All original. I keep them filled with fuel/oil mix and they crank up on the second pull. Run them for about 10 mins and shut the valves off and let them starve out. Great little machines. |
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Posted: 2/19/2012 2:10:41 AM EDT
[#41]
Originally Posted By criley:
I try and start my generators the first of every month... time flew by and I just started them up today. My first HF genny is almost 3yrs old and my second is about a year younger. All original. I keep them filled with fuel/oil mix and they crank up on the second pull. Run them for about 10 mins and shut the valves off and let them starve out. Great little machines. Yep, I think they are a heck of a bargain. |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 2/19/2012 3:01:34 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Blackoperations]
[#42]
damn, just realized this thread is over a year old and still going strong.
These are great little machines, have two with hundreds of hours on them...they won't die. I have five HF flyers on my desk all with coupons for $89, HF must be pushing these things in a big way. I believe every one should have one, even those on a super tight budget...scrape together $90 over a month and get some backup power, albeit small atleast its better than no juice! On another note, I have ran some very questionable gas and two stroke oil through this unit and it coughed and shit out smoke...but ran. Found some gas in one of my NATO cans iburied in the back of the shed marked 06/2007 (don't remember if it was treated) and used some very very old two cycle oil drained from a boat motor that had been sitting for 5+ years.......wonder if I did any long term damage?? Still runs fine with fresh gas, so who knows. Buy them while they are cheap! |
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Posted: 3/7/2012 1:41:24 PM EDT
[Last Edit: marksmatter]
[#43]
Mine will surge for a few minutes after it has been running for about 90-120 minutes. Then it will quit. If I restart it, it will normally quit again after about 5-10 minutes, and each time thereafter. Does anyone have any suggestions? I did change the spark plug to the better type (champion, I believe) when it was brand new. Only have about 20 hours on the thing. Takes about 10 pulls to start.
I do not know much about small engines, so any help appreciated. |
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Posted: 3/7/2012 1:44:13 PM EDT
[#44]
Originally Posted By marksmatter:
Mine will surge for a few minutes after it has been running for about 90-120 minutes. Then it will quit. If I restart it, it will normally quit again after about 5-10 minutes, and each time thereafter. Does anyone have any suggestions? I did change the spark plug to the better type (champion, I believe) when it was brand new. Only have about 20 hours on the thing. Takes about 10 pulls to start. I do not know much about small engines, so any help appreciated. almost sounds like a restriction in the fuel somewhere. |
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Posted: 3/7/2012 2:09:35 PM EDT
[#45]
Originally Posted By The_Beer_Slayer:
Originally Posted By marksmatter:
Mine will surge for a few minutes after it has been running for about 90-120 minutes. Then it will quit. If I restart it, it will normally quit again after about 5-10 minutes, and each time thereafter. Does anyone have any suggestions? I did change the spark plug to the better type (champion, I believe) when it was brand new. Only have about 20 hours on the thing. Takes about 10 pulls to start. I do not know much about small engines, so any help appreciated. almost sounds like a restriction in the fuel somewhere. I am having similar thoughts - it reminds me of some type of vapor lock situation, given that it takes time to occur, and then re-occurs with a warm engine much, much faster. I guess I might have to learn something about little engines - or just bring it back to the store... |
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ID, USA
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Posted: 3/7/2012 3:53:07 PM EDT
[#46]
I bought a VERY used Honda mower that had the same symptoms. Posted about it on the DIY forum here at Arfcom. Was addvised to disasmble the carb, and blow out every orifice. Reassembled, and it purrs, now.
The disassembly was easier than it sounds, Screwdriver only. And I found a diagram of the carb online. |
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Posted: 3/7/2012 6:08:39 PM EDT
[#47]
Originally Posted By marksmatter:
Mine will surge for a few minutes after it has been running for about 90-120 minutes. Then it will quit. If I restart it, it will normally quit again after about 5-10 minutes, and each time thereafter. Try loosening the gas cap a little bit while it's running. On Chinese generators, it's VERY common for the gas cap to not vent properly. This causes the engine to draw a partial vacuum in the gas tank - eventually, the vacuum becomes strong enough to prevent the gas from gravity-feeding into the carb, and the engine starves out. |
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Posted: 3/7/2012 9:56:34 PM EDT
[#48]
Thanks for the input guys. I'll start with the gas cap and then clean the carb if that does not work.
Cheers |
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Posted: 3/8/2012 1:54:36 AM EDT
[#49]
Originally Posted By marksmatter:
Thanks for the input guys. I'll start with the gas cap and then clean the carb if that does not work. Cheers Yep, being able to that is one of the best preps of all! |
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Posted: 3/9/2012 7:19:20 AM EDT
[#50]
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