Can get generator to start but will not keep running more than a few seconds, any ideas on what is wrong??
I have a Coleman Vantage 8K watt generator w/18hp B&S electric start engine, that will start-up but won't keep running. I've determined that it's getting air and spark and getting fuel from the tank to past the inline filter. It won't start w/o choke and then will fire right away when choke is applied but dies within a second or two whether you turn the choke off or not. This generator was left behind from the previous owner's of the house and has sat for over 2 years w/o fuel in it or w/o being started. I have filled with fresh fuel, checked the oil level and condition, wired to use pick-up battery to start, and cleaned air filter. This generator is used for back-up power to my home and temporary power in my barn and is mounted in the bed of an old p/u that I use on the ranch. Any ideas or suggestions will be greatly appreciated......
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13 Responses to “Can get generator to start but will not keep running more than a few seconds, any ideas on what is wrong??”-
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Sounds like you need to rebuild the carburetor and change some of the seals it might not be getting fuel out of the choke position.
the b and s cable is shot
Probably clogged carburetor. Rebuild it, or take it somewhere that can.
get the fuel lines cleansed…sounds like the fuel lines are clogged or the carburetor needs some work
I would clean the carburetor. I bet it is full of varnish. Brake cleaner spray works to clean it.
might have bad wire some where…. you might have been cheated out of you money. you no how people are these days.
Hi. I think that’s pretty easy to fix. Take the carberator out, clean all parts, check the spark plug…hoses and suddenly things will be alright. First way to check: Is there a spark ? Hold the ignition wire to the cylinder, about 2 mm away. If yes, try that with the spark plug too. Try if there’s gasoline running into the carberator. It might be some dust in your carberator…Much fun. I hope I could help you. Mike the Isancowboy
I personally would take the carb off the motor and clean it thoroughly, not questioning your cleaning technique but stale gas could still be in the line and if it is dying like this it sounds like the carb is running dry maybe a stuck needle and seat assembly, thats my first suggestion second is the coil??? might have a short after getting hot make sure it is clean also. Hope this helps.
The fact that it always needs the choke even tho it fires right up with the choke suggests it is almost certainly a fuel problem. I suspect that, even though you say it sat without fuel that whoever drained the tank failed to run the engine ’til it used up the fuel in the line and in the machine. This has likely resulted in deposited varnish. I don’t know this particular engine but if it has a carburator with a needle and seat, I would start there. Your local auto supply store likely has some products that will help disolve varnish deposits by mixing with a small quantity of fuel and running it through.
The fact that it starts, then quits, suggests that over a few minutes of not running, enough fuel gets through to start it but not to keep it running. An 18 hp engine uses quite a bit of fuel. Even though you get some fuel thru the filter, it may not be enough. I would try by-passing the tank, filter and fuel line altogether as an experiment.
Good luck
How about pulling the plug after it stops. If it is wet it is a spark problem. If it is dry it is fuel.
I suspect it will be dry. It is more rare to have intermittant spark problems. Usually the spark works right or it doesn’t run.
Before you pull the whole carburator and rebuild it you need to clean the bowl and the hole in the nut that holds it on. Fuel flows through that hole.
When you pull the bowl it should be full of fuel and the float should drop down. The float should move easily. Be delicate with it.
This maintenance, cleaning the bowl, should be done annually.
If that doesn’t do it then go further with a cleaning or rebuild of the carb.
Good Luck.
Ps, at 18hp, it could have a diaphram fuel pump and unless it was run dry it could have had fuel in it sitting and gunked it up.
blocked jets or filter clean and replace
don’t "rebuild" the carb. you probably just have a piece of debris too big to get completely lodge in the main car jet. it just plugs it when the fuel flows. i work on these engines a lot at work. your low oil shut down might need replacing too. the b&s ones fail kinda often
If you want the real fix, remove the carburetor, take it apart and soak it in a quality carb cleaner. Spray cleaner and brake cleaners are a waste of time. Get a rebuild kit from the local small engine shop. After soaking and blowing out with compressed air, put it back together using the kit. I would make sure that the tank and lines are clean and install a new fuel filter. Install new fuel lines. It will be good to go.