I need help with a "Generac" generator

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Hi, everyone. I am a recent widow (March 15), with 2 sons, 11 and 12. While I'm doing okay with most of the farm, there are some things my husband always did that I am lost with. One is the generator. It is a nine year old Generac brand with maybe 9 hours on it. Every fall DH would "get the generator ready for winter." I have no idea what he meant, but come winter, any power outage long enough to need it, and it would fire right up on the first or second pull. Last time it was used was February 28, when we had an earthquake generated outage. I never gave it a thought, until recently. When I checked, the old gas was still in it, he hadn't had a chance to drain it before the accident. Anyway, I drained the old gas, put in a little fresh, and cleaned the spark plug. I have no idea what else to do, and it sure isn't starting. It's hardly ever used, our outages just don't last that long, but I have a dairy heifer freshening this winter, and might need the generator for the milking machine. I've never had the power out at milking time in 17 years, but you know Murphy's Law. Any suggestions on what could be wrong with the beast? I can't really afford to take it to a repair shop, and even if I could, I'm not sure me and the boys could lift it. Dh always "tuned it up" or whatever, in October, but doing things myself, I try to allow myself lots more time. Thank you for any advice you might have. KT

-- K.T.Simon (KTS@hotmail.com), August 23, 2001

Answers

Dear K.T. My deepest sympathy of your loss. I did ask my hubby who is a mechanic and his advise was first to first check to see if the fuel is turned on to the generator he says there is an on/off switch, secondly the carborator might need cleaning he says it gets shalack (sorry can't spell) build up in it. Really admire your courage to tackle this and to handle the farm and all those chores. Can't advise you much on any farming stuff, but any time you need mechanical advise, just type I'll check in on ya and see what I can find out for ya. Sure hope this helps, if not holler back and I'll see what else he can think of. Any time, Debbie

-- Debbie (fly45@bellsouth.net), August 23, 2001.

Are you a member of, or have ties with, a community organisation? Or was your husband? Maybe a church? Lions or Rotary or whatever club? You could ask people for help through that. Maybe get a competent family to come out for Sunday lunch in return for looking at what you do know needs looking at, plus look round in general to see what you may not even know to think of.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), August 24, 2001.

9 hours is extremely low, almost a brand new unit. If I had to guess, I'd also say there is a shut-off valve for the fuel feed somewhere. A manual for the generator would be the first order of business. If you can no longer locate yours, perhaps a local service center or Generac themselves can help locate/copy one. Generac is online at www.generac.com The model number of the generator should be printed on the unit somewhere.

cheers,

-- Max (Maxel@inwindsor.com), August 24, 2001.


Gee, you guys, so many answers so fast, and you are all so kind, thank you. I'm afraid I've learned to shy away from community help. Most people are very kind, but I've been hit on by every single man in the county--four times at the funeral! No, I'm not gorgeous, but it is pretty common knowledge that where my husband works there is a lot of employer-supplied life insurance, and they assume I'll get a big settlement because he was killed by a drunk driver--who had no insurance. What they don't know is that I took the insurance and paid off the mortgage, all the bills, and put the rest in an "untouchable" account--to get 4% interest. The interest gives me $8,000. a year to live on, so it's important I keep up the farm, and try to earn money off it. The boys just started getting Social security payments, with some retroactive, but that goes into a special account for their college. I can get into it if I have to, but I've sworn I won't unless it's a true emergency. The only family I have left is an older (20 years) sister, who showed up a few days after the funeral to "Help me sell this damned old place, and get me to the city where I belong." When she found out I wouldn't budge, she followed me around--well, let's just say the boys now refer to her as "Auntie Can-I-Have-This?" Debbie, could you please ask your husband what I should use to clean the carbuerator? I am thinking either gasoline or kerosene? Also, is there a trick I should know about getting it on and off? I am assuming I can't clean it in place--that would be too easy. Also, could you ask him to explain (in detail) how to pump up a tire that has gotten flat enough to get off the rim. My old Craftsman lawn tractor has just that problem. I've been mowing with the push mower, but I use the little tractor to pull the cart for cleaning out the goat shed, and for wood, and oh, just for everything. I'm supposed to start getting SS payments, too, with hopefully some retro-active, and new tires for the tractor are first on my list, but until then I need to figure out how to fix the old one. I'm sure I will have many more questions for you guys, but so far am making out okay. The biggest problems so far have been the generator, of course, but tilling-- and the chainsaw scares me to death. The boys are more than willing, especially with the chainsaw! I just remind them that Daddy had said when they were 15 for the chainsaw. Of course, they tried the old, now that they were the men in the family, maybe they should take this year off from home-schooling ploy, too. I'm only 4'11" tall and 100 lbs, the boys are already bigger than me, and they can run the tiller pretty well, they just don't get deep enough. So after they till, I am trying to "double dig" the gardens. Fortuneately, Dh had tilled everything the weekend before the accident, so made out pretty well this year. Again, everyone, thank you. You will be hearing from me again, I'm sure. K.T.

-- K.T.Simon (KTS@hotmail.com), August 24, 2001.

try this for the tire- tie a rope all the way around the tire, keeping in the center of the tread. put a piece of pipe, wood, etc up under the rope against the tire- the objective is to be able to turn the pipe several times so it twists the rope to tighten it around the tire, gonna take some force and strong rope or chain. you should be able to squeeze the center of the tire all the way around enough to force the bead to touch the rim. as you're keeping it tight, fill it with air, pretty much needs to be from a compressor and even better if you can take the valve stem out first, although not always neccessary. As long as you have enough of the bead touching the rim, the air should seal it up so it can fill.

I'd doubt your carb needs cleaned on the generator if it was maintenanced every year. You probably have a fuel switch somewhere on it, possibly the bottom of the fuel tank. You may also have a spark ground out on it also. Generac has some online help for their rv generators, you might find an answer here. http://www.generac.com/rv/hservice.html or here http://www.generac.com/rv/ts_gas.html

-- Dave (something@somewhere.com), August 24, 2001.



I have a generac gen set,, and it can be a pain to start. Took me a long time to figure out the fuel shut off was off. Then had to use a couple squirts of starting fluid. Without see the set,,it would be hard to explain what to do to start it. Try to find the manual,, (wish I had one at times) Where are you located,,maybe someone on here is close.

-- stan (sopal@net-port.com), August 24, 2001.

As to the tire, make sure no crap got inbetween the tire bead and the rim. Rim must be clean. Might even put little automatic tranny fluid on rim and bead for lubricant (ATF wont hurt rubber) when you are ready to inflate the tire.. Seat one side of tire on rim by hand then gently pull rim out so other tire bead is as close as possible and a good compressor should inflate it. I live out in boonies and fix my own truck and equipment tires all the time. Alternatively, you can just buy a tube, remove tubeless valve stem from rim. Put tube in tire so valve stem on tube goes out the little hole. Inflate with bicycle pump or whatever you got. The expanding tube will seat the tire beads. I much prefer tubes for rototiller tires, wheelbarrow tire, etc. Tire with tube is much less likely to go flat from bead leaks. Also agree on generator. Setting just few months should have done no damage unless water got in gas. Can get can of spray carb cleaner with little plastic straw for $1 or so if carb is sticky. If really corroded, then need to remove carb, disassemble it, and clean all individual parts. Not likely from way you discribe it but not that many parts on simple small engine carb if you do have to disassemble it. Most small engine manuals covering engine on your generator would have an exploded diagram of the carb. Most automotive carb kits include such a diagram and instructions, unfortunately most small engine carb kits dont. In future add small can of gas stabilizer to gas tank when you arent going to use the engine for a while. Cheap insurance available at Walmart, Lowes, hardware store, or farm store. Look where they sell lawn equipment. As to the callous, crappy, opportunistic people, well being a hermit is not all that bad. :-)) Sounds like you have good head on your shoulders about money. Thats half the battle. Good luck.

-- HermitJohn (Hemit@hilltop_homestead.zzn.com), August 24, 2001.

another "trick" for reseating tires onto rims,, race teams do this,, spray some starting fluid INTO the tire,, about 5 secs worth. Then use a lighter,, get close,, but NOT into the rim,,, when it catches,,it WILL scare you,, but the tire should be seated,, works ALL the time, Ive used it myself. It is a good isea to remove the valve, from inside the stem first,,,just in case,, the quick pressure could damage the valve,, a simple 49 cent tool is used to remove and replace the valve stem.

-- stan (sopal@net-port.com), August 24, 2001.

i could see how that'd work Stan but man that sounds dangerous. 5 seconds seems like a whole lot of ether. The tourniquet method has always worked for me.

-- Dave (something@somewhere.com), August 24, 2001.

it works,, and it does seem alot,, but when you remove the valve,, thats your saftey valve,,, Ive tried it with less,, and it doesnt set the bead all the way. And its alot less work than the tourniquet,, and quicker.

-- stan (sopal@net-port.com), August 24, 2001.


well it sure sounds fun ;) so I'll give it a try next time I need to mount a tire.

-- Dave (something@somewhere.com), August 24, 2001.

K.T. - Write down anything that works - advice on how to pump up the tire, how you finally got the generator going, etc. Keep your eyes peeled for anything that you DO know how to do, but that other "farm widows (and widowers)" might not. Once you've filled a notebook full, set yourself down some long, quiet winter and write a book on how to maintain your farm when th echief caretaker dies. Even if you have to self-publish or e-publish (much cheaper!), your book and experiences (be sure to include personal anecdotes about how you found help, funny things that happened because you didn't know..., sad things, things you wished someone had told you, stories about this period of time from the boys - a story about the funeral suiters and Aunty "Can I have this" sound like real winners!) could definately save someone else from following unwanted "sell and get out" advice out of sheer desperation, or at least provide a virtual shoulder to lean on for another in the same situation. Plus, it will give you something positive to do at a time when you may need it, and it will be a living memorial to your late husband (my sympathies are with you).

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), August 25, 2001.

I just went and looked at my generac. It has an automatic idle switch, this can be left on or off for starting. Also, there is a little knob under the fuel tank that cuts the fuel on and off. Then on the carburator there is a choke that needs to be on until it tries to start. The last thing is an on/off button to allow it to run or to shut it off. Good luck.

-- Don (hihilldon@yahoo.com), August 25, 2001.

K.T. The first thing you want to do is change the oil in your generator. Most generators have a low oil shut down which means that if there is not the correct amount of oil in it it will not get any spark and not start. This is a feature that will keep from blowing the engine if the oil runs low. That is more than likely what the problem is. If not let us know and we will try to talk you through some troubleshooting.

-- Dan (hoppingator321@yahoo.com), August 25, 2001.

I have a Generac also and it has probably less than 10 hours on it. It has always been a hard starter but it will start on the first pull with a hit of starting fluid. I keep the gas tank filled and use Sta-bul gas stabilizer so I don' have to throw 5 gallons of gas away every year. My model has a low oil shut down feature, check that out and my fuel shut off stopped working the first year I had it.

-- hendo (redgate@echoweb.net), August 26, 2001.


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