So your generator is having some problems. Don’t worry: we are going to get through this together. Just breathe easy, and follow these simple instructions to help diagnose your unit’s problems.
Check the oil level in the crankcase. Add oil if the level is low. Keep in mind that attempting to run the generator on an uneven surface might cause the low-oil sensor to trigger despite there being enough oil.
Check the gas tank to make sure a sufficient amount of gasoline remains in the tank. Add fresh gasoline when necessary (to avoid clogs and hard starts, do not use old or stale gasoline. If the gasoline is older than two months, replace it with fresh gasoline).
The choke of any engine should be set to “closed” during startups and then moved to “open” once the engine warms up. Depending on the style of your generator, this choke lever may be positioned in a few different places. On many generators, it can be found directly above the air filter on the side of the unit. On others, the choke is builtin to the power control knob (such as with the WEN Inverter series). Either way, it should be set to closed (also referred to as the start or the choke position) when starting the generator. Once the engine ignites, move the choke to the ON/RUN/OPEN position for operation. If the engine is already warm (for instance, if it was running for a while and you are refueling), the choke lever should be set to the RUN (open) position for starting.
If the gas tank is full, but no fuel is getting to the carburetor, there may be a problem with the fuel line or fuel valve. The fuel valve controls the flow of fuel from the gas tank to the carburetor. Make sure that this is set to OPEN to allow fuel to flow into the proper channels. If the valve is set to OPEN but the fuel still does not properly flow, you can do two things. First of all, if there is a vacuum relief valve on top of the gas tank, make sure that it has been opened. Secondly, unplug the outlet hose from the intake side of the fuel valve to see if gasoline is freely flowing or not (have a bucket ready in case the gas flows fine). This will help you determine what part of the fuel line (if any) is clogged up. If there is an in-line fuel filter between the fuel valve and carburetor, also check it to make sure it is not blocked.
If you stored your generator for a long period of time without first draining the carburetor, the odds are high that it may be clogged by old gasoline. To fix this, shut off the fuel valve, and then open the carburetor drain found at the bottom of the carburetor’s bowl. If this still doesn’t work, you can remove the entire bowl from the bottom of the carburetor and clean out any stale fuel. Clean out the main jet (the brass nozzle found in the central stem) with a needle. To avoid this in the future, try to run your generator at least once a month, and never store it for long periods of time without draining the gas tank and the carburetor first. For a video guide on changing your generator’s carburetor, click here.
Overtime, deposits and buildup can appear on the spark plug. To check this, use the spark plug wrench included with your WEN generator to remove the spark plug and check for deposits. Clean the spark plug using a small knife or a similar tool as needed. Make sure the electrode is properly gapped (check the specifications page of your manual to see the proper gap for your particular model). To test the plug, pull the recoil starter while holding the spark plug’s body to the engine crankcase. If the sparks are strong with a blue color, then the ignition coil is good. If there is no spark or if the spark appears weak, remove the spark plug and cap. Put the end of the spark plug wire near the engine’s body and pull the recoil starter to check the ignition coil. If there are now sparks appearing between the spark plug boot and engine, then the spark plug needs to be replaced. If there are no sparks, the ignition coil may need to be replaced.
If the spark plug is properly gapped, deposit-free, and still not igniting, it may be that the low-oil sensor isn’t working correctly. To check this, disconnect the wire coming from the side of the crankcase - usually, it's a black, yellow, or black-and-yellow wire; see the images below. The location of this wire will vary slightly from generator to generator. If the generator starts once this has been unplugged, then the oil sensor is not working. Many times, running the engine with this unplugged for several minutes before reconnecting the oil sensor wire will resolve the problem. Otherwise, the engine may require a complete tear-down in order to replace the oil sensor. Also check out our helpful video on how to disconnect your oil sensor.
For electric start generators, the battery may lose its charge over time due to a lack of use. If this happens, simply start the generator using the pull starter to add juice back into the battery. If a recoil starter is unavailable on the unit, you may need to try alternative methods, such as a third-party battery charger.
Always make sure all electrical devices have been unplugged before starting the generator. You should never have anything plugged into the generator during startups, including vacant extension cords.
The air filter may need to be cleaned or replaced to let the necessary amount of air into the carburetor for ignition. Open up the air filter housing on the side of the generator and check the spongy air filter element inside. Clean or replace as needed. For video instructions on checking and changing a generator’s air filter, click here.
Keep in mind, this is a general overview for generators of all shapes, styles and sizes. For a more specific breakdown of recommended starting and troubleshooting guidelines, refer to the manual of your specific model of generator. After all this, if you are still having trouble getting your generator started, feel free to give us a call at 1-847-429-9263 (M-F 8AM to 5PM CST) or drop us a message here to talk to our friendly and knowledgeable technical support team.
Buying a generator is a great way to have a backup plan in case of an emergency. Because they’re used so seldomly, generators are often sitting around for a while before being used. Sometimes this can cause them not to start properly.
To start a generator that has been sitting, first, check that all the components are working. Then drain any old gas, and replace it with fresh gasoline. Also, check the spark plugs and replace them to keep your generator running at optimum levels. Don’t forget to clean the carburetor and check the air filter too.
Don’t worry; we’ll be going into deep detail below about how to start a generator that has been sitting. It’s essential to have a working generator at all times, especially when emergencies come up.
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Generators are designed to be incredibly powerful. If you’re struggling to get yours to start, it’s pretty useless. Here are a few things you can do to diagnose the issue and get your generator up and running.
The first thing you should do is complete a basic checkup. Doing this will ensure that the generator has enough oil, that the fuel valve is in the on position, and that the choke is engaged.
This is the easiest step you can take to find out why your generator isn’t running. Once you do this and see that everything is in check, try starting it again. If it’s still not working, consider trying one of these other tricks.
Another common reason a generator that’s been sitting for a while isn’t starting is due to old fuel. This is an extremely common issue that can easily be fixed with some fresh petrol. Fuel is degradable and has a natural process where it stops working overtime.
It’s essential to have regular oil and gas changes if your generator has been sitting for an extended period of time. If you don’t know if the gas is old or not, take a look at it. If there’s any amount of cloudiness or fog, it needs to be changed.
To prevent this from happening in the future, run the generator dry after using it. You could also use a fuel stabilizer. This is a great tool to have if you’re using a portable generator.
Next, consider checking the spark plug. Not everyone knows how to do this, but it’s incredibly easy. Simply pull it out, and you’ll be able to see what kind of condition the spark plug is in.
Take a carb cleaner to clean it if the spark plug is dirty. After pulling the spark plug, spray some of the carb cleaner into the cylinder as well. If the machine still isn’t starting, this can happen even if you do this step correctly.
Another thing you can try is replacing the spark plug completely. Sometimes spark plugs go bad or get worn out, even if they look perfect. Luckily spark plugs are inexpensive and easy to replace.
Once you’ve checked the spark plug, the fuel, and have done a basic checkup, move on to the air filter. In order for a generator to work properly, it needs to have sufficient airflow. Having a working airflow allows the machine to do just that.
Sometimes the air filter can get clogged, which prevents the generator from starting. Pull the air filter and check to see if it’s clogged or not. Even if it looks fine, clean it to ensure that it is.
If you do find that it’s clogged or looks worn out, replace it with a new air filter. Again, this is a cheap solution to a frustrating problem. While you’re buying the replacement, consider picking up two so that you have one on hand if this happens again.
If you’ve tried everything above and are still facing a generator that’s not working, there’s more you can do. The next thing you can try is to check the fuel line. It’s not uncommon for the fuel line to pinch, clog, leak, or even crack over time.
Some of these fuel line damages are easy to fix, while others are impossible. If you come across something you can’t fix or have professionally fixed, it needs to be replaced. Thankfully spare fuel lines are affordable and easy to install.
Just because something seems unlikely to happen doesn’t mean that it won’t. This is why I like to keep spare parts on hand, just in case. If you’re using a portable generator, you likely won’t even have a fuel line to deal with.
To check to see if there’s something wrong with the fuel line, detach it from the carburetor. You can then see if the fuel goes through the filter or not. If it doesn’t, it’s likely clogged, which will require a replacement.
The penultimate thing you can do to get a sitting generator working is to clean the carburetor. You’ll need to pick up some car cleaner to get the job done. All you have to do is spray it all around and in the carburetor and the jets.
Sometimes cleaning the carburetor requires you to remove it. It’s crucial to not scratch or damage the part in any way when taking it out. Cleaning a carburetor is a good practice to put into place to ensure that there isn’t any old fuel sitting around.
If you’re working with a generator that has an electric start, the problem is likely to be the battery. The first thing you want to do is check to see if the battery is dead or not. If it is, you’ll need to replace it.
If the battery isn’t dead, it’s time to look for a blown fuse. Once you find the blown fuses, replace them with new ones. You can also check the connections that could be faulty due to corrosion.
To prevent battery damage in the future, regularly clean the terminals using a wire brush. When it’s fully charged, make sure that it’s still not plugged in as this can damage the battery.
Below you’ll find some of the average prices for generator parts that could cause it to not start. Replacing these parts can help get the machine working like it’s new again. You can get many of these parts for cheaper, depending on things like your location and the brand name.
PartAverage CostAir filter$6Battery$30Spark plugs$3Fuel line$9Carburetor $15Fuel filter $7Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.
FIND LOCAL CONTRACTORSIf you find yourself frustrated by a generator that just won’t start, it’s likely due to battery failure. This can happen because of a loose connection or even sulfation build-up. Replacing the battery should do the trick.
Running a generator with the choke continuously on can damage the machine in multiple ways. It can eat up an excessive amount of fuel, causes the generator engine to run regularly, and can permanently damage the engine. Some generators have engines that use a manual fuel primer bulb. This helps to control the ratio of fuel to air that’s in the engine when starting.
When a generator only runs when the choke is on, you’re likely dealing with a bad diaphragm. It can’t draw the proper amount of fuel in, leading to a vacuum leak. Sometimes the carburetor will blow a pressed-in BB out of a drilled passageway, causing it to only run when the choke is on.
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