Allpower Gas/Electric Generator Troubleshooting

[rhproject11]

I will include a LONG and SHORT version of things:

Generator Exact Info: SN# CUE 070400655 (3500-watt 6.5HP OHV Electric Generator) All-Power APG3001
Climate: Texas, warming up, not cold, not humid, but generator has been sitting up since we used it last about five years ago.


*I should mention I am highly handy, but have almost zero experience with small engines whatsoever and just a little with car engines, certainly not carburetors.

*** UPDATE, I have watched THIS youtube video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaMqiHvWGec) and am wondering if these small valves and such are also clogged or something as I didn't do anything with them in my cleaning as I was unsure what they even were even though I have heard others mention this needle valve before in my research, thanks. -- needle vavle? idle control valve? possibilities?

Short:

Dad bought it (3500-watt 6.5HP OHV Electric Generator) during hurricane stuff about five or more years ago, used it about three days TOTAL not non-stop, just during day mostly. We didn't really follow any storage procedures, fuel stabilizers or removing gas altogether or the recommended oil change after 20 hours of use.

Summary:

Went to start it up recently and a metal lever on the fuel valve broke off and on top of that, the valve seemed to be faulty as gas was leaking out of the bottom of the valve itself. We bought another valve and attached it (my dad got this valve, but he mentioned some filter perhaps which DID NOT want to fit back in so he left that off)

I'm gonna jump ahead; it didn't start, so we (having already put fresh gas after emptying it) added some oil (not changed, just added against my advisement that we should change it completely) and no start, a little sputtering at best when we used starter fluid on the open choke.

So I took it upon myself to try and clean out the carburetor, I watched a youtube video on a generic looking one similar to ours (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FRjw61RCgk) and proceeded to inspect it and clean it out best I could. Any place I thought there should be light shinning through or an opening I poked a tiny clothespin into until the build-up and gunk was cleared as best I could and used the remaining carb cleaner we had sitting in our cabinet all over the thing. I was pretty thorough. Cleaned the float bowl completely. Put it all back on, got a better response this time, but still wouldn't stay going long. I did the procedure again even more thorough minus having any cleaner left and put it all back on ----------> here is where we stand below>>

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>The engine will start, but I have to sort of MANUALLY set the choke to an almost "closed" position and "limit" via the lever on the fuel valve to, I guess, allow just the right amount of fuel through, if I follow the instruction and set the choke to open after it is running and the fuel open all the way it will die very quickly. Leaving set to my "custom" settings it seems to run steadily enough, but as I stated we haven't used it enough to really say what steady is or sounds like with this particular generator. If I fiddle with the settings, like more fuel or something, it backfires a bit and jolts... hmmm what else, I saw a video of a supposedly good condition one running and it was sort of bouncing around like this one, so perhaps that part is normal, but that's all I can think of for now. I have to leave the air filter off so I can visually gauge the position of the choke is in the "right" position.

Will include longer version shortly--

Any help is appreciated.


Quick Summary:

- fuel open/close valve changed (filter may have been omitted from install)
- gas fresh
- added oil, but did not replace
- new spark plug (I forgot to mention this)
- carburetor was pretty grimy, cleaned it out twice

Issues Now:

- won't run as instructed
- bit sputtery and jolty when running (surging)
- there was some drippage around the fuel line that I haven't gotten to yet, I'm thinking of replacing this and getting tighter clamps, but not much drippage now, still some though
- I suppose technically it IS running, but doesn't seem very "healthy" kind of running

Thanks again

So far, I'm thinking a replacement carburetor would resole most of this? Though my dad has stated nobody seems to be selling exact parts for this generator. Would a close match work? Recommendations?

Thanks

[StarTech]

Please post your equipment numbers. See "IMPORTANT BEFORE POSTING QUESTION" topic.

[rhproject11]

Please post your equipment numbers. See "IMPORTANT BEFORE POSTING QUESTION" topic.

Only other piece of info I could find was a SN#, but everything else was there. Searching the number in google didn't bring anything up, but searching directly for a 3500 watt All-Power generator does.

[KE4AVB]

Probably the APG3001 or APG3002S with Chinese Honda GX200 Clone Engine.

From what I read of your post your going to need to clean the carburetor using either the dip method or using an ultrasonic cleaner. There are hidden passages that clogged with varnish and other things that the spray cleaner or wire can not get to. Some of these passages are hard for these cleaners to clean out. They don't have individual parts listed for the carburetor so the only option other than cleaning is their replacement carburetor. A GX200 may or may not fit and work.

[rhproject11]

Probably the APG3001 or APG3002S with Chinese Honda GX200 Clone Engine.

From what I read of your post your going to need to clean the carburetor using either the dip method or using an ultrasonic cleaner. There are hidden passages that clogged with varnish and other things that the spray cleaner or wire can not get to. Some of these passages are hard for these cleaners to clean out. They don't have individual parts listed for the carburetor so the only option other than cleaning is their replacement carburetor. A GX200 may or may not fit and work.

That's what we thought, dipping it. But what would be best to clean all that out? Do they sell carb cleaner is larger "pour" type containers? Or would just good clean gasoline work?

Also I found through the actual manufacturer they are selling parts still thankfully, we bought it from Oreilly's but apparently the guy gave us misinformation about parts still being available... So I will give it a final soak and if that doesn't help, order a new carb.

Anyone have thoughts on a 3500 watt or equivalent inverter for a truck? Easier to just run off of that if situation need be?

[bgsengine]

Best to clean it would be an ultrasonic cleaner - they can be had very cheaply at Harbor Freight and work quite well if you use the right solution. (Some recommend Simple Green and Vinegar or some similar - search forums on Ultrasonic Cleaners) - We use DTI's concentrate designed for our DTI Ultrasonic.

Soaking in gas will do nothing. Soaking in a small amount of gas and dosed with a 4 Oz Bottle of Mechanic in a Bottle from B3C Solutions (maybe 505/50 gas - MIB) , THAT can work very well, and likely a well as, or better than, chem dip.

Chem Dip is caustic, corrosive, and dangerous - handling and storage procedures for it should be the same as for Sulfuric Acid. - Eye Protection, Rubber Gloves, and all that.

The great thing about ultrasonic cleaner - you can use them for a lot of other things, such as jewelry and other parts you wanna get clean, and since you only need to change out the solution (water + cleaner solvent) every so often, it lasts far longer and you get more for your money out of one that some sort of "soak" chemical.

[rhproject11]

Best to clean it would be an ultrasonic cleaner - they can be had very cheaply at Harbor Freight and work quite well if you use the right solution. (Some recommend Simple Green and Vinegar or some similar - search forums on Ultrasonic Cleaners) - We use DTI's concentrate designed for our DTI Ultrasonic.

Soaking in gas will do nothing. Soaking in a small amount of gas and dosed with a 4 Oz Bottle of Mechanic in a Bottle from B3C Solutions (maybe 505/50 gas - MIB) , THAT can work very well, and likely a well as, or better than, chem dip.

Chem Dip is caustic, corrosive, and dangerous - handling and storage procedures for it should be the same as for Sulfuric Acid. - Eye Protection, Rubber Gloves, and all that.

The great thing about ultrasonic cleaner - you can use them for a lot of other things, such as jewelry and other parts you wanna get clean, and since you only need to change out the solution (water + cleaner solvent) every so often, it lasts far longer and you get more for your money out of one that some sort of "soak" chemical.

I've seen those ultrasonic doohickeys at harbor freight, might consider getting one.

[bobodu]

Man... I hate novels...I swear...we need a three sentence rule.

[bobodu]

For $20 plus 10 shipping...I would buy a new carb.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/All-Power-America-Steele-Products-Gentron-Generator-Carburetor-G6-5-I-01AE-JD-/161207747645

[bgsengine]

For $20 plus 10 shipping...I would buy a new carb.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/All-Power-America-Steele-Products-Gentron-Generator-Carburetor-G6-5-I-01AE-JD-/161207747645

Me, too.

Hell, I'd just lift the gas cap and throw a new generator under it.