Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[JRobyn]

OK, so I'm torn between not junking up the thread with little details about ONE HF item (this little generator), and providing "closure" as admonished in other threads. Guess it's a little hard to junk up a thread that already has almost 4k posts! SO....

Did a little more investigation as part of emptying out all fuel in preparation for attempted return/exchange. It starts much easier if it is left with fuel in the carb. Still takes about 10-12 pulls with full choke. It runs great for minute or two, then dies and is almost impossible to start. Thinking maybe I wasn't getting fuel through the valve, I tried tipping the whole gen up with the valve at the lowest point for a few secs. Starts right up! When it starts to falter again after 1-2 min, tipping it up immediately makes it recover. So I pulled the tank off to drain, and it flows just fine out of the valve/hose. To me this is more evidence that something is wrong in the carb, maybe just too low of a float level.

The OEM plug is so crappy that the wire connector on the end of it was cross-threaded! Are we sure that the NGK BP5 ES3 is the right plug to replace the "Bonon F5TC"?

- Jay

 

[daugen]

"Bonon F5TC"?

now there's a real name brand...

I was thinking by now there's no way to screw up a spark plug but clearly there is.
I stick with NGK and Champion and have never been let down.

Harbor Freight 2 stroke genny | Lawn Mower and Small Engine | Bob Is The Oil Guy

 

[Midniteoyl]

According to the NGK cross reference, it is.. NGK Partfinder Product Cross Reference

 

[EMB5530]

OK, so I'm torn between not junking up the thread with little details about ONE HF item (this little generator), and providing "closure" as admonished in other threads. Guess it's a little hard to junk up a thread that already has almost 4k posts! SO....

Did a little more investigation as part of emptying out all fuel in preparation for attempted return/exchange. It starts much easier if it is left with fuel in the carb. Still takes about 10-12 pulls with full choke. It runs great for minute or two, then dies and is almost impossible to start. Thinking maybe I wasn't getting fuel through the valve, I tried tipping the whole gen up with the valve at the lowest point for a few secs. Starts right up! When it starts to falter again after 1-2 min, tipping it up immediately makes it recover. So I pulled the tank off to drain, and it flows just fine out of the valve/hose. To me this is more evidence that something is wrong in the carb, maybe just too low of a float level.

The OEM plug is so crappy that the wire connector on the end of it was cross-threaded! Are we sure that the NGK BP5 ES3 is the right plug to replace the "Bonon F5TC"?

- Jay

Like I said earlier. Take the carb apart and clean it. I'd bet pennies to pesos that a jet is clogged.

 

[Wa11banger]

Like I said earlier. Take the carb apart and clean it. I'd bet pennies to pesos that a jet is clogged.

I too have tried to stay away from junking up the thread but you lured me in as well. +1 to agree with EMB.. The fact you can tilt it to recover lends me to believe it is a jet problem.. By tilting it you are probably dumping fuel from the bowl into the little venturi on the carb which is fixing the starvation issue. Take the carb apart and rebuild it should fix your problem.. Also on these Chinese small carbs I have found small manufacturing pieces, grounds, metal hair, etc trapped in one of the jets. Once cleaned whala worked like a champ.. However to minimize more discussion if you have the ability to exchange or replace under warranty That is also the best route.. When you get the new one treat your fuel, and drain your carb for long storage.. (anything over 30 days)

Sorry I will hand the thread back to the original topic

 

[California]

Probably not your problem but the 6 hp motor on the garden shredder would die unexpectedly. Turned out to be the low oil shutdown switch. If the shredder were even slightly out of level that would trip the switch and kill the ignition.

 

[Travelover]

I've noticed that they are giving away this light now. The original version of this thing rocked, but the newer one has a wimpy magnet. Still plenty bright though, and at free fully worth the price. :laughing:

 

[daugen]

I've noticed that they are giving away this light now. The original version of this thing rocked, but the newer one has a wimpy magnet. Still plenty bright though, and at free fully worth the price. :laughing:

I love the way the marketers make it seem like if you are getting 27 LEDs, that must mean a ton of light. Wow! 27 of them!
One good Cree bulb would melt this thing down, but probably costs three times the whole unit's cost.
I don't think HF is going to be quoting lumens any time soon on this cheap stuff, and for the price, our expectations sure can't be too high.
So it's the perfect give a way. Never have enough flashlights. They all come with feet that are constantly moving away...

 

[California]

I've noticed that they are giving away this light now.

The original version of this thing rocked, but the newer one has a wimpy magnet. Still plenty bright though, and at free fully worth the price.

Those are great. Ideal right next to your work area under the tractor or wherever.

I see one of the reviewers suggested Lithium AAA's for cold weather use.

I pick up one every time they are the 'free with purchase' choice.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Those are great. Ideal right next to your work area under the tractor or wherever. I see one of the reviewers suggested Lithium AAA's for cold weather use. I pick up one every time they are the 'free with purchase' choice.

I pick up a few of these lights every time HF has a Coupon Sale and give them to friends. I have several of them from when HF first offered them, all still working well.