Generator starting issues

Gary Fowler · Feb 3, 2016

Recently my brother in law was trying to start up his small generator and it would start and run for just a second or two then die just like it was starving for fuel. After exhausting his abilities, he took it to a repair shop but they couldn't do anything and suggested that the compression was bad. This genset hadn't run more than an hour or two in the 3 years that he had it. Internet videos suggested the carb was bad so he ordered a new carb and installed it. Same problem. Next suggestion was a bad low oil sensor which he also ordered but still the problem remained.

While rolling it around to get the best position to look as something or other, I noticed that the sunlight was shining directly into the muffler and something white was inside it. If you said dirt dobber nest, you would be correct. I poked the dirt with a wire and broke thru but still couldn't get the whole nest out so I removed the muffler. Pulled the starter cord and the generator fired right up. I then took the muffler to a hydrant, filled up a tub with water and dunked it in a tub of water several times which dissolved the dobber nest. I could then freely blow air thru it. Reinstalled the muffler and it was just like a new genset.

I just wanted to post this in case someone was having some issues with a small engine starting but immediately dying. Check for muffler restriction before investing dollars in other issue.

CobyRupert · Feb 3, 2016

Gary Fowler said:
...he took it to a repair shop but they couldn't do anything and suggested that the compression was bad

Thanks for the tip. A bigger tip would be to tell us the name of that "repair shop" so we don't ever go there.
Did they test the compression or just guessing?

Ken · Feb 3, 2016

Gary every item in my shop like pipe conduit or holes in engine block will have a mud dauber's nest.
Chain saw or 2 cycle engine mufflers are there favorite.
Used to use a flexible hose to fill 5 gal. cans of fuel and wondered why there always dirt in the container
Then realized a mud dauber was building inside of the hose.

Was the repair shops work bench placed under a shade tree.?

ken

Gary Fowler · Feb 3, 2016

They are actually a pretty good shop. They always tell the owner of a Chinese made item to scrap it rather than work on it because service charges out run the cost of the equipment in most cases, plus parts are sometimes not available. I think they just pull started to see what it was doing. No charge for the check and advice.
I would never thought to look in the muffler or check for back pressure if I hadn't seen the white shining in the back end of the muffler. The engine would try to run and then just die like it was a fuel problem. I guess it took a second or two for the pressure to build up. I would do the same thing again and again after waiting for a minute or so between pulls. The good thing about the little generator is that it starts usually on the first or second pull now that the mud is removed from the muffler. I taped up the muffler so it doesn't happen again.

Now I need to check mine to make sure it isn't stopped up but first I have to buy a new battery for it (electric start). Then I would need to put fuel in the tank and I hate to do that then drain it out again. I sure doesn't look like we will have any ice storms that would cause me to use it. It has been in the high 60's and one day 70F for the last week.

Threepoint · Feb 3, 2016

Gary, what a story! Thanks for posting your experience. Might save someone a few headaches.

JRobyn · Feb 3, 2016

I took some little pieces of tree branch of the appropriate size, drilled a small hole through one end for a string lanyard, and whittled the other end down into just the right size to plug the muffler. Use one on every engine that has to live outside.

zzvyb6 · Feb 3, 2016

I have and occsionaly use a vintage 12v REO Speedwagon Fire Engine siren. Mud daubers like to build nests inside the cage. When I fire it up in the Summer to demonstrate it for friends and bad neighbors, the wasps come tumbling out of there (usually wingless and clue-less) looking and feeling like the Mayor of Hiroshima ("What the heck wuz zat ?").