Help with a HF 16HP generator

Obviously not IDENTICAL to the Honda, they run! :-) Sorry, couldn't help myself. The only two things that I can think of that you haven't checked is, as you said, the spark plug and possibly something in the carb spray bar blocking fuel flow. You might try taking a small amount of gas and pouring it directly into the carb and try to start it. If it starts, that eliminated the plug and points to fuel starvation somewhere. Good luck. Such problems can really be a pain.

Jim

rashid111 fired this volley in news:47b897e1- snipped-for-privacy@j33g2000vbb.googlegroups.com:

Yeah. The price, and the source.

Obviously, you're getting no spark. A likely culprit is the low-oil switch.

LLoyd

Yes, a Honda Generator.

But first things first - confirm you have spark. Make sure you didn't over choke it and flood it. Did it smoke black and run rough before quitting?

Check the oil level switch to make sure it is not killing the engine. Simple to do by just disconnecting it and seeing if that allows the engine to start - generally the low oil switch grounds the ignition to shut it off.

For spark, pull the plug and stick it back into the lead with the threads touching metal, crank and look for sparks. If the plug comes out damp you flooded it.

For gas, crank with your hand etc over the exhaust, then smell it for gasoline. With practice you can tell if the mixture is lean, normal or rich this way, by the amount of hydrocarbon odor.

A little water/spit/beer on the exhaust manifold will show you which cylinders aren't firing.

I make up a simple tool and spares kit for each engine in a clear plastic box. It contains at least a plug and wrench and the screwdriver etc to open the air filter to spray in starting fluid. This is a good place for cheap tools with bright colored handles.

jsw

I have a short piece of wire with two big alligator clips. When I remove the spark plug, I can grab the threads with one of the clips and connect the other clip to the head of a bolt on the engine block. That way I can see the spark when I pull the recoil starter cord. Occasionally I use a tool like this to check spark:

Sure, you buy the right tools, make all your own stuff run well, then only need to get other people's neglected engines running, at their tool-deficient house with whatever you happen to have at hand. That's why I mentioned beer.

jsw

HF has also had them. Simple enough that it'd be difficult to screw manufacture up. I've used one on lawnmowers and other small engines. Beats cranking plugs in and out when that isn't the problem.

If there's ever a doubt about a carb having a problem, you can sort that from electrical problems by piping propane from an unlit torch into the carb and trying to start. If it runs, then pull the carb, if not, go through the ignition components.

Stan

She's purring like a kitten :) now.

- spark plug was barely tightened. Took it out, adjusted the gap, was around 40 thou. Tested for spark,

- completely disassembled the carb. Plenty of carb cleaner, some compressed air

- adjusted the choke (a common complain with these), it is now silky smooth

Bottom line - she starts great now, runs great too. Will put 2-3 more hours on it and replace el-cheapo oil with a synthetic. Bought some STA-BIL, will add to the gas .

Loaded up with HF's own 2HP air compressor - the gen barely notices when the compressor kicks-in, that's nice. Hopefully will test it with a welder soon, gotta fashion a 240V connector.

Bottom line - me luvez it now :). Another quality HF tool and the price is simply unbeatable !

I guess that I'll have to keep some beer in my tool box as well, then.

spark:

I have a computer case downstairs into which I had considered installing a small refrigerator. Gerry :-)} London, Canada

If that makes people start to wonder about you, just tell them that beer is not just for breakfast anymore.

I troubleshoot gas engines with starting fluid.

If it then runs for a sec or two; it is fuel. If not, think ignition.

David Lesher fired this volley in news:ifbrbe$hrs$2 @reader1.panix.com:

'Lot safer for the engines to use gasoline instead of ether.

LLoyd

By the time you're done dripping/spraying gas around...maybe.

If you use enough ether to knock out an elephant, sure it's a bad idea. But a short squirt is all it takes, yank....

The starting fluid I use contains heptane, a gasoline component, in addition to ether.

jsw

Jim Wilkins fired this volley in news:dabd7bb8-0ae8- snipped-for-privacy@i18g2000yqn.googlegroups.com:

Better, Jim. Many are just ether and a propellant.

I just don't like the stuff. There have been too many injurious detonations and backfires (to both engines and users) using those damned spray cans. Ether has a wide explosive range of concentrations in air, so that just complicates the problem.

The OP suggested "dripping and spraying" gasoline -- I prefer a small squirt bottle. No mess; accurate delivery. And it's always handy to have when cleaning off the odd small part, too.

LLoyd

"Stormin Mormon" fired this volley in news:ifgdn9$f4d$ snipped-for-privacy@news.eternal-september.org:

Yeah, but most folks are inclined to spray it right down the carb throat (or into the plug hole, as you mentioned before), and in the wrong concentrations, it can detonate, doing bad things to the engine.

A little gasoline in a squirt bottle is safer, and just as easy and convenient, except for the first time, when you have to get a squirt bottle.

(and don't forget that if anyone should be tempted to use ether in most diesels, it will be "unfortunate")

LLoyd