If your Predator 3500 is balanced on a slope, it will cause the generator to face an oil shortage; therefore, ensure that your Predator 3500 is placed on a uniform platform. This allows air to pass into the tank. If it is loose, oil can make its way back up the hole and out the fill spout. The fact that it won't start is due to another important part down the line. When the spark plugs get fouled, they lose the needed spark, and then the gas does not combust like it should robbing the engine of needed energy. The fuel valves are clogged and cannot disperse fuel to the motor. Incorrect spark timing or ignition issues. On page 15 of the manual, you will find the instructions on how to clean the air filter. Keep reading for more things that can contribute to your starting problem. If you didnt drain the carburetor before putting your generator away for a month or more of storage, this is likely the culprit for why youre having starting issues now. 1,136 Answers. Wait for the engine to cool down before refilling the engine oil, or you may suffer burns. (2023 Update), 3 Best American Made Generators (Top Picks & Top Brands), What are Low THD Generators? You may also find a sediment bowl on some fuel shut-off valves that must be emptied and cleaned regularly. Use a fuel additive like Sea Foam to stabilize the fuel and assist with cleaning the fuel system. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Test the switch using a multimeter. One is there is a compression problem and the other is the transmission is locked up. Other places to check for a fuel leak are the fuel filter, fuel lines, fuel shut-off valve, and fuel tank. When starting a generator cold that is, it hasnt been running for at least the past few hours the choke should be set all the way closed. I like a product called Sea Foam Motor Treatment. Do you know what the problem could be?. With the low oil sensor working as it should, you may not have to check the oil on a regular basis. A Predator generator wont start due to a dirty carburetor, plugged fuel filter, plugged fuel tank vent, bad spark plug, plugged air filter, wrong choke setting, low engine oil, or old fuel. To help get your generator up and running, Ive put together this list to help you troubleshoot and fix a starting problem. You can check if there is enough gas by shaking the generator. PO Box 2200131704 N Milwaukee Ave.Ste DChicago, IL 60647, 4. Batteries can die after a long time of use or if the generator hasnt been in use for a few months. Always remove the spark plug wire and wait for the engine to cool. Sounds like a fuel flow problem.Pull the fuel line off at the carb and see if fuel flows well when you turn the gas on.If the fuel is flowing to the carb,you will have to remove the float bowl off the bottom of the carb and check for fuel flow through the needle and seat which the float controls in the carb.If fuel flows well . Rotate the combination switch to the 'Start' position. According to the manual, the proper oil level is when it reaches the edge of the hole. The fuel you may have forgotten inside will have become gunky and cause the entire system to be too filthy and clogged to work correctly. Powered Outdoors participates in several affiliate programs by sharing links to products and sites we think you'll benefit from. It can be fixed in a matter of minutes. This will help to start it in no time. Bypass the solenoid to isolate it as the reason for failure. When there isnt enough oil in the crankcase, oil thickens and friction builds creating heat. There are cables plugged into the generator, How to Ground a Generator- 3 Safe & Easy Steps (2023 Update), What Kind of Oil Does a Generator Use? Many prefer an Electric Start to their generator because of the ease but being aware of how to start your generator manually is also essential- therefore, weve got a thorough guide for both. Overloading the generator by plugging in more items than the generators load limit will cause it to bog down. Replace if needed. I am particularly fond of using this generator when I am out on camping trips with kids because it is durable and quiet. You just need to place the generator on a level surface to resolve this. Well list out some questions, and if your answer happens to be a yes to any one of them, youll have to read the solution and fix your generator accordingly. Also, check your spark plug to make sure it is not fouled or damaged in any way. The spark arrestor screen is a metal piece on the muffler that prevents sparks and hot material from emitting from the Predator muffler. Most modern generators are equipped with a sensor that will automatically shut down your generator when oil levels are low to protect the engine. Reinsert the dipstick into the oil-fill tube, but dont screw on the cap. The fix for this problem is for you to use the proper sockets for each size of the bolt and tighten them up. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. If you find the choke is stuck, use carburetor cleaner to help free it up so it moves without sticking. Thats frustrating. Before you start tearing apart the carburetor to clean it, make sure you are getting sufficient fuel to the carburetor. Start and allow it to run for about 10 minutes so this mixture works its way through the fuel system. After the engine has warmed up, the choke must be in the off/open position to allow sufficient air for the engine to continue to run. Got a key start generator . You can check the oil level using the dipstick on your generator, which may be located inside the crankcase. Flooded. Set down an oil drain pan directly under the drain plug opening. SOLUTION: If you find a restriction in the fuel line, turn off the fuel flow, and remove the line from the generator. Keep reading to learn more about switching on your Predator generator! One thing that has changed at that website is that they have now added a watermark on its online web pages and that may interfere with copying the information. The key is to take care of it so that it will last a long time. If you left fuel in your carburetor or gas tank before storage, the fuel valve could be clogged in addition to the carburetor. Inspect the filters condition. Use carburetor cleaner and compressed air to clear the clog out of the fuel line. Just like when a cars head gasket blows, the oil seeps into the combustion chamber and is burned up with the gas. I use this product in every tank of gas to help reduce the issues that can result from using fuel with ethanol. Clean the filter using mild detergent and water. If that still doesnt work, you can unplug the hose from the inlet side of the fuel valve to check whether gasoline is able to flow freely through your fuel line make sure you have a bucket handy to collect any flowing fuel when you do this. Consult a professional if you dont have the skills, or knowledge or are not in the condition to perform the repair safely. Just keep in mind that its maximum wattage output is 2000 watts. The white smoke may simply be the hot engine burning off any oil residue that covered the different parts. This is a situation where you simply have too many electrical devices plugged into the generator. Is it feasible to junk my generator in my RV. Its best to take the generator to a service center to be repaired. Then there is our go-to manual source. Learn about our team here. If your generator has an electric starter in the form of either a push-button or a remote, the first thing you need to check is whether the battery for the starter is the problem. Replace the fuel tank. Sometimes, a rust hole can be repaired if you can no longer find a replacement tank. Check the fuel filter on the generator. The scored cylinder source means you will need a new generator. There's not enough gas, or the gas has not been changed in a while. Replace if it is faulty. If you are unable to remove the fuel restriction or you find the line is dry or cracked replace it with a new fuel line of the same diameter and length. The owners manual has this information as well. SOLUTION: Check the voltage of the battery and charge it if it is weak. Remove the engine cover and check the coil gap. Pick up and tilt the generator to reattach the drain plug before setting it back down. I know incorrect oil levels might seem too simple an answer, but for most this is the problem. Spark Plug and Ignition Problems Preventing Predator 3500 From Starting. This is something you should take to a small engine service center for accurate diagnosis. Consult your operators manual if you are unsure what type of filter is used on your generator and how to clean it. When the ignition coil fails it wont provide voltage to the spark plug. The reason why this generator has made such a name for itself in the market is that it offers quality efficiency and fantastic fuel consumption. SOLUTION: You can attempt to bypass the starter using a screwdriver or pliers by touching the cable from the battery and the cable to the starter. Ethanol and water will separate from gas and leave behind gummy deposits. Drain the fuel tank and fill it with fresh fuel. The choke is used to restrict air to start a cold engine. A predator generator switches on in one of two ways. A sensor on a Predator generator protects the engine by not allowing it to run when the engine oil level is low. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Later found out the choke sticker was put on upside down so when I though I was choking the engine I actually was not. Just make them nice and snug so that the oil cannot get out anymore. Replace the filter if it is in bad condition. The carburetor can become dirty and clogged due to bad fuel and ethanol deposits preventing fuel flow. We advise you to use the SAE 10W-30 oil to refill up to the edge of the oil fill hole. If your generator is trying to startup but the engine cant seem to turn over, the problem may be too much or too little air mixing with your fuel during combustion. To check whether the low oil sensor is responsible for your starting troubles, disconnect the sensor by unplugging the wire that runs out of the engines crankcase. SOLUTION: Test the switch using a multimeter and replace it if necessary. Note: the container must be placed lower than the fuel tank because fuel cannot run uphill without the assistance of a pump. These include: There is too little oil to start running as expected. Due to medical problems, it was left unattended for about 6 months. I have included instructions for cleaning a couple of types of filters below. That should clear the clog and get the generator running as it should. (Skip past this section if this isnt the first time youre using a Generator!). A carburetor is used on the generator to regulate the amount of gas that is mixed with air for combustion. Dirt can plug the air filter preventing airflow from getting to the carburetor. The choke controls the amount of air thats flowing into the carburetor during startup. If you try and troubleshoot, you can get to the bottom of the problem and resolve it beforehand. Charge the battery. 8. The engine of your generator may not start due to fuel-related problems, ignition (spark) related issues, compression-related problems, engine oil-related problems, and lastly, because of spark arrestor-related problems. Turn the ESC Throttle switch to the Off position. The best place to start with troubleshooting your generator is with some of the most common causes of starting issues. Why wont your Predator 3500 generator start? 1) It's low on oil Check the oil level in the crankcase. That is an interesting one. If your choke lever is in run position you need to make sure to move it back to start position. The fix for this problem is to drop the load demand. Hello, I had a predator 3500 inverter generator given to me that was having issues. A starter solenoid goes bad when the internal spring gets weak or the copper plate begins to corrode. Mix fresh gas with a fuel additive in a fuel can. Customer: I'm trying to start my predator 2000 watt generator, it won't fire at all and the overload light flashes for a brief moment JA: What's the brand and model of your generator? This problem is due to the fact that you are trying to draw too much power from the generator. Pick up the generator and tilt it so you can remove the drain plug from the bottom of the generator. It is essential for you to understand why the generator isnt switching on, so you can try and resolve the problem at hand. Rick is an engineer and manager, hes used generators his whole life and specializes in fact checking our articles. When you find you have the correct engine oil level and the low oil sensor stays on, you may have a faulty sensor. When you move it to the run position, it dies almost immediately. Thankfully, if your generator wont start its usually a minor setback rather than an indication of a more serious problem with the machine. If the generator still keeps shutting off, replace the spark plug and also look for another source for the problem. I haven't started troubleshooting yet, but figured I'd ask . My inverter generator will no longer start ( turn over) when pressing the electric start button. About Us - Affiliate Disclosure - Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy, How to Fix a Kohler Courage XT-7 thats Not Starting. Follow all safety precautions found in the Predator operators manual. The information on the oil, what type to use, and how to change the oil is on page 14 of the manual. A quick check saves you on embarrassment at the repair shop. Predator 3500 generator will not start. If your spark plug tip is very dark in color or damaged, you must replace it with a new one. If the air filter is clogged with dust and debris, your carburetor wont receive enough air for combustion. The generator is also backed by a limited 2-year warranty. Or, you may find the wiring is getting hot and beginning to smoke. Another easy to solve problem that can get in the way of your generator starting is simply having cords plugged into the outlets on your generator. Customer: Checking fuel oil, fuel shut off valve JA: Anything else we should know to help you best? As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Finally, another problem that you can run into is that your generator is not starting. Squeeze the filter to remove excess oil. Replace the recoil assembly if needed. The air filter is generally easy to access and inspect visually. Make sure that you use the correct oil that Predator recommends for use with the generator. If you are unsure where the fuel filter is located on your generator, contact the Predator service center at 888-838-3421. Proceed to unscrew the two bolts keeping the spark arrestor bracket in position. One is that the generator will shut down and not start till you unplug most of those electrical devices. The closed position is often labeled as the start position on generator chokes for this reason. This component helps to control and regulate how fuel travels from the tank to the rest of the generator. Clean the carburetor and replace any damaged parts. If you dont have enough oil, your Predator generator will not be able to start. Reasons a Predator Generator Wont Start: Solved! Posted on Published: June 2, 2022- Last updated: June 3, 2022, How To Fix Canon Printer Printing Black Pages. A bad or clogged fuel tank vent can also cause a fuel restriction. Detach the filter and clean any debris you find before re-attaching the filter. In order to check your spark plug, start by removing it from the engine with a spark plug socket. The final spot to check would be the valve cover gasket. SOLUTION: Remove the spark arrestor screen from the muffler. Squeeze excess water out of the filter and allow it to completely dry. Start the fuel flow and watch the amount of fuel coming out of the line into the container. Not be able to start a cold engine his whole life and in. Starting issues 2023 Update ), 3 best American Made generators ( Top &! Till you unplug most of those electrical devices when pressing the electric start button some. 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