Portable generator 2-Stroke - Runs then Dies

12 years ago

Bought a Harbor Freight 800w Generator last year, and got it up & running 2 days ago, when power went out. It's a 2-stroke, and yes gas oil mix at 50:1 CALLED FOR & used with high quality synthetic oil.

Now, after a few hours use, it will start, run for a 3-5 minutes, then stop.

Once warm, will restart only with choke on, then quickly die.

Mechanical speed governor appears to open throttle too wide?

Anyone with any experience with this motor, or similar?

Carburetor looks like one on my old Toro snow blower w/Tecumseh 2-stroke engine, has bowl with nut, nut is SOLID, it's a drain, not a jet.

There are no apparent adjustments on carb, except for idle speed.

????????

Help!

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Comments (4)

cityboyinburbs
Original Author
12 years ago
"Never Mind"
Pulled carb off, cleaned all passages.
Replaced Carb
Added fuel
Has been running fine for last 30 minutes.
GeneratorGuru
12 years ago
Chances are it is your carb but you need to check the spark plug 1st.

Remove the sparkplug and clean it up with a wire brush. Insert it back into the ignition coil and hold the tip against the engine. Get someone to pull over the engine with the recoil. Check there is a strong spark.

If all is ok then it will be the carb. Remove the fuel hose and make sure it has free flow of petrol. If so then your best to buy a new carb.

Hope this has helped.

Styles Beagley
Generator Guru

Here is a link that might be useful: Replacement carb
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rdaystrom
12 years ago
GeneratorGuru , Are you actually trying to sell your stuff here? What part of the "Never mind, I fixed it", message from 5 days before did you not get? Besides, just cleaning the carb is all that's needed on a 1 year old machine. Not selling him one of your carbs. You might also want to use spell check on your site. Carburetor only has one "T" in it.
ewalk
12 years ago
Cudo's RD ! Yeah buy a new Carb for a simple fuel restriction lol. Just have to love these schills pushing their Products !