{"id":8751,"date":"2022-07-15T02:33:36","date_gmt":"2022-07-15T02:33:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/notsealed.com\/?p=8751"},"modified":"2022-08-29T13:34:53","modified_gmt":"2022-08-29T13:34:53","slug":"what-to-check-if-your-briggs-and-stratton-generator-wont-start","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/notsealed.com\/what-to-check-if-your-briggs-and-stratton-generator-wont-start.html","title":{"rendered":"What to check if your Briggs and Stratton generator won’t start."},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Generators are essential for many homes and businesses but occasionally they won’t start if left sitting in your garage for a few months. In this post, we will be going over why the popular Briggs and Stratton generator won’t start. But more importantly, the tips and tricks to start generators with one pull every time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We will mostly cover Briggs and Stratton generators but the tips mentioned here will apply to all petrol and diesel generators. What to check and how to maintain your generator so it will last for many years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most petrol (gas) generators are designed with an internal combustion engine that turns an AC coil winding to generate electricity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speed controllers, governors, and voltage regulators maintain a constant electrical output up to the power capacity of the generator. This combustion engine is usually 4-stroke but there are a few older 2-stroke generators still out there in the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the generator is used weekly then starting issues are usually nonexistent due to regular use. But in my experience as an electrician, most contractors, homeowners, or campers only use them a few times a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After a few months, the fuel gets old and can gum up inside the carburetor. Moisture can get into the electronics and start to corrode some of the wirings. Starting your generator every month for 5 minutes can help keep the generator in peak condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Generators tend to only have small fuel tanks and they need to be topped up often. This cuts down on weight and makes them easy to work on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the generator is left for a few months the fuel gets old and will lose its combustion power. Stale or old fuel will cause a generator to not start easily. Products like fuel stabilizers can help prolong the life of the generator fuel but I like to drain the fuel tank and start fresh if I know I won’t be using the generator for 2 months or more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Old gummed-up fuel in a carburetor will need to be drained if you are having trouble starting the genset. Having old fuel is the no1 reason my Briggs and Stratton generator won’t start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4-stroke generators tend to not foul spark plugs as much as the 2-stroke generators. I still tend to replace my Briggs and Stratton q6500 spark plug every year or 100 hours whichever comes first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Check the Q6500 spark plug gap this should be 0.76 mm for the Briggs and Stratton 798615 Spark Plug<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This gives me peace of mind that the spark plug is good and will be reliable when I need to start the generator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Generator air filters tend to be overlooked and missed in preventative maintenance. I like to replace my air filter every year or 100 hours, whichever comes first. This makes sure that the generator can breathe properly. If you have an air filter that looks like a sponge you can wash these out with warm soapy water. Coat them with a layer of air filter oil for excellent dirt trapping properties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Good airflow is essential for a combustion engine to easily start. remember air filters will break down over time so replace them regularly. A blocked air filter is another reason the Briggs and Stratton generator won’t start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most modern portable generators will have a low oil cut-off switch. I have seen generators cut out and hard to start with the engine oil at just over the 1\/4 mark. Ensure the engine oil is close to the 100% full mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I like to replace my generator engine oil once a year. Even if I only use the generator a few times it is best to do once-a-year preventative maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your generator does not have an engine oil drain plug you can use a manual vacuum dipstick oil change pump<\/a> to remove the old oil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The low oil indicator on the Q6500 Briggs and Stratton generator is designed to prevent engine damage caused by not enough engine oil. If the engine oil level drops below a preset level, the red LED low oil indicator light comes on and an oil level switch will stop the engine. If the engine stops or the red LED low oil indicator light comes on when you pull the recoil handle, check the engine oil level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The oil level should be checked prior to each use or at least every 8 hours of operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most generators will have a fuel filter either inside the fuel tank or in the line going to the carburetor. These are generally reliable but over time can block up. You can back flush them for a quick fix but I tend to replace them every 5 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Trace the fuel lines to see where the fuel filter is located on your generator. The quick-release clamps make changing the fuel filter fast and easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A carburetor is made up of 5 main parts that can be prone to failure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In my experience, it is dirt that often blocks up parts of the carburetor. When this happens the generator will be hard to start and the carburetor will need to be overhauled or replaced. Here is a list of all Briggs and Stratton carburetors<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dirt can come from either the fuel or the air filter. Make sure to find out where the blockage is coming from otherwise you will have the same faulty carburetor in the future. Often it is an air leak, faulty air filter, or damaged fuel filter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be sure to clean or replace the fuel filter if you find any dirt in your fuel. Old metal fuel cans tend to deposit rust and paint chips into the fuel. Plastic fuel cans are the best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Earth fault, stop button, short circuit, overload, and wet electronics are all reasons that could cause your generator to not start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I spent 1\/2 hour trying to start a generator one day just to find out that someone had pressed the emergency stop button. Be sure to check all the basics first. Spark plug lead, e-stop button, run position, choke, oil level switch, and fuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A choke is used for easy starting on electrical generators. Just like on lawnmowers a choke is used to allow extra fuel\/air into the engine where it is mixed at a high ratio for a quick start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The choke must be closed for the correct operation of the generator motor. Check the choke cable to see if the choke is being operated smoothly and if the cable has not come off the choke arm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The choke will pull more fuel into the piston area for easy starting. Using starter fluid is another option to help get the generator started, but you must have the choke valve open to spray it in. If you don’t have any quick start fluid you can try these starting fluid alternatives.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Any air leakage in a sealed petrol motor will make it hard to start. Often a hole in the fuel system will make it easy to detect. On the other hand, a blown gasket on the exhaust or the intake manifold carburetor will be hard to fault find.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A can of smoke is handy to see where any air leakages are occurring. Just squirt it sear a suspected leak to see if it is being drawn into the leakage or being blown away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your electrical generator has low compression it will make it hard to start and will blow a lot of smoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Low compression in the piston-cylinder can be caused by a number of reasons such as a loose spark plug, wear on the piston or rings, exhaust or intake valves not sealing, or wear on the cylinder bore walls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A loose spark plug is an easy fix whereas any wear on the piston, rings, or the bore will require an engine rebuild.<\/p>\n\n\n\n NOTICE Always have QPT (Quiet Power Technology) switch OFF (0) when starting or stopping the generator or when using DC USB ports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Disconnect all electrical loads from the generator. Use the following start instructions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Make sure the generator is outdoors on a level surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n NOTICE Failure to operate the unit on a level surface may cause the unit to shut down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Pull choke control out to close choke (NOTICE For a warm engine, be sure the choke lever is in RUN) position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Turn the engine switch to the ON green position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Grasp the pull-start recoil handle and pull slowly until slight resistance is felt. Then pull rapidly to start the engine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. Open the choke butterfly valve gradually as the engine warms up by pushing in on the choke handle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember, a small generator motor only needs 4 things to start up. Air, fuel, spark, and compression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Replace the fuel first with brand new gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Clean the air filter and leave the air filter out at this stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Remove the spark plug and replace it if necessary. You can check the spark by connecting the removed spark plug to the lead and placing it on the metal engine block. Pull the starter cord and look for a spark. If you have a spark, check the spark plug gap and adjust if necessary. Sscrew in the spark plug and torque down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Squirt some starter fluid into the air filter intake port with the choke valve open. Replace the air filter and screw on the cover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You should no be able to start the Briggs and Stratton 2200 generator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your generator has been sitting for a while and not used then do the following before trying to start it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In general, 91-98 octane pure gas begins to degrade and lose its combustibility as soon as it is exposed to the atmosphere. In a sealed container, you can expect to get between 4-6 months of shelf life. If it is stored in a generator the gas shelf life will be less due to the fuel cap having a vapor release valve. As a result of oxidation and evaporation expect to get between two to four months of shelf life of fuel used in a generator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you haven’t used the generator in over 5 months I would drain the fuel out of the generator and dispose of it. New clean fuel will make your generator easy to start and run reliably without any hunting or speeding up\/slowing down of the genset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fuel can become stale when stored over 30 days. Stale fuel causes acid and gum deposits to form in the fuel system or on essential carburetor parts. There is no need to drain gasoline from the engine if a fuel stabilizer is added according to instructions. Run the engine outdoors for 2 minutes to circulate the stabilizer throughout the fuel system before storage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If gasoline in the engine has not been treated with a fuel stabilizer, it must be drained into an approved container for long-term storage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Check out this quick video on how to use easy quick start spray to start a generator.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nClogged air filter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Low engine oil level<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Clogged fuel filter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Faulty Carburetor.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Electrical fault<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Faulty Choke<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Air leakage in fuel lines or exhaust system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Low compression<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How to start a Briggs and Stratton generator<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Briggs and Stratton 2200 generator won’t start troubleshooting tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How do you start a generator that has been sitting for a while?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How long can gas sit in the generator?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Should I drain the gas out of my generator?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n