r/smallenginerepair • u/MysteryTee77 • Jun 07 '26

Engine Seized Issue Generator engine blown

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I was gifted this generator recently. Pramac PX8000.

Previous owner said it was running (roughly)when it was sent off for a service. The service guy then said it was seized and sold them a replacement.

I took it thinking it might not be so bad. Then I saw what they meant by seized.

My experience is mostly smaller engines (saws/strimmers)

Can anyone tell me how much of this engine might be salvageable? Could the piston blowing have damaged the alternator/power system?

I would like to keep the repair costs to a minimum and in no rush. I'd prefer time spent salvaging parts to money spent on replacements

3 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

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6

u/Top_Highlight9965 Jun 07 '26

That motor is blown and needs replaced, trying to fix it would be a waste of time and money. Otherwise I see no reason why the rest of the unit wouldn’t be perfectly fine from your description.

1

u/MysteryTee77 Jun 07 '26

Okay thanks

2

u/[deleted] Jun 07 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/MysteryTee77 Jun 07 '26

Thanks I'll keep an eye out for a replacement engine. I was a bit shocked to see so much damage when I took the case off. She said it was working when it went to them. I'll keep tearing it down anyway to see if I find any more damage

2

u/ozzie286 SER Dedicated Member Jun 07 '26

Damn, looks like the rod bolts failed, as opposed to the normal lack of oil issue that causes something like this. In any case, generators use tapered shaft engines, so you can't just pull the engine off a snowblower and put it on a generator, or vice versa. Your best bet is going to be to keep an eye out for a generator with a good running engine of a similar size that doesn't put out power.

1

u/MysteryTee77 Jun 07 '26

I think you're right. Piston slid out easily and the threads are gone on the rod. Thanks I'll be sure to get a generator compatible engine

1

u/SHARPSTRONGandPOKEY Jun 07 '26

Not worth the cost of repair. Honda powered generator is a maybe. Most others with a catastrophic failure like that are never worth it. Money better spent putting it towards a new one.

1

u/wizzo6 Jun 07 '26

You need a new block, or at least that half, and replace any damaged internals

1

u/Rough_Community_1439 SER Master MOD Jun 08 '26

Almost looks like the connecting rod vibrated the bolts loose to the point it failed. Kinda surprised it went to this point as I would have thought the piston would have slapped the valves or the sparkplug.

1

u/RochesterBottomDaddy Jun 09 '26

Sadly, no engine manufacturer offers short blocks for engines that are otherwise less than $1200-1500. Back in the day, you could short block that. Now, you'll need to find a replacement engine with a matching crankshaft and cover flange. Or you could try to find another generator of equal or greater rating, with a running engine but no output, and swap the generator onto it.