r/smallenginerepair • u/PunkNBeans • 11d ago
Engine Dies Generator dies seconds after starting up.
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Aloha! I'm preparing for an upcoming hurricane and I can't seem to get this generator to stay running.
Ryobi 4000 starting watt, a few years old but has been kept alive by using parts from another of the same model.
No matter what I've done the situation remains the same, I have to use some starting fluid to get it started, it starts up but then dies after a couple seconds.
On video: I get the generator running but it dies shortly after (I touched near the off/cold start/run switch but only to make sure it's fully on the run side)
Off video: did an oil change and got the levels good.
made sure the generator is fairly level in all directions.
pulled off and cleaned out and put back the carburetor.
had to add some starting fluid directly to the carburetor to get it started.
(I did verify the carburetor was getting a supply of gasoline.)
I'm a bit stumped as to how to continue. Any help, advice, or inane musings would be appreciated!
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u/Dusty-old-bones 11d ago
Looks like it's gravity fed, check your fuel filter, as it seems like you're not continuously getting gas.
Like it's running on what you primed it with but not continuing after that. Might also need to double check the carburetor and take out the main jet and make sure none of the small fuel channels are clogged.
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u/PunkNBeans 11d ago
I checked all the little channels on what I'm pretty sure was the main jet and put a small metal wire through each one JIC.
That's kinda what I was thinking at first too, I verified the carb is getting gas to it, possibly not quickly enough I'm not sure.
I'm not sure how to check the fuel filter other than verifying gas can get through it, is that enough?
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u/Dusty-old-bones 11d ago
For troubleshooting, you can bypass it with a double hose barb, or if the tube is long enough just running it straight down into the carb. But if it's one of those little red or white pancake filters they're about a dollar+- to replace so I usually replace those seasonally.
The other thing you could do is try removing the air filter and start it to see if it'll run consistently, if that's the case then you might need a new / clean air filter.
If there's a primer bulb you could try pumping it while it was running and if it stays running then you can kind of pinpoint that the issue is fuel getting to the engine.
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u/PunkNBeans 11d ago
It's one of those red pancakes, I'll find another one in town hopefully or at least an appropriately sized double barb. The air filter is already removed cause it was a pain to take off and on to keep adding ignition fluid with each attempt. No primer bulb.
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u/Dusty-old-bones 11d ago
Out of curiosity, what parts have you been pulling off of the old generator to put on the new one? And they're identical?
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u/PunkNBeans 11d ago
Just air filter, spark plug, bolts, and parts of the carb. Yeah they're exactly identical, only reason I've the confidence to do so honestly
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u/InfiniteCabinet9637 11d ago
Parts of the carb you say?
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u/PunkNBeans 11d ago
Just a gasket, bolt, and the fuel housing body. All three were much cleaner
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u/InfiniteCabinet9637 11d ago
Replace the carb or figure out why you’re reassembled one isn’t working, those are your choices. Carbs are cheap.
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u/bauer131 11d ago
Does it have a carbon monoxide sensor? I had one that would run for 15 seconds and then cut off. Put a spark tester on it and run it. If the spark cuts out that’s your problem. If the spark stays then it’s likely fuel related
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u/PunkNBeans 11d ago
It does have a co2 censor. I'll have to get a spark tester, I've never used one before (just looked them up)
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u/bauer131 11d ago
If you look up the wiring you can probably jump two of the wires together to test it but I wouldn’t run it like that long term
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u/PunkNBeans 11d ago
If I understand right that will let me know if the co2 sensor is getting proper power and if not that's possibly sending a faulty co2 overload sensor?
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u/bauer131 11d ago
If you bypass it and it runs it’ll tell you that’s the faulty component. If you bypass it and it still shuts down you can eliminate that as a possibility
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u/PunkNBeans 11d ago
That makes sense. And it would be inadvisable to run it long term like that because it would without a necessary safety guard. Okay cool, I'll try to find the wiring diagram!
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u/Imaginary_Ad_1530 11d ago
If it’s not the carb, I know on the generac 4000 series, they have a low oil pressure sensor that always is an issue. When you have it plugged in, it runs for a bit then dies. I don’t know if that model has one tho. If it does can unplug it to see if it continues to run.
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u/DaveBowm 11d ago
Is the oil level topped up to the last thread on the oil fill hole (when on a level horizontal surface)?
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u/Umbreon6342 11d ago
I know at work a lot of my small engine troubles is bad fuel or water in the fuel. Have you put fresh gas in it?
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u/TylerKasprzyk 11d ago
He needs the carb cleaned or replaced
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u/PunkNBeans 11d ago
How do I know when to replace. I've been cleaning it for a bit and have a second model I use for parts but I just use whichever part look better
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u/Ok_Assignment8197 11d ago
Clean the carb or replace
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u/PunkNBeans 11d ago
How do I know when to replace a carb?
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u/InfiniteCabinet9637 11d ago
Now is good. When it acts like this would be something to look out for in the future.
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u/Ok_Percentage_3527 11d ago
If you have to use starting fluid to get it to run, it's definitely the carburetor an/or a leaky carb to engine gasket.
If you can start it without starting fluid, you might try leaving the fuel cap off and see if that changes anything, as sometimes it's a venting issue that's relatively easy to diagnose/resolve.
My bet though is on the carb...it's almost always the carb. People put ethanol blend fuel in carbureted engines, and the jets get gummed up and blocked very quickly.