I got a portable generator for emergency blackouts . . . (Fairfax: rental, shops)

[CapnTrips]

But it's not working -- may be filled with old gas. Does anyone know who will service a portable generator? A few places I called will only come out for the permanent standby units.

[Old Guard]

Would you not instead take a portable generator to someone to repair instead of having someone come to fix it?

[lee_in_beechtree]

Originally Posted by CapnTrips

But it's not working -- may be filled with old gas.

Yup, old gas will gum up the jets. The generator should have come with instructions on how to winterize it by draining the old gas or using a product like Sta-Bil.

Does anyone know who will service a portable generator? A few places I called will only come out for the permanent standby units.

I believe you will have to take it to a repair shop, and I would suggest a business that works on lawnmowers since they specialize in the servicing of small engines.

[tgbwc]

Are these some that you called?

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Mobile Small Engine Repair | Chucks Small Engine Repair Fairfax ,VA

[CapnTrips]

Originally Posted by Old Guard

Would you not instead take a portable generator to someone to repair instead of having someone come to fix it?

Trying to avoid that, since its pretty heavy and I don't have a truck.

[CapnTrips]

Originally Posted by lee_in_beechtree

Yup, old gas will gum up the jets. The generator should have come with instructions on how to winterize it by draining the old gas or using a product like Sta-Bil.

I believe you will have to take it to a repair shop, and I would suggest a business that works on lawnmowers since they specialize in the servicing of small engines.

I did use Sta-Bil on the gas, so its possible its something else.
A lawnmower repair or similar business is a good idea, I'd just need to figure out a way to get it there.

[CapnTrips]

Originally Posted by tgbwc

Are these some that you called?

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Mobile Small Engine Repair | Chucks Small Engine Repair Fairfax ,VA

Nope, and these are just what I was looking for. I will give them a call. Thanks!

[rute boye]

Before you go to the repair shop, I'd suggest the following quick and easy steps:

- Check to make sure the fuel shutoff valve is turned to "on". I've made this simple mistake more than once!
- Check the oil level. Most generators have an automatic shutoff if the oil level gets too low. Those air-cooled engines go thru oil quicker than you'd think. If low, top off the tank and try starting.
- Clean/replace the air filter. A dirty air filter will starve the engine and it won't start. If it looks even a little dirty, replace it and try starting.
- Clean the carburetor with carb cleaner. As long as you've got the air filter off, give the carb a few squirts and let dry. If you do get the engine running, follow instructions on the can to complete the cleaning.

Those are all quick and easy steps that might be worth exploring before taking the generator to a small-engine repair shop. Let us know how it turns out!

[boyd888]

You probably just need to clean the carburetor out and put in new gas. Search youtube for whatever model you have - it shouldn't take more than an hour. Certainly easier than dragging it to a repair shop to pay someone $200 to spend ten minutes cleaning it out.

[Hemlock140]

It's actually fairly easy to remove the carburetor, and clean it with Gumout spray from the auto parts store. I bet you can find a youtube video on it. Most lawnmower shops will repair any small gas engine, but so do may rental places that rent generators. Sometimes just removing the spark plug, putting a little gas in the hole and replacing it will be enough to get it going when the vacuum
pulls the fresh gas through.