Electric start generator questions

TRAILRIDER · #1 02/13/14, 10:18 AM

I have a Troy Bilt XP electric start 6200 watt portable generator (9750 starting watts). I bought it used so I did not get an owners manual (WHY don't people keep owners manuals?) I know the people I bought it from and it had no hours on it at all.
I have had it for about 10 months, have never had a chance to use it. But I did change the oil when I brought it home (I found info on it - or one like it- on the internet at the time) and put gas and fuel stabilizer in it. then I routinely started the generator with the push button start once every month, so it was good to go in an emergency.
Of course, in an emergency...it would not start : /
My neighbor is looking at it for me and wants me to pick up a couple of spark plugs. I looked at the generator this AM and I don't see spark plugs or wires? Does anybody have this generator and know where I find the plugs?
I also checked the oil, but think I'll look again, I know it has an automatic shut off and won't run if the oil goes low.
It just amazes me that I was able to start and run it every other time before now.

Any help is appreciated. I have searched online and I cannot find this same generator to download a manual. Thanks.

blooba · #2 02/13/14, 10:42 AM

http://www.bestfinishcarpentry.com/t...l-6100watt.htm

TnAndy · #3 02/13/14, 10:51 AM

Engine parts and good diagrams here:

http://www.ereplacementparts.com/bri...758_24390.html

When you say it won't start, do you mean it won't even turn over ? Battery problem.

If it turns over, but won't start, most of the time its a fuel problem, not spark plugs...but definitely check the oil level. The low oil switch will not let it start either. If the oil is ok, but you suspect the low oil switch, simply remove the wire from the sending switch, and try to start. No ? You have a fuel problem.

Remove the air cleaner, and spray a SMALL shot of starting fluid (ether), and try it.
If it coughs and tries to start, or runs a few seconds, then dies, you have bad fuel, a carb problem, or something along that line.

I assume it doesn't have a fuel cutoff ? I have a Coleman that does have a fuel cutoff, hidden up under the tank. It will run about 8-10 minute just on the fuel in the carb bowl, then die if the valve isn't opened.

biggkidd · #4 02/13/14, 10:54 AM

The plug is at the top of the head. If you are facing the pull rope and air cleaner reach your hand back behind the air cleaner and you'll feel the square shaped valve cover look just above it and theres the plug wire and plug.

Larry

TRAILRIDER · #5 02/13/14, 10:55 AM

How in the world did you find that so fast???? Thank you big time!

retire2$ · #6 02/13/14, 11:05 AM

Type in troybilt xp manual. Got a list and showed free manual at manuals.com. Does your generator have a on/off switch that needs to be switched to ON for the generator to start?

TRAILRIDER · #7 02/13/14, 11:09 AM

Thank you all so much!

Gray Wolf · #8 02/13/14, 12:02 PM

Sometimes turning off the idle control helps with starting.

JoePa · #9 02/13/14, 02:18 PM

Here's what I would do - establish if its a spark or fuel problem - to do this - take the spark plug out and squirt some gas into the spark plug hole - put the spark plug back in and try to start - if it fires a couple times you know that you are getting a spark and you now have a fuel problem - you are not getting fuel into the engine - the carburator isn't passing gas - it you have a filter on the fuel line remove it and try running without it - this will tell you if your filter is plugged - if you don't have a filter then your carburator needs to be cleaned - carefully take it apart and clean it with carburator cleaner - the needle valve is probably plugged - be carefull when you take it apart so you don't lose any parts - after you do that it should run - I'm assuming the the engine turns over when you try to start it with the battery - if the engine doesn't fire after you put in the gas then you are not getting a spark - theb you need to check the coil and wires leading to the spark plug - good luck

Gray Wolf · #10 02/13/14, 06:56 PM

Choke on?

Jim-mi · #11 02/14/14, 08:16 AM

It would be wise for you to search out in your area a place that sells straight gas with out alcohol in it.
Alcohol in gasoline for seldom used equipment--like generators-- causes BIG problems in the carb's. . . . . . In very short order it gums up the carb . .NOT nice.

Straight --no alcohol-- gas with PRI-G stabilizer in it will store for a long while

gweny · #12 02/14/14, 10:15 PM

I'd check the fuel filter first....then fuel lines (especially if it is or has been below freezing). Oil and oil filter should be changed surprisingly often on generators (compared to other motors like your car or mower). If you contact the company they will send you an owners manual.

Wanda · #13 02/15/14, 07:33 AM

It is always nice to get an update. That helps for future problem solving.

MichaelK! · #14 02/15/14, 05:18 PM

I've used standard alcohol containing automotive gasoline in my generator for years now and have had NO problems at all. Honestly, I think alcohol-gas is a fantastic excuse for those people that don't perform regular maintenance on their equipment.

One suggestion I could think of is if the battery is a little weak, there may not be enough current to both crank the engine and fire the spark at the same time. If the generator is sitting for weeks to month idle, I'm sure the battery is weakened.

I have a Polaris ATV that displays this behavior. If it's sat there for a month or two and you try to electric start it, it just cranks and cranks till the battery goes dead. If you switch it to on, then pull-start it instead, it will start right up. Let the engine cool back down overnight and try to start it again electrically, and it still starts, I assume because the battery is still almost 100% charged.

Here's what I would suggest. First try slow charging the battery overnight till it's full. The next day, switch the charger to maximum, and immediately try cranking the engine while the charger is still running. If the generator starts under those conditions, you know it's a weak battery. BTW, just don't start your generator and run it for 1-2 minutes. Put load on it, at least a few hundred watts, and let it run for 10-15 minutes.

It that doesn't work, then get back to the other suggestions like checking spark and checking for fuel. Here's one more suggestion I did not see above. Carefully follow all the wiring from one end to the other and look for spots that mice have chewed through. Mice love chewing electrical wire, and I just had to repair my on-demand propane water heater because mice chewed through the spark wire. I had the consolation of knowing though that the mouse got electrocuted right on the spot and died a horrible death!