25 k natural gas generator will not stay running with air cleaner

I've found this vid helpful:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AKKuuXUM6I

* check and clean out air filter.
* drain out old fuel from lines around on/off fuel valve.
* You may need to drain and force flush out fuel filter (I used the carborator cleaner to force out water in filter.)
* re-assemble fuel lines and clamp.
* pull out choke lever to full choke.
* Pull start cord (or start switch) several times to prime fuel line.
* Turn on switches to ready generator for start up.
* Try several times to start.
* If it won't start then spray in carborator cleaner or Generator start spay into the air intake (with air filter sponge removed. Just a short burst is needed.
* Try starting again.
* Pull at least 3 times before spraying any additional cleaner to prevent flooding.
* If generator does not even turn over then there is a spark or ignition problem. Pull the spark plug to clean and check gap. (see your specs for recommended gap.)
* try spray starting method again.
* if your still having problems (with not turning over at all) then you will have to take it to a small engine shop or contact the vendor for service. Check your warranty.
* Once the generator has started. Keep it running till smooth operation. Adjusting the choke to normal open position may take a few minutes till the engine has time to warm up. Install air filter and close up all covers. Allow for a 5 min run and check by connecting a load to the electrical out put. (plug in a saw or other heavy duty power tool) The generator should adjust to the additional load.
Aloha, ukeboy57

I would start by getting a can of carburetor cleaner and have it 'at the ready' and try the 'start, run stall, start run stall' operation again. Only THIS time, once the engine begins to stall, give it a couple of quick shots of the cleaner into the air filter to see if it stays running on the cleaner.

If it does, then it's still a fuel problem. If it doesn't, then it probably an ignition problem. I would be sort of leaning towards the ignition coil getting weak. The reason I'm saying that is your statement about it running (I'm assuming cold start) for at first, 10 minutes then it stalls. Start it again and it runs for a couple of minutes and stalls again.

This could possibly be from the coil getting warm/hot and not producing the needed spark. After a 10 minute run it simply gets too hot and stalls the engine. After the next restart, the coil is already warm from the engine and so it don't take as long for the coil to get hot and stall the engine again.

Hope this makes sense and helps you out.

Use a bottle of yellow HEET dry gas to remove any moisture problem in the fuel.

Clean / replace air filter.

Top off ATF to MAX level.

All internal combustion engines have the same requirements. They must have the correct air fuel mixture and source of ignition in order to run. Although I am unfamiliar with the system you have, the fact thst it will start without the air filter but won't with the air filter indicates that you either have a dirty air filter (you said yours was clean) or you have too much fuel entering the combustion chamber. Beyond that I would only be guessing the reason (air fuel mixture regulator, worn jet, wrong size jet, something else bocking air flow etc.)

If you have a drip leg near generator open that up for a sec and then try it again.

Gap the plug at .030 What is most likely the main problem is whatever gas sat in the carb. Even with fresh gas there will be some old gas still in the float bowl. You may be able to drain the bowl and be OK but I have a feeling that the carb will need to come off and be disassembled and cleaned properly. You can try spraying carb cleaner (I dislike starting fluid as it is too volatile and carb cleaner does just as well in this instance) into the carb/intake. Remove the air filter, open the choke, and spray the carb cleaner in through that way if possible. You can actually keep an engine running by spraying with short bursts. Even by just spraying once you should be able to get the engine to start. If it does start but then will not stay running without spraying more into the engine then it is a carb problem.

While the engine is cold, try starting it and giving a little gas while you start it. If it starts, release your foot and see if it keeps running. If it stalls out, start it again (by giving a little gas again) and then keep your foot on the gas slightly to keep it from going to it's normal idle. Once the engine is warmed up, let off the gas and see if it stays running again. If it does then you need to clean/reaplace the IAC valve that is on the throttle body.

If you can, remove it and clean it out with carb cleaner (like B-12) and an old toothbrush. It could save you some money from having to replace it.

The engine is starting and running too lean, meaning it is not getting enough fuel for the amount of air. You need to post a photo of the fuel system from the regulator to the carburetor so we can tell you where to adjust the fuel mixture.
You may be able to adjust the choke to a richer setting and make sure it works freely. If it has a Rochester type electric choke with the black plastic cover it is easy. There are 3 screws that you loosen and turn the plastic cover in the "rich" direction. It is marked rich and lean.

If you started it for just a minute, it never got warmed up and MAYBE the spark plug fouled. Check it first.

Sometimes one forgets where to set the choke for starting. And if engine is already warm from a short run they can be hard to start if too much choke is used and it floods... Again, when you check the plug, if it is wet this MAY be the problem.

To check fuel getting to the engine I have used an UNLIT propane torch into the carb to give an engine a mixture that it can run on without flooding. You usually have to remove the air cleaner to do this. That is a trick I have used for "cranky" engines.

Since you stired up the gas, the fuel filter may have got plugged.

i have the same problem. i took out the air filter and sprayed tb into it and it ran and died. this is the only way to get it to fire up.

i took off the carb, dissasembled it and blasted it out with tb cleaner, took out the jets too, put it all back and it still does the same thing. it is getting fuel but it won't run.

need a profesional answer on this one please.

thanks, tom.