I have a maxa 5000 er(model# pm0525202) with a tecumseh 10hp. bought it new 11 years ago. i have been running it for 3 hours at a time 3 times a day for 3 days with no issues. the last morning, it started to sputter, rev up and down wildly, and almost stall after an hour of use. it now does that every 10 minutes or so and then occasionally stalls completely. it has fresh gas. i tried changing the fuel filter, spark plug and oil, but it still won't run properly. tonight, i completely disassembled the carb and cleaned it out thoroughly. that did not solve the problem. the generator has very few hours on it as it is only used as a back up. i start it and let it run about 20 minutes in the spring and fall. this week is the first time i have actually needed it.

Hi,

Please check for spark fuel. Please double check that the generator isn't in extremely cold temperature when you're running it. After making these adjustments, please attempt to run your generator again.

I would also be careful and use a volatile air detector to make sure that if the generator works that it's not given off toxic fumes around it.

Thank you.

Nancy, If you think this is the problem, simply unplug it. See links below.
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The carburetor may need to be serviced. You need to find a parts shop that handles Tecumseh parts. You will most likely need a rebuild kit for the carburetor. The carburetor part number is 640303. The rebuild kit is 632809. The Tecumseh engine company shut its' doors 3 years ago. Finding parts is becoming harder and harder. I've heard that someone has bought Tecumseh over the winter but it is unknown when the new parts will hit the market. Best of luck to you.

If this is the model I am thinking of, there are 3 outlets. One 240V (L1, L2, Neutral and Earth ground. Some models use a 3 terminal receptacle that combines Neutral and earth.), one 120V receptacle (L1, Neut, earth) and another 120V receptacle (L2, Neut, earth).

If you verified fuse and circuit breakers are good, turn on the generator and verify you get 120V on each of the two outlets. Measuring between the narrow blades of the two 120V outlets should be 240V.
***Shut off the generator.
With a test light or ohmmeter, check continuity from the earth terminal of 120V outlets to 240V outlet. Likewise for neutral (wider blade on 120V outlet). Lastly, check continuity from Narrow blade of each outlet to the 240V outlet.

I suspect that you miswired neutral and earth. On a 4 wire PLUG, it is customary to connect earth and neutral.

Work safely so you can give feedback.

First make sure you have fresh gas in the tank, as old gas can cause a 'no run' condition. Once you have fresh gas in the tank, make sure the gas flows freely all the way to the carb by removing the fuel hose from the carb inlet & checking for good flow (bad shut-off valve or obstructed hose by debris could cause same problem). Once you are sure that good, fresh gas is going into the carb w/o obstruction, remove the lower bowl from the carb - carefully - do not lose ANY parts, starting with the washer on the bolt. With fuel flow 'ON', fuel should flow freely when this bowl is removed, so shut off fuel valve in the hose. Now, if you carefully remove the bolt / brass tube from the center of this bowl area (center of plastic float) - remove bolt downward, like you would a lightbulb from the ceiling - this bolt should have several holes in the side, they are probably clogged, so unclog them with a needle or wire, wipe clean, and reinstall. That probably just solved all your problem.... if not, you likely will want to replace the carb completely, as it is not very expensive, and will surely solve your problem. *** Be careful with gas fumes !!! ***

Make an Umbilical recepticle adapter. Buy the recepticle install the recepticle in a 4" electrical BOX on a plate with two manufactured 3 prong power cords plugging into the 2 outlets and terminating at the new Box twist lock recepticle you made.

Check the fuel filter. My company designed hybrid generators that are far more efficient. They use batteries to power your equipment, and the generator runs intermittantly to recharge the batteries when needed.

If you would like to convert to hybrid, contact me at [email protected]

http://www.powermate.com/productmanuals.php?cat_id=3

Try this link.

Sounds like the timing may be off or maybethe exhaust valve maybe hanging open.