UST generator won't run just backfires.ran for about 5 hours till it ran out of gas.refilled and would not restart just back fires

SOURCE: 5500 gas generator

I had the same problem. My problem was the oil sensor. Unplug the oil sensor wite and see if it starts. If it does the order a new one, they are about 12 bucks

SOURCE: Backfire Tecumseh Generator

To maybe convert your Flamethrower back to a generator, Make sure the fuel line is a good quality thick rubber material (like OEM )since it passes through the engine,HEAT is a issue, if it has been modified to steel, or it's thin rubber, it will overheat the fuel on its way to the carb and cause backfires after the engine warms up , ( vaporizing gas and pressure bypassing the jets flooding the engine) I use 1/4 inch Goodyear sold at Autozone , one of very few name brand quality parts you can get there. The other possible cause is carbon deposits built up on the leading edge of the valve not allowing the valve to close all the way, just clean the valve, it is caused by too lean or rich carb setting or clogged jets, if it is a newer style carb with a pink main jet then debris in this area will always cause backfire, check and make sure the old tiny O-ring on this jet is not still in the bottom of the shaft, people forget to pull them out all the time or give up trying to pull them out, I use a paper clip and bend the end 1/8 of a inch @ 90 degrees to fish hook it out of there, CLEAN THE SHAFT with carb cleaner and a Q-tip.... A Tecumseh engine will always backfire if the carb or airflow is not perfect and sealed tight !!!!!! it looks simple to rebuild the carb but you must take your time and look close, clean it very well, make sure the jet is SEATED properly and all tiny holes are clean, use guitar string not torch head cleaners as they will enlarge the holes and make your carb run rich.

SOURCE: Porter-Cable generator won't power anything; engine runs, low rpm

You have a simple problem and it has nothing to do with the octane, honda's love better gas, thats all I use in all my equipment and even my 4000 psi pressure washer runs better and cooler with higher more efficient octane, Your problem is in the carb, clean and service it, make sure the air breather is clean (soap and water only if it is a foam unit and do not spray it with any oil) then check for water in the gas by draining the tank into a large clear glass container 1/2 gal at a time. and after all this is done and needs to be done anyway, change the spark plug run the unit and make sure the throttle up solenoid is adjusted properly or even working if this unit is equipped with one. good luck

SOURCE: my 32cc craftsman weed eater was running fine.when

check for trash in the carb somtimes when you run then out of gas small peices of dirt or on older motors residue builds up in gas tank and it gets sucked into the carb there should be a screen that you can clean

William Robinson

• 144 Answers
• Posted on May 26, 2010

SOURCE: troy bilt 5550 generator no start please help

fuel, fire, mechanical. Miss one and she won;t run. Are you sure the gas was good? Not some old can laying around that may have turned or become water contaminated? If it was fresh gas, then take off the air cleaner and spray a little wd-40, or ether, or brake cleaner whatever is flammable into the carb throat. Just a 1 second shot is all it should need. Try and start with that. If it starts and then dies quickly, still a fuel problem. maybe a gasket is damaged, or the jet is clogged. When you said you checked for fire, you acutally took the plug out and had it grounded while spinning the motor and saw spark? If you saw a hot spark then you have eliminated fire. Mechanical not likely if it was running well a short time before. If a valve was damaged, it would still run but not too well. My gut feeling is it is related to fuel.

Testimonial: "thanks for the great help i did try fresh fuel and drained the carb bowl but still same prob its a head scratcher i really thank you for your input."