Craftsman generator, several years old, used less than 100 hrs. Oil level full, generator on level cement floor, new gasoline, plug cleaned, set at .30 and is firing,chkd. spark arrester OK, filter never got dirty but blew it out anyway,ignition on, gas on pulled rope dozens of time, choke, full, half, and none,pulled rope dozens of time, choke, full, half, and none, run, but the *#@!xv#@! won't start. For past several years machine has started on first, no later than second pull. Please help, We live in Florida, and there's a hurricane in Florida.

Pour a little raw fuel into carb intake. try to start. if engine runs for a few seconds and quits the problem is more than likely a clogged carb. go to auto store and get a gallon can of carb clreaner and dissassemble carb and lower into bucket and let soak over nite. you'll want to get a carb kit to replace any gaskets that may get messed up during tear down. when you go back together make sure to wash any residue of cleaner out of carb and use a small nozzel air blower on air hose to blow out ALL passages any needle valves have to screw into. take a can of carb cleaner and with the small straw place over hole and squirt into hole. make sure cleaner come out some where in carb body. that way you know all the passages are open. reassemble and crank her up.also invest in a compression guage. remove pllug and screw gauge into plug hole. pull sharply at least 5 times and see what the reading on the guage is. should be at least 70 or better. if rings and valves in good condition don't be surprised at a reading of 120 or better.

Sounds like the carburator has got dirt in it, or it needs to be replaced. Take it to a service shop that can replace the carburator or do it yourself.

Could be a leaky valve,

test it by unscrewing the plug, then cover with your finger the hole and pull, see if there is big pressure coming out of the hole.

if there is a little pressure, try pouring engine oil about half a pint, in the hole where you remove the plugs, then slowly pull the rope as if you're gonna start it. the oil would come out of the hole. you want to oil the intake and dischrge valves to seal it to the head.

i did that to an old generator of mine who have not been used for 3 months.

who knows, it might work...

tnx 4 using fixya..

drcool