Gennie Cutting Out

[Dudders]

Hi All,

Purchased this last week: http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/clarke-1kw-inverter-generator-ig1000?da=1&PPC=GAUK&AdG=IG1000&TC=GA-IH-IG1000 and ran effortlessly at TORCH on Sunday from 8am to 4pm.

Used the Gennie tonight and ran for about 1 hours then cut out and would start for 5 minutes. Restarted and ran for 10 minutes then stalled. This continued.

Fuel ok, Oil ok and everythnig else looks 'ok'. Any sugestions guys :confused::confused::confused:

Neil

[Dazzler]

Have you remembered to open the breather vent on the fuel cap?

[Dudders]

Yes, that was set to 'open'. I might try it with out the cap on to see if that's the error. Its very odd, Gennie isnt hot either :confused:

[Dazzler]

Has it been running on level ground? Our Kipor generator is pretty sensitive to oil level, and whilst you can have sufficient oil in the generator, it does need to be level so as not to activate the low oil cut-off. Not sure if yours has this feature, but easy to eliminate.

[Dudders]

If I tilt the unit slightly the oil is there, so I know its not low anyway. Gennie is mainly on flat level ground. Think the Kipor unit and Clarke are the same. I was thinking fuel starvation / breathing?

[bigred5765]

did u set it to run instead of start

[Dudders]

Dont think there is a setting for that is there??? Just choke and economy/full...:confused:

[Dazzler]

To be honest, if you only brought it last week, I'd just check the oil level on level ground, check fuel level, ensure the tank vent is open.. Basically follow the instructions to start and run, then if it doesn't run - take it back, I wouldn't mess with it. If it was second hand, I'd be the first to take it to bits, but it's not.

The run / start Carl mentions is just the choke, which you have identified, economy on/off will just regulate the engine throttle to ensure it's not running full chat with little or no load.

[Dudders]

Had it at home today and ran it for 1 hour without trouble (charging laptop and LiPo's. Stopped for dinner al fresco and re started, the Gennie ran for about 30 mins before coughing and pluttering to a halt. Would not restart.

Took the access cover off and the Silver engine was red hot (couldnt touch it) but assume that's normal :confused:. Fuel, oil and air all fine.

Looks like a 60 mile round trip to take it back now :mad::mad::mad::mad:

[clumsysaint]

sounds like it might need a tweak on the mixture mate.....might be running a bit rich,they set them a little rich when new as a rule.....my clarke ig1000 generator runs all day but it will give a cough every now and then,(the kipors do the same).....never cuts out though.....starts first time,everytime with very little choke.....well pleased with the economy too.....runs on a tank for about 6 1/2 hours easily without running out.....more than what clarke states it will do.

let us now how you get on with it.

[Dudders]

Thanks Saint.

Is it possible to change this setting??

[clumsysaint]

yes mate....as like any other 4 stroke engine,its got a carb for air/fuel mixture but unless your clued up then id get someone with the knowledge to do it for you.

[Dudders]

I'm crap with engines :woot:

[clumsysaint]

to give yourself an idea though,take the spark plug out....it should be a nice tan colour around the tip,if its black and wet then its running to richer mixture....if its very pale then its running to lean....but as you said it spluttered then cut out then its more than likely to rich.

[Dudders]

Machine Mart techies have suggest a trial of a new spark plugs as when warm they can loose their earth :confused:... will try...

[Dudders]

Spark plug like a chimney sweeps arse....

Totally black and sooty. Off to get replacement now, been told by Clarke techies it's either the carb or a servo thing in the programme...

[Dazzler]

Are Machine Mart / Clarkes paying for the plug and your time / fuel driving round? If not, I wouldn't waste any more time looking at it, or spend any money on it, or waste any milage fetching a plug, Just take it back. You shouldn't need to be fixing the manufacturers problem on this.

Your new plug will also soot up if the mixture is wrong and nothing is done..

You could be spending money, wasting time, and achieve nothing ...

[Dudders]

Yes mate, and collecting a whole new unit. Sorry for not making that clear. Let's hope the new one is ok :confused:

[bodgit]

Just reject it as not fit for purpose and demand a replacement. You do not have to accept a repair on a new item. Once you start letting them replace things it can drag on. If you paid by credit card which you should do nowadays for your own protection then they are liable if alls not well.

[Dudders]

All done and dusted. As they agreed on the phone, new complete unit from stock. Hopefully this one will run better!. Might get some heavy duty spark plugs as I've heard they dont like running under little loads :confused:

[mark christopher]

Just reject it as not fit for purpose and demand a replacement. You do not have to accept a repair on a new item. Once you start letting them replace things it can drag on. If you paid by credit card which you should do nowadays for your own protection then they are liable if alls not well.
you read his post 19 where he is getting a new one then?

[Dudders]

So generator number 2 has died! :mad:

I think I might have found the issue though ;)

Yes, the spark plug is blacked up, but even with a clean and a new spark plug it still would not start this morning from last nights fail :thumbdown:.

Oil fine, plug new only thing was fuel level. I did notice in the side hatch that the what I think is the fuel filter didnt have any fuel around it and was dried. Put in 1 Litre of fuel to top up to FULL and it started first pull.

So I think its a fuel starvation issue. I really dont want to get another one so any solutions would be helpfull!

Neil

[The Chef]

Have you checked the breather? Is the choke stuck partially open? is there a fuel filter? I sounds like it is over fueling. I.E. running too rich to coke the plug up. Is it 100% the correct plug and is it gapped correctly?

[mark christopher]

your sure the fuel cap is set to let the tank breath?

[Dudders]

Looked at it today, wouldnt start 1st thing still :(

Before I topped up the fuel around the filter was empty. When I topped up it filled up. Looks like a starvation issue. Will run it next with the filler cap a bit loose and see what happens.

The top up of fluid pushed more fuel down the lines.

[The Chef]

Answer your phone:thumbsup:

[Dudders]

your sure the fuel cap is set to let the tank breath?


It is, but I've not tested it. Will run sunday with the cap loose and see.

Chef, good idea on the endoscope, we can see where the fuel line is.

[clumsysaint]

your having some bad luck here mate......mine starts everytime,first time and runs faultless all day running 6 chargers and sometimes more!! i even get more run time than what they claim! im easily geting 6 hours plus on a tank and it still aint empty.

[Dudders]

your having some bad luck here mate......mine starts everytime,first time and runs faultless all day running 6 chargers and sometimes more!! i even get more run time than what they claim! im easily geting 6 hours plus on a tank and it still aint empty.

Tell me about it!

Was trackside today and ran well for 2 hours with the filler cap loose.... test will be sunday.....