@@small_engine_repair just scooped up one of these exact generators for real cheap off MP.... aaaaaand found out that it had a bent valve and needs a new complete valve head haha. Not bad for only 100$ replacement head though. hopefully thatll get me back in action on it and be able to use it.
@@DenalisGarage 1) what could they have done to bend a valve on this thing (beside adjusting the clearance waaay to tight) and 2) Were the replacement valves hard to find ? and 3) did you have to retime the engine after changing the valves ?
@@SILVERK5 so i got a replacement valve head on v power website for $100+ shipping and gaskets. It just got here the other day so I’ll be putting it on tomorrow probably. Won’t have to retime because i can just rotate the piston to TDC level with the top of the head and tighten everything down there, but will just have to double check head bolt torques and valve clearance. No clue what caused it though, the common thing with these cheaper motors is valve float, from the engine running too high rpm for too long and the valves can’t keep up with it and eventually impact it on one of the strokes. Then the next boom another bend if it makes another rotation, and that’s if you don’t bend the connecting rod or anything too. Happens a lot on predator motors when people take the governor off and just run wot
@@SILVERK5 OK so... turns out the Champion Top end for the 439cc... the top right triangluar port in the head is slightly differently shaped than the Firman one... however the gaskets and holes mostly lined up, basically everything but that top right port lined up perfectly. I was able to get the motor to turn over and fire and run with the new valve head on there even though that one port wasnt perfectly lined up. Now im just troubleshooting why the fuel valve isnt functioning properly, the motor starts on starting fluid, but dies immediately. There is gas in the bowl, but I suspect that fuel selector knob is not properly opening the fuel valve on the gas side or the fuel lines/valve are a little gummed. I also suspect that Low Oil, and this gummed up fuel line issue may have caused the valve damage. Oil level was at L but not kicking the cutoff solenoid into action, and that, combined with the fuel lines not delivering enough fuel, may have made it run lean/hot and also looked like the pushrod had worn through the plastic guide in the head and then slipped out from the rocker.
Quick question, can we put oil in there (yellow knob) instead of top, when we change oil. I did it in my snowblower and now its smoking white smoke and reviving up like crazy.
Great information; is it possible that having not set up until three years after purchasing that the battery could have died? and would using a jump starter restore it?
I have the same exact generator that will start up and run great for the first 3-5 minutes. Then it will just die on its own. It will crank right back up and run great for the exact same amount of time and then die again. This is all with a load on it as well. I change the load amount to a lighter load and it does the same exact thing. What could this be??
Try it with the gas cap off. If it is not venting correctly that could cause problems. Also check your oil level. If it is low the oil switch could be turning it off.
If you oil an airfilter your going to draw a lot more fuel and create a running problem. Your k&n air filter oil is meant for a k&n on an engine that has been properly jetted to accommodate for the extra air flow resistance. The resistance will cause more fuel to be drawn through the carb changing the air fuel ratio and making the unit run mor rich dirtying the plugs and making the engine smoke. It will have a much less noticeable effect on fuel injection units and while you're running LPG.
Probably needs valve adjustment. Firman suggest valve adjustment every 250 hrs. Being a commercial generator, this should have been done while in the shopl.
I did check the valves off camera. Should have included it in this video. They were in spec. Next step would have been to pull the engine and check the ring gap. Customer decided against that because of the cost.
If there is too much oil , it could be gas running through the carb. into the cylinder passed the rings in storage . This happens when people do not use the fuel shut off .
Great video about gas generator troubleshooting. Are you up for a collaboration? We are looking for youtubers to work with to make more helpful video about small engine repair and maintenance.
I did check the valves after I ended the video. They were in spec. Another option would have been to pull the engine and inspect the ring gap. After talking to the customer they decided not to go that route because of the cost.
Junk firman generators mine only had 20 hours and doesn’t work went out and bought a cumins generator works so far and it’s a 4500 and it’s a lot. Quieter
![Diagnosing Firman Costco/ Amazon Generator That Won't Start [3 Possibilities]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/7UPyecl-zDM/mqdefault.jpg)
![Diagnosing Firman Costco/ Amazon Generator That Won't Start [3 Possibilities]](/img/tr.png)
heyyy fellow colorado small engine repair buddy!
Hello
@@small_engine_repair just scooped up one of these exact generators for real cheap off MP.... aaaaaand found out that it had a bent valve and needs a new complete valve head haha. Not bad for only 100$ replacement head though. hopefully thatll get me back in action on it and be able to use it.
@@DenalisGarage 1) what could they have done to bend a valve on this thing (beside adjusting the clearance waaay to tight) and 2) Were the replacement valves hard to find ? and 3) did you have to retime the engine after changing the valves ?
@@SILVERK5 so i got a replacement valve head on v power website for $100+ shipping and gaskets. It just got here the other day so I’ll be putting it on tomorrow probably. Won’t have to retime because i can just rotate the piston to TDC level with the top of the head and tighten everything down there, but will just have to double check head bolt torques and valve clearance.
No clue what caused it though, the common thing with these cheaper motors is valve float, from the engine running too high rpm for too long and the valves can’t keep up with it and eventually impact it on one of the strokes. Then the next boom another bend if it makes another rotation, and that’s if you don’t bend the connecting rod or anything too.
Happens a lot on predator motors when people take the governor off and just run wot
@@SILVERK5 OK so... turns out the Champion Top end for the 439cc... the top right triangluar port in the head is slightly differently shaped than the Firman one... however the gaskets and holes mostly lined up, basically everything but that top right port lined up perfectly. I was able to get the motor to turn over and fire and run with the new valve head on there even though that one port wasnt perfectly lined up.
Now im just troubleshooting why the fuel valve isnt functioning properly, the motor starts on starting fluid, but dies immediately. There is gas in the bowl, but I suspect that fuel selector knob is not properly opening the fuel valve on the gas side or the fuel lines/valve are a little gummed. I also suspect that Low Oil, and this gummed up fuel line issue may have caused the valve damage. Oil level was at L but not kicking the cutoff solenoid into action, and that, combined with the fuel lines not delivering enough fuel, may have made it run lean/hot and also looked like the pushrod had worn through the plastic guide in the head and then slipped out from the rocker.
Quick question, can we put oil in there (yellow knob) instead of top, when we change oil. I did it in my snowblower and now its smoking white smoke and reviving up like crazy.
Aamir, some engines do have multiple inlets that you can add oil. Not knowing what you are working on, I am not sure why you have white smoke.
Great information; is it possible that having not set up until three years after purchasing that the battery could have died? and would using a jump starter restore it?
Yes. It may take a charge. Put it on a trickle charger.
Great video!...are you thinking to stream on twitch sometime?
Hey Beef Jerkey I have thought about it. I definitely think people would watch.
I have the same one. The switch for gas will not switch to gas. Why??
Its been a while since I worked on this but I think you need to slide something for it to move.
I have the same exact generator that will start up and run great for the first 3-5 minutes. Then it will just die on its own. It will crank right back up and run great for the exact same amount of time and then die again. This is all with a load on it as well. I change the load amount to a lighter load and it does the same exact thing. What could this be??
Try it with the gas cap off. If it is not venting correctly that could cause problems. Also check your oil level. If it is low the oil switch could be turning it off.
If you oil an airfilter your going to draw a lot more fuel and create a running problem. Your k&n air filter oil is meant for a k&n on an engine that has been properly jetted to accommodate for the extra air flow resistance. The resistance will cause more fuel to be drawn through the carb changing the air fuel ratio and making the unit run mor rich dirtying the plugs and making the engine smoke.
It will have a much less noticeable effect on fuel injection units and while you're running LPG.
I did not think of that. Thank you for the information.
For what its worth, Firman themselves recommend wetting the air filter down with clean engine oil
Output voltage should be checked to verify proper running RPM , sometimes people play with settings .
Chris how would they play with the settings?
@@small_engine_repair Moving the potion of the spring , some have a screw adjustment .I guess you did not know this .
👍⭐️
Thanks Alfredo.
Probably needs valve adjustment. Firman suggest valve adjustment every 250 hrs. Being a commercial generator, this should have been done while in the shopl.
I did check the valves off camera. Should have included it in this video. They were in spec. Next step would have been to pull the engine and check the ring gap. Customer decided against that because of the cost.
If there is too much oil , it could be gas running through the carb. into the cylinder passed the rings in storage . This happens when people do not use the fuel shut off .
No gas in the oil on this one.
Great video about gas generator troubleshooting. Are you up for a collaboration? We are looking for youtubers to work with to make more helpful video about small engine repair and maintenance.
Details?
Bro give up at the end💀
I did check the valves after I ended the video. They were in spec. Another option would have been to pull the engine and inspect the ring gap. After talking to the customer they decided not to go that route because of the cost.
Junk firman generators mine only had 20 hours and doesn’t work went out and bought a cumins generator works so far and it’s a 4500 and it’s a lot. Quieter
Yeah I am not a fan of firman either but some people like them.