Johnathan, appreciate your video so much! I'm in Montana, and my predator 3500 has been running just crappy. After watching your video a couple times, I purchased a jet assortment with a 75 jet in it. Just put that in, the original factory install was a 77. I'd previously changed the spark plug, no change, it would still chug and oscillate rpms. The new 75 jet did the trick, and it's running like a dream! Thank you. Hope to see more videos soon.
Thank you for the video on carburetor cleaning video. With your video and others I have my Predator 3500 running after over 3 years in the shed after our Hurricane here in Louisiana. Thank you again. You saved me plenty of money!
The plastic screw on the side of the carb is a idle screw, not a throttle stop. You tighten it all the way and then loosen it slowly until the idle doesnt change. If this screw is in too far, the idle won't come down in eco mode.
I bought a predator 3500 last year right as covid hit. The first one I bought didn't run at all straight out of the box. I took it back to Harbor Freight the next day and they exchanged it for a second one that was actually damaged from shipping somehow, so I returned that one two days later for another one which was fine out of the box, I broke it in over the 25 hour period. After the 25 hours, I did as everyone suggests and I changed the spark plug to ngk. However when taking out the spark plug pieces of the block were attached to the spark plug itself. Aluminum was embedded into the threads so I couldn't put another spark plug in. So I took that one back and got a fourth one. I broke the fourth one in, and let it run additionally for another 50 or 60 hours here and there. It had a total of a hundred or so hours on it before it completely stopped working. These predators are not made by Harbor Freight, they're made by a company that brands them out to 11 different stores. It's represented by 11 to 14 different labels. For example you can find it at Northern Tool under the name Powerhouse. These generators seem awesome on the surface, but they are not reliable and they break down very easily. I got mine to work again but I shouldn't have had to fix it so soon after buying it and after having run it so little. Not reliable, especially since you're buying these most of the time for emergency purposes.
It should also be mentioned that Harbor Freight tried to blame me all four times for a subpar product. It was ridiculous how I was treated, like some criminal. Though they ended up switching it out three times because they had no choice to do so because I had the proof against them, it says a lot about a company who won't take responsibility for their poor customer service or subpar products.
That really stinks that you had all of those issues. I love all generators but if I was to keep one it would be a Honda. look around your area within the year and eventually you will find a Honda Eu3000Is for sorta cheap. All the Hondas shown in this channel were successfully resurrected with a carb cleaning and some tlc.
Sorry for your bad experience. Mine ran 12 hours straight powering house essentials during the -2 degree temps of the Texas snow apocalypse in February. I was seriously impressed. Bought mine used for only $250!!
This video helped me replace the carburetor in my unit. I may try to clean up the old one someday, especially if the new one has the same issue down the line.
I just watched several videos and saw the fuel coming from the tank is clogged below the tank in the hose outlet. Take it off and clean it, remove the gas and fill it with clean gas and you will resolve the problem. Thanks for the video.
Thank you sir, this helped me out tremendously. I was struggling to get mine started and changed out the ignition coil due to no spark. Then still wouldn’t start only to find those jets plugged up pretty bad. Cleaned them and she started right up. Hoping to come across how to adjust the valves on it though just to make sure it is good.
Same thing happened to me. If it doesn’t start up on first few pulls, just turn from start to run and try. If not, Then leave it for awhile and come back. It’ll start and then after you run it for 20 min. Start the next day and it’ll run smoother
My dad is in Florida right now and his predator won’t run. Fires with starter fluid but won’t keep running. I guess his carb is probably clogged. Thanks for the video - I’m sending a friend to my dads to hopefully fix it using this video
My generator wasnt running at all. I did all that you teach us here and now the generator runs perfectly in Choke position but when I turned the dial to Run position the generator turn off. I don’t know what could cause this malfunction.
Great video..thanks BUT you shouldn't pull the cord all the way to the end ..use short pulls or you'll either break the cord or the rewinder ...my 2 cents
Some tips on this generator.... Congrats on the great price.. I have two, they are my babies. I use them for a small mobile feeding trailer for the homeless.. They have served me well... I always use an empty gas can to open the screw on the bottom of the carb and drain the gas when its going to not be in use for any more than say six days. Then once no more gas is coming out I give it a few more attempts to start to make sure there is zero residual fuel....these things will gum up fast. That being said I eventually want to install a manual shutoff between the fuel tank and the carb, one that looks good but wont require me to take the cover off to shut it off. Right now when you turn the generator to the off position, it does NOT shut off fuel to the carb, leaving the carb with fuel sitting in it. Also you are absolutely correct about flooding it. I have learned that when I take mine out of storage and it has not run in a while, after two or three pulls without starting, turn the switch from start to run and then attempt to start, it fires right up. When you turn that knob to the start position, attempt to start it right away. Do not walk away and do anything else because it will be flooded. Also, if you shut it down and need to start it back up a few min later, if it wont start in the start position with one pull, again turn it to run and it should fire right up. Lasly, dont bother with any of the suggested mods online... remote start, etc, stay away from all of them. I have read and seen enough to know its not worth it. ESPECIALLY buying the cover with holes that replaces the oil fill cover... They market these and tell you that this generator is starved for air by design and you need this replacement cover. FALSE. this generator was designed to draw in air in certain places to cool the valve cover, inverter circuit at the front, etc. When the side panels are on. By using an aftermarket part that allows more air to be drawn in you are in effect lessening the cooling air meant to be drawn in certain places and over vital parts of the machine, thereby shortening the life. Other than that be faithful on oil changes and enjoy :) LOVE your videos
Heya, I discovered your videos and must say they are a great help to me and whoever watches them. I have also purchased one of these (Predator 3500) after hemming and hawwing. I was surprised at how quite it is. But anyway, the rope pull starter broke right at the handle. I'm not a generator mechanic but I can, from time to time, fix things with a little help from my friends. I have searched all over RU-vid to see how to fix it but there's nothing out there. Could you please make a video on how to do it? I would like to fix mine before the electric starter poops out and I'm left with a brick. I and many others would appreciate it. Thanks in advance.
Hi there, I would love to do that but I have sold the unit long ago. if i stumble upon another one i'll consider it. and the electric start should give you no issues
I have a 3500 and have had it for about 4 plus years so far. I am having a problem right now with mine. When I go to turn it off it keeps wanting to run, and like it's dying but just won't shut off. Any advice?
good video, My generator 3500 electric start won't work but no problems with the pull start , I replaced the starter, battery, spark plug and inline fuse and nothing...what do you think is the problem?
Hey Buddy, I have been enjoying your videos for awhile and have a suggestion for you to make your life a little easier and the finished product slightly better. Stop using needles and other large implements for cleaning those jets. Save you pennies, dimes and dollars and go to a place like Home Depot or Loews and buy the smallest width of stainless, twisted multi-strand cable. You only need 3 or 4 inches of it. Unravel it and you will find you have about 20 or 30 single strands of jet cleaner tools. They can be injected into one side of the jet and pulled through. If it cannot be done, you have cable which is too big. Find some smaller. I bet I’ve cleaned several hundred motorcycle carbs using this “tool” without a problem. Large needles and such can warp the hole on the jet and cause you other problems.
Hi there, thank you for following my adventures! I might have some of cable laying around, I could buy many tools to make my life easier such as and ultrasonic parts cleaner, and a spiral tip cleaner for jets but when making these tutorials I always keep in mind that most people are watching because they might need to fix their generator and most probably wouldn't have any special "tools" other than what you can find in a home garage. so I try to make it work with as easy to find tools as possible.
Go to your local music store and buy a set of the lightest gauge steel guitar strings that they have. You’ll have a lifetime supply of multiple sizes for cleaning jets for about $8.00.
Been doing small engines for about 10 years and I think I got your deal beat, lol. Bread tie! Go on your cabinet and find any loaf of bread or hot dog buns or hamburger buns, take the bread tie off, clean the paper off of it, rock and roll and every port of your carburetor.
thanks for this video. im gonna clean out the carb on my 3500 soon. I have a question though. my 3500 is running rough, and esc throttle wont work. it just keeps running high when actuated and no load on it. so far I've changed the oil and spark plug but no fix. im hoping that cleaning the carb out will help with this. can you think of anything else that might affect the esc throttle from working correctly?
yes when you are there cleaning the carb make sure that the motor and throttle mechanism are quite free and do not have any resistance other than the motors. if that's a little gummed up remove the motor being careful not to let the tiny spring fly away and move the butterfly back and forth and spray some lubricant on the shaft both on top and bottom. those tiny motors do not have the strength to overcome any resistance so even a tiny bit is too much for them. if that's all good and it still doesn't work, then the next thing i would suspect is a bad inverter board. does it make power? if it doesn't make 110v or respond to the eco throttle button then it's a bad board.
My pred 3500 has 30 hours. Was surging on idle. I cleaned carbs fully, but didnt drain gas from the tank. The 2 issues I have are: 1. When I put my hand under the air box and push up on it a little the engine idle surges up and down. 2. On the display panel where its suppossed to have a green light and also show 125V, it doest go green and stays 0. After resting and restarting it showed 53v as the output. What could it be?
Hi thank you for your video! One question : when i take out the fuel tube arrival it leak fuel. The general switch is on OFF position but still sleaking fuel. Does it mean there is a problem with the fuel valve? Thank you for your help!
Fuel additives also go bad then it gets real nasty. I suggest just running it out of fuel leaving cap off the tank for a few days to allow for all fuel to evaporate and also drain carb at bowl. then you can fuel up after 5 years and it'll fire up no prob
Can you please tell me where the longer pink drain line goes? The one that connects to the Y and then clicks into a holder on top of the carb? I got a predator 3500 in pieces and I can't figure out where that line goes. Thanks.
Hi Man! I cleaned and then I changed the carburetor, I changed the spark! But even so, my generator runs for 2 minutes and shuts down suddenly. Can you tell me what might be going on? Thank you!
We run ours almost exclusively at least 12 hours a day. We use it on our sailboat and have over 800 hours on it. Just encountered the above issue. I'm hoping that the carburetor is the issue which I'm about to address.
Hi Jonathan, I've been watching you for some time now. I really like your videos you seem to know what you're talkin about. Much of what you've done has helped me and my process. My brother brought me a non-working Predator 3500 generator to see if I could get it going. I do have it running very smoothly, it produces electricity. But it will not step up when I plug anything more than just a light. And this video you comment on the stepper motor as you disassembled it. You said it was very important did you not turn that motor when you remove it from the carburetor. Well guess what, out of curiosity I did, but that was before I seen your video. Thinking I messed it up I ordered a new one. But it does the same thing. I can take my finger and idle up the engine from underneath the stepper assembly, and it revs up the generator are my air compressor it's plugged in revs up and runs as it should. I'm at a total loss here. I don't know how to check the stepper motor or what causes it to step up when called for and was hoping you might have a suggestion. I've watched uncounted videos of yours trying to find something on the stepper this is the only video that I found that even mentions it. I know this is getting long-winded. I have a new carburetor on the motor I checked the valves new spark plug cleaned all the filters, a new ignition module. I have removed the spark arrestor for the time being. the machine runs great it just will not Step Up When called for. Do you have a video on that? Could you possibly make one the covers that? I need help please. thank you and keep up the good work
Hi David, thanks for watching my videos and reaching out for help you did well on that. to be clear your generator did not automatically rev up the engine to meet power demands and you bought a replacement stepping motor thinking that it could have gone bad and that made no difference is that correct? does the engine rev up when you manually put it on "isc throttle" (off)?
@@immortalengines1605 hey thanks for responding. You are correct. And no flipping the switch on or off does absolutely nothing, with or without a load it doesn't change
@@dvd8869 try this: without removing the carb. unplug the stepping motor and plug in the one you removed then start the generator and turn eco throttle on and off it should rotate the shaft on the stepping motor while in your hand. let me know how that goes.
@@immortalengines1605 okay I did this. And the off position it's barely trickling and trying to move. And I could feel some type of pulse, if you will, in the motor while it's in my hand. Flip the ESC throttle to the on position and it does turn full rotations and very smooth I can however stop it with my finger , but it does move. I had already checked the switch. With the switch disconnected in the off position I read continuity between the legs, nothing in the on position
Maybe I should mention this. I can turn the idle screw up and race the motor and it functions properly, it just won't do it up and down. Would it hurt to just let it idle high all the time like some generators do?
Hello, a few months ago I bought the predator 3500, and I only used it a few times and I kept it for about a month and now that I turned it on it does not remain stable, I hope you answer me what you think is the problem.
Just purchased a predator 3500 (March 2022) generator. We are going to use it for our home if we lose power. We were told not to use gas with ethanol in it. My neighbors use race car fuel in his Genetech generator. He said it will last up to a year. Is it safe to use that type of gas in the generator? Does it really last for a year?
I have never used race fuel in these generators. What I personally do is I keep the tank and carburetor empty then when I loose power I drive to a gas station that either has a backup generator or is in a different grid to buy some fresh gas then fill up the gen. 90% of the generators i get as "broken" have plugged up carb jets from the ethanol going bad in them. some people use Stabil but even that has a shelf life.
@@immortalengines1605 Not sure how to flush the carburetor. I will look that up on this website. I ran the generator until it ran out of gas. Going to change the oil this week and run it for another 8 hours and change the oil again. I will be calling Predator tech support this Monday (03/28/22) and I will ask them about the race car fuel. My neighbors said it last up util 3 years. He researched it online. Thanks for responding to my post.
@@maloney7461 at the bottom of the fuel bowl of the carb you will see a tiny hose connected to a valve with a flat ead screw. if you loosen the screw the gas in the carb will drain out prevening it from going bad in there. after you empty the carb and tank try to give it a few pulls with the choke to suck in nay residual fuel and youre done. I don't see why it's necesary to have a generator full of fuel when it can be purchased fresh at the time it's needed
@@immortalengines1605 En teoría tienes razón.Si no tienes cerca una estación de gasolina utiliza "estabilizador de gasolina".Tengo varios generadores (11) si soy fanático.El demás tiempo es Honda EX4500S,24 años,siempre con gasolina y se vacía el carburador después de cada uso.siempre prende por "starter".Mantenimiento es lo que da vida a estos equipos. Adelante con tus videos,son muy instructivos. Saludos desde Puerto Rico.
Waste of time. The video was going great but in the middle of one minute and 52 seconds you say you were going to go wash the carburetor cover I never returned to identify the hoses where it goes thanks but no thanks now my car is all screwed up because I don’t know where the hoses are going and the fuel lines are going so I’m gonna have to say you did a crappy job making this video you wasted my time but not identifying where all the hoses attache. No good bro.
