Low Hours Generac Won't Start 

Excuse me if you spotted this later in the video BUT at 1:03:24 I never saw you swap the outputs from the circuit breaker where you had one of the black wires connected to the red wire and vice versa. Don't know about the USA but we are very particular that the phase wire always goes to a specific connector in the plug and yours won't.

“Hey guys, welcome back-“ Best 4 words of every week!

It's been a banner week for my brother and I. 5 lawnmowers that we picked up super cheaper or free. $60 in parts (cheap carbs and cleanout of others.) 4 sold in one day! We have learned so much watching your videos! Thank you.

I’ve watched James remove the air box on another Generac and it seems to me that the top two studs should be removed and the bottom screws just loosened. That way, the air box can be lifted straight up. A stuck gasket may prevent this approach but reassembly would be much easier if the two top studs are not fitted until the air box is in place. The slots in the air box for the bottom two screws suggests this was the intended method of assembly.

Side note: You must have the cleanest tea ball in town.

just a fyi............those plastic ball joints on the throttle linkage are also used on RC cars so a local hobby store would have them

Thanks for showing a dual carburetor. Great work, as always. You always end your videos with, "I hope this video helped someone. Thanks for watching." I grin when I hear it because I have learned so much watching your channel.

I fine it amazing that they can sell a $2500 machine built with $10,000 worth of parts.

You say that you are not certified… You are highly Qualified!! 💯 Seen several certified that are not Qualified🤷🏼‍♂️ Nice job as always!!!!

The manufacturers almost never think about fuel filter, that's why when I bought my generator I immediately added a fuel filter myself. Great video and craftsmanship 👍🏼

"It should run...that said, it doesn't run".. laughed so loudly at that my girlfrend came in from the kitchen and asked what was so funny.

I'm a Honda man but that Generac impressed me!!!!

James I had a busy day yesterday. When I finally got some time for myself, I watched this video and enjoyed it immensely. It's such a thrill to watch you take a piece of junk and restore it to working order again.

At 42:12, the broken breaker had the two black wires on one terminal, and the two red wires on the other, and later you zip tied those pairs together. But at 53:56 you have a black/red on one terminal, and a black/red on the other? Shouldn't matter since it just means that whatever is down stream will have the phases swapped, but someone coming in behind you might wonder what's going on. Also, it looks like the generator has some little LEDs that shine on the outlets when it's running? That's a nice touch.

Mouser works hard for the small consumer. Their customer service is top notch. Re the screw terminal versus the spade, you could choose to glue/weld a threaded nut onto the spade and then convert it to a threaded connection. This would be more consistent to how the gen is now.

That carb, although probably different, reminds me of the predator carb. A v-Twin engine is a departure from the norm, so it's always a welcome change to see a different style machine.

Wow Bro. ! You really are amazing. With around $100.00. You manage to get the machine back to its original optimum running condition. The price of the faulty circuit breaker at above $200.00 must be the main reason preventing most from willing to pay to try on getting the machine just to start up. There are many more minor issues to consider too. You are able to source for the same specification of the circuit breaker at $75.00 is also a barrier you have overcome. That is indeed a great cost saving. Step by step diagnostic by your experience hands are really amazing too. I spent countless of hours watching your videos on repair and restoration of various types of machine even though I have no knowledge on the mechanic, electrical and electronic of all the machine you are handling. It is like watching a movie to me. The storyline, the plots and the exciting ending. Sometimes it felt like a horror movie when you are working on the run down machine. Keep it up! Thank you very much.

Great video James, a lot of work, a lot of headache ! but at the same time a lot of satisfaction !

Love Berrymans B12 my father introduced me to it over 60 years ago.

Great video! I really like you videoing the details. Everyone skips half the details and am lost on what to do. Thank you for making really great videos!

Thanks for doing a full size generator!

Your work with these small engines, generators is wonderfull. Enjoyed the clip and learnt something new, thanks for posting. 🐞

Fantastic result, James! Thanks for the ride.

large two cylinder GEN. My generator shipped in box. The starter cover was damaged the 220 v recepticle was damaged . all parts were repaired and works well B & S engine.... 👍

My gold standard for "it's a fuel problem" is a shot of ether/starting fluid down the carburetor throat. When it pops, it's a carb issue. Just did this for a neighbor's generator, that his FIL had messed with. Got it running, (junk blocking the main jet), but it's still surging. Dear FIL just about destroyed the main jet (rounded off 1/2 the screw slot) and did tear the carburetor gasket - once a new gasket comes in, I think the surging problem will be solved.

Great video James, very satisfying result as always

It’s a good thing you have a video to see where all those small parts go back together ! Or it would be a nightmare to put it back together !

Wow, they truly make working and removing that carborator a bit of a pain! Nicely done! Cheers

What a joy to see you in "action" ! Thank you!

Great video and repair Jim!

great job again as always

It's always a happy event when I see that you've posted a new video. 😀 I noticed that you plugged the red wire piggy-backed onto the spade connector for the black wire and the black wire piggy-backed onto the connector for the red wire. At the minimum, that will reverse active and neutral on one outlet, which will probably cause horrible issues if the generator is ever earthed. My attempt to resurrect an old generator is on hold due mainly to my own carelessness. I got some drills and on attempting to drill out the jet, I promptly broke the drill bit inside the jet, leaving it blocked and with no way of unblocking it. So, I have to wait for another new carburettor and a new set of drills before I can make another attempt at fixing the genny.

Thank you, James! It's uncanny that I always come away from your videos with a new bit of helpful info. Take care and keep 'em comin'!!

Thank you James! Another helpful video!

Another fine job!!!!!!

Keep up the good work james 🙂

That oil looked horrendous! I guess 10 years of oxidation and moisture condensing in it and the fuel did a number on it! I think i saw some water come out with the second oil too. Good thing a good mechanic like you got his hands on it!

Another awesome gen revival. Someone bought it ran it a bit and then it sat for loong time. Carb was in pretty good shape actually. Agree Generac/DR are terrible for parts pricing.

Great segment, very informative.

Hi Jim: Great job. I have been working on a Kohler lawnmower. Carb is the problem. Cleaned, carb. now working well. I love watching you. Learned much. JP

Another awesome video James! I look forward to getting up and watching your Thursday videos, it's become a good habit. Keep up the great work!

That is one mean generator!! Great fix. I bought a Vyking Force generator the other day. I've not tested it yet. It's rated at 4KVA. The engine is a 7.5hp unit. Will be interesting to see how good it is.

Nikki carbs used in Briggs v-twins do have different sized main jets. It's because the intake manifolds are different lengths to each cylinder. I don't know the specifics about the sizes, just that the differences exist in those engines.

Great vid James,all the best from Perth 🇦🇺👌👌👌👌👌

Super interesting video Sir. I learn things from all your videos👍👍👍

That IS a fine generator.

James, an excellent informative video on these generator sets. Keep up these excellent videos, regards, John

Enjoyed the video. Thanks for sharing

This has to be the most intense of all the videos I’ve seen lately by you James !

Darn good job bud..Your meticulous work pays off...Congrats..

Nice job, James

I fixed a XG8000E for a generator repair guy because he stated "I am not good when it comes to electricity". It was brushless and was running way to slow to produce any power. Furthermore someone replaced the GFCI outlets and wired them wrong. These are somewhat a pain to work on as you have to remove a side panel or two and the gas tank to get to anything, had to reset the governor. All this being said I was impressed with how quiet they run and how heavy they are for only an 8000 watt unit. It appears to weigh quite a bit more than my Duromax XP12000EH. The THD being so low is impressive for a non-inverter generator.

For a while, I thought that the "nasty" spark plug was going to be one of the culprits.That happened to you recently. OTOH, it always amazes to me how "sensitive' those carb designs, parts and "channels" seem to be. Not to mention "old" gas and oil. Thanks for the detailed video and explanations!1

Excellent video James! I appreciate the time you take in explaining your diagnosis and repairs.

Good patience and awesome you found the hidden pieces under that crazy carb screw

Thanks James for video

Great video as always!

Another great save. I have bought a lot from various big electronic part suppliers (farnell, mouser, digi-key, etc) and their customer service always have been great. Always helped with missing part or when they delivered component that was just not what was ordered. You went a long way with changing connectors an those wires, I would have tried drilling M3 or M4 hole into breaker spades. There should be enough meet in them for that. Then just bolt the ring terminated wires with some nuts and bolts with washers.

Nice one Jim. Thanks for going through the two-cylinder engine carb in such detail. I'm working on a similar engine and this was very timely. Keep up the great work!

Fantastic fix James, that's a big boy 😊

I love your videos, I stumbled across one of your videos one day and I was totally amazed by your work and I've been watching them ever since.

Nice job James , runs like a new one😮

Thanks James, helps a lot!

Great job as always.

That load bank is amazing! What a game changer

The reason the breaker uses screw terminals is because spade terminals may vibrate off when used on a generator and created a dangerous condition. Just an FYI.

James you never cease to amaze with your knowledge, analytical mind and patience. I always look forward to your postings. Cheers from Australia.

Thanks for the video, that's a very impressive generator

Nice job Jim..

Great video again James . You had a few challenges but I knew you would iron them all out . I really enjoy your videos and look forward to them weekly. Take care sir and catch you on your next video.

Nice machine. You said "double nut it".....Mustie 1 is snickering right now.😅😅😅Happy Thursday.

Absolutely love your content. I have tinkered in small engine repair off and on for 25 years and got really interested in generators when I had a Generac whole home 24kw installed last year to replace a 6500E that just didn't cut the mustard when we were out for 3 days last summer. Watching you troubleshoot and save some of these devices is always a pleasure, and I've even picked up a few tips for getting the most of an older mowers and power washer that might otherwise have been sent to the junk pile.

Awesome job and video, thanks 😊👌👍🍀🍀

Great job and video 😊🌲

Remind me not to get one of those carb nightmares!! Doing a great job as always!!

Very nice piece of work, Jim. Your video and sound quality just keep getting better and better. And your troubleshooting skills are an inspiration to all of us home maintenance folks. Thank you.

55:49 I would have put the link pin in from the top and the clip on the bottom. If the clip somehow falls off, the pin has gravity to help it stay in place. Another great video. I watch them all even though I only have two generators. Lots of useful tips for all small engine work. 👍

That's a nice unit. Sounds great and that sine wave looks as good (to me) as an inverter gen. Thx for another great vid, James

Great video! Thanks

James, very through as alway with great results. Saved another generator for use with someone who will need and use it. I was not surprised by the price of replacement parts as that seems to be the future of repairing equipment. Keep posting, as always, your post does help use in many ways on other small engine repairs in which you have followed through on troubleshooting. Tks, Michael

Disappointed you missed those jets James! 😅 thanks for another great video.

To me, it looks like you were supposed to install the first two bolts on the bottom of the carb, that's why the airbox is slotted for the bottom bolts. It would also make it easier to install the breather.

Great video. Always amazed at one small spec of material in the jet can do.

Helped me to know where the primary jets were for sure. Nice video James

I still like my Generac 7550EXL that I bought used 12 years ago!

Very nice repair and an awesome genny with a nice clean sine wave, looks like you can run electronics with that one it’s so smooth!

Excellent job James; To the best of my memory, I did see different size main jets in two cylinder engines, I think they were in certain Briggs models on riding mowers from big box stores.

Install a screen over the entrance to the carb to prevent things from falling into the carb !

Wow! Good detective work! Thanks for sharing! See ya later!

Thanks James for the video on that carb. I have that same style carb on a Simplicity Broadmoor 22 hp that's crap. I'll take it apart today and go through it thoroughly. Nice generator and someone got a great deal.

Have used Mouser for many years. Very good place if you build electronic stuff. Great video my friend.

Your awesome James.

Always use a grease rag to stuff into any openings to prevent a slip of the fingers becoming a full tare down. Always use a preventable way to stop unnecessary mistakes. Everyone who has ever done some kind of mechanical work has experienced this. Just have a steady pace and you will knock out the problem in so short of time. Love this guy! He is so honest that he couldn't run for public office!😅

A shot a starting fluid tells you real quick if it's a carburetor fuel issue or not

I have never heard you tell what you do for a living but you sure are one hell of a troubleshooter.

👌👌👍👍 Well done! Thanks for the video.

OK James, another excellent video. Very methodical with meticulous attention to detail and the steady hands like a surgeon. One thing I would add: Call me lazy if you will, but I will often attempt to save a myself a lot of labor by force feeding the carb either thru the fuel line or a vent or right thru the main discharge orifice backwards into the fuel bowl, a mixture of gasoline with about 100 times as much carb/ fuel injector cleaner as is recommended on the bottle. Then I will let it sit. From a few hours if it ran recently to as long as a week if it's been years. Then I start the engine with spray starting fluid.(my choice is actual starting fluid so it offers a little more volatility because I will be trying to burn the old stale fuel that has some new fuel plus the fuel system cleaner in it.) Once I get it running and usually I can get it to keep running by spraying starting fluid and adding some level of restriction, i.e. Choke plate, then I proceed to run the engine at rated speed and go to full choke. On and off several times. Sometimes I will actually use my fingers to cover the entire inlet to the carb. That is called a P@*%&H tune up. Doing so pulls fuel from everywhere, completely through every path where fuel can move thru, and most of the now loosened/ dissolved dirt and foreign debris will be sucked right thru. It opens up the passages and if it works it can be the end of the repair. I am picky about 3 things: 1). I like starting fluid with actual diethyl ether instead of regualr gasoline derivatives such as butane heptane and propane or alcohol to get the explosive level needed to work with old stale fuel fuel and system detergent. 2). I have always used Gumout Brand carb cleaner because I have found it really works and it's been around for almost 100yrs, And finally 3). I use modern day fuel injection cleaner and fuel system conditioner additive with the patented brand name detergent called Techron. If I can get my customers to put a little bit of Techron into their fuel every so often, especially at the beginning of Lawn mowing or Snow Blowing season, I don't see any repeat issues. One more thing: Couldn't you have glued a piece between the two broken toggles on the circuit breakers? If the breaker was not compromised by the impact that broke the levers, a little JB and a Popsicle stick or piece of plastic would work just fine with less time and materials. OK, carry on and have a good time. ben/ michigan

The best video ever I love generac generators they run great and they run quiet even the ones you run for a whole house

I love every video and have found an odd joy, working in small engines now. However I would HIGHLY recommend a 3/8 Milwaukee cordless ratchet. I do understand the noise on the microphone might be a little less soothing to our ears.

I love the coffee cup used to collect the old fuel.