Neglected Predator Generator - Broken Engine Mounts and Carburetor Issues - Fixed 

Even with a thousand more episodes of fixing generators, it would never get boring.

James gets so many generators I am starting to think that he breaks into people's garages and sheds, steals the generator, roughs it up a bit or more and then videos the fix.

Just watched this. I used to repair clocks for people. A lot of the time I had to repair the previous indignities first. Then find the original issue. Gave up fixing others clocks. I now build model boats for me. Much more fun. Got a good chuckle out of the previous here, Cheers from Aus.

James, you're several times my senior when it comes to small engine repair and I'm humbled after watching you bring this generator back to life. I would have looked at it for 30 seconds and decided it wasn't worth my time. In the disposable society we have become you are a ray of sunshine.

James, you may need to change sides with the two engine mounts. Remember the offsets, they may be reversed. As always, James, You do an excellent job. God bless you and your family and keep you all safe.

You know, you take a part one carb and end up with one or two spare parts and suddenly you're "incompetent" and a "clown". Sheesh. That thing fell off the back of a pickup truck, not in the stolen sort of way, but in the literal bouncing sense. Good save, always love watching you work.

Always glad to see a youngster learning from his father will learn a lot from you James

When you don’t use a torque wrench I find myself saying “click”. You’ve ruined me. 🤪

I hope all your kids take interest in the whole process. Being curious about how things work and how to fix them when they don't is a great foundation for a good and satisfying life, as you obviously know.

Looks like that generator rolled off the back of a pickup truck with the broken engine mounts and bent parts.

Glad you didn't just pass the generator by because it's a Predator. They are a great bang for the buck and you can now pass on a well sorted, reliable power source for a bargain to someone who may not have unlimited funds. Great job. I watch your videos over and over because of your methodical diagnostics and calm demeanor. Wish others had your laid back presence and delivery.

After looking at what that Predator has been through and still functions is a miracle. I have new found respect for those things!!

It's your attention to detail and final testing to get the units back to manufacturers specs that is really impressive. Your camerawork too, is great making it easy watching for us fans. This Predator fix is classic James Condon

Your videos are always so relaxing to watch. You are very detailed and ‘leave no stone unturned’ so to speak.

Hello, You end each of your videos with “I hope this helps someone”, so I thought I would let you know how you have helped quiet a few people here in Iowa. On August 10, around noon, a storm the weather people call a DERECHO hit a wide swath of central and eastern Iowa. This particular summer thunderstorm catastrophic event (now deemed the worst in U.S. history and more costlier than damage from all hurricanes combined this year) had winds averaging 114 mph with gusts up to 150 mph. NO WARNINGS were sounded by NOAA. Local weather reports didn’t prepare people for the magnitude of this major disaster. The damage, which STILL is visible throughout much of Iowa, cannot be described in mere words. The major AM News radio station along with some TV stations went off the air, cell phones didn’t work, towers and power lines were knocked down, trees crashed through roofs, taking even more power lines down, buildings were blown away. Luckily for us our property was not in the path of the storm, however, just 5 miles south of us the storm did major damage. Power was knock out for weeks as major transmission lines had to be rebuilt. This is a farming area where people have horses and cattle. Being without power means you cannot pump water for the animals so it is not just an inconvenience. Obviously, generators were in high demand. You had to go to another state to buy one. The small engine shops were swapped with people trying to get their generator repaired. So I thought I should be able to help some people by fixing generators. I had worked on small engines before, but I had never worked on generators. The first few generators were simple repairs like bad gas, dirty carbs and broken starter ropes. Then I got some where the engine needed major work or the generator head was not putting out power. I googled generator repair and your videos came up. They were God sent. I learned from your videos how to test the armature winding and how to remove the generator head from the engine. I was able to solder armature wires back on and get those generators working. I was also able to get into engines to repair internal damage. The strangest of those was one were the connecting rod had come loose from the crankshaft. It was about ¼ inch away. The owner said it made a loud knocking noise. I only charged people for the parts needed to fix these generators as they already had enough problems. Things are slowly getting back to normal. I am out of the generator repair business. I just want to thank you for your videos. I am sure all the people I fixed generators for would thank you also. I enjoy watching your videos and will keep doing so. Merry Christmas, Steve Goode Coggon, Iowa

Great job of fixing a broken up generator that has been abused in several different ways. Identified all the problems and got them all fixed. Always enjoy your video's. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Just wanted to tell you I had two machines down for the count - my Coleman genset and my Toro snow thrower - fixed them both within 24 hours with confidence gained from your videos. I always run them dry and drain the bowls after the season, store them dry in my shed - but the carbs were very gummed up anyway. I've messed with carbs before, but I felt pretty good that I'd be able to get these running before the Wednesday's snow, and I did. Now I'm ready for another miserable slushy, snowy season. Thanks!

“This thing’s had a rough life." - it’s a "rescue"! :-D

You know Mr. Condon, with all that damage it makes me think at some point in its life that generator took a tumble possibly off the back of a truck. The frame has several dents, the handle is bent, the motor mounts broken and the engine and stator were out of position. I do believe someone tried to fix it but their lack of skills made things worse. Thank God it ended up in the hands of a skilled surgeon! Outstanding!

Your son ran like a pull the pin on a grenade. Lol. Keep em coming. I learn something in every video.

The Generator Whisperer is at it again! I just found a bad generator on our local FB marketplace for $20, quite tempted to get it my self. I asked for a Kill A Watt for Christmas. There's three generators in our family that I maintain, it will certainly come in handy.

That turned out to be a very nice generator , Great job James ! ENJOYED..

You might want to swap around those engine mounts - remember you showed that the bolts were offset. - love your channel!

IT'S ALIVE, MUHAAAHAA. That was a heck of a save, the poor thing was so abused cosmetically.

Predator "on the loose"... literally sans engine and genhead mounts...that's funny! That unit definitely had a hard life. Surprised you used the better parts from the other unit that you picked up, but if you don't get many Predators and the other one had a dead genhead that makes sense. I can't believe how well the original carb ran w/o an emulsion tube! I flipped a Predator unit just like that back in the summer and I tipped it slightly to be able to add oil to it and then leveled it out to check the oil level. It had the same air box as your replacement part. You definitely earned your orthopedic credentials fixing the broken bones on this one! Keep em coming and Merry Christmas, James! 🎄

Nice discovery on that rubber footing for the generator I don’t know whatever thinking when they did that 👍 Keep the video coming

What a phenomenal job and attention to detail.

Hi James I love watching your videos you are so articulate and the attention to detail in the film is brilliant. Just looking at your broken off centred engine mount, I had the same problem and to get round it I literally drilled all the way through the metal and rubber and put a bolt through it’s holds both house together nicely.

gave me a smile when your son ran after the pull start, reminds me of like lighting a firecrackers.

james just a great job on that predator looks great

I started watching your channel because I have to do some work on mine soon....and I love studying and learning new stuff. I'd say you love working on these generators like I like working on RF antennas and transmitters . Mines more electrical then mechanical but I'm a jerk of a many trades....Master of none. Just wanted to wave a hand and say thanks for all the great reference. Good day brother

Had to chuckle at your comment about filling the oil. I have the same generator, I need a funnel with a long hose to fill it. Nice work!

These engine mounts broke because it was most likely dropped. A guy I work with was carrying a gen in the bucket of a backhoe and accidentally dumped it, all 4 mounts sheared off.

Here I am Sunday Morning after a week of binge watching. Between hours of watching I managed to work on my neighbor’s Dek 5650 generator. Got it going yesterday. Great video thanks.

Excellent video, I get engines in all the time that were butchered by someone. Most can be fixed but I had one that came in a box full of parts, I had to tell the owner it would cost more to fix it than to get another engine. Thanks for great video's.

loved the video. glad you saved it and now you also have a parts Gen.

"They've had their way with this....." PERFECT.

I don't usually feel bad for generators, but i fell bad for this one. wow. so much random wonky stuff going on. Great video as always. You've saved me a pile of $$ on small engine related stuff from what I've learned watching your channel. Happy holidays, stay safe.

Hopefully this generator finds a new home that takes better care of it. Nice job Jim as always! 👍 👍 👍

Good turn around! Thanks for sharing.

Definitely worth the effort and time to repair it. Nice job! Use non-ethynol fuel, and it will last for many many years to come.

You earned your money on this one, someone went crazy apparently.

Have been watching your videos for a long while now!! Keep up the good work James!!! KB

hi james you put some time in on this one, looks a nice gene good job mate

Great video with some creative engineering.

I am sure there are more surprises yet to come.😀

15 doller carb has an improvement very nice 👌

Hi James. Pro-tip. Clean with an evaporative cleaner with no residue. When dry, spray with Pledge Furniture wax. Don't spray the carb though. After the wax dries, soft cloth rub to bring out a shine. It will repel water, which is a good thing for outdoor machines. Thanks for sharing! Stay healthy!

I love these videos!

Nice repair, very thorough👍

Love how your son ran after he fired it up. Was that based on experience or Condon SOP? Lol. Great vid James.

Nice job once again

nice video, have a great Christmas

Previous owner did a hack job on attempted repairs. This is a cost/profit analysis for this generator. Purchase price $60, parts $60 (does not factor in Labor). Used sell price top end $250. Profit = $130. Can't hit a lick on every sell. Generator looks and runs great. Look forward to your next video! Merry Christmas.

Another great video!

Some people just should not have a wrench and or a hammer because when they are done their intent disappears and it isn't fixed. But an emulsifier tube omission. Thanks for sharing your video with us. Ed

nice work and a nice find

Hi, Jim. Another great video. Two comments: 1) please remember to say or post the torque settings whenever you use the torque (like on the carburetor nuts); 2) I think you’re going to really enjoy having the lift table, to work on things(and save your back). Regards, Jim C.

Another great video, always look forward to them and learned allot. And you are much to kind, some people should leave some things to the professionals :-)

Good work

Another Top Notch Mr Generator resurrection!!

Great job Doc, you diagnose better than anyone i know. Wish i had this ability in working on my kawasaki engine, both sparkplugs have no spark.

Great video I absolutely love my predator generator, how did they let this poor thing get that neglected

21:40 So the previous owner pretty much did everything wrong what can be done wrong. lol Superb video. Subscribed.

Looks like it was dropped ..or got slammed in the back of a truck..i remember when those first came out..no too bad..some people try to run A C units with them..if not strong enough the power head gets smoked..glad i found your channel..Cheers 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

You good generator technician

Merry Christmas and Happy Née Yearc.

Wow your doing a predator don't see them much very neet to see you trying to fix one of these @James Codon

Sounds like a nice running machine

James.... Merry Christmas to you and your family. Great job on this genny that was had one wheel in the grave🤣. It was abused to no end. I'm surprised you didn't switch the tank out from the other Predator you picked up. Unless that was also not in great shape. I have Predator 6500 that I picked up this past summer. It's holding me over until our standy genny is delivered this coming March. Anyway it runs great. There is a very loyal fan base for these generators. I may have mentioned this once before....the Predator engines are made by the Loncin Motor Company in China. They have offices in California. I'm glad you were able to bring this one back to life and respectability.😁🎄🎄. Take care and I look forward to your next video.

Thanks again

James, I once watched a guy put a carb in a large jar, fill it with solvent (carb cleaner?) and place the whole thing into his ultrasonic cleaner filled with water. The water transmitted the ultrasonic vibrations through the jar to the solvent and cleaned the carb beautifully without dirtying up the cleaner unit itself. The only thing he had to clean out was the jar. 😊👍

My guess is that gen took a ride off the back of a pickup truck

thank you i learned and enjoyed thank you

James you can use a socket extension to bend the springs around makes a perfect bend looks factory

Would love to see price add ups at the end of videos! Original cost+parts, maybe total hours and what you’re getting for them once sold. Great work, 👍🏻

My stepdad had dementia and after his demise every tool and piece of machinery he had was fouled up just like this generator. It brings back memories.........

Yes, I agree it was dropped. That’s the only way the mounts were broken along with the bent frame and air box.

Funny moment when you remembered to check the emulsion tube and found it missing!

Enjoyed the video!! I got a slightly used Predator 3200/4000 with no Manual. In getting the manual off the HF Website I noticed some parts in the exploded diagram didn't exactly match mine. Online chat with Customer Service said there have been several "flavors" all called Predator 3200/4000. Only way you can tell is each "flavor" has a different Item Number from HF. You need to make sure you have the right Parts Diagram to get parts(if still available) that would fit. All those Manuals are available in their 'archive" and the one on the Product Page is for the lastest Item #. I think this would explain why your Motor/Gen Mounts were off as well as the Air Box.

That tank looks just like the same tank you put on the yellow generator a few episodes before intriguing 🤔 @James Condon

That explains why it wouldn't idle right the emulsion tube being gone hopefully the new carb works or atleast it matches the same emulsion tube

Drill a hole through the steel and polymer material of the engine mount. Then put a bolt through with rubber washers and then steel washers.

I meant to say I started watching one video and I honestly mustve watched a good 10 of em or so since last night lol

I like the predator engine. The Honda gx200 was always a good engine and predator did a good job cloning it

Aww okay I see what you did you took parts off the 212 v twin generator and installed them on the unit you been fixing in video not lost now makes sense @44:02 @James Condon

The one I repaired the stator on used those types of mounts, pretty sure it was mastercraft though

Generators are number one for people to abandon when they go wrong, i live off grid and use generators a lot and ive never bought one, I taught myself generator repair. I have more in storage i got for free waiting for repair than I'll ever use.

I bought one of the 8750 Watt Predator Generators on craigslist about 10 years ago for $200. That thing still starts up on the first pull to this day. Only issue I ever had with it is somehow the choke butterfly popped loose in the carb and got wedged in cockeyed. The machine ran like crap as you can imagine and choking off and on didnt do anything. Pulled the airbox and it was pretty obvious what was going on. Easy fix though.

Another good fix on a unit that may have been dropped or exited a pickup bed on the highway. Personally, I would not bring home an engine which had run without governor control nor would I want to sell it to someone else.

ho men I like your chanal and your videos what I mostly like is Your work that is precise and precisely defined I consider to be the Standard of Operations thanks ...I learn from him because the concept of the generator is in itself in everything

Excellent Trouble Shooting.10/1/2021

I purchased one of those last year, the next larger, after shakedown " found a couple of loose bolts " and a couple of hours break in, put it to work and did the first oil change around ten hours, glad I did too, loaded with aluminum, did a little research and found learned when the casting is finished with dull or too fast a process the filings become magnetic and tend to cling to the assembly letting go after a few hours run time, anyway 30 hours later and all is well

I always see you deburring holes with a grinder or a Dremel... Just pick up a universal chamfer/deburr bit from Amazon or Northern Tool! :) Great vids as always, thanks!

I'm always bemused when I see equipment neglected and in this case badly abused . Makes you wonder just how 4 engine mountings can be broken at the same time as it's very doubtful the factory sent it out with 4 faulty ones. I suppose we should be thankful to those who neglect such equipment or we wouldn't get to see you repairing them. Question for you James, is it not normally frowned upon to poke and clean jets with a piece of wire? I'm surprised that for such low cost you haven't purchased a jet cleaning tool kit probably less than $5 but as usual you did an awesome job and thanks for posting. Merry Christmas to you and your family and all your subscribers.

Wow! Everything the previous owner touched! Unbelievable! It figures, you didn't find the second one until you were done with the first. I thought you might swap the gas tank too! Anyway, nice job! See ya next time...

Very informative video. Machine must have fallen off of a truck!

Those are great little generators, Rebuilt one myself and gave it to a friend in florida for hurricane use. Have you ever thought of adding a screen shot to your videos showing parts used and total repair costs ?

I'm surprised you didn't find cooking oil in it with the way things were going.

Thanks to the oil level control, it cant run with low oil level, thats wye its alive. Same generator is named QUIN here in Denmark. Thanks fine videos.