Generac start problem

[philbert]

For all you Generac generator owners. Heres a problem to watch for:I installed new plugs & switched to syn oil at 3 years. Found the rear plug very tight but front was so loose I unscrewed it with 2 fingers. Installed new plugs & tightened both. From this point on unit would not start correctly. When I pressed start button it sounded like unit was frozen. After several attempts it started & ran fine. This went on for awhile. Finally I pulled the generator, pulled the starter & bench tested. Worked fine. Put unit back together, same problem. Pulled spark plugs & it turned over correctly every time. After talking to an aftermarket parts supplier I found that the start gear is on a clutch. I replaced starter & problem is gone. In retrospect, I think this starter was defective when new. The back pressure with spark plugs tight was too much for the clutch to overcome. Hence the loose plug. I feel there was a problem from the git-go & some mechanic loosened the plug instead of correcting problem. This all happened out of warrenty of course.

[philbert]

For all you Generac generator owners. Heres a problem to watch for:I installed new plugs & switched to syn oil at 3 years. Found the rear plug very tight but front was so loose I unscrewed it with 2 fingers. Installed new plugs & tightened both. From this point on unit would not start correctly. When I pressed start button it sounded like unit was frozen. After several attempts it started & ran fine. This went on for awhile. Finally I pulled the generator, pulled the starter & bench tested. Worked fine. Put unit back together, same problem. Pulled spark plugs & it turned over correctly every time. After talking to an aftermarket parts supplier I found that the start gear is on a clutch. I replaced starter & problem is gone. In retrospect, I think this starter was defective when new. The back pressure with spark plugs tight was too much for the clutch to overcome. Hence the loose plug. I feel there was a problem from the git-go & some mechanic loosened the plug instead of correcting problem. This all happened out of warrenty of course.