Generac 40G Won't Start...STILL!

[KarenS144]

Hi all,

We had a problem with our Generac 40G last fall on our way home from a long trip. It had been doing just fine the few times we had used it and we'd cranked it on to use the roof air. It was doing it's thing, the A/C was keeping us cool then it quit and would not restart.

We bypassed the low oil sensor and nothing. DH changed the fuel filter and still nothing. We have over 1/4 tank of gas and have tried it with more gas in it since it first quit. He did say that there was no gas coming out of the fuel line when he changed the filter.

Since then he's attached another fuel line to the gen and squirted gas in with a syringe just to see if it would fire and NOTHING. It cranks just fine but will not fire.

The fuse seems fine but he's off to see if he can find a new one just to rule that out.

Suggestions on what to do next would be appreciated! It seems RV gens are a different breed and no one wants to work on them. We're near Louisville, KY so if anyone knows where we can get it looked at, please share.

Thanks.

[Ford Idaho]

Any Idea how many hours are on it?
Oil level ok? {low oil shutdown}

I would pull a sparkplug ground it out to see if it is getting power.

[KarenS144]

Only about 39 hours. Oil is fine.

I'll suggest the spark plug check.

Thanks!

[F.R.O.G.]

Have you primed the generator? If your fuel tank was below 1/4 at some time, the generator might well have lost its prime. The starter switch should be a two-way switch. One direction starts the generator. Pushing the other side (the way you'd turn the generator off) allows the generator to prime itself. Try pushing the "off" side and holding it for about 30 seconds to let it draw fuel, then try starting it.

While you're holding the prime button, watch to see if the light on the switch blinks. If so count the number of flashes. It will blink several times, pause, then blink again and repeat the sequence. Count the flashes (e.g., *** **** *** **** is a code 34), and check the manual to see what that means.

[VinceU]

Originally Posted by KarenS144

Only about 39 hours. Oil is fine.

I'll suggest the spark plug check.

Thanks!

For this test, hold the loose plug wire near the plug or block, in dusk or dark and crank the engine. You should see a strong white arc leaving the wire for the plug or grounded block.

Other possibility is the fuel pump is bad. Remove hose from carb point into 2 cup container and crank briefly. Should get a steady flow of gas. Careful with this one.

[KarenS144]

A new fuse didn't help.

We had tried priming before but held the toggle switch longer this time and still nothing. No flashing lights either!

I guess we'll try the fuel pump test next.

[tonyz]

I am assuming the 40G stands for gas. Pull the spark plug, clean the carbon off with some sane paper. Shoot 4-5 drops of oil down the spark plug hole into the cylinder. Replace plug. Take off air filter and shoot some ehter, starter fluid into the carb and start. If it pops to,life and dies, it's a fuel system issue.

Pull the carb and clean. You most likely will notice sticky residue on some of the carb parts, either the float or diaphragm. If it continues after cleaning, then as suggested before, it may be a pump issue. Below is a giagnostics manual for your gen, it may help

https://www.generator-parts.com/manu...-rv/0E1881.pdf

[KarenS144]

Originally Posted by tonyz

I am assuming the 40G stands for gas. Pull the spark plug, clean the carbon off with some sane paper. Shoot 4-5 drops of oil down the spark plug hole into the cylinder. Replace plug. Take off air filter and shoot some ehter, starter fluid into the carb and start. If it pops to,life and dies, it's a fuel system issue.

Pull the carb and clean. You most likely will notice sticky residue on some of the carb parts, either the float or diaphragm. If it continues after cleaning, then as suggested before, it may be a pump issue. Below is a giagnostics manual for your gen, it may help

https://www.generator-parts.com/manu...-rv/0E1881.pdf

Yes, it's a gas gen. We've got an appointment July 1 to take it to a local dealer who said they'd look at it. They work on Onans but thought they could figure out the Generac. Hopefully, it's a simple fix that won't cost a lot!

Thanks for the info though. Maybe if DH gets bored, he'll try again.

[KarenS144]

Update!

Stinnetts RV in Clarksville, IN determined that it was the fuel pump!

DH ordered a new one on Thursday morning. It got here today and he installed and the gen fired up! WOOHOO!

A HUGE shoutout to Stinnetts who worked us in, spent several hours troubleshooting before finding the culprit AND then when we tried to pay said "No charge. We didn't fix it, so we're not charging you."

Thanks to all who gave us suggestions!

[VinceU]

Originally Posted by KarenS144

Update!

Stinnetts RV in Clarksville, IN determined that it was the fuel pump!

DH ordered a new one on Thursday morning. It got here today and he installed and the gen fired up! WOOHOO!

A HUGE shoutout to Stinnetts who worked us in, spent several hours troubleshooting before finding the culprit AND then when we tried to pay said "No charge. We didn't fix it, so we're not charging you."

Thanks to all who gave us suggestions!

Thanks for the feedback, helps us keep our troubleshooting aim.

[Ford Idaho]

Very cool and a shout out for a standup service shop.