3rd times a charm, coleman generator

17 years ago

3rd time to post this, lets see if it works. I borrowed a Coleman powermate 5000 generator from my father in law. It has a subaru engine and states 6250 watts and 5000 useable watts of power. It works great once started. But, we had to remove the air filter because it was soaked with fuel, replace the spark plug and use starting fluid to get it started. Once started it runs pretty well except it "coughs" every 10-15 seconds. I'm assuming its just running too rich. Is there a carburetor adjustment screw somewhere i could adjust? Would like to return it running better than I got it. Just let me know and I'll make the adjustment. Thanks, Greg

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Comments (17)

castoff
17 years ago
If an air filter gets soaked with fuel, it's ruined. My guess is that you put the old one back on thinking it would be ok but it's badly restricted now. To be sure, start your gen the way it is now. If it still runs bad, remove the air filter while it's still running and see if the coughing stops.

If that doesn't cure the problem, then it's not an adjustment in my opinion. It's likely a gummy carb from sitting around too long between usage. It might be just some crud in the float bowl but it could be a mainjet problem. You may have to remove the carb, soak it in true carb cleaner, rinse it in gas or varsol and then blow out all the jets.
oklahomagreg
Original Author
17 years ago
I actually removed the filter and it did run a lot smoother. I'll look for a replacement filter today.

I'm not sure about the gummy carb. The only reason I say this is that the generator is new and has only had gas put in it during the last few days.

I haven't tried to start it without the air filter. It was already running when the filter was remvoed. I'll try to fire it up here in a little while and see if it starts. I'll update accordingly. Thanks for the input, Greg
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oklahomagreg
Original Author
17 years ago
As I was walking out the door this morning I turned the gas on to the generator, turned on the choke and it fired on the 2nd time. It must be the filter. I'll see if I can find a replacement tomorrow.

What would cause the filter to get soaked with gas? Should it matter if the gas is left on? Would that cause the filter to get soaked with gas? The filter is out now and I've got the gas turned on. I'm going to wait about 1/2 an hour and see if it fires OK. Give me ideas on the filter. Thanks, Greg
castoff
17 years ago
I can't tell you exactly what caused the filter to get soaked. Who knows what angles this portable genset has been subjected to since being initially fueled? A sticking float or a bit of dirt in the needle and seat could have caused flooding. The point being, this could be one of those situations that may never occur again. The fuel shut-off is there for a reason though and it is advisable to make use of it if the genset will be out of service for an extended period. Start it up, shut off the fuel and let it run out of gas. The carb should be 100% empty at that point. As such, there won't be any residual fuel to evaporate and leave gummy residue that will block the jets.

All I can suggest is that you replace the air filter and continue to use the genset while keeping an eye out for any flooding. Perhaps others reading this thread can make additional suggestions.
oklahomagreg
Original Author
17 years ago
The generator air filter is currently removed. I turned the gas on and didn't start it for probably 30 minutes, similar to maybe leaving the generator off and the gas line on while camping and not needing the generator during the day. When I went out to fire it up, I removed the air filter cover and there was raw gas in where the filter should be. Its not like it was a gallon and it wasn't a huge amount but it would be enough to soak the air filter over a few hours. Any idea where I should start with trying to fix this? I went ahead and started it up without any problems. It started on the 1st or 2nd try, don't remember which. Thanks again for the input, Greg
machiem
17 years ago
I'd start by checking the oil in the engine before you use it again. It's probably contaminated with gas too and that's not good.

Since it's new, use the warranty. Why bother tinkering with it?
rdaystrom
17 years ago
The air filter getting wet with gas while sitting is a result of a leaky needle and seat in the carb. This can also flood the engine with gas and get in the oil as stated above by machiem. New or not it only takes a tiny amount of almost anything to hold the needle seat slightly open and flood the carb. Remove the carb and clean the needle seat and try it again or replace the needle and seat. If you have warranty they might blame the problem on contaminated gas and charge you anyway. The fuel shut off should be turned off every single time you turn the engine off. It's gravity feed and may flood at some point if you leave it on even under the best of conditions.
oklahomagreg
Original Author
17 years ago
I'm sure I'm going to get harassed for going for the easy fix, but....would seafoam be worth a shot in an attempt to clean the needle seat without breaking into the carb? Let me know. Thanks, Greg
andyma_gw
17 years ago
Sorry, But if its a piece of dirt holding the needle valve open, chances are running Seafoam in the gas wont help it. In order for the piece to pass out of the seat, the needle valve has to be removed.
oklahomagreg
Original Author
17 years ago
LOL, that's kinda what I figured but I had to ask. Thanks again, Greg
oklahomagreg
Original Author
17 years ago
UPDATE.....Just for kicks, I ran some seafoam through the gas line, let it sit in the carb for 5 minutes or so, restarted the engine and let it run for a while then turned it off. I left the gas line on and as of now (45 minutes later) there doesn't seem to be any gas leaking into the air filter compartment. Hopefully this is all it was. Maybe he used old gas or left gas in it, I don't know. But, all seems to be well now, Thanks
cschul
17 years ago
Just for your info, I just purchased a brand new Coleman Black Max with the Subaru engine. When I took it out of the box, I couldn't get it started either. I removed the bowl off the carb. and found it was full of old stinky gas. I took some carb cleaner and was able to get it to run but it ran badly. I called Subaru warranty service and talked to a guy named Jack and he sent me out a new carb. no questions asked. I received it within 3 days, installed it and all is well. This may be something you may want to do.
Cory
oklahomagreg
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for the info. It's my father-in-laws generator so I'll forward the info. to him and see if its something he wants to follow up on. I'm glad I got it to stop leaking. I've cleaned the air filter and am waiting to make sure its 100% dry before reinstalling it. I'll see how it runs then. Thanks again for the info. Greg
castoff
17 years ago
I've cleaned the air filter and am waiting to make sure its 100% dry before reinstalling it. I'll see how it runs then.
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If this is a folded paper element, then you won't be able to clean it properly or effectively. Gasoline ruins these types of elements, in my experience. The performance of that engine may suffer, including its "mileage". I'm not saying "don't try it" but I am saying that you would be better off by putting in a new element.
oklahomagreg
Original Author
17 years ago
Its a black foam air filter, is it OK to clean it, let it dry then re-use it?
castoff
17 years ago
Yes, foam filters can be washed in solvents, dried thoroughly and put back into use. Most off-road motorcycles use foam filters. Some of them require you to saturate them with "filter oil" and then squeeze them out gently so as to not tear them before putting them back into service. You should check the operator's manual to see what it says.
oklahomagreg
Original Author
17 years ago
I'll check it out. Thanks, Greg

3rd times a charm, coleman generator

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