Portable Genset Won’t Start? Here’s a Simple Tip to Keep It Ready to Go!
We’ve all been there, you finally need your portable generator, you pull it out of the shed or the garage, hit the start button… and nothing happens. Not even a cough or a splutter. Just silence. Frustrating, right?
It’s one of the most common issues we hear about, and to be totally honest, it happens to the best of us. Even here at Generator Hire Sales and Service, where we deal with generators every single day, we’ve had our fair share of “Why won’t this thing start?” moments.
But over time, we’ve learned a few little tricks to help avoid this exact problem. So if you’ve been caught out before or just want to make sure your genset is always ready to go when you need it most, keep reading.
The Common Culprit? Old Fuel in the Carburettor
Here’s the deal: generators often get stored away for months (sometimes even years) without being used. And while that’s totally fine in theory, the fuel sitting inside them can actually go stale or “gum up” over time, especially in the carburettor. When that happens, your generator might refuse to start, no matter how many times you try to crank it over.
So what’s the secret to keeping it ready to go? It’s surprisingly simple.
Our Quick Post-Use Routine (It Makes a Big Difference)
Whenever one of our rental generators comes back from a job, the first thing we do, before putting it back in storage, is start it up again. Yep, even if it was running perfectly fine earlier that day. We give it a quick once-over to make sure everything’s working, but most importantly, we follow this golden rule:
While the generator is running, we turn the fuel tap OFF and let it run until it stops on its own.
What that does is force the generator to use up all the remaining fuel in the system, especially the fuel sitting in the carburettor. This way, there’s no leftover fuel just sitting there, going stale or clogging things up over time. When the engine stops naturally, you know the fuel’s been fully used up, and the system is nice and dry.
Why This Works So Well
Leaving old fuel in the carburettor is the number one reason generators fail to start after a long period of sitting idle. It can become thick, sticky, and gunky, which basically stops fuel from getting where it needs to go. By draining the system every time you finish using the generator, you’re essentially preventing all that buildup from ever becoming a problem in the first place.
So next time you use your portable generator, whether it’s for camping, backup power, or a job site, take just one extra minute before putting it away and let it run dry. Trust us, it’s worth it.
A Little Effort = Big Payoff
This one simple habit can save you heaps of frustration and possibly a call-out fee or repair job down the line. It’s something we do with every generator that comes through our business, and we recommend it to all our customers too.
Of course, if you’ve already got a generator that’s giving you trouble, or you’re unsure if it’s been stored properly, don’t stress. You can always give us a call. The team at Generator Hire Sales and Service is more than happy to help out with advice, troubleshooting, or servicing to get your unit back up and running.
Need More Genset Tips?
We’ve got plenty of helpful advice where this came from, whether it’s general maintenance, how to choose the right genset for your needs, or what to do when things go wrong. Just reach out anytime. We love helping people get the most out of their gear!
