TROUBLESHOOTING 101: HOW TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX COMMON PETROL GENERATOR PROBLEMS

This article serves as a troubleshooting guide to assist you in quickly figuring out the solution to common issues encountered by customers. Kindly use this as a first step in understanding the problem and probable solutions. However, this guide cannot always serve as an alternative to competent professionals checking up on your generator. In addition to the guide, kindly reach out to the Sumec service centre at 07061088990 for further assistance and advice.


MY GENERATOR WON'T START

Trying to kickstart your generator and it not coming on can be an annoying experience, especially when you need power urgently. There are so many reasons why your generator won't start. Some common causes and their solutions include:

Reasons

  • Your generator may be low on fuel. 
  • Oil shortage.
  • The choke is in the wrong position.
  • Your generator battery might be dead or faulty.
  • The air filters may be dirty.
  • The carburettor might be clogged.
  • The generator's exhaust is not facing the open and is blocked by a wall or other surface. In that case, carbon which ought to be released might get stuck in the generator. It can cause the carbon deposits to build on the spark plug.

Solutions

  • Top up on fuel. Your generator needs the energy to run effectively. Also, make sure your fuel is good and not mixed with water or any other liquid.
  • Although not all generators come with an oil alert and indicator, newer generators do. If yours does, please occasionally check the oil indicator on the outer panel to know when a top-up or change is required. And if your generator doesn't, endeavour to change the engine oil every two weeks.
  • A choke is a lever that provides more fuel to the engine when it is a cold start. It is moved to the left-hand side before the generator is switched on and moved back to the right-hand side after the generator stabilizes.
  • Ensure your ignition key is turned off after use to avoid running your battery down.
  • Endeavour to clean your air filters.
  • Fuel is the sole reason a generator's carburettor becomes dirty and clogs up. To prevent fuel from clogging your generator's carburettor, store the generator without fuel in it if you are away or would not use the generator for a long time.
  • Face the generator's exhaust to the open and clean off any carbon deposits already on your spark plug. Make sure you use your generator in a well-ventilated environment.

MY GENERATOR KEEPS TRIPPING OFF AFTER I START IT

Reasons

There's likely a possible threat to the connected devices, causing the circuit breaker to trip off. A circuit breaker regulates faulty or abnormal currents from damaging your connected appliances.

  • Too many appliances might be plugged in simultaneously above what the generator can carry, causing the generator to trip off. 
  • When there's a shortage of oil, the oil alert protects the engine by tripping off, so there's no breakdown of your generator.
  • The wires might not be connected properly or are not in good condition, causing your generator to trip off unexpectedly.

Solutions

  • Avoid plugging in too many appliances to your generator above the generator's capacity. Kindly read through our blogs here to find out more.
  • Monitor the oil indicator to know when there's a need for an oil change or top-up.
  • Hire a reliable technician to connect the wires and ensure any loose cables are tightened. If your wires are fake or require change, please endeavour to change them.

MY GENERATOR IS CONSUMING MORE FUEL THAN IT SHOULD

If you notice you buy a lot of petrol daily for your generator and it doesn't last as long as it should, there could be several reasons.

Reasons

  • You might be overloading your generator more than its capacity. 
  • The air cleaner might be blocked with any form of litter, which can cause significant problems for the generator and consume a lot of fuel.
  • The carburettor is faulty.
  • The choke might be closed. If your choke is still closed after your generator stabilizes, it affects the electrical current it generates, releases soot and takes up a lot of fuel.

Solutions

  • Be aware of the generator's KVA, so you know the right amount to load on your generator and avoid overloading it.
  • To prevent your air filters from sucking up litter, constantly clean the generator's environment.
  • Alert your technician to get your carburettor fixed.
  • After closing the generator's choke and putting the generator on, remember to open the choke after the generator stabilizes.

MY GENERATOR EMITS A STRANGE OR BURNING ODOUR

Reasons

  • A brand new generator's engine can emit a strange smell on its first usage.
  • Overloading can damage the AVR, which in turn damages the coil.
  • A burning odour might result from some burnt wires.
  • Overheating. 

Solutions

To avoid these from happening;

  • Dont panic when you smell something funny from your new generator; instead, wait a period of 5-10minutes for the smell to subside and continue usage.
  • Inform a reliable technician to check out the AVR and coil. Replace either if necessary.
  • Check for loose or wrong wiring and get it fixed.
  • Position the exhaust to face the open so that carbon is released from the machine.

MY GENERATOR IS ON, BUT THERE IS NO POWER SUPPLY

If this is the situation you find yourself in, here are a few reasons why you might be in that situation.

Reasons

  • Whenever you start your generator, the meter is expected to read from 0-220. If it doesn't, this is an issue caused by the AVR, brush or coil.
  • Loose wiring connections.
  • Your change-over might be faulty or spoilt.

Solutions

  • Inform your technician and have your AVR, brush, and coil checked. Replace the AVR, brush or coil if necessary.
  • Get a reliable professional to connect the wires correctly. If you don't have a technician, you can reach out to the Sumec service centre at 07061088990 for further technical assistance and advice.
  • Replace the change-over or have it fixed.

THE SOUND OF MY GENERATOR HAS CHANGED

You already know what your generator sounds like after you start it, but suddenly, it sounds different, and you don't know why. 

Reason

The generator has a valve and a carpet valve that work hand-in-hand. Overtime usage causes the space between the generator and carpet valve to increase, causing them to clap against each other, hence the strange noise.

Solution

Call your technician to adjust the valve back to its initial position. 


MY GENERATOR BATTERY KEEP DYING

This is one of the most common problems most consumers face. A well-maintained battery has a life span of 2- 3 years. However, here are some reasons why it doesn't last as long as it should.

Reasons

  • The ignition key is on for an extended period when not in use. 
  • It's probably a fake or old battery.

Solutions.

  • Always turn off your ignition key when the generator is not in use. It will allow your machine to rest and prevent the battery from running down and eventually dying.
  • Remember to check the production date of the battery to know how old the battery is so you don't end up buying an old or worn-out battery which unfortunately is rampant in the market.


In conclusion, this article has carefully discussed the most commonly asked questions regarding petrol generators and how to manage and solve such situations. These tips will keep your generator running for a more extended period and allow you to assess an unsound technician who might claim your generator needs overhauling or tampers with the generator's engine. While knowing this is awesome and could save you from crooked technicians, it is best to seek the counsel of experts in case the reasons or solutions above do not work for your peculiar circumstance.

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