A fouled or worn spark plug is one of the most common reasons a portable or standby generator starts hard, runs rough, or loses power under load — and it’s also one of the cheapest, most DIY-friendly fixes in generator maintenance. Here’s exactly how to check, gap, and replace one correctly. Disclosure: generatoradvice.com/ is a…
When a generator’s engine runs perfectly but the outlets deliver no power — or voltage swings wildly, or the lights flicker even on a stable load — the automatic voltage regulator (AVR) is one of the first components to suspect. Here’s how to recognize AVR failure, test it properly before spending money on a replacement,…
Your generator ran fine for years, and now it’s shutting down mid-run with a low oil pressure alarm — even though you just checked the dipstick and the oil level looks fine. Before you assume the engine itself is in trouble, there’s a good chance the problem is the sensor, not the oil. Here’s how…
Not all gasoline is created equal once it’s headed into a small engine. Ethanol content — a detail most people never think about at the pump — is one of the most common reasons generators fail to start after sitting unused, and it’s a topic where the legal and regulatory landscape has been shifting. Here’s…
Why generators overheat and how to prevent it: low or old oil, blocked airflow, overloading, and hot weather, plus exactly what to do if it overheats and shuts down.
What generator smoke means by color: black (too rich), blue (burning oil), and white (water/coolant) – the causes behind each, the easy fixes, and when to call a pro.
Why generators backfire and how to fix it: stale fuel, a dirty or misadjusted carburetor, spark-plug and ignition issues, and the shutdown habit that causes afterfire.
Why a generator surges (hunts up and down) and how to fix each cause: dirty carburetor, stale fuel, clogged air filter, governor, and spark plug, plus prevention.
Generator runs but no power at the outlets? How to troubleshoot it: tripped breaker or GFCI, lost residual magnetism (flashing the field), a failed AVR, brushes, and bad outlets.
A generator maintenance kit is mostly consumables — oil, filters, spark plug, fuel stabilizer. What to stock and the routine that keeps it starting.