Standby Generator Exercise Cycle: How Often Should It Run?
Most standby generators default to a weekly self-test cycle for good reason. Here’s what it does, what it costs, and when it’s safe to stretch the schedule.
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Why Your Generator Won’t Stay Running (Stalling)
A generator that starts fine but dies seconds or minutes later usually comes down to fuel, choke, or a false low-oil shutoff. Here’s how to diagnose it.
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Generator Spark Plug Replacement Guide
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…
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Generator AVR Failure: Symptoms, Testing, and Replacement
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,…
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Generator Low-Oil Sensor Shutting Down a Full Engine: Causes and Fixes
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…
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Best Fuel for a Generator: E10 vs Ethanol-Free vs E15
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…
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Generator Overheating: Causes and Prevention
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.
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Generator Smoking (Black, White, Blue): What It Means
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.
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Generator Backfiring: Why It Happens and How to Fix It
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.
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Generator Surging Up and Down: Causes and Fixes
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.