generator repairs
expert care for your generator
Making generator repair easier
At BISON, you’ll find a variety of articles about generator repair, covering topics like FAQs, troubleshooting tips, preventive maintenance, safety precautions, and more.
The generator starts but stalls quickly
Imagine when a generator starts normally, runs for a few seconds or minutes, and stops. This intermittent silence of a generator is not just an inconvenience; it’s a prelude to potential danger, disrupting businesses, affecting critical services, and in some cases, posing significant safety risks.
As this article progresses, BISON will reveal common reasons why generators always shut down, guide you through the diagnostic workflow, and provide practical solutions to ensure your generator doesn’t leave you stranded when you need it most.
The generator to hard to pull start
Generally, the portable generator will have difficulty starting due to a hydraulic lock in the cylinder, a recoil start component failure, a damaged flywheel or flywheel key, a stuck piston, or a damaged compression release.
We’ve discussed these five reasons and what you can do to fix the problem. We numbered them in the order we used when trying to diagnose why the generator is hard to pull start. It’s best to first start with the most straightforward explanation and work up to generators as needed.
The generator will not start
A dead battery and corroded battery connections are common reasons why a generator won’t start, especially on electric start models. You can get the engine to restart by charging or cleaning the battery terminals and connections.
Not the battery? It could be: low oil, a faulty starter motor, or a spark plug problem. Refill the oil, replace the starter motor, and check your spark plugs. BISON will provide you with detailed steps on how to replace your spark plugs.
Generator surges
What is generator surging? If you rely on backup power, have you ever noticed flickering lights or fluctuating machine speeds (sudden transitions between fast and slow)? The term used to describe this phenomenon is “surge.” Surges from your generator are always unusual and can signal a potential problem with your generator.
In simplest terms, a generator surge or voltage surge is a sudden and dramatic increase in power that lasts anywhere from a few milliseconds to a second.
Generator overheats
Overheating of the generator can cause various parts of the generator to be damaged and need to be repaired or replaced. Also important to consider is that occasionally the cost of repairs might be higher than the price of a new generator. If the generator shuts down, you’ll have to deal with power losses, which can mean downtime-related losses. Overheating can also significantly shorten the life of the generator, which means you’ll have to replace it sooner than expected.
Generator not producing power
A common problem is that the generator is running but unable to power the home. BISON consulted our expert technicians to learn more about how to fix this problem, and they can guide you if you find yourself stuck.
In this blog, we will look at the common reasons why generators do not produce power. In addition, we will discuss ways to address this problem.
The generator produces weak or low-voltage
Low and unstable generator voltage can have serious consequences for equipment and operations. The most serious consequences include potential damage to appliances and sensitive electronics, leading to premature equipment failure or reduced performance.
Weak or low voltage can result from worn brushes, faulty voltage regulators, or engine speed issues. Worn brushes, voltage regulators, and engine speed adjustments are required.
The generator emits smoke
Oil leakage is the most common cause of smoke. When encountering a smoke problem, first check for oil leaks, make sure the tank is not overfilled, and rule out overheating by checking the cooling system and oil level.
You can also quickly identify the problem by the color of the smoke. Black smoke may be a problem with a rich fuel mixture, a clogged air filter, or overloading. White/blue smoke requires consideration of oil burning, cylinder head gasket failure, and worn rings.
The generator vibrates excessively
Is your generator vibrating excessively? Have you checked to see if you have tried tightening the mounting brackets and structural components? If you have tightened any loose parts on your generator and the generator continues to vibrate, check the load balance and check for worn, loose internal parts such as bearings or flywheels.
If it is an internal component failure, it is best to call a professional for repair.
Repairing a generator backfire
To address generator backfiring, start by pinpointing the underlying cause, which is likely one of the previously mentioned issues. Additionally, assess whether the backfiring occurs when transitioning from higher RPM to lower RPM upon shutdown, as it might not necessitate immediate repairs.
However, if your generator exhibits backfiring during startup or while running, it likely requires repair.
Generator wet stack
Wet stack is common in diesel generators. When unburned fuel mixes with soot in the exhaust system, a thick, dark liquid substance similar to engine oil results. It can drip or seep from various parts of the generator’s exhaust components, creating an unsightly appearance.
This condition is often indicative of a generator that has been running at low loads for long periods of time, has poor combustion, or is idling excessively.
Rebuilding a diesel generator engine
Rebuilding a diesel generator engine is not a difficult task, you can easily complete it by following the tips. Its process can be simply divided into 4 steps: complete disassembly, parts inspection, component replacement, and professional reassembly. If your generator engine has problems, follow the footsteps of BISON experts and rebuild your engine with the tips in this article.
Different problems with different types of generators
Generators range in size and shape from compact portable units to large industrial equipment. Types of generators include portable generators, stationary generators, and inverter generators.
- Portable generators: These generators are compact and often moved and stored, making them more susceptible to fuel line problems and starting problems. Repairs usually focus on the carburetor, spark plugs, and fuel system.
- Standby generators: As permanently installed equipment, they usually face repairs on automatic transfer switches, control panels, and building electrical systems.
- Inverter generators: These generators contain sensitive electronic components, and repairs usually focus on circuit boards and voltage regulation systems.
Generator repair process guide
- Personal protection measures: wear PPE, use insulated tools, choose a ventilated place, prepare a fire extinguisher, and disconnect the generator power supply.
- Visual inspection: Check whether the engine has obvious damage, fluid leakage, and loose connections.
- Detailed inspection: Check the fuel system, oil level, switch panel, and choke in turn.
- Repair: After determining the cause, use the correct technology to repair. You can refer to the user manual or the above article.
- Testing: After repair, perform no-load test, load test, operation verification, and safety system inspection.
- Document and record preservation.
Complete generator repairs service
Over time, generators inevitably experience wear and tear, which affects their performance and reliability. Repairing generators is therefore important to ensure the safety of users and to improve efficiency and longevity.
Repair advice is written by generator experts at BISON, who have many years of generator repair experience and knowledge. You’ll be guided step-by-step through the entire process with clear instructions and helpful illustrations.
If you want your generator to run smoothly and efficiently, you need to check out our generator repair tips. They will help you save time, money, and hassle, and ensure that you have reliable power when you need it most.
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BISON offers a range of services and resources to help our customers repairs their generators. From detailed guides and articles to free technical advice and 24/7 online service, we work hard to ensure that our customers get all the help and guidance they need to maintain their generators.
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