Rebuild or Replace

[kenclench]

Hi Folks
The Generac generator in my ‘97 Rexhall Vision is kaput. I believe the only issue is the carburetor, but there could be others. New carbs are not available for that Generac model.
What’s your opinions? And, would you know what to replace it with if that’s the route I end up going?

 

[Rich W.]

If its only the carb I’d try to rebuild or at least refresh it before anything doing more expensive. Kits might not be available but if you’re careful during disassembly you’ll be able to re-use gaskets etc. Usually its just build-up in the tiny internal passages, jets, and/or needle and seat, and a good cleaning will take care of that.

Also run the part number(s) found on the carb to do a search. You may not find listings for a carb for that generator, but you might find listings for that carb as it was probably used on other equipment.

 

[kenclench]

I’ll give that a whirl. I seem to remember searching for one. At the time the $400 price was intimidating. But, that’s hardly the cost to buy a new generator

 

[Rich W.]

I’ll give that a whirl. I seem to remember searching for one. At the time the $400 price was intimidating. But, that’s hardly the cost to buy a new generator

I went through this with an older riding mower. I couldn’t confirm that what I found on-line was correct so I removed the carb and got the numbers off it. John Deere wanted $230 and the knock-offs on Amazon were around $40. I like to buy American and generally avoid cheap stuff from China but the price difference was beyond my threshold. So I bought the cheap carb and it runs good enough. I saved the original to rebuild at my leisure.

 

[kenclench]

It’s been a bunch of months since I invest the first time. I seem to remember that a knock off wasn’t available. I may be wrong.
I’ll roll up my sleeves and try again.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Troubleshooting time!!!
No gas!
1. At least 1/4 tank of gas.
2. Hot wire electric fuel pump.
Fuel pump is building pressure?
No gas, needle valve stuck, free using small hammer.
Gas flood, needle valve not seating.
If you can't tell if gas is filling bowl unscrew drain screw.
3. Got gas? No start? Replace spark plugs (any time, time passes without use, plugs have high failure rate).
4. No start? Check for spark.
5. No spark Replace relay!!!

Got spark? Still have problems? Clean carb. I use chemtool spray to clean passages and jets.

Those are the simple things. CDI ignition seldom fails, valves stick, many things could fail but the above are common. I think small engine repairs can be done by a child, my first experience I was in 4th grade. Your mileage may vary!!!

 

[Bigblockyeti]

I'd have to agree with Rich, somewhere that same carburetor was used on something else and someone has very similar if not identical one for sale for a small fraction of the absurd markup Generac is comfortable with. Kevin's run down of initial diagnosis is a great place to start!

 

[kenclench]

This is great stuff. Thank you very much both of you. I’m motivated again to get it working.

 

[sanda]

You can easily troubleshoot fuel vs. Ignition problems. A shot of starting fluid, if engine fires it is a fuel issue. If it doesn't fire it is Ignition.

 

[Rich W.]

I'd have to agree with Rich, somewhere that same carburetor was used on something else and someone has very similar if not identical one for sale for a small fraction of the absurd markup Generac is comfortable with. Kevin's run down of initial diagnosis is a great place to start!

Even if its been obsolete or discontinued for years, might also find one on ebay once you have the part numbers. But disassembly and clean out would be my first choice after determining it really is the carb and @sanda ’s method will tell you that.