When Under Load, Briggs & Stratton Generators Fail

• Most electrical appliances include a label that specifies their wattage.
• To get going, some motors need a bit more energy than others. Here, the wattage needed to get going is what needs to be used for the final wattage calculation. If your generator has a beginning wattage specified, you can use it to temporarily meet the higher wattage needs of starting an appliance.
• Add up the power consumption of everything that will be running off the generator at once.
• The sum of these watts must be less than the maximum allowed by the generator.

Do not attempt to power more electrical appliances with the generator than it can provide. Turn off the power source if the machine stalls.

Take out everything that’s plugged into the outlets. Adding new items requires starting the generator over.

Briggs & Stratton Generator with a Filthy Carburetor

The carburetor controls the ratio of air to fuel in the combustion process. Incorrect operation of the carburetor, which slows the engine, is commonly caused by stale fuel.

Varnish left behind by old fuel can suffocate fuel lines. If there isn’t enough gasoline, there won’t be enough oxygen in the air to create the explosion that starts the engine.

If your carburetor gets dirty, you’ll need to take it apart to clean it or rebuild it so it can be used again.

Taking pictures while you disassemble the carburetor for cleaning can help ensure that all of the little parts go back where they belong once you’re done.

Take the generator’s carburetor off. Use a carburetor cleaner to get rid of as much gunk as possible. A carburetor rebuild kit should be used to replace any worn or broken components. Reinstall the carburetor after cleaning and fixing it.

If you don’t feel comfortable dismantling your carburetor and cleaning and rebuilding it yourself, you may always buy a new one. If the carburetor on your Briggs & Stratton is dirty and won’t clean, you may need to replace the whole unit.

B&S Generator Fuel Filter or Sediment Bowl Clogged

A Briggs & Stratton generator’s fuel filter prevents debris from entering the fuel system and ultimately the engine, where it could cause damage and premature wear.

You might have a fuel filter installed directly in the line where the fuel enters the engine. The fuel valve could also have a sediment basin attached to it. A fuel restriction might be caused by a clogged filter or a full sediment bowl.

If you run your generator as often as the average homeowner, you should clean the sediment bowl or change the fuel filter once a year. More frequent service is required the more often it is used.

Ask a technician at a Briggs & Stratton service center about your gasoline filter if you aren’t sure if you need one or where it is situated.

Briggs & Stratton Generator with Blocked Air Filter

In order to keep your generator functioning, you must replace the air filter. It filters the air entering the engine so that only clean air enters. If the engine doesn’t have a filter to keep dirt out of the air intake, the engine could be severely damaged.

If you use your generator more than once a year or if you’re operating it in particularly dusty environments, you should change the air filter more frequently than once a year.

The air filter needs to be cleaned and replaced regularly. To keep the filter in good shape and free of dirt and debris between changes, it should be checked on multiple occasions.

If you don’t clean and replace the filter on a regular basis, it will get clogged with dirt and prevent the engine from receiving enough air. Overheating and stalling can be disastrous for an engine.

Before using, make sure the air filter has been cleaned or replaced if necessary. When cleaning your Briggs & Stratton, be sure to use the methods outlined in the owner’s manual.

Here I’ve included some tips for cleaning a few different kinds of air filters. If you are unsure how to clean your air filter, it is recommended that you refer to the instructions that came with your machine.

Cleanse a Briggs & Stratton generator FOAM air filter

• Take out the filter and throw it away.
• The housing and cover of the air filter should be wiped clean of any lingering dust or debris. Keep the air filter clean and clear of any debris.
• Foam filters should be checked for wear and tear and replaced as necessary.
• Cleaning the filter with soapy water and rinsing it until the water runs clear will determine its condition.
• The filter must be squeezed and then let to dry.
• It is not necessary to apply oil to all foam filters. If your vehicle has a filter, make sure it is completely submerged in clean engine oil. Then, drain any extra oil from the engine by squeezing the filter. There should be no traces of oil on it.
• Replace the air filter.
• Securely fasten the filter cover back into place.

Cleanse a Briggs & Stratton generator PAPER air filter

• Take out the filter and throw it away.
  
• The housing and cover of the air filter should be wiped clean of any lingering dust or debris. Keep the air filter clean and clear of any debris.
  
• When cleaning the air filter, take it out and tap it against a hard surface to loosen the dirt and dust inside. Take care that the paper component doesn’t get ruined.
  
• If the filter is damaged or has turned a dark tint, you should get a new one.
  
• Replace the air filter.
  
• Securely fasten the filter cover back into place.

Choke Won’t Clear on a Briggs & Stratton Power Equipment Generator

When the throttle isn’t readjusted once the engine heats up to let enough air get to the engine, the generator can stall for lack of ventilation.

By reducing the amount of air entering the engine, the choke makes the fuel run rich. A cold engine cannot be started without this. When the choke is not released after starting the engine, it might cause the engine to stall.

One possible cause of this is failing to turn off the engine’s choke once it has warmed up. A jammed choke or faulty switch/dial (depending on model) used to start the generator are two more possible causes.

Briggs & Stratton Generator with a Clogged Spark Arrestor

When you install a Briggs & Stratton generator, you’ll want to make sure that the spark arrestor screen is in place to contain any sparks or other flamable debris that would otherwise escape the muffler. This will lessen the likelihood of fires and burn casualties.

If carbon deposits block this metal screen, the engine may overheat and even shut down.

Wait until the muffler has cooled down before attempting to remove the spark arrestor for cleaning. Take out the spark arrestor’s screen and have a look at it. If you see any holes or tears in the mesh screen, you should get a new one.

A commercial solvent or a little brushing with a small metal brush can be used to remove soot deposits from a screen that otherwise looks fine. After cleaning, replace the screen on the muffler.