Thanks, and Update on Generac Generator

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Thanks to all of you that helped with my generator problem. It might have been overkill, but I basically used all of your suggestions.I removed the carb and cleaned it, new spark plug, etc. I re-filled the gas tank, and used a gas-stabulizer--oh, I also changed the oil. Found the idle switch, checked the fuel shut off, found the choke. Not all today, this has been an on again off again project since I first posted. The boys and I got home early from the Farmers' Market today, and decided today was the day. A hit of starter fluid, a quick double check on everything....and dang, started right up! Thank you all so much! Also, my tire-off-the-rim project didn't go as well--the rope around the tire was a great idea, but couldn't pump it up fast enough--found an actual tear in the tire....but I have ordered inner tubes, and they should be here anyday. Do I use the rope trick when doing the inner tube? Again, everyone, thank you. K.T.

-- K.T.Simon (KTS@hotmail.com), September 16, 2001

Answers

The inner tube will expand inside the tire and push the tire bead onto the rim. No rope needed. Make sure both tire bead and rim shoulder are clean and that there is no dirt/stones inside tire. You might want to use some sort of rubber friendly lubricant on tire bead such as automatic transmission fluid. By way you will still want to patch the hole in the tire before installing the tube if its more than a nail puncture. This keeps dirt and small stones out of tire. These things if they get into tire can make a hole in the tube. If the hole is too large for regular patching, there are very heavy patches called a tire boot. This is only for use on slower moving off road vehicles like tractors or their implements. From experience, if its really big hole, tear, etc., then its usually better to bite the bullet and buy another tire. Its frustrating to have to redo the tire because the boot shifted and a stone or something got into the tire and punctured the tube.

I am assuming you know you will have to pry tire bead on one side of tire over the rim to get tube inside tire. A large screwdriver or small leaf off a multi-leaf car spring works well. Its like doing a bicycle tire except the tire is stiffer so you need bigger tools. Be careful prying tire bead back inside tire rim after inserting the tube so you dont pinch a hole in the tube. Sorry if this all sound complicated. You ever see it done once and its obvious. You are just manually doing what tire shop does with their pneumatic tire machine. I've even fixed large farm tractor tires at home and its same technique, just more unweildy due to greater weight and size.

Also congratulations on getting your generator started.

-- Hermit John (hermit@hilltop_homestead.zzn.com), September 16, 2001.


My neighbor(a small engine mechanic) keeps telling me that starting fluid is really hard on small engines and shouldn't be used, although I've seen no damage on any of my engines. He suggest that I use something like RD-90 instead. It's similar to WD-40. It's a flammable lubricant. Just give it a good squirt right in the spark plug hole if you can get to it.

-- Jason Kendrick (kendrick@mddc.com), September 16, 2001.

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