Servicing Your Generator - The Importance of Maintenance
Posted by Generator Barn on 8th Mar 2025
For your generator to operate safely, affordably, and without issues, regular maintenance is necessary. Additionally, it will reduce air pollution.
The following maintenance advice is applicable under typical operating circumstances. Consult your local authorised generator dealer about the appropriate maintenance schedule if you use your generator in dusty environments or under exceptional circumstances, such as prolonged high load or high temperature operation.
Fuel Recommendations for Petrol Generators
The octane number of the standard unleaded fuel should be 89 or higher. Never use tainted or stale fuel, and keep water or dirt out of the fuel tank. Regular unleaded petrol with no more than 10% ethanol or 5% methonal by volume can be used. Manufacturer warranties do not cover engine damage or performance issues caused by using fuel with ethanol or methanol percentages higher than this.
Engine Oil Check
Make sure the engine oil in the generator is always in good condition. Engine service life and performance are significantly impacted by oil. It is imperative that you change the oil at least every six months, or every 100 hours if you use it more frequently. Oil changes are simple and quick; all you have to do is empty the old oil completely and refill it to the proper amount. Check the owner's manual for your generator to see what kind of oil is needed for your model.
Air Cleaner Service
Check the air filter and replace it if it's unclean or broken; if not, you may be able to reuse it with a quick clean
Battery Service
If your model generator is electric start, your generator's engine charging system charges the battery while the engine is running. However if the generator is only used periodically, the battery must be charged monthly to maintain the battery service life.
Taking Care of unexpected Problems
Engine Will not start - What to check:
- Main ignition switch is in the off position
- No fuel in the fuel tank
- Bad fuel, generator stored without draining the fuel, or you have refuled the generator with bad fuel
- Low engine oil - most generator models have a low oil alert cut out fitted
- Spark plug wet from trying to start so many times without it firing up
- The spark plug is faulty, fouled or gapped incorrectly
- Fuel blockage problem, could be a number of things like fuel filter blocked, main jets in carby blocked, fuel pump faulty etc
Engine Lacks Power - What to check:
- Air filter blocked or damaged
- Bad fuel, generator stored without draining the fuel, or you have refuled the generator with bad fuel
- Fuel blockage problem, could be a number of things like fuel filter blocked, main jets in carby blocked, fuel pump faulty etc
No power at the AC outlets
- faulty capacitor
- Brushes are worn and not making contact
- Circuit breaker has tripped
- Faulty power tool or appliance
- Faulty AC outlet
- Faulty generator