Went to check out my Craftsman 6800/9300W generator before the upcoming snow storm. Hard to start, lots of white smoke, wouldn't stay running and was spitting oil out the exhaust. I pulled the dipstick and gasoline started to run out all over the garage floor. I'm guessing a seal is gone. Is it worth trying to repair? Diagnoses/suggestions will be appreciated greatly. Thank you.

Matt

Maybe, maybe not.
Those go new for $6~800 right?
Maybe have someone look at it if you are aren't into small engines.

Sounds like the float was stuck on the carburetor and allowed gasoline to flow into the crankcase. Had this happen on a Cub Cadet tractor. I drained the oil and replaced it. I also installed a shut off valve on the fuel line and shut the fuel off when I wasn't using it. Ran it like that for years.

/\/\/\. Maybe this. Fuel flow stopcock was left open after last use.

quote:

Originally posted by tankeryanker:
Sounds like the float was stuck on the carburetor and allowed gasoline to flow into the crankcase. Had this happen on a Cub Cadet tractor. I drained the oil and replaced it. I also installed a shut off valve on the fuel line and shut the fuel off when I wasn't using it. Ran it like that for years.

This....

Tear apart your carburetor and rebuild it, or purchase a new one. Change the oil and you should be good.

When I last started my generator, gas came pouring out of the carburetor. I thought it was shot. I took it apart, sprayed it with some carb cleaning. It started right up and no leak. That was in September. Now I start it once a month and hook up some power tools to put a load on it.

Its not garbage. Easy fix.

1) Cut the fuel line, add a fuel shutoff valve to the line if your engine doesn't already have one. If your engine already has a fuel shutoff valve, make sure to use it every time the engine turns off.
2) Change the oil to get all the gasoline out
3) The float is not working properly.
3a) You can do nothing, and use the fuel shutoff valve for years, and it will be just fine, as long as you ALWAYS use the fuel shutoff valve
3b) Rebuild the carburetor. ALWAYS check the cost of a new carburetor before rebuilding, as many carb's can be bought for cheap. You do not rebuild a carburetor that is cheap to acquire.
3c) Put a new carburetor on it.

I would shut of fuel supply. Drain crankcase and fill with oil, now pull recoil starter to turn engine over a few times. Do not start. Drain crankcase again and fill with oil. Now start her up. Should be ok. Use fuel stabilizer and fuel shutoff in the future.

It could also be the fuel pump, if it has a block mounted mechanical fuel pump. Those usually have a seal and if it goes bad will leak fuel into the block. Either way it should be a relatively easy/cheap fix.

I wouldn't spend much time looking for a fuel pump. lol

Carburetor float needle valve not sealing and or sticking open.