Coleman 2500 generator running good, then bad, then not at all

[sonny cancun]

I have a Coleman 2500 generator with a 5 horsepower Tecumseh. it was running rough, but after I changed the oil, it was running perfect. I put it away for 2 months. got it out again started it... it was running rough. I took it apart cleaned the carburetor float assembly, put it back together, and now it won't start. It won't even turn over.I would appreciate any advice.

 

[mechanic mark]

Drain gas tank, add fresh gas & give her a try. I use STAR TRON Fuel Treatment per instructions on bottle mixed in fresh gas can.

 

[sonny cancun]

Thank you.. I'll try that. Meanwhile, I noticed that when I take the float assembly out and try to blow through the ridged gas input fitting no air can pass through it. I can't see any way to unclog it, because I don't see or feel any hole. Does that sound normal? I had the assembly out earlier, and there was gas underneath the float.

 

[Rivets]

If your Tecumseh engine is a flat head engine this manual should help you out. I would be removing the carb clean and rebuilding it with a new needle and sea. I’ve attached a procedure I use.

https://www.mymowerparts.com/pdf/Tecumseh-Service-and-Repair-Manuals/TECUMSEH-SERVICE--REPAIR-MANUAL-3HP-TO-11HP-4-CYCLE-L-HEAD-FLAT-HEAD-ENGINES-692509.pdf

Needle and seat replacement.

Remove the carb, and then remove the float bowl. Check the float bowl jet (which is the bowl screw) and make sure the jets both horizontal and vertical are clean and open. Tip the carb upside down and remove the float pin and float with needle attached. Look in the float needle passage and you should see the red float seat at the bottom of the passage. This is where a #5 crotchet hook would come in handy as you need to remove this seat. If you have no hook, but compressed air, you can blow through the fuel inlet and try to pop the seat out. Put your thumb over the passage to prevent the seat from flying who knows where. No air or hook try bending a stiff paper clip to dig the seat out.

I would either give the carb a good 24 hour soaking or have it ultrasonically cleaned at this time.

With the seat out clean the passage way with carb cleaner. Now you must find a drill bit slightly smaller than the passage way, to be used to press in the new seat. Apply a very, very small amount of a very light lube to the new seat. 3-1 oil or lighter, to help seat it better. Carefully insert the new seat in the passage way with the rings on the seat down toward the carb body. Slowly and carefully force the seat down with the back end of the drill bit. Once it is seated, check to see that it did not flip and the rings are up. Next check to make sure that the float does not have any liquid in it. If it does, replace. If everything looks correct, attach the new needle to the float and install with the float pin centered. It everything is correct, the float should seat level to the carb body, when looking at it upside down. If everything looks good reattach the float bowl, making sure that both the bowl gasket and the nut gasket seal properly. Reinstall on the engine and test unit. Remember to have patience and take your time. Good luck, but I don't think you'll need it.

PS: On the side of some Tecumseh carbs you will find a plastic cover. Under this cover will be an idle jet. Remove it and check to see that the jet is open both horizontally and vertically. You should be able to push the old float needle wire through the vertical opening.

 

[sonny cancun]

If your Tecumseh engine is a flat head engine this manual should help you out. I would be removing the carb clean and rebuilding it with a new needle and sea. I’ve attached a procedure I use.

https://www.mymowerparts.com/pdf/Tecumseh-Service-and-Repair-Manuals/TECUMSEH-SERVICE--REPAIR-MANUAL-3HP-TO-11HP-4-CYCLE-L-HEAD-FLAT-HEAD-ENGINES-692509.pdf

Needle and seat replacement.

Remove the carb, and then remove the float bowl. Check the float bowl jet (which is the bowl screw) and make sure the jets both horizontal and vertical are clean and open. Tip the carb upside down and remove the float pin and float with needle attached. Look in the float needle passage and you should see the red float seat at the bottom of the passage. This is where a #5 crotchet hook would come in handy as you need to remove this seat. If you have no hook, but compressed air, you can blow through the fuel inlet and try to pop the seat out. Put your thumb over the passage to prevent the seat from flying who knows where. No air or hook try bending a stiff paper clip to dig the seat out.

I would either give the carb a good 24 hour soaking or have it ultrasonically cleaned at this time.

With the seat out clean the passage way with carb cleaner. Now you must find a drill bit slightly smaller than the passage way, to be used to press in the new seat. Apply a very, very small amount of a very light lube to the new seat. 3-1 oil or lighter, to help seat it better. Carefully insert the new seat in the passage way with the rings on the seat down toward the carb body. Slowly and carefully force the seat down with the back end of the drill bit. Once it is seated, check to see that it did not flip and the rings are up. Next check to make sure that the float does not have any liquid in it. If it does, replace. If everything looks correct, attach the new needle to the float and install with the float pin centered. It everything is correct, the float should seat level to the carb body, when looking at it upside down. If everything looks good reattach the float bowl, making sure that both the bowl gasket and the nut gasket seal properly. Reinstall on the engine and test unit. Remember to have patience and take your time. Good luck, but I don't think you'll need it.

PS: On the side of some Tecumseh carbs you will find a plastic cover. Under this cover will be an idle jet. Remove it and check to see that the jet is open both horizontally and vertically. You should be able to push the old float needle wire through the vertical opening.

Many thanks! That will keep me busy.

 

[sonny cancun]

Drain gas tank, add fresh gas & give her a try. I use STAR TRON Fuel Treatment per instructions on bottle mixed in fresh gas can.

 

[sonny cancun]

I put fresh gas in it, and it started, but it's back to running rough again. Every few seconds it sounds like it's going to die, and a spring loaded linkage at the front of the motor seems to loosen about a quarter of an inch and then goes back to its original position when the engine comes back up to speed. There is a torx head screw underneath the on/off switch, connected to this linkage, but that seems to have no effect. There is a hole next to the switch right over the screw, but it's offset so that I can't get the wrench in the hole. I have to take the switch cover off. I will keep at it per the detailed instructions given below. I know very little about small gasoline engines.

 

[sonny cancun]

I put fresh gas in it, and it started, but it's back to running rough again. Every few seconds it sounds like it's going to die, and a spring loaded linkage at the front of the motor seems to loosen about a quarter of an inch and then goes back to its original position when the engine comes back up to speed. There is a torx head screw underneath the on/off switch, connected to this linkage, but that seems to have no effect. There is a hole next to the switch right over the screw, but it's offset so that I can't get the wrench in the hole. I have to take the switch cover off. I will keep at it per the detailed instructions given below. I know very little about small gasoline engines.

Here's an update... I got it apart and cleaned the throttle plate and the aluminum housing and everything I could see with carb cleaner. Put it back together. Put fresh gas in. Started it, and after a rough patch I was able to adjust the torx screw, which appears to be a choke spring tension adjuster, and it evened out and it seems to be running fine. Thanks to all.