Excessive Fuel Consumption Question

PGB1

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Jan 14, 2022
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I apologize that this isn't a lawn mower, but a small engine question.
I have a Wacker G 5.6A generator with a Honda GX 340 engine. Typically, with a moderate load of 12-14 amps per phase, the engine uses 0.325 to 0.40 gallons per hour. The latest ten hour use, it used 2.1 gallons per hour with a 12 amp per phase load. I was surprised at the increase.

I checked the air cleaner. It is clean and the foam is lightly oiled.
The unit used no oil in 10 hours.
The spark plug is grey and has the proper gap.
I hung a white filter paper draped over the exhaust discharge. The paper stayed clean. No oil is on the paper.
I see no smoke or vapor in the exhaust. It's invisible.
The fuel was fresh from the gas station the day the unit was run.
RPM loaded and no-load is perfect per manual.
The engine starts on the first partial pull (about 6" of pull on the rope) and runs very smoothly.

After every use, I drain the fuel and run the engine to stall. I pull the rope to close the valves.
The oil was 1 month & zero hours old. (I change it every 6 months, per the manual.)
Pulling the rope, it has very strong compression. Unfortunately, the manual does not give a compression value to check.

Can you think of something that I forgot to check?

My only guess is that the temperature was in the mid to upper 90's-F. I don't know if this effects fuel usage that much.

Thanks For Helping Me Solve This Mystery!
Paul
 

ILENGINE

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So it basically went from running 12 hours on a tank of fuel to 2.5 hours.
 

7394

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Wow !
 
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