Section 4 Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Maintenance Recommendations
Regular maintenance will improve perfor-
mance and extend generator life. See a quali-
fied dealer for service.
Generator warranty does not cover items sub-
jected to operator abuse or negligence. To
receive full warranty value, operator must
maintain generator as instructed in this man-
ual, including proper storage as detailed in the
"Storage."
section.
NOTE: Call 1-888-GENERAC with ques-
tions about component replacement.
Maintenance Schedule
Follow
maintenance
whichever occurs first according to use.
NOTE: Adverse conditions will require
more frequent service.
NOTE: All required service and adjust-
ments should be each season as detailed
in the following chart.
At Each Use
Check engine oil level
Every Season
Check valve clearance***
Every 200 Hours or Every Season
Inspect/clean air cleaner filter**
Change oil and oil filter
Check engine speed control
Drain fuel tank & replace outlet fuel filter
Every 1000 Hours
Check compression
Every 1500 Hours
Inspect, clean & test fuel injection nozzle
Every 2000 Hours
Check & replace fuel hoses
ǂ Change oil after first 50 hours of operation,
then every season.
* Change oil and oil filter every month when
operating under heavy load or in high tem-
peratures.
** Clean more often under dirty or dusty oper-
ating conditions. Replace air filter parts if
they cannot be adequately cleaned.
*** Check valve clearance and adjust if neces-
sary after first 50 hours of operation and
every 400 hours thereafter.
14
schedule
intervals,
ǂ*
Preventive Maintenance
Dirt or debris can cause improper operation
and equipment damage. Clean generator
daily or before each use. Keep area around
and behind muffler free from combustible
debris. Inspect all cooling air openings on
generator.
WARNING
Do not insert any object through the air cooling slots.
Generator can start at any time and could result in
death, serious injury and unit damage.
• Use a damp cloth to wipe exterior surfaces
clean.
• Use a soft bristle brush to loosen caked on
dirt, oil, etc.
• Use a vacuum to pick up loose dirt and
debris.
• Low pressure air (not to exceed 25 psi [172
kPa]) may be used to blow away dirt.
Inspect cooling air slots and openings on
generator. These openings must be kept
clean and unobstructed.
NOTE: DO NOT use a garden hose to clean
generator. Water can enter engine fuel sys-
tem and cause problems. If water enters
generator through cooling air slots, some
water will be retained in voids and crevices
of rotor and stator winding insulation.
Water and dirt buildup on generator inter-
nal windings will decrease insulation resis-
tance of windings.
Engine Maintenance
Engine Oil Recommendations
Use high detergent, premium quality motor oil
certified for service class CI-4 or CJ-4. SAE
20W-40 is recommended for general, all tem-
perature use. See
Figure
SAE 10W
SAE 20W
SAE 10-W30
-4 °F
14 °F
32 °F
(-20 °C)
(-10 °C)
(0 °C)
Figure 4-1. Oil Recommendations
Operator's Manual for Portable Generator
(000142)
4-1.
SAE 15W-40
SAE 20W
SAE 30
SAE 40
50 °F
68 °F
86 °F
(10 °C)
(20 °C)
(30 °C)
104 °F
(40 °C)
000578