Generator repair: petrol, diesel and inverter generators
Why a generator “won’t start” and what to do
Most often the causes are simple and linked to the fuel system: stale petrol, a dirty carburettor, a clogged fuel filter, a faulty spark plug. If the generator has stood unused for a long time, the fuel in the carburettor may have thickened. Other problems are more serious: an overheated engine, no voltage at the output, a faulty voltage regulator, worn brushes or windings.
So it is important to describe the symptom exactly: does the engine not start, does it start and then stall, or does it run but give no power?
What to put in your request
- type of generator — petrol, diesel, gas, inverter; single-phase or three-phase;
- make and model — the full name from the plate;
- power — in kW or kVA;
- the fault — will not start, no voltage, unstable running, needs servicing, carburettor cleaning;
- running time — engine hours or age;
- a technician visit — for large and stationary units;
- area, time, budget.
Example: “5 kW petrol generator, about 600 engine hours. It will not start after the rainy season, probably the carburettor. I need a check-up, cleaning and a new spark plug. Toronto, preferably before the next summer power cuts, budget up to $35.”
Servicing before the season
A generator standing idle needs as much care as one that runs every day. Oil changes as per the schedule, checking the air and fuel filters, the spark plug, the fuel level and the cooling: this is the basic list. If you use the generator as a backup source for power cuts, service it in advance, not when the lights have already gone out.
How to compare offers
- Is the diagnosis free, or is it part of the visit charge?
- Who buys the spare parts, and is the price given with them?
- Does the technician work with your type? Inverter, diesel and three-phase units need different experience.
- Do they test the generator under load after the repair, not only at idle?
- What is the warranty, and on what exactly?
A common mistake is to pour stale petrol into the generator, or to mix the fuel in the wrong ratio (for two-stroke models), and then hunt for a “mysterious” fault. Another is to connect appliances without checking the generator’s power: overload damages both the generator and the appliances.
How it works on BlaBlaPrice
You write a request once, and technicians reply in the chat: price, or what it depends on, time, and whether they can visit. The request is checked before it is shown, and you are told what is missing. Technicians see where they stand among the other offers and often improve their terms, and each has reviews. Your phone number stays hidden, and only the technician you choose gets your contacts. Details in how it works.
You will find other kinds of service in the “Repair and servicing of appliances and electronics” section, and for appliances at home that run off the generator, see home appliance repair.
