Generator problem - Don't overlook the obvious

I got my new Honda 2K portable generator in the January time frame and played with a couple of times to learn all of the ins and outs about it... It was about March I guess when I first took it with me on a camping trip to LOFT MTN - SKYLINE DRIVE VA.

I ran all my batteries all night long and then the next morning with my big smile on my face pulled out my Honda 2K and cranked it up... It ran good and about min later it just shuts down...

I check the oil again and the gas and all looked great - Fired it up again and same thing...

Then I got to thinking maybe its bad gas since it sit in the garage all winter long so I dumped the tank behind a bush and put fresh gas in it... same thing only run about a minute...

By this time a few folks have came by all offering helpful info which none helped...

then one dude walked up and said hmmmm - OK try it now... It fired up again as usually but this time it keeps running. He tells the bill will be $50 and I followed up with Check is in the mail....

Yep - I forgot about the ON-OFF position on the gas cap...

geeesch....



I did have a clue as everytime I removed the gas cap it would make a air exhaust sound. I thought it was building up pressure in the gas tank when running the engine... It was really telling me it was the other way - making a vacuum in the gas tank because the air vent was closed with the gas cap switch...

Oh well - At least I will never do that again...

Roy Ken

Had a generator brought in one time that had a rod go through the case. They said it didnt have any spark and the electricians figured out why and disconnected the low oil alert. This was from a local mine.

Good story! Always check the obvious and the easy first. If you ever call tech support for a computer problem some of the first questions they ask; Is the computer plugged in? Did you check the outlet with something else to make sure it has power? Did you press the on switch? Most people get annoyed with those stupid questions, but there is a reason they ask them!

cjd10 wrote:
Reminds me of a few years ago we were staying at a racing event for several days and my BIL was using a portable generator for his trailer that wouldn't stay running. He and my nephew worked on it for almost an hour before they realized it was simply out of gas. Each thought the other had gassed it up

I dismantled the water heater burner looking for the elusive cause of its failure to light. Only after I had it all in pieces did it occur to me to try another propane appliance, to make sure it would light. Guess what, it didn't, because the tank was empty...:S Switched to the full tank and voila!

Reminds me of a few years ago we were staying at a racing event for several days and my BIL was using a portable generator for his trailer that wouldn't stay running. He and my nephew worked on it for almost an hour before they realized it was simply out of gas. Each thought the other had gassed it up

I believe it's called the K.I.S.S. method. :)