I have had a 3000 watt generator for a while now, and it has at least 3000+ hours on it. Maintenance has been changing the oil out and the other basic stuff, including cleaning the carb.It has worked perfectly until last weekend where when I tried to start it via electric start, the solenoid clicked, nothing happened. Tried pulling on the rope, it snapped.I'm pretty sure it has given up the ghost, but I've never seen a generator actually seize up like this. Usually it might run a bit then just die, but this is the first time I've seen a generator hard-sieze where the camshaft couldn't be turned at all.This is a head scratcher. Guess it is beyond my expertise, because it probably may require a valve job. Any ideas where to look?

Will it turn if you take out the spark plug? It's a bit of a long shot, but maybe there's some oil or water or something that got in the cylinder and is causing hydrolock.It may also be that the starter cord was getting weak with age, and a new one would turn the engine over without breaking. It could, of course, also have the engine seized for some reason.

Pull the spark plug, and try to turn it over by putting a socket on the end of the crankshaft.

could be starter jammed on fly wheel .

I HAD a pull rope break, it was worn a few inches inside, where it rubbed on the housing , a few inches of slack between the front panel and the pull cover allowed for the rope to move from engine vibrationif the engine is seized, you might get a universal replacement at harbor freightbut, its probably buy a complete new generator for near the same price

Unless you are real strong the rope must have been badly worn, perhaps ready to break. Fix it before saying the motor is seized, or at least try the suggestion to try turning it directly before assuming that it's a write off

Seized up generator crankshaft? | Good Sam Community

DrewE
Explorer II
Mar 13, 2017
Will it turn if you take out the spark plug? It's a bit of a long shot, but maybe there's some oil or water or something that got in the cylinder and is causing hydrolock.

It may also be that the starter cord was getting weak with age, and a new one would turn the engine over without breaking. It could, of course, also have the engine seized for some reason.
SAR_Tracker
Explorer
Mar 13, 2017
Pull the spark plug, and try to turn it over by putting a socket on the end of the crankshaft.
midnightsadie
Explorer II
Mar 13, 2017
could be starter jammed on fly wheel .
MrWizard
Moderator
Mar 13, 2017
I HAD a pull rope break, it was worn a few inches inside, where it rubbed on the housing , a few inches of slack between the front panel and the pull cover allowed for the rope to move from engine vibration

if the engine is seized, you might get a universal replacement at harbor freight
but, its probably buy a complete new generator for near the same price
horton333
Explorer
Mar 13, 2017
Unless you are real strong the rope must have been badly worn, perhaps ready to break. Fix it before saying the motor is seized, or at least try the suggestion to try turning it directly before assuming that it's a write off
nineoaks2004
Explorer
Mar 14, 2017
I worked n a lawn mower engine awhile back, seems the carb float had stuck and the
engine crank case had filled up with gas, I drained everything, refilled the oil, gas etc. cleaned the carb and checked the float (which was the problem) It started right up and still runs good. Also the electric starter motor could be jammed there are quite a few things that could cause the problem you describe. I would take the time to give it a good check over before declaring it dead in the water. Could be something really simple and either free or cheap to fix..
j-d
Explorer II
Mar 14, 2017
There's also the outside chance the engine stopped with the piston at exactly top or bottom dead center. Especially if there's anything sticky on rings, etc. it can be very hard to pull the engine over with the rope starter. Wrench on the crankshaft should get it to where it'd pull again. Given of course nothing's actually wrong.
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Mar 14, 2017
If nothing came flying out of the crankcase, it MIGHT be rebuildable !

Biggest issue is disconnecting the generator head from the engine. There are a couple of bolts but the problem is disconnecting the crankshaft for the generator rotor. Check YouTube, There are several good video showing how to do this.

Then you can pull the cover off of the engine and see what happened inside.
Rvpapa
Explorer
Mar 14, 2017
Take the head off and clean the carbon out.
Art.
ctilsie242
Explorer II
Mar 14, 2017
I did try changing the oil -- the oil was dirty, but no metal shavings in it.

Since it is a Yamaha generator, I'm probably looking at a bigger cost to replace the engine than buying a new one, so unless it is something odd like the pull rope breaking, a fault with the starter, and the low oil mechanism all triggering at once, it may be toast. Worst case, I put it away until I can take it to a service place that might be able to get it going again.