Genny starts, runs rough and then cleans up

Sounds like the choke isn't working correctly.

Usually on a carburetor the low idle needle will get partially clogged. Even though you run gas thru it once a month that may not be enough for that particular carburetor. I would run either some mechanic in a bottle or some Stabil thru it and see if that helps. If not you may need to have the carb cleaned.

MandKJohns wrote:
Even though you run gas thru it once a month that may not be enough for that particular carburetor.

This. The best carb cleaner out there is Berrymans B12 Chemtool.
If the gen has it's own fuel supply, use the in-gas cleaner at twice the recommended rate.

But not running good when cold does sound like a choke problem.

Try some Seafoam https://seafoamsales.com/

Sound like the choke to me, runs rough when cold and good when warmed up.

Another vote for Seafoam. It's the only product of its type I have ever used that actually does something.

lincster wrote:
Wanted to see what others thought.

Genny just started acting like this.
Fire it up, runs rough for 5-10 min, then cleans up and runs perfect.

I have never let the carb sit for more than 1 month without running gas through it.
Change the plugs/filters etc per the schedule in the owners manual.
In fact, air filter gets changed every 150 hours with the oil and oil filter.
Changed plugs per the manual.

Any ideas?

I know thru the years of being a member in here, that you take good care of your stuff. I can't remember the last time you asked for advice on something. My thoughts, same as the others. Run some seafoam thru it, worked on ours years ago when our genny did the same thing.

Strabo wrote:

lincster wrote:
Wanted to see what others thought.

Genny just started acting like this.
Fire it up, runs rough for 5-10 min, then cleans up and runs perfect.

I have never let the carb sit for more than 1 month without running gas through it.
Change the plugs/filters etc per the schedule in the owners manual.
In fact, air filter gets changed every 150 hours with the oil and oil filter.
Changed plugs per the manual.

Any ideas?

I know thru the years of being a member in here, that you take good care of your stuff. I can't remember the last time you asked for advice on something. My thoughts, same as the others. Run some seafoam thru it, worked on ours years ago when our genny did the same thing.

Well thanks Strabo.
I don't ask for advice often, you are right.
I either know how to fix it or learn from other posts.

I will buy a can of seafoam tomorrow and run it through this weekend when I am at the dunes.

If I do have a choke problem, what do I do to fix it?
Is there a mechanical adjustment?
Is there a diaphragm in the carb?
Haven't dug into one of these before.
Usually just say "replace the carb". LOL

Thanks all for the advice. I will report back after my weekend.

Check your breaker and fuse for your generator as well.

lincster wrote:

Strabo wrote:

lincster wrote:
Wanted to see what others thought.

Genny just started acting like this.
Fire it up, runs rough for 5-10 min, then cleans up and runs perfect.

I have never let the carb sit for more than 1 month without running gas through it.
Change the plugs/filters etc per the schedule in the owners manual.
In fact, air filter gets changed every 150 hours with the oil and oil filter.
Changed plugs per the manual.

Any ideas?

I know thru the years of being a member in here, that you take good care of your stuff. I can't remember the last time you asked for advice on something. My thoughts, same as the others. Run some seafoam thru it, worked on ours years ago when our genny did the same thing.

Well thanks Strabo.
I don't ask for advice often, you are right.
I either know how to fix it or learn from other posts.

I will buy a can of seafoam tomorrow and run it through this weekend when I am at the dunes.

If I do have a choke problem, what do I do to fix it?
Is there a mechanical adjustment?
Is there a diaphragm in the carb?
Haven't dug into one of these before.
Usually just say "replace the carb". LOL

Thanks all for the advice. I will report back after my weekend.

How about spraying some carb cleaner around the choke linkage. See if that helps.