Problem with Champion generator

Love my Champion but with all products there is always an issue every now and then. I would call customer service. I had to call them before to get a replacement part and I have to say they had the best customer service I have ever dealt with. Good luck!!!!

My Honda behaves as you describe when I fail to open the vent on the filler cap.

DarkSkySeeker wrote:
My Honda behaves as you describe when I fail to open the vent on the filler cap.

I thought that too but it showed to be in the proper position. I’m going to go check it again though to be sure. It was getting dark outside and my eyesight isn’t what it used to be.

Crambo wrote:

DarkSkySeeker wrote:
My Honda behaves as you describe when I fail to open the vent on the filler cap.

I thought that too but it showed to be in the proper position. I’m going to go check it again though to be sure. It was getting dark outside and my eyesight isn’t what it used to be.

The "logic" is backwards on mine. I think "to the right" is "ON" and "to the left" is "OFF".

The other thing with mine is the carburetor was gummed up. Enough fuel would get through to start it up, and then it would stop, but I believe yours ran a while, which is not the same symptom.

It only ran for about 2 minutes but I used it a lot this past weekend and the weekend before while I was camping and it ran flawlessly. I’m going to check the fuel vent again just to make sure

Sounds as if the old generator for some reason had a "low voltage" condition for a time.

Is there a fuel cut off switch? Sounds like it ran enough to empty the carb, then stopped. I'm in the habit of always turning off the fuel switch each time I run the generator, so I must remember to turn it on the next time I try to start. I've forgotten a few times and wore my arm out pulling the rope. Remembered the switch and then it fired right up. Hopefully that's the problem.

I go my the labeling on the selector on the gas cap, forget which way was which. I think the raised lettering is located on the cap itself.

I am sure you did this but I would recycle the on/off fuel vlve/selector also.

Just trying to be optimistic.

OK I have had several rounds with Champion customer service. First I have to say that they are good and responsive. Easy to contact most of the time. They will suggest fixes based on their assessment of your mechanical skill. And they will send you to a service center.

That's when things go downhill. My 3500 digital ran fine with one problem that was easily fixed. Then one week it started making loud noises and burning oil at a prodigious rate. Called the customer support guy in California, no problem the guy speaks english and after some diagnosis sends me to a not very local service center--Billy-Bobs Rental service (names changed ect) which was 40 minutes away.

OK Billy-Bobs takes in the generato, says they think the motor is fried and away I go. Call back a week later, they apparently stuck it in a corner somewhere, start calling every day based on the squeeky wheel theory. Finally after 2 weeks they diagnose the motor as bad, ring failure scored cylinder ect. They recommend Champion replace the genset, nope Champion want to send a new motor. OK takes 2 and a half weeks for Champion to send a motor and over a week for it to get here. And when it gots to Billy-Bobs who opens the box after 3 or 4 days, it's the WRONG motor.

I contact Champion, raise cain demand a new generator, Billy-Bob says he did the same. Champion finally agrees to send a new genset. Another 8 days passes until I get the call that it has arrived. If you add all this up it comes to almost 6 weeks.

Then the new generator has a problem, I'm afraid to call Champion again. Apprently a solinoid on the carb is bad and needs to be replaced. But it still runs AND

The backup generator, a 3500/4000 construction type fails. Can't pull the recoil starter cord. Champion diagnoses as maybe stuck valve that just need lube. Send me to Dave's which is closer. Dave seems to be a part time motor fixer tho, and he was skeptical of the diagnoses mumbling about a bad motor AGAIN.

Both of these Champions were bought in the spring. Anyway no word from Dave after 8 or 10 days. Left a message on his voice mail today.