Can We Fix It? - 11 Year Old Champion Generator - Carburetor Issue or Is It Just Getting Worn Out?
Travel & Events
Introduction
Well, we've had quite an adventure with our friend Russ again. We met up with him for a couple of days, and as always, it was fun. But back to business – I've got a task at hand that's been delayed for as long as I can put it off. It's about that Champion generator I installed in the existing generator bay of my Coachman. The original generator was missing when I bought the Coachman, so I installed the Champion, which has served in several RVs over the years. It's now 10 or 11 years old and showing signs of its age, at least cosmetically.
Tearing Down the Generator for Maintenance
I've already disassembled parts of the generator; the covers and end covers are off, revealing the extent of its sun-faded exterior. The original yellow and black colors have been bleached over time. Even though it looks weathered, it's what's inside that counts. The main problem is that the generator’s idle has become unsteady. It surges, idles up and down, and initially, it still does this despite being a mess of parts.
Turning it on, you can hear the erratic idle. This problem points to a dirty fuel system; the carburetor needs cleaning. I last addressed this issue about five years ago, and back then, it cleared up nicely for another five or six years. Inevitably, contaminants in the fuel have accumulated, and it’s time to clean the carburetor again.
Attempting to Fix the Problem
I've read about solutions like using Sea Foam to clean fuel systems. However, my experience with additives like Sea Foam has been mixed. While it worked somewhat on a Rota Tiller, it didn’t fix the problem completely. Given the generator's importance, I decided to manually clean the carburetor instead.
After gathering some screws and making sure I have all the necessary tools, I began disassembling the generator to access the carburetor. The process isn’t overly complicated, requiring the removal of a few bolts and screws. I made sure to have the right parts on hand, including a 5mm tap, which I fortunately owned.
Cleaning the Carburetor
Upon removing the carburetor, it became clear there were tiny particles clogging the fuel bowl and internal passages. Despite using air filters, small contaminants can still sneak through and accumulate over time. Cleaning these manually with carburetor cleaner and compressed air is crucial.
After thoroughly cleaning the carburetor and ensuring all passages were free of debris, I reassembled it, paying close attention to detail to avoid any oversights. Once everything was back in place, I decided it was time to test the generator.
Testing and Results
Unfortunately, after all that work, the generator’s idle problem persisted. Although it runs fine under load, the erratic idle remains. This suggests other worn components might be contributing to the issue, possibly the governor or muffler internals.
Given its age and usage, it’s time to consider if more repairs are just delaying the inevitable. Should I keep pouring money and effort into an aging generator, or is it more practical to invest in a new one? A new generator is costly, but continuous minor repairs could add up.
So, with a mix of disappointment and hope, I decided to leave it as it is for now. Perhaps I’ll try an additive like Sea Foam one more time, though my expectations are low. A brand-new generator would run quieter and more efficiently, avoiding frequent manual interventions. For now, the journey with this 11-year-old Champion continues, albeit with a few more bumps along the way.
Keywords
- Champion Generator
- Generator Maintenance
- Carburetor Cleaning
- Fuel System
- RV Generator
FAQ
Q1: What was the main issue with the generator? A: The main issue was the unsteady idle; the generator surged and idled up and down.
Q2: How old is the Champion generator? A: The generator is about 10 or 11 years old.
Q3: What did the cleaning of the carburetor involve? A: Cleaning the carburetor involved disassembling it, removing the fuel bowl and needle, and cleaning out the tiny particles using carburetor cleaner and compressed air.
Q4: Did the carburetor cleaning fix the idle problem? A: No, the carburetor cleaning did not resolve the idle issue. It’s likely that other worn components also contribute to the problem.
Q5: What are the next steps considered for the generator? A: The next steps include possibly using an additive like Sea Foam as a last resort and considering the purchase of a new generator.
Q6: Why consider buying a new generator? A: A new generator would likely run quieter and more efficiently without frequent manual interventions, making it a more practical option in the long run.