I know this has been said before but it really floors me how you can get them so relatively cheap. Down here in the south around my area people still are wanting 3-5 hundred for one that's anything from junk to barely working. Thanks again for my morning JC video and coffee.
Impressive! You put it on the trailer correctly strapped down. I wish 99% of the people that put things on trailers would strap them on correctly like this!
It's refreshing watching James's commitment to detail. How he brings these machines back to absolute factory specs right down to the most minute detail. I suspect he may have a touch of OCD the same as I do. I enjoy his vids immensely...
As usual another great video. As a simple tip, if one can't remember which battery terminal to remove first, remove them in alphabetical order; N (negative) comes before P (positive). Reinstall in the opposite order.
Thanks, James. You have certainly become an EXPERT on the evaluation and repair/adjustment of these small home generators. Today, I was really impressed with how really TINY adjustments of the jet has such an impressive result on engine performance. Glad that you are able to get these machines for reasonable prices.. After your expert repairs, they become very valuable to homeowners and small businesses!!.
I find it amazing that everyone who designs all these small-engine units manages to put the oil drain directly over something--frame, axle, etc.--so that it's impossible to drain the oil without it running all over everything. Just amazing.
Not my Honda generator (EU 7000is). It's amazing how well thought out the designers built it. It's completely enclosed. The 2 doors have rubber gaskets that keep the elements out. The inside looks as new as the day I bought it 5 years ago. There is a dip stick that I bought after market that's made of aluminum. It almost looks like Billet Aluminum? It has a magnet on the tip. It doesn't have an oil filter. The other is there is a rubber trap door under the generator that allows motor oil to drain into. The bolt holding the oil back has a lip outside of it to channel the oil away from the motor. If your frustrated with your roll out generators? Perhaps taking a look at the one I own?
James, I saw a video of a guy working on a motorcycle where the float pin was stuck. He used an automatic centering punch like machinists use on the end of the pin and it worked like a charm without putting much stress on the pin holder castings. Might save you from the punch and hammer routine that you've warned us all about. Hope this helps. Thanks for the content.
47:16 sounds like a harmonica and the start of a country song. I was shocked for a second that you put music in there... lol. Question on the surging. How did you know to go straight to the pilot jet? Couldn't an air leak between the carb and the block cause that? What do you think of the trick of spraying on the gasket areas to see if it affects how it runs to diagnose an air leak? Always more to learn! Nice work, Jim.
I love these videos. James you do such a great job with not just the electromechanical repair but also the video production. Thanks for one of my favorite RUclips channels.
I watch all your videos James and i dont comment much..but this one hit home with me because i have the identical northstar generator except without the electric start..its gotta be atleast 15 years old and has been a awesome generator for me when needed..glad to see the harmonic distortion is low on this unit..thank you so very much for this vid 👍🏻
Made it on only one coffee, thanks Jim! Just an FYI, at 33:35 you drilled holes on the "high spots" of the battery tray, meaning the rectangular rings will still fill up with water.
I think he did that on purpose because the low spots of the battery tray sit directly on the sheet metal which would seal off with a little dust over time.
James, you are the only one who I can trust with my small engines. I have a couple questions and I’ll be glad if you answer them. 1. Can I use car motor oil in small engine? 2. Does big box store fuel additive benefit overall condition of small engine? Thank you and great video as always!
A small point, but where you drilled through the battery box was the high point of the base, where the battery sits on the base. Therefore if water gets in again, it will still pool in the lowest part, while the holes are neatly covered by the battery base, which will make a fair attempt at sealing them when the battery is strapped down tightly. If however the holes were drilled in the deepest part of the box, they would also get sealed, being flush with the geny floor plate. So I'd say the best place to drill a couple/few holes would be in the vertical between the box base and raised base, or the first 4mm up the sides of the battery box.
@@jcondon1 Holes in the sides at the bottom is the fix. I'm wondering if there's a spreader pliers with slots to remove stuck fuel lints etc. Another great vid!
Another in a long line of educational and entertaining videos From James Condon, this is my go to Thursday Morning Video I know it will be something interesting and worth while watching thanks Jim
As you aways say... "Perfect" Nice unit, I personally love these NorthStar Twin cilinder, with the oil filter. You can add a second fuel tank, and with proper break in... let it running and forget about it! Thanks for the video James! (And I cant wait to see that damaged twin cilinder NorthStar at full load, with a another engine soon!) Best regards!
I'm glad to see that you got a good one! The no-load voltage vs full load voltage was a surprise that it hung in there, and the low THD was great. I have worked on a few of those NorthStar units and they are very well built and designed, as compared with most of the open frame traditional generators like this. The biggest downside to these NorthStar units is they are SUPER loud, gas hogs, and very heavy! Also, it's always nice to work on actual OEM Honda engines, with their quality parts, and even their carbs. I have had similar issues with OEM Honda carbs hunting/surging a bit. It can make you crazy. Great fix with opening the pilot jet a hair. Very impressive!
Hey buddy I just wanted to thank you for putting all these videos together. Been watching for a while and gathering knowledge and as you finish your videos about how you "hope it helps someone" well you really helped me out. I just purchased a Craftman power washer with a Brigss and Straton engine and on the third time it was turned on it would run a few seconds and then turn off. I knew there was no way the carb was dirty since it was a new engine. After checking the oil was full and I saw the dreaded low oil sensor, after watching your videos I knew what to look for and within a few seconds I had it disconnected. Now starts right and runs as it should. Thank You!!
James I was watching a guy use a spring loaded center punch to remove the stuck float pin on a carb he was rebuilding it worked great I will be trying that on the next one I get.
I would love to invite James to my house. I don't have any machines that need to be fixed, but I'm pretty confident he would not be able to resist cleaning some of them!
Well done James. My week had 2 carb struggles with new carbs coming in the mail. Carb struggles are a bummer + frustrating as you well know. Keep up the good work.
Always interesting and accessible to watch! Makes tackling one's own small engine not seem impossible. I always wonder, the original owner gives a $1,000+ machine away for $100. Do they ever try calling you back once you've got them running great again wanting them back? Great work!
I always used to hate the smell of Simple Green. But then I found out that the weird smell, sassafras, is one of the main ingredients in rootbeer that gives it that distinctive smell and taste, which I do like. Once I made the connection, now I love the smell of Simple Green 😊.
Jim, at this point you have more experience with small engines than I do so. I turn the float pin with needle nose pliers before pulling or pushing it out. Seems to work great for me so far. I was hoping you go up two sizes on the pilot jet. It always seems to work out better. One size leaves you too close to the edge. Seems these engines are still tuned for non ethanol fuel? Someone said to drill the battery box on the corners, good idea. That is a top quality generator and you did a fantastic job on it. Thanks!
Great job James, I have done many Honda engines, and it seems that on many I have to enlarge the low-speed jet by one or two sizes to get them to not surge. EPA rules are a little to ridged and don't allow for changes in sea level that effect the engine performance. Thanks for the video.
I was given a Campbell Hausfeld pressure washer that was only used once and put in a shed for years that had fuel left in the carburetor and was vanished up! I elected to buy a new $11 Chinese copy carb with free shipping on EBay and started second try! New factory original carb was $148, so I passed! Been using it 7 years now!
I have a older E.g. 4000 CL Honda do you have a video on that? I could sure use your help. The carburetor needs rebuilt and I need to take the gas tank off and clean it and there’s no instructions anywhere that I can find. Really enjoy your channel. Watch it all the time. Thank you, Don.
Another good and enjoyable vid. That surging would probably be from some minute dirt in the carb passages, and as the machine ran it just cleared itself. But why don't you use some fuel system cleaning chemicals, after cleaning the carb add this to a service tank with fuel, hook it to the carb and run the machine for a while. These chemicals would be ideal for a machine that has sat for long and clogged up on the inside.🐞
Love your videos! FYI -Simple Green is okay with rubber from my experience. I, and others, use it to revitalize rubber rollers in large printers and copiers.
I bought a Northstar 5kw with a 9 hp Honda to use and it lasted for 25 years. It's still sitting in my back deck. I replaced the carb with a Japanese one a few years ago and I'm thinking it was a very clever Chinese knock off because and it ran for a year and then it dumped a bunch of gas into the oil and I don't really know why. I don't have all that test equipment you have so I considered repowering with a HF Predator motor but bought a HFr 8.7kw Predator Generator and have ran it for 3 years with no problem. I'm guessing it has a high harmonic distortion because my automatic espresso machine won't work when it's powering up the house. Everything else seems to be fine. The 5kw was bit under powered to run my whole house but by using non ethanol 92 octane gas it would handle the surges .I always turned the gas off the tank to let it run dry at the end of every use and it preformed with almost no problems. I did change out the oil yearly and kept it out of the weather unless I had to put it out during use. Here in the Northwest it does seem to rain a lot,lol. I am still thinking that the HF Predator engine being a Honda knockoff might be an option and I would have to replace the valves on the tank as you just did in this video.
I drill hole in my battery box too. But halfway up the sides, 3 each side. That keeps the acid in the battery box if a cell was to crack open. When it rains and water gets in the battery box it will stop it from flooding the cells with rain water.
I noticed at about 49:23 that you have the back wheel/side elevated to presumably level the machine. Perhaps there is more slope on your driveway than appears on camera, but that is a good reminder to all that machines with splash lubrication really should be as level as possible.
Seems to be working well! Nice unit - Honda engine, fuel tank drain. Only thing I would have done different would be to replace the carb gasket and the spark plug as those are consumables, and relatively inexpensive.
I had trouble with surging on a generator even after cleaning and adjusting the carb. I turned the idle adjustment screw in enough to prevent the governor from reducing the engine speed below 60 HZ and that fixed it.
Hi James, good video. you may have a minor intake air leak, as you probably know if you dribble oil around the intake gasket while it is running a change in RPM will indicate an air leak. Rich
There should be a screen in that sediment bowl. I'm surprised that after the debacle with the previous Northstar you worked on you didn't look at the plug first, I always do but I work on a lot of old 2 cycle Lawn Boys. You drilled the holes in that battery box in the wrong location, I would have drilled 2 holes in the center so water can actually excape. Where they are now is a water trap because of the way the box is moulded. You got a good deal on this one, that's one nice generator.
James: Every time I see you using a dremel tool equipped with a wire brush, cleaning up some part, I imagine how you would fare with a thumb & index finger prosthesis ? (grin) I do so enjoy your videos. Greetings from Alberta
the needle valve was leaking very slightly keeping the carb wet. As the gas and alcohol evaporates it leaves the sticky residue on the carb, alcohol is water soluble that is why the ultrasonic works so good.
The surge: residual varnish in an internal channel and the nozzle (you cleaned out with the drill) perhaps? I have been toying with the idea of running carb cleaner as an additive to the gasoline to clean out varnish from the carb, but the seals are in harms way. Especially the float needle that can change shape. The float ball seal I think would just shrink back in time. Not as a permanent additive, but as a clean-out-run every now and again.
@ 1:23 If you are tired of constantly restringing the free end of the tie down strap back into your tie down straps while unloading things from a trailer --- Get everything all re-strung and ready to use --- and then tie a knot 2" from the non-hook end of the long strap. You won't accidentally yank the free end of the strap through the center of the ratcheting drum when unstrapping.
I recently worked on a carb that actually had a completely plugged inlet tube. I had never seen that before. Unfortunately, the main jet, pilot jet, and emulsion tube were also completely clogged, and the main jet stripped out. I cleared the pilot jet, main jet, inlet, and main passageway on the emulsion tube, but unfortunately I have no way to clear the small holes in the emulsion tube. Obviously, the mower did not run when I got it and had been sitting for several years, but I actually managed to get it to run with this carb. It surges really badly though, and there isn't much more I can do with this carb due to the main jet stripping out, and I am having a ton of trouble getting in touch with owner. I am in a holding pattern until I can get in touch with the owner.
I use dawn dish soap in my ultrasonic seems to work well was a night and day difference I’ve noticed in Tecumseh carbs usually come out pristinely clean
You didn’t use any parts from the other machine, which means you still have an episode in the pipeline with that other machine! Looking forward to that one.
I thought this machine was another 10k machine. However nice to see North Star puts good quality parts on their machines. I still won’t pay 3k for it but it’s nice.
You may want to try 'EZ Turn Lubricant' which is a wax based fuel line/fitting sealant for aircraft. Very sticky, unaffected by fuels or water If used with those bushings, it will never leak. Available from Aircraft Spruce. Expensive, $24.75 for a 5 oz tube. Also worked GREAT with my kitchen sink to stop a persistent trap leak (Not a drop in the last 7 years).
Any chance you could go over the differences between bonded and floating neutral and when to use them? Maybe show how to make a bonded ground plug adapter etc. basically what needs to be done to use a generator for house power.
James is the Bob Ross of small engine repair.
Bob Ross is the James Condon of painting.
I was going to say he's like Mr. Rogers teaching us life lessons.
I know this has been said before but it really floors me how you can get them so relatively cheap. Down here in the south around my area people still are wanting 3-5 hundred for one that's anything from junk to barely working. Thanks again for my morning JC video and coffee.
I can never move or I will run out of content. My friend Jason just dropped off two truck loads of small engine equipment he rescued from the trash.
@jcondon1 Make hay while the sun shines. Totally enjoy your channel Jim.
Stay the course steady as she goes mate.
Can confirm the same in north central NC here. It must be something about the Northeast... since Mustie1 also gets stuff free and cheap all the time.
Yep. Same here in ky...wished they were that cheap here
James just Bloom where you are planted brother 😄 that's what I do 👍
Another excellent Thursday morning with Mr Condon. Thanks for the weekly fun.
I’ve been following you for about two years now man I have learned so much from watching your videos ! Great job, James
Impressive! You put it on the trailer correctly strapped down. I wish 99% of the people that put things on trailers would strap them on correctly like this!
why not 100%?
It's refreshing watching James's commitment to detail. How he brings these machines back to absolute factory specs right down to the most minute detail. I suspect he may have a touch of OCD the same as I do. I enjoy his vids immensely...
Yes James, a retiree from Bournemouth UK. Thanks for the Thursday AM!!
As usual another great video. As a simple tip, if one can't remember which battery terminal to remove first, remove them in alphabetical order; N (negative) comes before P (positive). Reinstall in the opposite order.
Thanks, James. You have certainly become an EXPERT on the evaluation and repair/adjustment of these small home generators. Today, I was really impressed with how really TINY adjustments of the jet has such an impressive result on engine performance. Glad that you are able to get these machines for reasonable prices.. After your expert repairs, they become very valuable to homeowners and small businesses!!.
It’s not much James, but I really appreciate your videos, so would like to do what I can when I can to support your channel. Thanks!
I find it amazing that everyone who designs all these small-engine units manages to put the oil drain directly over something--frame, axle, etc.--so that it's impossible to drain the oil without it running all over everything. Just amazing.
Yeah I noticed that.
It's so at least SOMETHING won't rust😊
I noticed also!
Not my Honda generator (EU 7000is). It's amazing how well thought out the designers built it. It's completely enclosed. The 2 doors have rubber gaskets that keep the elements out. The inside looks as new as the day I bought it 5 years ago.
There is a dip stick that I bought after market that's made of aluminum. It almost looks like Billet Aluminum? It has a magnet on the tip. It doesn't have an oil filter.
The other is there is a rubber trap door under the generator that allows motor oil to drain into. The bolt holding the oil back has a lip outside of it to channel the oil away from the motor.
If your frustrated with your roll out generators? Perhaps taking a look at the one I own?
James, I saw a video of a guy working on a motorcycle where the float pin was stuck. He used an automatic centering punch like machinists use on the end of the pin and it worked like a charm without putting much stress on the pin holder castings. Might save you from the punch and hammer routine that you've warned us all about. Hope this helps. Thanks for the content.
47:16 sounds like a harmonica and the start of a country song. I was shocked for a second that you put music in there... lol. Question on the surging. How did you know to go straight to the pilot jet? Couldn't an air leak between the carb and the block cause that? What do you think of the trick of spraying on the gasket areas to see if it affects how it runs to diagnose an air leak? Always more to learn! Nice work, Jim.
I’ve used Dawn in my US cleaner ever since I’ve had it. Wonderful results. Love your videos. Howdy from rural Tennessee!
I think blue Dawn is great stuff, too.
@@robertcochran7103 So how does that blue color dye change anything - the formula is identical.
I love these videos. James you do such a great job with not just the electromechanical repair but also the video production. Thanks for one of my favorite RUclips channels.
Thanks
I watch all your videos James and i dont comment much..but this one hit home with me because i have the identical northstar generator except without the electric start..its gotta be atleast 15 years old and has been a awesome generator for me when needed..glad to see the harmonic distortion is low on this unit..thank you so very much for this vid 👍🏻
Made it on only one coffee, thanks Jim! Just an FYI, at 33:35 you drilled holes on the "high spots" of the battery tray, meaning the rectangular rings will still fill up with water.
I think he did that on purpose because the low spots of the battery tray sit directly on the sheet metal which would seal off with a little dust over time.
@@brnmcc01 I would drill through the pan and sheet metal. Nice channel brnmcc01, subbed
@@KensSmallEngineRepair Likewise, your channel is full of nice stuff too, I like it better than my own. lol.
@@KensSmallEngineRepairI've been subbed to you about a year or so.
@@twinkie27271 thanks!
James, you are the only one who I can trust with my small engines. I have a couple questions and I’ll be glad if you answer them.
1. Can I use car motor oil in small engine?
2. Does big box store fuel additive benefit overall condition of small engine?
Thank you and great video as always!
For some reason, I just couldn’t get into the other Northstar video but I found this video very entertaining. Thanks a lot. You do such a great job.
A small point, but where you drilled through the battery box was the high point of the base, where the battery sits on the base. Therefore if water gets in again, it will still pool in the lowest part, while the holes are neatly covered by the battery base, which will make a fair attempt at sealing them when the battery is strapped down tightly. If however the holes were drilled in the deepest part of the box, they would also get sealed, being flush with the geny floor plate.
So I'd say the best place to drill a couple/few holes would be in the vertical between the box base and raised base, or the first 4mm up the sides of the battery box.
Good point.
@@jcondon1 Holes in the sides at the bottom is the fix. I'm wondering if there's a spreader pliers with slots to remove stuck fuel lints etc. Another great vid!
I was thinking the same.
I drill right in the corner to stop water pooling. Well, used to, but then my boss said not to "modify" any parts. 😂
It's sorta therapeutic watching your videos Man! The methodical way you go through the repair process is really great!
Another in a long line of educational and entertaining videos From James Condon, this is my go to Thursday Morning Video I know it will be something interesting and worth while watching thanks Jim
As you aways say... "Perfect" Nice unit, I personally love these NorthStar Twin cilinder, with the oil filter. You can add a second fuel tank, and with proper break in... let it running and forget about it! Thanks for the video James! (And I cant wait to see that damaged twin cilinder NorthStar at full load, with a another engine soon!) Best regards!
I checked the prices and they are proud of those machines, but from the way this turned out, rightfully so. Thanks bud.
The low THD machines are a lot more expensive new. Used, usually not so much.
Love that you have upgraded to a load bank as opposed to heating coils , air conditioners etc.
I'm glad to see that you got a good one! The no-load voltage vs full load voltage was a surprise that it hung in there, and the low THD was great. I have worked on a few of those NorthStar units and they are very well built and designed, as compared with most of the open frame traditional generators like this. The biggest downside to these NorthStar units is they are SUPER loud, gas hogs, and very heavy! Also, it's always nice to work on actual OEM Honda engines, with their quality parts, and even their carbs. I have had similar issues with OEM Honda carbs hunting/surging a bit. It can make you crazy. Great fix with opening the pilot jet a hair. Very impressive!
Hey buddy I just wanted to thank you for putting all these videos together. Been watching for a while and gathering knowledge and as you finish your videos about how you "hope it helps someone" well you really helped me out. I just purchased a Craftman power washer with a Brigss and Straton engine and on the third time it was turned on it would run a few seconds and then turn off. I knew there was no way the carb was dirty since it was a new engine. After checking the oil was full and I saw the dreaded low oil sensor, after watching your videos I knew what to look for and within a few seconds I had it disconnected. Now starts right and runs as it should. Thank You!!
James I was watching a guy use a spring loaded center punch to remove the stuck float pin on a carb he was rebuilding it worked great I will be trying that on the next one I get.
I saw the same. I will try it next time.
I would love to invite James to my house. I don't have any machines that need to be fixed, but I'm pretty confident he would not be able to resist cleaning some of them!
Great find and great video. Relatively easy fix but that comes with all your patience and knowledge. Thanks James for my weekly fix👍
Well done James. My week had 2 carb struggles with new carbs coming in the mail. Carb struggles are a bummer + frustrating as you well know. Keep up the good work.
Don't you just love it when the engine bursts into life! I feel as if I am holding my breath!
As always another classroom quality video. I have always enjoyed to watch your videos and have learned a great deal over the time. ❤
Thanks
Always interesting and accessible to watch! Makes tackling one's own small engine not seem impossible. I always wonder, the original owner gives a $1,000+ machine away for $100. Do they ever try calling you back once you've got them running great again wanting them back? Great work!
They never do. I sometimes offer to fix and return, but they always decline....
Great video, very nice work bringing that generator back to life James!
Wow, you were due an east one after the last North Star. Hooray!
I always used to hate the smell of Simple Green. But then I found out that the weird smell, sassafras, is one of the main ingredients in rootbeer that gives it that distinctive smell and taste, which I do like. Once I made the connection, now I love the smell of Simple Green 😊.
Jim, at this point you have more experience with small engines than I do so. I turn the float pin with needle nose pliers before pulling or pushing it out. Seems to work great for me so far. I was hoping you go up two sizes on the pilot jet. It always seems to work out better. One size leaves you too close to the edge. Seems these engines are still tuned for non ethanol fuel? Someone said to drill the battery box on the corners, good idea. That is a top quality generator and you did a fantastic job on it. Thanks!
This was a pretty high end machine in its day............ and totally usable by today's standards. Fine work as always.
Great job James, I have done many Honda engines, and it seems that on many I have to enlarge the low-speed jet by one or two sizes to get them to not surge. EPA rules are a little to ridged and don't allow for changes in sea level that effect the engine performance. Thanks for the video.
Another lesson in keeping your equipment clean so when you need it it will be there for you. Thanks James.
Just discovered your channel. Excellent content, presentation and editing! You’ve got a new sub! 😊
I was given a Campbell Hausfeld pressure washer that was only used once and put in a shed for years that had fuel left in the carburetor and was vanished up! I elected to buy a new $11 Chinese copy carb with free shipping on EBay and started second try! New factory original carb was $148, so I passed! Been using it 7 years now!
Excellent find and repair. You got your money's worth and a whole lot more🎉🎉🎉. That engine sounded great at the end. Nice job.
I have a older E.g. 4000 CL Honda do you have a video on that? I could sure use your help. The carburetor needs rebuilt and I need to take the gas tank off and clean it and there’s no instructions anywhere that I can find. Really enjoy your channel. Watch it all the time. Thank you, Don.
Great machine and good motivation to replace that other engine.
The THD of this unit is astounding, well designed.
Im glad you found one cheaper than what i saw on Facebook marketplace and emailed you about
Another good and enjoyable vid. That surging would probably be from some minute dirt in the carb passages, and as the machine ran it just cleared itself. But why don't you use some fuel system cleaning chemicals, after cleaning the carb add this to a service tank with fuel, hook it to the carb and run the machine for a while. These chemicals would be ideal for a machine that has sat for long and clogged up on the inside.🐞
I've learned so much from your videos; thanks for posting.
Yesss Here we go!!!!! 💪🏻
Generous guy! Thanks now Im watching a Nice cool hour video!!!
Love your videos! FYI -Simple Green is okay with rubber from my experience. I, and others, use it to revitalize rubber rollers in large printers and copiers.
I'm watching from Asia love to watch the repairs really educational makes me wanna find things to fix
I'm a fan of North Star. They make good gear. I have a pressure washer of theirs. Honda GX390, Cat 66DX40G1 pump. 4KPSI, 4GPM. Great unit.
Yup me too had a pressure washer from them in 1997. Still runs well today!
Good job Doc, thats a nice machine, like the older stuff with honda power
I like the way they are built and easy to get to every thing 😊
Not a lot of junk on them 😊
Yeah! back on the winning side this week.
Turned out great. Very strong runner. Nice fix.
Thumbs up, great video, that gas in the carb was awful, almost syrup
I bought a Northstar 5kw with a 9 hp Honda to use and it lasted for 25 years. It's still sitting in my back deck. I replaced the carb with a Japanese one a few years ago and I'm thinking it was a very clever Chinese knock off because and it ran for a year and then it dumped a bunch of gas into the oil and I don't really know why. I don't have all that test equipment you have so I considered repowering with a HF Predator motor but bought a HFr 8.7kw Predator Generator and have ran it for 3 years with no problem. I'm guessing it has a high harmonic distortion because my automatic espresso machine won't work when it's powering up the house. Everything else seems to be fine. The 5kw was bit under powered to run my whole house but by using non ethanol 92 octane gas it would handle the surges .I always turned the gas off the tank to let it run dry at the end of every use and it preformed with almost no problems. I did change out the oil yearly and kept it out of the weather unless I had to put it out during use. Here in the Northwest it does seem to rain a lot,lol. I am still thinking that the HF Predator engine being a Honda knockoff might be an option and I would have to replace the valves on the tank as you just did in this video.
Another award winning resuscitation and it was Eazy Peazy!
very nice generator at a very nice price. Good find!
James I’m wishing I had one of your generators right about now! Helena going to hit North Georgia hard.
I've been using the simple green since day one and have had some excellent results.
I drill hole in my battery box too. But halfway up the sides, 3 each side. That keeps the acid in the battery box if a cell was to crack open. When it rains and water gets in the battery box it will stop it from flooding the cells with rain water.
I keep mine in a shed
I noticed at about 49:23 that you have the back wheel/side elevated to presumably level the machine. Perhaps there is more slope on your driveway than appears on camera, but that is a good reminder to all that machines with splash lubrication really should be as level as possible.
Thanks for all you do James! Great job. Love the content.
Well you got some redemption here. Nice fix and 💯 test. Those micro drill bits are a must for carburetors etc.
Hey James, thanks for the video. I hope this generator works out for you.
Seems to be working well! Nice unit - Honda engine, fuel tank drain. Only thing I would have done different would be to replace the carb gasket and the spark plug as those are consumables, and relatively inexpensive.
I like this unit better already James . In my opinion , the Honda engine makes it more desirable .
I agree, wish I had it 😢
Great find and fix James 😸👍🏾
Thank you for posting such an excellent video. I enjoyed watching it.
Nice save James. Thanks for posting
Great! I figured it was going to be a parts swap from the other machine to make one good one but no! You did it again! Nice.
I had trouble with surging on a generator even after cleaning and adjusting the carb. I turned the idle adjustment screw in enough to prevent the governor from reducing the engine speed below 60 HZ and that fixed it.
👍👍👌👌 We love clean power! Thanks for the video.
Hi James, good video. you may have a minor intake air leak, as you probably know if you dribble oil around the intake gasket while it is running a change in RPM will indicate an air leak.
Rich
There should be a screen in that sediment bowl. I'm surprised that after the debacle with the previous Northstar you worked on you didn't look at the plug first, I always do but I work on a lot of old 2 cycle Lawn Boys. You drilled the holes in that battery box in the wrong location, I would have drilled 2 holes in the center so water can actually excape. Where they are now is a water trap because of the way the box is moulded. You got a good deal on this one, that's one nice generator.
With single cylinder I can usually tell without looking. Lesson learned on the multi-cylinder last week.
James: Every time I see you using a dremel tool equipped with a wire brush, cleaning up some part, I imagine how you would fare with a thumb & index finger prosthesis ? (grin) I do so enjoy your videos. Greetings from Alberta
That sounds great, can you also include a breakdown from materials used to restore andall the final expenses
Another machine saved. Brilliant video
Nice quick starting Honda engine.
the needle valve was leaking very slightly keeping the carb wet. As the gas and alcohol evaporates it leaves the sticky residue on the carb, alcohol is water soluble that is why the ultrasonic works so good.
The surge: residual varnish in an internal channel and the nozzle (you cleaned out with the drill) perhaps?
I have been toying with the idea of running carb cleaner as an additive to the gasoline to clean out varnish from the carb, but the seals are in harms way. Especially the float needle that can change shape. The float ball seal I think would just shrink back in time.
Not as a permanent additive, but as a clean-out-run every now and again.
@ 1:23 If you are tired of constantly restringing the free end of the tie down strap back into your tie down straps while unloading things from a trailer ---
Get everything all re-strung and ready to use --- and then tie a knot 2" from the non-hook end of the long strap. You won't accidentally yank the free end of the strap through the center of the ratcheting drum when unstrapping.
I recently worked on a carb that actually had a completely plugged inlet tube. I had never seen that before. Unfortunately, the main jet, pilot jet, and emulsion tube were also completely clogged, and the main jet stripped out. I cleared the pilot jet, main jet, inlet, and main passageway on the emulsion tube, but unfortunately I have no way to clear the small holes in the emulsion tube. Obviously, the mower did not run when I got it and had been sitting for several years, but I actually managed to get it to run with this carb. It surges really badly though, and there isn't much more I can do with this carb due to the main jet stripping out, and I am having a ton of trouble getting in touch with owner. I am in a holding pattern until I can get in touch with the owner.
I use dawn dish soap in my ultrasonic seems to work well was a night and day difference I’ve noticed in Tecumseh carbs usually come out pristinely clean
Another great video.
And I really like the 1hr ones. Which will not be a popular idea! 😂
You didn’t use any parts from the other machine, which means you still have an episode in the pipeline with that other machine! Looking forward to that one.
I thought this machine was another 10k machine. However nice to see North Star puts good quality parts on their machines. I still won’t pay 3k for it but it’s nice.
I'm surprised you didn't do/show a valve adjustment. I would have thought valve adjustment was part of the overall servicing of the engine.
You may want to try 'EZ Turn Lubricant' which is a wax based fuel line/fitting sealant for aircraft. Very sticky, unaffected by fuels or water If used with those bushings, it will never leak.
Available from Aircraft Spruce. Expensive, $24.75 for a 5 oz tube. Also worked GREAT with my kitchen sink to stop a persistent trap leak (Not a drop in the last 7 years).
Any chance you could go over the differences between bonded and floating neutral and when to use them? Maybe show how to make a bonded ground plug adapter etc. basically what needs to be done to use a generator for house power.
nice and low expense repair/service....!
I've found simple green fairly gentle on rubber and most things for what it's worth.
Saved another one great job keep them coming
U can use a tie rod spreader to take out of tank...might work
Nice job sir Nice Generator Nice show sir 👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👍😍😃
Thanks
Well done James keep it up 💯👍