Generator backfires/sputters to a stop

summerx

All,

this weekend my genny (Kohler 5E) started acting up.  it was tuned up this spring with an oil change, plugs, impeller and not sure what else. 
It runs fine for 2-3 minutes, good water flow out the side exhaust, and then it starts backfiring (popping sound) and stalls out.  the inline fuel filter looks fine and the gas in the bowl is clean.  Oil level seems correct.  Any ideas of what could be wrong?  just wondered if there was something I could easily check before calling the mechanic.

thanks
Craig

Dream_Inn

Could clean the choke.  Did you take a look at the whole generator issues log?  Lots of good stuff there.

raybo3

I once had my genny tuned up and even though the plugs got changed that was the problem. Try new plugs again. Maybe they are gaped wrong 

SeaHare

Just had the same problem...changed the plugs, now its good

PierPressure

Same symptoms here, after changing fuel filter and having carb cleaned, I changed the plugs and it worked like new 

Black_Diamond

Make sure they used the correct plugs. If you go by the engine, they are wrong. Should be long nose type. Use the NGK plugs too. BP4ES I believe. 

summerx

Thanks for all of the advice and suggestions!  I will check these out when I get back down there.  any suggestions of where to order the filters/plugs online?

Weber

The plugs you can get from advanced auto parts for $2.19 a piece.  Use part # 6928, they always seem to show out of stock with the NGK # but have them in stock with 6928#, its a the same plug just a label or stock # issue in their computer.

Weber

The small inline filter before the fuel pump you can get online or most marine stores sell them as they really are just a universal part.  There are lots of manufactures that use the same design and just put their name on it.  Most people remove this filter and thread the barb fitting directly to the pump since its a pain to get to.  Only do that if you have another filter on the main line.

Dream_Inn

@summerx , did you ever get the genny fixed?  Bring her down to the rendezvous this weekend and it will be our 'project'!  I'm sure we'll have it running in no time!  (BTW, you gonna make it this year?)

summerx

sorry DI, just seeing this now.  I was in Branson Missouri last week, boating on Table Rock Lake.  If we were home, I would have come down and taken you up on the offer.  One of these years I am going to make it.  How was it?