Starting Problems

A generator that starts then dies in 2-5 seconds is almost always a gummed carburetor. The 60-second test that confirms it, the three-tier fix from $0 to $45, and how to stop it happening next season.

Generator won’t start? 9 common causes ranked by frequency, with field-tested fixes for each. The carburetor is behind two of every three stored-generator no-starts — here’s how to confirm yours.