Basic Engine Diagnostics
Updated
by
Juan Velez
Use the following video and steps in sequence to isolate potential sources of poor engine performance on your Champion standard portable generator or inverter. Correct any issues and confirm the engine performance and proceed to the next step if necessary.
Read instructions carefully and completely before performing service.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
- To reduce the risk of injury, user must read and understand the operator’s manual before using this product.
- DO NOT make any adjustments to the product without first stopping the engine and disconnecting the spark plug wire.
- Burns from hot parts — let the engine cool completely before touching hot parts.
- Injury from moving parts
- To reduce the possibility of fire or explosion, be careful when working around gasoline. Keep cigarettes, sparks and flames away from all fuel‐related parts.
Fuel
- Turn the fuel valve on.
- Open the drain screw located on the float bowl of the carburetor (3 or 4 rotations).
- Confirm that sufficient gas is flowing.
- Close the fuel valve and reinstall the drain screw. (If fuel is present and flowing freely, proceed to step 2.)
Air
- Remove the cover from the air filter assembly.
- Confirm that the filter element is clean and not saturated with oil.
- Confirm that the air intake is free from blockage.
- Reinstall the air filter element and cover. (If the air flow is not impaired, proceed to step 3.)
Compression
- Remove the spark plug wire from the spark plug. Remove the spark plug from the cylinder use the spark plug tool (provided with the engine) or a 14mm spark plug socket.
- Seal the spark plug hole with a finger and slowly pull the recoil starter.
- Confirm that noticeable pressure builds in the combustion chamber.
- Reinstall the spark plug and attach the spark plug wire. (If engine compression is strong, proceed to step 4.)
Spark
- Remove the spark plug wire from the spark plug.
- Remove the cap from the spark plug wire.
- Hold the exposed wire approximately 3/16" from the metal OHV cover and slowly pull the recoil starter.
- Confirm that the resulting spark is blue or white. A yellow or orange spark is too weak to start the engine.
- Reassemble the spark plug wire and cap.
- Remove the spark plug from the cylinder.
- Confirm that the plug is clean and not fouled with carbon deposits.
- Place the spark plug into the wire holder.
- Touch the metal ring of the spark plug to the metal OHV cover and slowly pull the recoil starter.
- Confirm that the resulting spark is blue or white. A yellow or orange spark is too weak to start the engine.
- Reinstall the spark plug and attach the spark plug wire.
View and download the PDF version here.
