Generator problem

[Fredkrueger100]

I have a Champion Power Equipment portable generator that I use to run most of my house. I have an interlock switch hooked into my breaker. The generator has been amazing for the little over 3 years I have owned it. And it’s been used quite a bit. 36 hours straight was the longest it’s been used. I follow all the maintenance schedules and use synthetic oil in it. Every two weeks I turn it on and let it run for about 20 minutes and then I shut the gas valve off and let it run dry.

I was doing the two week run last weekend and when it was finished I went to get the generator to put it in the garage and noticed some oil on the ground under it. It wasn’t much but it he never done that before. So I ran it again earlier and 10 minutes in it started to leak pretty bad. I have an idea and some pictures so you can see it. Do any of y’all know how to work on these? And if so can you get a good idea of what might be wrong with it by watching the video? It just ran out of warranty at the first of this year so I have to pay for it myself. I called a small engine shop here in town and explained to them what it was doing and they made it seem as if it’s really and people usually just buy a new one as it would be so much to fix it. That’s hard to believe. It ain’t like these are cheap. Any help is much appreciated.

 

[Uncle Meat]

I would start by checking the bolts for tightness.

 

[Shadowrider]

Have you checked to see if those bolts are tight? Looks well maintained but I'd be turning those a bit.

ETA: Lol. Meat posted while I was watching the video.

 

[Fredkrueger100]

I don’t see how those bolts have anything to do with where it’s leaking from. It’s coming out of where that metal grate thing is. But I will see if those are loose just in case. Thanks.

There is a metal spindle inside where that grate deal is. The oil is coming out of there and dripping down to the bottom.

 

[SlugSlinger]

Looks like the seal. From what I’ve experienced, when a seals goes, there’s a reason. A lot of the time; it’s because a bearing has gone bad. These small engines are made to run a certain number of hours then fail.

Oh, and it’s not a replaceable bearing, the last Koehler I had a seal issue didn’t have bearings. The crank ride directly on the aluminum housing. That was a truly throw away engine. That was at 400 hours.

 

[SlugSlinger]

Oh, and I’ve heard a lot of folks say do not use synthetic oil in small engines. This includes small engine techs through a machinist buddy of mine.

They say to run conventional oil and if possible use oil with zinc.

 

[Mr.Glock]

You have a seal went bad between the generator and engine.

 

[montesa]

Are you using the right weight oil? That can cause leaks. Some small engines take a heavier oil. Skip the synthetic as well.

 

[Okie4570]

Shaft seal, as the others have said.

 

[Forgalspop]

I own 3 of the Champion 2000 watt inverter generators and each have well over 1,200 hours on each. They are 5 years old. Each of them developed valve cover leaks. I called Champion and they sent me replacement valve cover gaskets. I replaced them and sprayed the gaskets with the copper gasket sealer and they no longer leak.

I think I recall reading reviews about some Champion Generators leaking oil. I think some of Harbor Freight ones tend to leak oil. Kind of the Luck Of The Draw type situation. Some leak and some don't.

Might check the valve cover gasket.