To start a gas powered generator does the choke need to be on or off?

Question

All the directions said was to:
1. turn on gas
2. switch the generator to on
3. adjust choke
4. Pull firmly on chord.

So I was a bit confused.

Answer 1

Read the instructions.

Typically, the choke is full on in the Winter and either full or almost full on in the Summer. If the engine is already at operating temperature, the choke may be unnecessary, any time of year.

Additionally, it is often necessary to prime the engine with the prime button. This is especially true in Winter. Again, the instructions are your best source since each engine is different.

P.S. Those are pretty poor instructions that came with the unit. Of course, that is why you are asking the question :-)

The purpose of the choke is to make the gas/air mixture richer. That means a higher percentage of gas in the mix than normal. A cold engine needs that richer mixture to start and to run.

You do need to reduce the amount of choke once the engine starts, but you certainly do NOT turn it off, just down a bit. As the engine warms up, you reduce the amount of choke even more.

This will vary, depending on the temperature. Engines run differently at zero degrees F than they run at 100 degrees F.

It the engine sputters when you reduce the choke, you reduced it too much, too fast. If you do not reduce it enough, you may get black smoke. If you get black smoke, it almost always means that you have too much choke, reduce it.

Also, when the load increases, an engine that is not warmed up enough will need a richer mixture or it may stall. Once warm, it should be best to have no choke on.

Answer 2

This all depends. The choke on an engine restricts the air flow which has two effects on the over all operations First it creates a 'richer' mixture. This rich mixture contains more fuel than oxygen and aids in the initial firing of the motor. Secondly it diverts the vacumn normally used to 'suck in air' to suck in more fuel and start the fuel flowing properly.

If a generator hasn't been run in a while the fuel may not be where it needs to be in suffient quatities to start and run the motor. So.. here's how you start a motor (any motor really) with a manual choke.

1. First try to start with out choking.
2. Turn the choke on (restrict air flow).
3. Crank the motor until the engine fires a few times or actually tries to start.

If the motor starts... turn the choke off.. or move it to a half way position until the motor has warmed up a bit and the fuel is flowing well.. then turn the choke off.

If the motor didn't start.. but fired a few times... move the choke to the half way position and try to start.

If the motor doesn't fire.. you have other issues.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Answer 3

Pull out the choke when its cold (or hasn't been started in a while) then pull the starter or hit the switch. When the motor starts to fire push the choke back in. The choke restricts the flow of air to the carburetor and allows the fuel to ignite sooner.

Answer 4

The choke needs to be closed or on if the engine is cold and hasn't been running.Leave it on just until it fires,then turn it off and pull it again.If the engine is warmed up try it with the choke off.

Answer 5

Put the choke on pull the rope till it trys to start then turn the choke off then start it. It should start then.

Answer 6

The Choke needs to be on....

Answer 7

On