Generator leaking gas: Common Causes & How to Fix
1Generator Float Bowl Gasket
Most Common Solution
Repair Instructions:
The float bowl gasket, a sealing part in the carburetor, could be dried up or not there at all. If there's a leak at the base of the carburetor, it might be time to get a new float bowl gasket.
How to Replace Generator Float Bowl Gasket
- Disconnect the battery. Always disconnect the negative terminal first to prevent sparks.
- Drain the fuel. Use an approved container to drain gas from the carburetor bowl.
- Remove the bowl. Take out the screws or bolts securing the bowl to the carburetor body.
- Clean the surfaces. Use carburetor cleaner and rags to thoroughly clean the gasket surfaces on the bowl and body.
- Remove old gasket. Carefully scrape off any remaining pieces of the old gasket material.
- Install new gasket. Place the new carburetor bowl gasket in the proper position on the bowl or body surface.
- Reinstall the bowl. Carefully reattach the float bowl, making sure the new gasket seats properly. Insert screws or bolts and tighten securely.
- Replace fuel. Refill the carburetor bowl with fresh gasoline to the proper level.
- Check for leaks. Inspect the newly installed gasket for any signs of dripping fuel or leaks.
- Reconnect battery. Once no leaks are found, reconnect the negative battery cable.
2Generator Carburetor Bowl Gasket
Most Common Solution
Repair Instructions:
The bowl gasket in the carburetor, which helps to seal it, could be dried out or missing. If you notice a leak from the bottom of the carburetor, it might be a good idea to replace this bowl gasket.
How to Replace Generator Carburetor Bowl Gasket
- Disconnect the battery. Always disconnect the negative terminal first to prevent sparks.
- Drain the fuel. Use an approved container to drain gas from the carburetor bowl.
- Remove the bowl. Take out the screws or bolts securing the bowl to the carburetor body.
- Clean the surfaces. Use carburetor cleaner and rags to thoroughly clean the gasket surfaces on the bowl and body.
- Remove old gasket. Carefully scrape off any remaining pieces of the old gasket material.
- Install new gasket. Place the new carburetor bowl gasket in the proper position on the bowl or body surface.
- Reinstall the bowl. Carefully reattach the float bowl, making sure the new gasket seats properly. Insert screws or bolts and tighten securely.
- Replace fuel. Refill the carburetor bowl with fresh gasoline to the proper level.
- Check for leaks. Inspect the newly installed gasket for any signs of dripping fuel or leaks.
- Reconnect battery. Once no leaks are found, reconnect the negative battery cable.
3Generator Fuel Tank
Most Common Solution
Repair Instructions:
The fuel tank could be cracked or have a tiny leak. Inspect the fuel tank for any possible leaks. If you find one, you should replace the entire fuel tank. Trying to repair it is not advised as it poses safety risks..
How to Replace Generator Fuel Tank
- Disconnect battery. Always disconnect the negative terminal first to prevent sparks.
- Drain old fuel. Use an approved container to drain the remaining gasoline from the old tank.
- Remove tank mounting hardware. Use appropriate tools to take out any bolts, screws, or brackets securing the fuel tank.
- Disconnect fuel lines. Detach the fuel supply and return lines from the old tank. Plug lines to prevent fuel leakage.
- Disconnect gauge sender. Unhook any fuel gauge float sender wire from the old tank.
- Remove the old tank. Carefully maneuver the empty tank out of the generator frame.
- Install new tank. Carefully position new fuel tank into the generator frame in the same orientation.
- Reconnect fuel lines. Attach the supply and return fuel lines to the corresponding nipples on the new tank.
- Reconnect sender. Hook up the fuel gauge float sender wire to the matching terminal on the new tank.
- Secure tank. Reinstall any mounting hardware to securely fasten the new fuel tank to the generator frame.
- Add fuel. Fill the new tank with fresh gasoline to the proper level. Inspect for any leaks
- Reconnect battery. Once the tank is full and no leaks are found, reconnect the negative battery cable.
4Generator Fuel Line
Most Common Solution
Repair Instructions:
One or more fuel lines in your generator might be leaking. You should carefully look at these lines for any signs of cracks. If you find a fuel line that's cracked or dried out, it needs to be replaced. It's not safe to try fixing a fuel line by yourself. If it's cracked, it must be replaced.
How to Replace Generator Fuel Line
- Disconnect the battery. Always disconnect the negative terminal first to prevent sparks.
- Drain the fuel. Use an approved container to drain gas from the fuel tank.
- Locate the fuel line. Determine which line needs replacement, either supply or return. Refer to a wiring diagram if needed.
- Disconnect the line. Loosen any clamps securing the line and detach it from the fuel tank and carburetor.
- Remove old line. Carefully maneuver the old fuel line out of the generator frame.
- Install new line. Route the new fuel line along the same path as the old one.
- Connect the line. Attach the fuel line securely to the tank and carburetor using hose clamps.
- Check for kinks. Ensure the new line has no sharp bends or kinks that could restrict fuel flow.
- Refuel generator. Add fresh gasoline back into the fuel tank.
- Check for leaks. Inspect new fuel line carefully for any signs of leaks at connections.
- Reconnect battery. Once no leaks are found, reconnect the negative battery cable.
5Generator Carburetor Gasket
Most Common Solution
Repair Instructions:
The gasket, a seal in the carburetor, could be dried out or gone completely. If you see a leak at the carburetor's bottom, it might be time to replace this gasket.
How to Replace Generator Carburetor Gasket
- Disconnect the battery. Always disconnect the negative terminal first to prevent sparks.
- Remove air filter housing. Use appropriate tools to detach the air filter assembly and access the carburetor.
- Drain fuel. Use an approved container to drain gas from the carburetor bowl.
- Remove carburetor. Take out bolts securing the carb to the engine and detach the fuel line and linkage.
- Separate carburetor halves. Carefully separate the two halves of the carburetor to expose the old gasket surface.
- Clean surfaces. Use carburetor cleaner and rags to thoroughly clean the gasket surfaces on both halves.
- Install new gasket. Place the new carburetor gasket in place on one half of the carburetor.
- Reassemble carburetor. Carefully join the carburetor halves with a new gasket sealed in between.
- Install carburetor. Attach carburetor back to engine, reconnect fuel line and linkage.
- Replace air filter housing. Reattach the air filter assembly and inspect for leaks.
- Reconnect battery. Reconnect the battery cable once the carburetor is installed.
6Generator Primer Bulb
Most Common Solution
Repair Instructions:
The primer bulb, used to start the engine, might have a leak. As time goes by, the rubber of the bulb can harden and crack, leading to gas leaks. If you notice the primer bulb leaking, it's time to replace it. Trying to fix or patch the bulb is not advised.
How to Replace Generator Primer Bulb
- Disconnect the battery. Always disconnect the negative terminal first to prevent sparks.
- Locate primer bulb. The primer bulb is part of the carburetor fuel line. Trace the fuel line from the tank to find it.
- Remove fuel line clamps. Use pliers to detach the spring clamps on both ends of the primer bulb.
- Remove old primer bulb. Slide the old bulb off the fuel line. You may need to twist it gently to unseat it from the barbs.
- Install new primer bulb. Carefully push the new primer bulb onto both ends of the fuel line. Seat it firmly over the barbed fittings.
- Secure clamps. Reattach the spring clamps on both sides of the new primer bulb.
- Check function. Gently squeeze the new primer bulb and verify it holds pressure.
- Reconnect battery. Once operation is verified, reconnect the negative battery terminal.
- Prime carburetor. Squeeze primer bulb several times to prime the carburetor before starting.
7Generator Carburetor
Common Solution
Repair Instructions:
The carburetor in your generator can get cracks over time because of the shaking and heat from the engine. If the carburetor has a crack, it will leak fuel. You should carefully look at the carburetor for any signs of cracks or rust. If you find that the main part of the carburetor is leaking, it's probably time to get a new one.
How to Replace Generator Carburetor
- Disconnect the battery. Always disconnect the negative terminal first to prevent sparks.
- Drain the fuel. Use an approved container to drain gas from the carburetor bowl and fuel tank.
- Remove air filter housing. Detach the air filter assembly to access the carburetor.
- Disconnect fuel line. Loosen the fuel line clamp and detach the line from the carburetor. Plug line to stop fuel flow.
- Remove carburetor. Take out the carburetor mounting bolts and detach the throttle linkage. Carefully remove the carburetor.
- Install new carburetor. Carefully mount the new carburetor, attaching throttle linkage and mounting bolts.
- Connect fuel line. Attach the fuel line to the carburetor inlet and tighten the clamp securely.
- Reattach air filter housing. Reinstall the air filter assembly and inspect for proper fit.
- Refill fuel. Add fresh gasoline back into the fuel tank.
- Check for leaks. Inspect the fuel line connection and seals before starting the engine.
- Reconnect battery. Reconnect the negative battery cable once all checks are complete."
8Generator Fuel Shut-Off
Common Solution
Repair Instructions:
Check the fuel shut-off valve closely for any leaks, and make sure the fuel lines fit tightly on the valve. If the valve itself is leaking, you'll need to replace it. Also look over the fuel shut-off lines for cracks or tiny holes. If you see a fuel line leaking, that line will need to be replaced. Leaks can cause fuel to escape, leading to problems with engine starting or running. Replacing any leaky shut-off valves or fuel lines will stop leaks. This will ensure fuel can flow properly to allow for normal engine start up and operation.
How to Replace Generator Fuel Shut-Off
- Disconnect the battery. Always disconnect the negative terminal first to prevent sparks.
- Drain the fuel. Use an approved container to drain gas from the fuel tank and carburetor.
- Locate the shut-off. The shut-off valve is in line on the fuel supply line between the tank and the carburetor.
- Disconnect fuel lines. Loosen clamps and detach the fuel line from both ends of the old shut-off valve.
- Remove shut-off. Use wrenches to unscrew the old valve and remove it from the fuel line.
- Install new shut-off. Thread the new shut-off valve into the fuel line in the same orientation as the old one.
- Reconnect fuel lines. Secure the fuel line back onto both ends of the new shut-off valve using clamps.
- Check for leaks. Turn the fuel back on and inspect connections for leaks before starting the engine.
- Refill fuel. Add fresh gasoline back into the fuel tank.
- Reconnect battery. Reconnect negative battery cable once all checks are complete.