B & S Home Generator no start in cold temp

Mike1* · 02-20-2008, 06:16 PM

Have Briggs & Straton 7k w on natural gas line. 11 months old. Has never started when temp falls below ~15 degrees F. Following service has already occured with B&S:
*fuel line pressure set, has spark, new fuel regulator, valve adjustment, magnet replaced w/ adjustment, oil heater and wiring OK. Will crank over but no start. Will start & run above ~20F! B&S now wants to check fuel solenoid & try hotter plug. Any other ideas?

Basementgeek · 02-21-2008, 04:57 PM

Gave you give a little shot of starting fluid? If it runs and then stop, you have a fuel delivery problem.

BG

Mike1* · 02-22-2008, 03:31 PM

In addition to my original post- does anyone have information of the impact (if any) on the natural gas supply pressure possibly dropping as temp drops below 15 degrees? Or info on size of gas meter as a possible solution? Keep in mind it runs well above 20 degrees.

Tumbleweed36 · 02-22-2008, 05:02 PM

Have you considered that your natural gas in-line to the generator or even from the tank to that area might have a low point that has collected water and it freezes up when the temps get down that low, therby expanding the water and closing off the gas supply from passing through that area.

That water would not normally freeze at 32 F, because it is encased in the pipe or supply line that leads to the generator. It would in that case be shielded somewhat from the cold and get mushy (but gas can still pass through) at temps that fall six to ten degrees below 32 F, and totally freeze at about the point you are describing. Remember the point, as water freezes totally, it expands quite a bit and gas could not pass through.

Might be worth taking those lines off and draining those lines and seeing if that helps.

02-20-2008, 06:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mike1* Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 2 OS: xp	B & S Home Generator no start in cold temp Have Briggs & Straton 7k w on natural gas line. 11 months old. Has never started when temp falls below ~15 degrees F. Following service has already occured with B&S: *fuel line pressure set, has spark, new fuel regulator, valve adjustment, magnet replaced w/ adjustment, oil heater and wiring OK. Will crank over but no start. Will start & run above ~20F! B&S now wants to check fuel solenoid & try hotter plug. Any other ideas?

02-21-2008, 04:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
Basementgeek Visitor, Security Team Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Central Ohio, USA Posts: 338 OS: XP/Vista Blog Entries: 1	Re: B & S Home Generator no start in cold temp Gave you give a little shot of starting fluid? If it runs and then stop, you have a fuel delivery problem. BG __________________

02-22-2008, 03:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mike1* Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 2 OS: xp	Re: B & S Home Generator no start in cold temp In addition to my original post- does anyone have information of the impact (if any) on the natural gas supply pressure possibly dropping as temp drops below 15 degrees? Or info on size of gas meter as a possible solution? Keep in mind it runs well above 20 degrees.

02-22-2008, 05:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 14,171 OS: XP Professional	Re: B & S Home Generator no start in cold temp Have you considered that your natural gas in-line to the generator or even from the tank to that area might have a low point that has collected water and it freezes up when the temps get down that low, therby expanding the water and closing off the gas supply from passing through that area. That water would not normally freeze at 32 F, because it is encased in the pipe or supply line that leads to the generator. It would in that case be shielded somewhat from the cold and get mushy (but gas can still pass through) at temps that fall six to ten degrees below 32 F, and totally freeze at about the point you are describing. Remember the point, as water freezes totally, it expands quite a bit and gas could not pass through. Might be worth taking those lines off and draining those lines and seeing if that helps. __________________ ---------- Last edited by Tumbleweed36 : 02-22-2008 at 05:08 PM.