Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Our generator lasted valiantly for most of the week without power, until the starter rope stopped turning the engine over.  In other words, it pulls easily and retracts properly, but without the stiff resistance from actually moving the crankshaft.  It's intermittent, so I gather it's something in the ratcheting mechanism that's sticking.  To make things more complicated, the cover of the recoil mechanism is riveted to the engine, so I don't think it's something I could easily remove and replace.

Any suggestions, short of having our local small engine shop pick it up and fix it?  Or what it might cost if they do?  That's assuming they will.  They don't normally stock generators, but I presume that there isn't a huge difference between the B&S engines that power this versus other products.  (I think we got it via the electrician who installed our transfer panel, but I've no idea who his supplier was, and that was ten years ago.)

Fortunately power is finally back, but not before I picked up a 5KW Husky generator from Home Depot as a backup measure.  I still haven't opened it yet, and we'll need to decide whether to keep it or fix the Generac.  Opinions on this decision are also welcome.

Many thanks,

Gary