Predator 3500 Generator - surging problem fixed!

In this video I show how I fixed the common surging problem with the Predator 3500 Generator from Harbor Freight. This video is not for mechanics (WILL)!!!! This is mainly for the person that has some mechanical sense.

If people are interested maybe I can get the "Honda Master Mechanic Will" to do a walk through.

[joerademacher]

I waited too long to test my generator, when I finally did it was past the return period. It was surging right out of the box...I thought I was out $850. Saw this video, drained the carb, adjusted the screw, poked out the jet. My genny is currently purring like a kitten, thank you!!!

[Sturdyhart]

That worked beautifully - I thank you for putting this video out there for the rest of us to benefit from your expertise.

[randyirby]

I have this same generator and had the same trouble with it surging. This worked like a charm. I was afraid I would have to spend a $100 or more to have it fixed. Thanks.

[keithrodrigue]

My predator with 746 hours lives on thanks to your video! I also evacuated old gas and drained carburetor bowl and now it's running like new!

[jesseramirez]

Thank you for the info!! I actually bought a tachometer on Amazon and calibrated it that way. Manual states 2600-3600 rpm. I let it warm up, put it eco mode, tuned it down to 2600 rpm, it took only a minute to tune. No more rough idle after cleaning that piece.

[alemar]

Thank you so much! The storms in California have been repeatedly knocked out my power in the last few weeks. My Predator sputtered and died last night, I thought it was a goner. This worked beautifully and as you had displayed it wasn't complicated. However, I would have had to bring it in for repair without your video. THANKS!

[khalidalsulaiti]

Thanks it fixed my problem with the generator did exactly what you did and it’s much better now after almost 2 years of storage

[charlesgriffin]

Been running 3 months almost non stop. Loping then died. Makes sense. Appreciate it

[boblitwinsandymateer]

Thanks for the video. Quick easy fix. I used a single strand of twisted copper wire and carb cleaner. Worked like a charm. Will put this on my maintenance list. You da man, thanks.

[jimcaldwell]

Great video, thanks ! First one that showed up when I googled predator 3500 surging.

I let mine sit with ethanol gas in it for about a year and when I started it surging was terrible.

It didn't shut down but it was very annoying. I just put up with it, then Helene hit last Friday.

We used it like it was for 4 days and power is still out. This morning 10/1/24, I shut it down and cleaned the orifice with a needle as suggested.

Since it's really easy to do I went ahead and pulled the carb and checked all of the jets. They were clear but a tiny bit of varnish on them.

I used a torch tip cleaner to clean as much as I could.

Put it all back together and it works great!

I probably didn't need to do the whole carb but I couldn't help myself.

The small black orifice is tiny. When poking the needle through you can see the tip come through. Be careful because you wouldn't want it to break off in there.

The idle adjust screw just provides a stop for the electronic throttle control so it doesn't do anything with fuel flow through the carb. It is a pain to get it back in without cross threading, but it's doable.

They are saying power will be back on on October 3rd but I'm not holding out hopes for that. I've never seen such a devastating storm here in upstate SC.

In the meantime, the Predator is running great! Thanks again!

[Handirifle]

Thanks for the great video. I have changed the jet size, and had it running like a top, until today. Was running real rough and only when on full choke. Your vid reminded me of the tiny jet. Removed, cleaned it, and now it purrs like a kitten again.

[wilber]

Paid 350 dollars for mine, bought it at an Estate sale. Had less than 10hrs on it. Love it.

[JeffReynolds-tm]

This fixed mine. Thank you to the creator.

[MrSmith-nuqf]

Great video...very informative...& thank you for leaving the " error" in the video it helps us know what to expect.

[stanjarmolowicz]

thank you so much ...you saved me ...i have this generator 4 years and work great until now .
i did change oil probbably more often than recomended .
once i have issue in the past was clogged exhaust ..it build up carbon so badly that there was barelly any flow and ofcourse didn't work right .
i just removed the screan and after that was like day and night in performance .

[hagsmich]

This worked for me on my 8750 Predator generator. Thank you so much. I used a needle, carb cleaner and a compressor to clean out the blockage.

[graylingdrummond]

Mine is brand new and surging at idle, was going to take it back but I will try your method first, thanks great video.

[saintgermain]

Great job. My generator is doing the exact same thing. I need to adjust this also.

Thanks!

[redsandevo]

I picked one up from a guy that had it listed on marketplace for $50. Said it just quit running. I got it home gave it a few pulls and it fired off for about 10 sec and died. It came with a new spark plug and air filter installed and all I did was replace a gasket and clean the fuel system. Runs great now.

[jameslongo]

I have the same unit. I installed a conversion kit to run it on gas or propane. I lose a little power on propane but i can run it either way. It runs great.