Maintenance & Restoration

Kevin A · 07-19-2006, 08:00 AM

I realize the last thread was about buying a generator. This question comes after the purchase. We bought a ProForce 3125 to run our AC and other accessories in our Burro. I let it run for about 10 minutes yesterday in preparation for our trip out to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation this weekend. I noticed the exhaust seemed to be a pretty consistent white/light gray smoke, much like an older lawn mower. Is this what I should expect? Do the other campers complain about this exhaust? Are there any add-ons to the muffler that would help to limit the smoke? Thanks!

Kevin

Loren G. Hedahl · 07-19-2006, 08:47 AM

Quote:

I realize the last thread was about buying a generator. This question comes after the purchase. We bought a ProForce 3125 to run our AC and other accessories in our Burro. I let it run for about 10 minutes yesterday in preparation for our trip out to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation this weekend. I noticed the exhaust seemed to be a pretty consistent white/light gray smoke, much like an older lawn mower. Is this what I should expect? Do the other campers complain about this exhaust? Are there any add-ons to the muffler that would help to limit the smoke? Thanks!

Kevin

Is this what I should expect? No.

Do the other campers complain about this exhaust? Maybe some really nice ones wouldn't.

Are there any add-ons to the muffler that would help to limit the smoke? No.

Question -- What fuel are you burning? It's not an oil - gasoline mix meant for 2 cycle engines, such as a weed eater or chain saw, is it?

CindyL · 07-19-2006, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Is this what I should expect? No.

Do the other campers complain about this exhaust? Maybe some really nice ones wouldn't.

Are there any add-ons to the muffler that would help to limit the smoke? No.

Question -- What fuel are you burning? It's not an oil - gasoline mix meant for 2 cycle engines, such as a weed eater or chain saw, is it?

I'm using straight gasoline as fuel. The oil is separate. However, I originally overfilled the oil compartment and had to drain out the extra (I didn't fill it on the level, I tipped it back and put too much in.) Could it still be burning off the extra oil? Should I run it again tonight for a while to clean up the smoking? (I'm replying on my wife's account right now.)

Benny K · 07-19-2006, 02:01 PM

It`s possible that the generator is a two/stroke cycle and uses mixed fuel......there are some small cheap off shore ones that do....or like mentioned earlier, it could be burning off excess crankcase oil.....Benny

Art VanDelay · 07-19-2006, 02:05 PM

Extra oil is not a good thing. Could cause harm in the long run. I would drain it down to the required level then run it until it stops smoking. My lawn mower smokes after I sharpen the blade because I put it on it.s side. It smokes for a few minutes then it is OK.

Just make sure the unit states 4 cycle.

Loren G. Hedahl · 07-19-2006, 04:34 PM

Quote:

I'm using straight gasoline as fuel. The oil is separate. However, I originally overfilled the oil compartment and had to drain out the extra (I didn't fill it on the level, I tipped it back and put too much in.) Could it still be burning off the extra oil? Should I run it again tonight for a while to clean up the smoking? (I'm replying on my wife's account right now.)

Looks like you identified the problem.

Since you drained out the extra oil so that the oil level is at the full mark I wouldn't expect any damage has occurred. I would just run it some until the smoking clears up. About the only problem that might develop would be soot build-up of the spark plug. That is easily cleaned.

Kevin A · 07-19-2006, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Looks like you identified the problem.

Since you drained out the extra oil so that the oil level is at the full mark I wouldn't expect any damage has occurred. I would just run it some until the smoking clears up. About the only problem that might develop would be soot build-up of the spark plug. That is easily cleaned.

Thanks. It ran much more cleanly tonight, so I'm sure it was the extra oil causing the problem. I'll pull the sparkplug tomorrow and clean it up, too. We're leaving for South Dakota Thursday afternoon, so I'll do it at noon and then load it up.