Manual for 4000 WATT PORTABLE GENERATOR - Troubleshooting and error codes + PDF Download

Manual for 4000 WATT PORTABLE GENERATOR - Troubleshooting and error codes + PDF Download

Brand: Predator

Category: Portable Generator

Manual Type:

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Uploaded: April 8, 2025, 1:44 p.m.

Warranty Summary

The Predator 4000 Watt Portable Generator has a 90-day limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship and a 2-year warranty for the emission control system.
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Basic Generator Use Procedure:
  1. Check generator wattage capacity.
  2. Start engine and warm up for 5 minutes.
  3. Plug in products.
  4. Disconnect loads when finished.
  5. Turn off engine.
  6. Allow generator to cool before storing.

Starting the Engine:
  1. Move choke lever to CHOKE for cold engine, RUN for warm engine.
  2. Open fuel valve.
  3. Turn engine switch to ON.
  4. Pull starter handle to start.

Troubleshooting and error codes

Problem Possible Causes Probable Solutions
Engine will not start FUEL RELATED:
1. No fuel in tank or fuel valve closed.
2. Choke not in CHOKE position, cold engine.
3. Gasoline with more than 10% ethanol used.
4. Low quality or deteriorated, old gasoline.
5. Carburetor not primed.
6. Dirty fuel passageways.
7. Carburetor needle stuck.
8. Too much fuel in chamber.
9. Clogged Fuel Filter.

IGNITION (SPARK) RELATED:
1. Spark plug cap not connected securely.
2. Spark plug electrode wet or dirty.
3. Incorrect spark plug gap.
4. Spark plug cap broken.
5. Circuit breaker tripped.
6. Incorrect spark timing or faulty ignition system.

COMPRESSION RELATED:
1. Cylinder not lubricated.
2. Loose or broken spark plug.
3. Loose cylinder head or damaged head gasket.
4. Engine valves or tappets mis-adjusted or stuck.		 FUEL RELATED:
1. Fill fuel tank and open fuel valve.
2. Move Choke to CHOKE position.
3. Clean out ethanol rich gasoline from fuel system. Use fresh 87+ octane unleaded gasoline only.
4. Use fresh 87+ octane unleaded gasoline.
5. Pull on Starter Handle to prime.
6. Clean out passageways using fuel additive.
7. Gently tap side of carburetor float chamber.
8. Turn Choke to RUN position. Remove spark plug and pull the start handle several times to air out the chamber.
9. Replace Fuel Filter.

IGNITION (SPARK) RELATED:
1. Connect spark plug cap properly.
2. Clean spark plug.
3. Correct spark plug gap.
4. Replace spark plug cap.
5. Reset circuit breaker.
6. Have qualified technician diagnose/repair ignition system.

COMPRESSION RELATED:
1. Pour tablespoon of oil into spark plug hole.
2. Tighten spark plug. If that does not work, replace spark plug.
3. Tighten head. If that does not remedy problem, replace head gasket.
4. Have qualified technician diagnose/repair ignition system.
Engine misfires 1. Spark plug cap loose.
2. Incorrect spark plug gap or damaged spark plug.
3. Defective spark plug cap.
4. Old or low quality gasoline.
5. Incorrect compression.		 1. Check wire connections.
2. Re-gap or replace spark plug.
3. Replace spark plug cap.
4. Use only fresh 87+ octane unleaded gasoline.
5. Diagnose and repair compression.
Engine stops suddenly 1. Low oil shutdown.
2. Fuel tank empty or full of impure or low quality gasoline.
3. Defective fuel tank cap creating vacuum.
4. Faulty magneto.
5. Disconnected or improperly connected spark plug cap.		 1. Fill engine oil to proper level. Check engine oil before EVERY use.
2. Fill fuel tank with fresh 87+ octane unleaded gasoline.
3. Test/replace fuel tank cap.
4. Have qualified technician service magneto.
5. Secure spark plug cap.
Engine stops when under heavy load 1. Dirty air filter.
2. Engine running cold.		 1. Clean or replace element.
2. Allow engine to warm up prior to operating equipment.
Engine knocks 1. Old or low quality gasoline.
2. Engine overloaded.
3. Incorrect spark timing, deposit buildup, worn engine, or other mechanical problems.		 1. Fill fuel tank with fresh 87+ octane unleaded gasoline.
2. Do not exceed equipment's load rating.
3. Have qualified technician diagnose and service engine.
Engine backfires 1. Impure or low quality gasoline.
2. Engine too cold.
3. Intake valve stuck or overheated engine.
4. Incorrect timing.		 1. Fill fuel tank with fresh 87+ octane unleaded gasoline.
2. Use cold weather fuel and oil additives to prevent backfiring.
3. Have qualified technician diagnose and service engine.
4. Check engine timing.
Product doesn't have power 1. Product not plugged in properly.
2. Circuit Breaker tripped.
3. Product needs service.		 1. Turn off and unplug the product, then plug it back in again and turn on.
2. Turn off and unplug product, Reset Circuit Breaker. Plug in product and turn on.
3. Have product repaired.
Product begins to operate abnormally 1. Problem with appliance.
2. Rated load capacity exceeded.		 1. Immediately unplug appliance. Have appliance repaired by a qualified technician, or replace appliance.
2. Lower the number of items plugged into the generator to stay within the rated capacity, or use a more powerful generator.

Troubleshooting and error codes

Problem Possible Causes Probable Solutions
Engine will not start FUEL RELATED:
1. No fuel in tank or fuel valve closed.
2. Choke not in CHOKE position, cold engine.
3. Gasoline with more than 10% ethanol used.
4. Low quality or deteriorated, old gasoline.
5. Carburetor not primed.
6. Dirty fuel passageways.
7. Carburetor needle stuck.
8. Too much fuel in chamber.
9. Clogged Fuel Filter.

IGNITION (SPARK) RELATED:
1. Spark plug cap not connected securely.
2. Spark plug electrode wet or dirty.
3. Incorrect spark plug gap.
4. Spark plug cap broken.
5. Circuit breaker tripped.
6. Incorrect spark timing or faulty ignition system.

COMPRESSION RELATED:
1. Cylinder not lubricated.
2. Loose or broken spark plug.
3. Loose cylinder head or damaged head gasket.
4. Engine valves or tappets mis-adjusted or stuck.		 FUEL RELATED:
1. Fill fuel tank and open fuel valve.
2. Move Choke to CHOKE position.
3. Clean out ethanol rich gasoline from fuel system. Use fresh 87+ octane unleaded gasoline only.
4. Use fresh 87+ octane unleaded gasoline.
5. Pull on Starter Handle to prime.
6. Clean out passageways using fuel additive.
7. Gently tap side of carburetor float chamber.
8. Turn Choke to RUN position. Remove spark plug and pull the start handle several times to air out the chamber.
9. Replace Fuel Filter.

IGNITION (SPARK) RELATED:
1. Connect spark plug cap properly.
2. Clean spark plug.
3. Correct spark plug gap.
4. Replace spark plug cap.
5. Reset circuit breaker.
6. Have qualified technician diagnose/repair ignition system.

COMPRESSION RELATED:
1. Pour tablespoon of oil into spark plug hole.
2. Tighten spark plug. If that does not work, replace spark plug.
3. Tighten head. If that does not remedy problem, replace head gasket.
4. Have qualified technician diagnose/repair ignition system.
Engine misfires 1. Spark plug cap loose.
2. Incorrect spark plug gap or damaged spark plug.
3. Defective spark plug cap.
4. Old or low quality gasoline.
5. Incorrect compression.		 1. Check wire connections.
2. Re-gap or replace spark plug.
3. Replace spark plug cap.
4. Use only fresh 87+ octane unleaded gasoline.
5. Diagnose and repair compression.
Engine stops suddenly 1. Low oil shutdown.
2. Fuel tank empty or full of impure or low quality gasoline.
3. Defective fuel tank cap creating vacuum.
4. Faulty magneto.
5. Disconnected or improperly connected spark plug cap.		 1. Fill engine oil to proper level. Check engine oil before EVERY use.
2. Fill fuel tank with fresh 87+ octane unleaded gasoline.
3. Test/replace fuel tank cap.
4. Have qualified technician service magneto.
5. Secure spark plug cap.
Engine stops when under heavy load 1. Dirty air filter.
2. Engine running cold.		 1. Clean or replace element.
2. Allow engine to warm up prior to operating equipment.
Engine knocks 1. Old or low quality gasoline.
2. Engine overloaded.
3. Incorrect spark timing, deposit buildup, worn engine, or other mechanical problems.		 1. Fill fuel tank with fresh 87+ octane unleaded gasoline.
2. Do not exceed equipment's load rating.
3. Have qualified technician diagnose and service engine.
Engine backfires 1. Impure or low quality gasoline.
2. Engine too cold.
3. Intake valve stuck or overheated engine.
4. Incorrect timing.		 1. Fill fuel tank with fresh 87+ octane unleaded gasoline.
2. Use cold weather fuel and oil additives to prevent backfiring.
3. Have qualified technician diagnose and service engine.
4. Check engine timing.
Product doesn't have power 1. Product not plugged in properly.
2. Circuit Breaker tripped.
3. Product needs service.		 1. Turn off and unplug the product, then plug it back in again and turn on.
2. Turn off and unplug product, Reset Circuit Breaker. Plug in product and turn on.
3. Have product repaired.
Product begins to operate abnormally 1. Problem with appliance.
2. Rated load capacity exceeded.		 1. Immediately unplug appliance. Have appliance repaired by a qualified technician, or replace appliance.
2. Lower the number of items plugged into the generator to stay within the rated capacity, or use a more powerful generator.