About year 2006, I bought an ETQ 1200 watt
generator on Ebay. It was about $130 including
shipping. I used it a couple times for a friend's
power cut. Worked fine, to run an old furnace,
with the big belt driven blower.

By now, it's got maybe 20 to 30 hours run
time on it. I've not kept track. And now
it's got a nasty knock. I had a friend
listen, and he says it sounds like the
piston rod is coming loose. I contacted
some folks, and have a two cycle mechanic
going to get back in contact with me in a
day or two. Diagnosis, and estimate on repair.

I can get similar one on sale for 109.

http://www.harborfreight.com/900-pea...arb-60338.html

900 watts, not the 1200 mine has. But close.
What's a good reasonable "maximum repair cost"
for a $130 generator? And if I replace it with
the HF, should I get the extended warranty?

--
..
Christopher A. Young
Learn about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

--
..
Christopher A. Young
Learn about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

On 5/5/2014 7:17 PM, Stormin Mormon wrote:
About year 2006, I bought an ETQ 1200 watt
generator on Ebay. It was about $130 including
shipping. I used it a couple times for a friend's
power cut. Worked fine, to run an old furnace,
with the big belt driven blower.

By now, it's got maybe 20 to 30 hours run
time on it. I've not kept track. And now
it's got a nasty knock. I had a friend
listen, and he says it sounds like the
piston rod is coming loose. I contacted
some folks, and have a two cycle mechanic
going to get back in contact with me in a
day or two. Diagnosis, and estimate on repair.

I can get similar one on sale for 109.

http://www.harborfreight.com/900-pea...arb-60338.html


900 watts, not the 1200 mine has. But close.
What's a good reasonable "maximum repair cost"
for a $130 generator? And if I replace it with
the HF, should I get the extended warranty?

A couple times, I ran the engine dry of gas mix,
so as not to leave fuel in the carb. Of course,
that means there was a moment at the end when
there was no oil mix in the crank case. Wonder if
that damaged the rod bearings? Should I have
switched it off, and left gas in it? Be a shame if
I killed my own engine that way.

--
..
Christopher A. Young
Learn about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

On Monday, May 5, 2014 7:17:27 PM UTC-4, Stormin Mormon wrote:
About year 2006, I bought an ETQ 1200 watt

generator on Ebay. It was about $130 including

shipping. I used it a couple times for a friend's

power cut. Worked fine, to run an old furnace,

with the big belt driven blower.



By now, it's got maybe 20 to 30 hours run

time on it. I've not kept track. And now

it's got a nasty knock. I had a friend

listen, and he says it sounds like the

piston rod is coming loose. I contacted

some folks, and have a two cycle mechanic

going to get back in contact with me in a

day or two. Diagnosis, and estimate on repair.



I can get similar one on sale for 109.



http://www.harborfreight.com/900-pea...arb-60338.html



900 watts, not the 1200 mine has. But close.

What's a good reasonable "maximum repair cost"

for a $130 generator? And if I replace it with

the HF, should I get the extended warranty?


If a $130 generator has a nasty knock, I think
you already know what to do with it. And I hope the
diagnosis/repair cost estimate is free.

On 5/6/2014 10:58 AM, trader_4 wrote:

If a $130 generator has a nasty knock, I think
you already know what to do with it. And I hope the
diagnosis/repair cost estimate is free.

That's a real shame. It does run somewhat,
if I start it on ether, and don't mind the
noise. I may hang onto it for emergencies.


--
..
Christopher A. Young
Learn about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

On 05/05/2014 07:17 PM, Stormin Mormon wrote:
I bought an ETQ 1200 watt
generator on Ebay. It was about $130 including
shipping. I used it a couple times for a friend's
power cut. Worked fine, to run an old furnace,
with the big belt driven blower.

By now, it's got maybe 20 to 30 hours run
time on it. I've not kept track.

Actually, that's not too bad for an ETQ.

Did your friend use 2-cycle oil from the Dollar Store?

On Tuesday, May 6, 2014 11:15:13 AM UTC-4, Stormin Mormon wrote:
On 5/6/2014 10:58 AM, trader_4 wrote:



If a $130 generator has a nasty knock, I think

you already know what to do with it. And I hope the

diagnosis/repair cost estimate is free.



That's a real shame. It does run somewhat,

if I start it on ether, and don't mind the

noise. I may hang onto it for emergencies.




Isn't that like hanging on to a leaking lifeboat with a rotten bottom?

On 5/8/2014 11:36 AM, trader_4 wrote:
On Tuesday, May 6, 2014 11:15:13 AM UTC-4, Stormin Mormon wrote:

That's a real shame. It does run somewhat,
if I start it on ether, and don't mind the
noise. I may hang onto it for emergencies.


Isn't that like hanging on to a leaking lifeboat with a rotten bottom?

It's better than the rotted out and leaky
fire extinguisher bolted to the wall over
the gas range.

--
..
Christopher A. Young
Learn about Jesus
www.lds.org
..