Vintage Kawasaki Generator

Vintage Kawasaki Generator - Will It Run?

Рет қаралды 150,149

3 ай бұрын

A local subscriber found this Vintage Kawasaki GA1400A generator in a friends shed. I don't know how old it is or the last time it ran. Will it run again? Lets find out.
Generator Model: Kawasaki GA1400A GAT40A-BS00
Small Engine Generator Q and A with James Condon and Gary Bernacki LIVE February 21st at 9pm EST: kzfaq.infow9rOAqCq...
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Kawasaki Carburetor Part#: 150032248
Kawasaki Switch Part#: 27010-2117
Kawasaki Light Bulb Part#: 92069-2051
I no longer use Harbor Freight Super Heavy Duty Degreaser in my ultrasonic cleaner. Harbor Freight changed the recipe. The bottle previously stated "NON-CORROSIVE". Now it says "CORROSIVE", "do not user on Aluminum". It now damages most carburetors.
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Oscilloscope: amzn.to/48MnuQv
Pilot Light: www.ebay.com/itm/293402212186
Soldering Iron: amzn.to/3SYWyaE
Spark Tester: amzn.to/3HZyTAx
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#Kawasaki #GeneratorRepair #SmallEngineRepair #SmallEngine #DIY #Fixed #Troubleshooting #HowTo
Alternator, Bowl Gasket, Carburetor Inlet Leaking, Carburetor Repair, Engine Speed, EVAPO-RUST, Fixed, GA1400A, GAT40A, GAT40A-AS00, GAT40A-BS00, GAT40A-CS00, Generator, Governor Speed, Hertz, How To, How-To, Ignition Switch, Intake Leak, Kawasaki, Load Test, Low Oil Module, Low Oil Shutdown, Low Oil Switch, Low Oil, Nuts and Bolt, Pilot Light, Repair, Resistance Test, Rusted Fuel Tank, Rusted Gas Tank, Rusted Petrol Tank, Small Engine, Spark Test, Troubleshooting

Пікірлер: 390

@thisoldminewithlars5324 3 ай бұрын

Whoever invented the step drill needs to get an award.

@brianallen9810 3 ай бұрын

I've got a Uni-bit, they are neat. The only other drills I use more are my L.H. drill bit set.

@Tailss1 2 ай бұрын

Yeah really they are so handy.

@brandon2076 3 ай бұрын

Loctite 680 "green" sleeve retaining compound would likely work very well for holding in those press fit fuel fittings, especially if it's a tight clearance "slip fit" where an epoxy would just be squeezed out.

@philliphall5198 3 ай бұрын

I agree it’s the best and I’ve used a lot of it over the years 😊

@videodistro 3 ай бұрын

Came here to say the same thing. Agreed.

@royb.1441 3 ай бұрын

Yep, I agree with green loctite. It is really good stuff. I also use their anaerobic mating surface / flange sealant on engine cases and replacing cylinder base gaskets with just the sealant for tighter squish clearance. Never had a problem with it not withstanding gasoline....as long as its a proper machined tight clearance surface.

@angusshapland2273 3 ай бұрын

Not sure of the numbers but either Loctite High Strength Retainer or Loctite Hydraulic Seal would do that job. 39:24

@jrevillug 3 ай бұрын

Also came here to say the same thing. 👍

@tsuehpsyde 3 ай бұрын

"You can tell it's a Mikuni by the way that it is" got a solid laugh out of me this morning. An accidental call back to neature walk.

@michaeltarasenkoop2389 23 күн бұрын

That’s exacualy the size of the generator I purched ! Never used it ! My son borrowed it and I never took it out of box ! Now he owns it !

@rogerandlyndabeall3840 3 ай бұрын

04/87 under the engine sw button so that is how old it is. I "sandblast" my projects in a big box, with granulated walnut shells (buy from a gunshop) it cleans spotless without damage to anything.

@Rorschach1024 3 ай бұрын

When deadheading wires with shrink tubing, leave enough tubing out past the wire to fold it over, then go back over both wires with another shrink tube, preferably use hot melt glue type tubing for all three.

@user-gx9zm4bm6g 3 ай бұрын

A tip when using a step drill. I always use a sharpie on the next larger size on the step to let me know when I get to the correct hole.

@ni_wink84 3 ай бұрын

Just got home from work at 440am CA time and see a James update… yep I’m gonna watch!

@brianparker6811 3 ай бұрын

Fuel air was 2 1/4 not 1 3/4

@ni_wink84 2 ай бұрын

@@brianparker6811 wrong place to reply bud

@Roy_Tellason 3 ай бұрын

You commented briefly on not using a shop vac when there are gas fumes present. I think that point deserves much more emphasis. There was a guy who tried to use a shop vac to remove accumulated fluids from around underground gas tanks at a gas station / convenience store. The result was a massive explosion that killed the guy, though thankfully nobody else was hurt. A really bad idea, that...

@stephenhaslam680 3 ай бұрын

Another good movie demonstrating that a little preventative maintenance and cleaning goes a long way in extending the life of our machines. You care for it and it's there when you need it. Good one James.

@YukonHawk1 3 ай бұрын

The fuel tank came out great. Thanks also for the explanation at the end about the oil light situation. See ya next Wednesday 😊

@damob8292 3 ай бұрын

I have the uk version of this very machine which needs a carb clean. The eng-sw is a red illuminated momentary button which only needs to be pressed to stop the generator. You are missing a plastic part from the air box which is sandwiched between the two haves with the l foam on the outside. Looks like I have no excuse for not giving it a proper service now!

@Exit26B Ай бұрын

Hahaha! Oh, my god! James! I love it that you don’t get frustrated when you wired it incorrectly and the switch didn’t work. I would have run out of the building pulling my hair screaming!!! Thank you for teaching me a better way! Aloha. 🫎

@OldFatBubba 3 ай бұрын

Well-built machine. Your second assessment on the cause the shut-downs seems highly likely. I'm sure its owner will be pleased with the outcome.

@thepoopsoup 3 ай бұрын

Good morning from Mt.Clemens Michigan Put a drill bit on the fuel inlet stake it with a center punch in several places reinstall it with locktight.

@hugh007 3 ай бұрын

Knurling?

@arthurbiringer5676 3 ай бұрын

Another award winning job!

@dlschgo 3 ай бұрын

That brass carb inlet was the perfect application for Loctite.

@lieutbob39 3 ай бұрын

I love the fuel tank tampons😄

@Bassguitarist1985 2 ай бұрын

Great Job James! Looking forward to the live Q&A this week!

@jcondon1 2 ай бұрын

Thanks Gary. Looking forward to it.

@johncourtneidge 3 ай бұрын

Most enjoyable! As always! It was hard to see the green light outdoors. Not that it very much matters. Well done!

@thomasszilagyi7445 3 ай бұрын

Thank you for putting Amazon links to the tools you use!

@kensam684 3 ай бұрын

YET another GREAT VIDEO THANKS JAMES.

@kenjones4139 3 ай бұрын

Thank you James from NB Canada Once again, a great video. I'm a fan and I learn a lot from your videos On these small carbs, I find that Simple Green HD (the purple stuff at least in Canada) does an amazing job in an ultrasonic cleaner with hot water. Just my $.02 Keep up the great work!

@Bent_Wing_Brewer 3 ай бұрын

Speaking of putting a face to the voice, we need some merch? How about some James Condon “Nice” T shirts? Every time I get a generator to first start making power, I can hear that “nice” in my head.

@AW-Services 3 ай бұрын

Let's not bow down to everyone else selling merch. We are extremely lucky not to be swamped with meaningless adverts. Even if you have a print on demand, shipping costs often make merchandise more expensive, and there are very slim profits and many of us within the east, UK & Europe won't be able to support that due to ridiculous costs

@frtsnfr7504 3 ай бұрын

I’d go with “it has to earn its oil change”😂

@robertbackhaus8911 3 ай бұрын

"Real quick"

@thomasszilagyi7445 3 ай бұрын

"So today, we're working on...." And today I am working on my taxes. yuck. I just got a kill-o-watt and have a tiny 2-stroke generator to test. I'd rather be working on that.

@donho1776 3 ай бұрын

Agree that the black switch looks good but red is more intuitive for an on/off switch. Please forgive a picky comment from a fellow perfectionist.

@ArturoPalaciosJr 3 ай бұрын

My dad had one of these back in the day lol

@philliphall5198 3 ай бұрын

I had one on my service truck and should have kept the truck and generator dang it

@deere3321 3 ай бұрын

Nice little generator. Great save!

@sreval 2 ай бұрын

What a brilliant build……..very well made 👍👍👍👍👍

@wheelzh8242 3 ай бұрын

Enjoying your videos with a smooth voice ❤

@KensSmallEngineRepair 3 ай бұрын

Looking forward to next week's LIVE Q and A with you and Gary. We always get great questions. Those old Kawasaki's are indeed one of the quietest small engines made, even the larger ones!

@robertcochran7103 3 ай бұрын

I too am looking forward to this. I added a reminder to my calendar.

@jcondon1 2 ай бұрын

Looking forward to it. Need to clear the cobwebs off my live streaming gear. Hope it still works!

@Fernandonandonator 2 ай бұрын

much joy in watching and learning

@OttawaOldFart 3 ай бұрын

Thank you James, I ran out of videos to watch yesterday. This will make my day full.

@deanedeane4318 3 ай бұрын

Great job Man !!! Good to see another old machine live again 😁😉😎

@geigertron3000 3 ай бұрын

i like the red switch better ;) stands out more

@fizznative1980 3 ай бұрын

It's better then it was before you did a good job

@videodistro 3 ай бұрын

So, it was better before he did a good job? You said "then" which means in the past. Since it was all one sentence, it appears that you believe it was better back then than what it is now. Huh?

@petertothpete6518 3 ай бұрын

@@videodistro Thank you Mr. grammar/punctuation police. Now go away!

@MrTonyPiscatelle 3 ай бұрын

So are these latest videos holdovers. I've notice you're not using the electrical test box. Nice work James

@videodistro 3 ай бұрын

I have been thinking the same thing.

@petertothpete6518 3 ай бұрын

That only works for 240v capable systems if I'm not mistaken.

@davidbgraham461 3 ай бұрын

So glad to see myfavourite jacket/sweaterback again. Love your work !!

@joseluisvaiksnoras7857 3 ай бұрын

Impressionante como antigos geradores da Honda, Yamaha e Kawasaki funcionam até hoje !

@jameshedrick605 3 ай бұрын

My gas powered air compressor did that. Drove me crazy trying to figure it out especially after i changes the oil and knew it was full. Found it was the low oil sensor was bad and didn't want tear it down to replace it. Unhooked it and it fired up

@rodneymiddleton9624 3 ай бұрын

I take tanks that are that bad and put gravel in them and strap them to a riding mower wheel jacked off the ground to use it as a tumbler. It works pretty good. Awesome job as usual Jim!!

@TestECull 3 ай бұрын

4:09 Works on any size 4-cycle engine. Gonna be doing that to the 250cid I6 in the 71 Chevy C10 I inherited last month. It's been parked for 20 years, so filling the float bowl with 2-stroke fuel for its first start since then is a good idea

@peterouellette3874 3 ай бұрын

Nice going, James

@DeadKoby 3 ай бұрын

Nice quiet unit. I bet this was one of the finest units you could own (of that size) during its era.

@jeffclark2725 3 ай бұрын

Agreed,these were equal to Honda in their day, I still have Dads 1400 just like this,paint still shiny,works great

@larrykelly2838 3 ай бұрын

Nice restoration

@GOLTURBO555 3 ай бұрын

6th videos in a row, just watching James repairing these generator. So calm, so nice... Speechless, I ll switch my job with a Generator Repair shop with you James. Those old Kawasaki's are muche better than 2024 units these days. As you aways say: "Perfect"

@hester781 3 ай бұрын

Excellent job as always James 👍🏻. I really like your theory in the end about the oil shut off switch I would never have thought of that and it actually makes perfect sense!

@goodness-mercy 3 ай бұрын

Awesome! - (as usual) Good job.

@markhelseth253 2 ай бұрын

Very enjoyable to follow this adventure. The oil light was a fun challenge. You have a knack for these and your troubleshooting skills are a joy to listen to. Dare I say you're a generator whisperer? On another note, I enjoy the older machines. The clone wars do get a bit tiresome after awhile. Nice to break it up with the older machines once in while. I'd vote for more old genset saves. Maybe a Delco Light Plant or similar vintage?

@HappyHands. 3 ай бұрын

There's a definite cool factor to these little generators.

@jgreitz001 3 ай бұрын

May I suggest using a length of heavy link chain instead of nuts and bolts to descale the tank. it is heavier and much easier to remove when done. Love your vids.

@bb1490 2 ай бұрын

Thanks James, I bought the same generator 2 years ago and have just decided to work on it and your video just came in time to save me heaps of time on how to disassemble and clean out the carby. Subbed.

@donprater2754 3 ай бұрын

James” your tenacious approach too Your projects are stellar. Another one bites the dust.

@richb419 3 ай бұрын

Hi James, I'm sure you know this, pulling off the plug wire while the engine was running can destroy the mag. the spark plug limits the voltage at the mag without it will damage the coil. shorting out at the plug is a better solution. Rich

@GannDolph 3 ай бұрын

Also liable to get a nice jolt if your other hand is holding the frame/grounded. Sparky jump rite thru rubber boot ..

@robertcochran7103 3 ай бұрын

Thank you for posting this excellent video. If you want switches and LEDs, Adafruit Industries in New York City probably has what you want.

@tristanschaper281 3 ай бұрын

Those Kawasaki units have always been well built and some of the best running small engines I've worked with, and this little unit is really nice! it was interesting that the voltage actually increase a little with load, while the Hz dropped (which is normal). Not a bad thing, but interesting. Another great job!

@robsteinhaur221 3 ай бұрын

Well done James. Thanks for sharing.🇨🇦

@nicmost3044 3 ай бұрын

It was running so well James coz it's a Kawasaki. If you milking it in the fuel drain area, we call it a COW-ASAKI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Best regards and thanks for the vid, I gave it a like!!!!!

@danburch9989 3 ай бұрын

That JB Weld is some good stuff. I had a '72 VW Van. I found out later that the previous owner strpped out the fuel shutoff solenoids in both carburetors. They were barely snug enough to keep them in place. A little JB Weld secured those solenoids for seeral years.

@philliphall5198 3 ай бұрын

They were bad about stripping out back in the day and yes we used jb weld original type only

@jeanbaptistevallee4500 3 ай бұрын

Supporting comment for the algorithm.

@chrispy3866 3 ай бұрын

Always fun to watch your vids!

@richcarter9476 3 ай бұрын

I am loving all of the old Japanese generators you have been working on. Your diagnosis of the low oil light issue makes sense to me. That was running a lot more RPMs than stock.

@rodh2168 3 ай бұрын

Me and 10,000 other guys are yelling at the screen "no, white wire with the black stripe" but I guess you didn't hear us.

@justinvanaulen2478 3 ай бұрын

I had a Kawasaki GA1000A for several years and it was a great machine. I really like the size and how smooth the engine ran. Very high quality machine in terms of build and hardware. I'm willing to bet what you found in the carb bowl was a mix of "settled" tank rust and very old fuel stabilizer. Anyways, great job Jim! These are great machines and worth fixing!

@frankrusso2093 3 ай бұрын

I had the hardest time trouble shooting a low oil switch on a ETQ Generator. I used synthetic 30 oil. For what ever reason it only worked with conventional oil.

@kpdvw 3 ай бұрын

The fuel inlet @ the carb, add some superglue and then pound it back in!

@KaldekBoch 3 ай бұрын

Worth staying up to 11pm for this Aussie.

@OttawaOldFart 3 ай бұрын

Worth getting up at 7 for this Canuck.

@jounijahi898 3 ай бұрын

Worth watching after workday at 5pm for this Finn.

@philmaxwell1858 3 ай бұрын

Maybe I am showing my age, but I find the older machines much more aesthetically pleasing. The new ones have more features, but the old ones have more style, IMHO. Watching you work your magic is not only informative, but salubrious!

@benkanobe7500 3 ай бұрын

Awesome fix!!! I think we all like that you keep at it until the root cause is resolved. I learn a bunch when you do what you do.

@mazchen 3 ай бұрын

5:41 "I think we have pretty much everything we need..." me: *checking video length of almost two hours* "well, maybe not..."

@haneyoakie14 3 ай бұрын

Gary, Kenny, and James. Should be an awesome hour or three. Nice job on this vintage equipment!

@mediaprducr 3 ай бұрын

I like that you show everything you do. It's very satisfying.

@williamhealey6862 3 ай бұрын

Absolutely love watching your videos. I never knew there could be an emulsion tube inside an emulsion tube. It don’t do a lot of this work but just watching your videos gives me lots of knowledge/confidence to do it. I have a mechanical background just haven’t worked much on generators and small engines. Side note I have my own generator up and running again after getting knowledge from your videos. Great work fixing up this Kawasaki generator

@jcondon1 3 ай бұрын

Thanks

@generessler6282 3 ай бұрын

Great diagnosis! Yeah... Judging from the original dipstick reading, the machine may have been put away years ago after stopping due to low oil. Sticking in that condition makes some sense.

@RandomGreymane 3 ай бұрын

Excellent! I love watching you rescue these things! Also - an inexpensive pair of EMT shears will make fast work of that filter material and probably be just as easy if not easier.

@liljoeii6091 3 ай бұрын

THANK YOU FOR THE VIDEO

@loucinci3922 3 ай бұрын

Enjoyed the video. Thanks for sharing

@GNX157 3 ай бұрын

I liked the rotisserie set up you used on one of the other rust removal projects.

@johnwagner800 3 ай бұрын

James, I've noticed that for at least the last two installments, you haven't used your resistive load bank. Can you shed some light on this. Thank you and please keep up the excellent, informative videos. - John Wagner

@jacquejecker4435 3 ай бұрын

I Think the load bank only works on the higher wattage generators. Of course I may be mistaken.

@melkiorwiseman5234 3 ай бұрын

It may be that the wattage is only correct when the load bank is used with 240V and not with 120V.

@johnclarke8180 3 ай бұрын

Awesome job!!

@jasonthewiczman5442 3 ай бұрын

Nice project- Video was educational

@Rorschach1024 3 ай бұрын

That actually looked like sawdust to me in the bowl.

@darrenw2803 3 ай бұрын

Rorschach1024, i was thinking the same thing lol

@watermanone7567 3 ай бұрын

Great job James.

@kpdvw 3 ай бұрын

what a great job ;....old but very usable...!

@brewster3987 3 ай бұрын

James, another excellent rehab! Love everything about your channel. As an alternative to JB-Weld for the fuel fitting, you may wish to look into some of the Loctite 600-series adhesives... some are excellent for sealing light press-fits and you should be able to find fuel-resistant ones.

@philliphall5198 3 ай бұрын

680 green locktight

@number40Fan 3 ай бұрын

The air filter should have been installed into the cover and not sandwiched between the inner and outer. There are tabs on the outer that will hold it, covering the air inlet ports.

@jeffreyandreas7514 3 ай бұрын

Very good video Jim. Always interesting and I always learn something, thanks for sharing your work!

@lsj1 3 ай бұрын

New video! Perfect.

@tubeDude48 3 ай бұрын

Jim, you should have put some flux on the connectors of the switch before soldering. You would gotten a better connection.

@robertsimpson7113 3 ай бұрын

Fuel inlet fitting..... JB WELD is your friend!!!!!!!

@garrydonnelly6433 3 ай бұрын

Fantastic video again James. Your are always so understandable and the photography is second to none. Thanks Garry (Australia)

@dirtyroofer3678 3 ай бұрын

I like the pilot light gonna do that on my generators

@DanKoning777 3 ай бұрын

James, I believe I saw this ole boy smile, once it realized it was in your shop. Anything with a small engine that's ailing and kinda works [especially a generator], knows it'll be back in the game once you start working on it. The content is what people look for e.g., you show your mistakes, great camera angles and editing, info and advise w/o over explanation, no clickbait, distracting music, or cussing and on/on. One day I hope you find a vintage [something of your choice], and restore back to new condition; only not to sell-but to keep as a reminder of all the other shops you've helped. 👍 Keep em' coming. God bless.

@HVACGUY 2 ай бұрын

Love the videos. Thanks for posting!

@martyb3783 3 ай бұрын

Great video as always James. I so enjoy watching them. I look forward to Kens live stream.

@kens97sto171 3 ай бұрын

Great video... as always. I think I saw gas run out of the bowl seal the first time you tried it, when the needle and seat failed to seal. If gas can come out that seal, it could be possible for air to get sucked back in that seal.. that would cause a lean condition too. perhaps on the second cleaning and reassembly that got more tightened or maybe the rubber seal just got more pliable after having some fuel put onto it. Great thoughts on the reason for the oil shut off.. makes a lot of sense. There is not that much oil volume in the crankcase. What a great little generator.. so quiet...

@jondavidmcnabb 3 ай бұрын

James, will a standard rubber o-ring work to seal the bowl? If true then might not a mechanic just use standard o-rings?

@gjohnston281 3 ай бұрын

Well you knocked another out of the park, Great video !

@brianallen9810 3 ай бұрын

Nice video as usual, strange little generator...a flat head Kawasaki. I've never seen one before.

@moabwheeling1305 3 ай бұрын

Great video again James and I will try to catch you all live next week . I really enjoy your videos and your vast knowledge . I have been watching your older videos as well as the new ones .I try to at least watch one a day .Take care sir and catch you on your next video.