Generator Help

[jimbro]

I inherited a 1985 Airstream 325 from my father, and I don't know too much about it. The generator was running, but has recently been unable to fire up.

It will crank over, but won't start. I have checked the oil level, it's good. I've tried to start it with the coach engine running, but no luck. The batteries all have good charge.

I prime the engine for about 10 seconds and, at when I first hit the start button, it sounds like it wants to start but then settles into the sound of the starter cranking.

Yesterday, I tried again and heard an awful metal-on-metal high pitched sound when I hit the start button. The only thing I can compare it to is when the teeth on a car starter are not lined up with the flywheel and it grinds. It did that twice, then the third time it cranked like usual.

I removed the air filter to make sure it was clean, and it is.

Any suggestions before I take it to the local RV repair place? I'll be putting it up for sale soon, so I'd like to get the generator running.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[JMynes]

Gummed up carburetor is a common problem...

[Bill M.]

Gas or diesel or propane? If it is a gasoline engine I would try 1 time removing the air filter and giving it a shot of starting fluid through the intake. I would have a fire extinguisher handy and have it parked away from the house while working on it.