Having a generator is a great way to ensure your home and family stay safe. Unfortunately, your generator may occasionally produce a strange noise. Below, we’ll discuss what some of these common noises are and what you can do to fix them.
Odd Generator Noises
- Knocking or banging: This typically indicates a loose or damaged system component.
- Clicking or ticking: This sound usually points to battery issues, starter motor failure, or sticky valves.
- Grinding: Lack of lubrication, misaligned parts, and worn-out bearings can be to blame for this particular sound.
- Hissing: This indicates an air or gas leak.
- Rattling or vibrating: This tone can indicate loose bolts, mounts, or panels.
- Backfiring or popping: This noise indicates an improper fuel-to-air mixture that can result from bad fuel, a clogged spark plug, or even a dirty carburetor.
- Squealing or screeching: This loud noise points towards a slipping belt or alternator issue.
- Roaring: This unusually loud noise typically points to a blockage in the exhaust or muffler.
Helpful Troubleshooting Tips
In some cases, there may be some small issues you can repair on your own. For example, a rattling or vibrating noise may be the result of a loose bolt inside your unit. You can opt for shutting it off and examining its inside. If you locate the loose bolt, simply tightening it should silence the unwanted noise.
If you experience a popping noise, check the exhaust outlet to see if there’s a blockage. It isn’t uncommon for nesting material to accumulate in the exhaust outlet, especially if you don’t use your generator very often. If your generator is making a clicking noise and not starting, you can try cleaning the battery terminals and connections.
Hissing, knocking, popping, and squealing all indicate a major system malfunction. If this happens, it’s best to shut your generator off. In the event of a hissing noise, be sure you also shut off your natural gas or propane supply line to prevent any unnecessary leakage. We highly recommend calling for professional repair service in these instances.
The Importance of Prompt Repairs
While some of the noises above, like roaring or popping, can indicate a severe problem with your system, others may seem less important, like rattling. It doesn’t matter how small the issue may seem; you must respond promptly to the problem. Doing so will go a long way in preventing bigger and more expensive issues from developing inside your unit.
Preventing Odd Operational Noises
No one likes dealing with home generator problems. Fortunately, there are some proactive steps you can take to significantly reduce your risk of experiencing a noisy generator anytime in the near future. A must-do for every generator owner is getting professional maintenance service. This is key to identifying minor problems as early as possible before they turn into larger and costlier problems to deal with.
It’s helpful for homeowners to always have a fresh supply of fuel available for their generator. If you attempt to use old fuel, it can hinder the performance of your unit and even prevent it from starting. It can be helpful to add a fuel stabilizer to your generator if you plan on storing fuel in it for longer than 30 days.
Routine generator maintenance is also a necessity to ensure your generator has what it needs to operate smoothly and safely every time. You should test your generator every month. Run it for about 15 to 20 minutes and watch it during operation. You want to look for any leaks or potential corrosion.
Be sure to inspect its exhaust outlet for any potential blockages. Also, run your generator under load by plugging something into it to simulate real-world conditions during testing. About every six months, you’ll need to inspect the air filter, spark plugs, and fuel system for any inconsistencies.
It’s crucial to note that the frequency of your generator maintenance may change depending on its usage. For example, if you experience more power outages than normal, where your generator is running more often during a particular season, it will need more frequent maintenance.
Expert Generator Repair in New Jersey
If your generator is making noise, call Raynor Services for prompt generator service in NJ. Our electricians can do a thorough unit inspection and repair it swiftly for our Mount Holly customers.
