On long Island we had high winds, knocked down

many power lines. It went off Tuesday afternoon, back up

Sat**day 7:45PM. In the meantime I started up the

5000 watt Generac GP5000 power generator.

What a gas hog and noisy as heck. I had it running only the essentials.

At one point it started running poor, sputtered backfired and stopped.

Problem no compression, cause was a stuck open exhaust valve.

I got it unstuck with brass hammer to tap in, pliers and pry bar to retract, and 2 hours of working it with carb cleaner and PB blaster.  I changed the oil and it started and ran normal.

I don't thick the head has pressed in valve guides , just the aluminum. How cheesy is that? What do you think was the root cause of the sticking? I suspect cooked gummy oil or galled up aluminum on the valve stem (I am assuming no bronze or steel valve guides).

So nice to not have to hear to it now. And thanks to the Ohio and Indiana tree cutters and electrical crews whom traveled east to help out.

sounds like it don't get regularily run ( say once a month for a 1/2 hour,under load) ??

new, seldom used engines NEED to be run every so often...

that being said, I reacquired a 5HP leaf shreader today..sat for 2-3 years in a barn. I tossed gas into the tank and 2nd pull she started and ran fine for 1/2 hour. I suppose I should check the oil...dang thing was made in 1994 !!! I really didn't expect it to run so tomorrow I should do an oil change....