A smoking generator engine is a warning sign you should not ignore. A little smoke at startup may not always mean disaster, especially if the generator has been sitting for a while, but steady smoke, thick smoke, burning oil smell, or smoke that gets worse under load can point to problems that may eventually destroy the engine. The sooner you identify the color, smell, and timing of the smoke, the better your chance of fixing the generator before it fails completely.

Need generator help in Mexico City? You’re in the right spot. From repairs and parts to smart buying tips, this guide’s got you covered. And hey, we’ll even point you to handy picks like portable generators and generator extension cords.

Keep the lights on and the stress off. Here’s your Nashville go-to for fixing busted generators, finding the right parts, and scoring quick buys like portable generators and all-weather covers.

Power flickers in Washington? No worries. Here’s your quick local guide to repair shops, trusted parts dealers, and pro tips—plus smart buys like quiet inverter generators and transfer-switch kits.

Power goes out in El Paso? No worries. Here’s your no-fuss guide to local generator repair, where to snag parts, and some smart upkeep tips—plus handy buys like portable generators and transfer-switch kits.

Need a quick generator fix in Vegas? No worries. Here’s your one-stop guide for repair shops, parts counters, and smart tips—plus clutch buys like portable generators and all-weather covers.

Hurricane season is one of the worst times to discover that your generator will not start, keeps shutting off, leaks fuel, trips the overload light, or cannot handle the appliances you need during an outage. A generator is not something you want to test for the first time when the storm is already outside and the power has already gone out. If you depend on a portable or standby generator for emergency power, it should be inspected, serviced, repaired, and tested before hurricane season arrives.

A generator pull cord that will not retract is one of those problems that feels minor right up until the moment you need the generator and cannot get the starter rope back into the housing. Sometimes the rope hangs out loose and limp. Sometimes it retracts only halfway. Sometimes it feels jammed, tangled, or rough. In most cases, the problem is inside the recoil starter assembly, and the good news is that many of these issues are fixable at home with basic hand tools, patience, and a little care around the spring.