Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): generator, engine governor, speed circuit

Question
I have a Coleman Maxa 5000 er Plus generator. It produces electricity and runs power tools, but I would like to know if it is supposed to idle slowly and smoothly. Under load it runs strong and steady. With no load the governor is running it up and down. It revs up about every second or two. I appreciate any info you can give me about this.

Thanks,
Pat

Answer
Is should run smooth.  Most likely the carburetor needs to be cleaned.  When the governor opens different carburetor orfices feed fuel to the engine; this circuit is called the high speed circuit.  With no-load, the throttle plate closes off the high speed circuit and the low speed circuit is used.

Do you have a tachometer to check engine RMP?  Generator governor springs are little more sensitive to RMP changes than regualar mower engine governor springs.  The engine should be running 3600 RPM.  Since it will run power tools the RPM is most likely alright which takes the troubleshooting back to dirty carb low speed circuit.

Do you have an air compressor to clean the carburetor passages?

Eric