Generac XP6500E User Manual

Remove air cleaner cover; then remove foam pre-filter (service 

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if necessary) and remove paper filter.

Clean paper filter by tapping it gently on a solid surface. If the 

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filter is too dirty, replace it with a new one. Dispose of the old 
filter properly.

Clean air cleaner cover then slip pre-cleaner over filter. Next 

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insert new paper filter into the base of the air cleaner. Re-install 
air cleaner cover.

The engine exhaust muffler has a spark arrestor screen. Inspect 

and clean the screen at least once each year (Figure 16). If unit is 

used regularly, inspect and clean more often.

Remove muffler heat shield from muffler by removing the four 

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screws.

Remove spark arrestor from muffler by removing the four 

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screws.

Inspect screen and replace if torn, perforated or otherwise 

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damaged. DO NOT USE a defective screen. If screen is not 
damaged, clean it with commercial solvent.

Replace the spark arrestor and muffler heat shield.

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in the engine and adjust if necessary.
Important: If feeling uncomfortable about doing this procedure or 

the proper tools are not available, please take the generator to the 

nearest service center to have the valve clearance adjusted. This is 

a very important step to insure longest life for the engine.
To check valve clearance:

Make sure the engine is at room temperature (60° - 80° F).

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Make sure that the spark plug wire is removed from the spark 

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plug and out of the way. Remove spark plug.

Remove the four screws attaching the valve cover.

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Make sure the piston is at Top Dead Center (TDC) of its 

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compression stroke (both valves closed). To get the piston 
at TDC, remove the intake screen at the front of the engine to 
gain access to the flywheel nut. Use a large socket and socket 
wrench to rotate the nut and hence the engine in a clockwise 
direction while watching the piston through the spark plug hole. 
The piston should move up and down. The piston is at TDC 
when it is up as high as it can go.

Insert a 0.002 - 0.004 inch (0.05 - 0.1mm) feeler gauge 

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between the rocker arm and valve stem. Correct clearance is 
when a slight drag is felt when sliding the gauge back and forth. 
If the clearance is either excessively loose or tight the rocker 
arms will need adjusting.

Loosen the rocker jam nut (Figure 17). Use an 10mm allen 

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wrench to turn the pivot ball stud while checking clearance 
between the rocker arm and the valve stem with a feeler gauge. 
Correct clearance is 0.002-0.004 inch (0.05-0.1 mm).