Annual Generator Maintenance Checklist in Fort Myers Homes

If you’ve lived in Fort Myers long enough, you already know: a standby generator isn’t a luxury, it’s a lifeline. When hurricane season rolls through and the grid goes dark, that hum from your generator is the sound of peace of mind — cold air, cold food, and life as usual.

But here’s the truth that most homeowners learn the hard way: even the best generator won’t save you if it’s not maintained. These things are engines, and like any engine, they need a little attention every year.

We’ve been servicing and installing generators all over Lee County — from McGregor to Iona to Cape Coral — and we’ve seen it all: dead batteries, clogged filters, fuel leaks, corroded terminals, and everything in between. Most of those breakdowns could’ve been prevented with simple yearly maintenance.

If you’re still getting familiar with backup power, our generator FAQ walks through the big questions Fort Myers homeowners usually ask before they schedule maintenance or commit to a new system.

1. Visual Inspection — The Walkaround

We always start with a good look. You can tell a lot about a generator just by walking around it.

Check for corrosion, rust, and leaks. Fort Myers humidity can eat through fittings fast. Look under the base for oil or fuel residue.
Inspect the enclosure. Make sure panels are secure, vents are clear, and no critters have built nests inside. (You’d be surprised how often we find that.)
Check pad stability. The generator should sit level on its concrete or composite pad — no sinking or shifting. Florida rain and soft soil can move things around over time.

A five-minute look can catch 80% of small problems before they turn into big ones.

When we suspect there’s more going on than a simple walkaround can reveal, we may recommend infrared thermography to catch hidden hot spots in panels and connections before they fail during a Fort Myers storm.

2. Battery and Electrical Connections

Your generator’s battery is its heartbeat. If it’s weak, nothing else matters — it won’t start.

We always:

Test battery voltage and cranking amps.
Clean and tighten terminals (a little corrosion goes a long way here).
Check charger output to make sure it’s keeping the battery topped off.
Inspect cables for cracking or wear — the Florida sun can make insulation brittle.

Most generator batteries last about 3 to 5 years in our climate. We recommend swapping them proactively at the three-year mark.

3. Oil and Filter Change

If your generator’s been running (even just its weekly exercise cycle), it’s burning oil. That oil collects carbon, moisture, and small metal particles over time — all of which shorten engine life.

For most units, you should change the oil and filter once a year or every 100 hours of run time, whichever comes first.

We use full synthetic oil rated for Florida’s heat — typically 5W-30 or 10W-30 depending on the manufacturer. We also make sure the filter matches the model (don’t skimp here — off-brand filters clog faster and leak more).

A clean oil system means smoother starts and longer life.

4. Air Filter and Intake

Think about how dusty Fort Myers gets, especially during dry season. That dust ends up in your generator’s intake if it’s not filtered properly.

We:

Pull and inspect the air filter.
Tap it clean or replace it if it’s even moderately dirty.
Check the air intake for obstructions — lizards, spiderwebs, and debris are common.

Airflow keeps your generator running efficiently. Restricted air = rich fuel mixture = fouled plugs and wasted fuel.

5. Spark Plugs

You don’t need to change plugs every year, but you should at least inspect them annually.

We pull each plug and check for carbon buildup or oil fouling. A healthy plug has a tan or light gray tip. If it’s black and sooty, the engine’s running rich. If it’s white and blistered, it’s running hot.

We replace them every two years or sooner if we see signs of wear.

6. Fuel System (Propane or Natural Gas)

Fuel delivery’s a big one — especially for Fort Myers homes using propane.

For propane systems:

Check tank level and condition.
Inspect regulators for leaks or corrosion.
Verify fuel pressure under load.
Make sure the gas line and fittings are secure and properly sealed.

For natural gas systems:

Check inlet pressure.
Test line connections for leaks.
Inspect shutoff valves for full operation.

We also look for any moisture or rust inside fittings — that’s an early sign something’s wrong.

7. Coolant and Exhaust System

Some larger generators (15kW and up) are liquid-cooled, while smaller residential ones are air-cooled. Either way, we make sure everything that’s supposed to cool is cooling.

For liquid-cooled models:

Check coolant levels and top off as needed.
Inspect radiator fins for dirt or corrosion.
Pressure-test the system if there’s been any history of leaks.

On every generator, we check the exhaust system for leaks, cracks, or loose bolts. Exhaust leaks can be deadly, so we take this part seriously.

8. Control Panel and Settings

Your generator’s control board is like its brain. It manages the automatic startup, timing, and monitoring.

We always:

Verify the date and time settings (important for weekly test cycles).
Check for fault codes or alerts.
Test the display lights and status indicators.
Confirm Wi-Fi connection if it’s a smart model.

If the system’s not talking to you (via alerts or emails), it can’t warn you about an issue before a storm hits.

9. Test Run — Under Load

Here’s where the real work happens.

We fire up the generator manually and run it under actual load — flipping breakers to simulate real-world operation. This test shows how well the system handles demand.

We watch voltage, frequency, and fuel pressure during the run. If anything drifts, that tells us it’s time for deeper adjustments or part replacements.

We let it run for at least 20 minutes, then monitor the transfer switch as it switches back to utility power. Smooth transitions are key.

10. Weekly Self-Test Verification

Most modern standby generators self-test automatically — usually once a week for about 10 minutes. But here’s the catch: if the clock’s off or the schedule’s disabled, it won’t happen.

We confirm that:

The self-test is active and set to a convenient day/time.
The engine actually starts during the cycle.
No alarms appear afterward.

That weekly exercise is what keeps the engine lubricated and the battery charged. Think of it as your generator stretching before the big game.

Beyond the generator itself, our home safety checklist gives Fort Myers homeowners a simple walkthrough to spot other electrical issues around the house before hurricane season ramps up.

11. Cleaning and Final Touches

Once everything checks out, we clean the enclosure, wipe down all access panels, and tighten every bolt. We label the service date, note any recommended follow-ups, and make sure the homeowner knows what we found.

Most folks are surprised when we hand them the report — they realize how much goes into keeping these systems reliable.

Real Job Example: Whiskey Creek Home

A couple in Whiskey Creek called us before hurricane season. They’d had their 20kW Generac for about four years but hadn’t done a single oil change. It still ran, but it was sluggish, and they were nervous heading into storm season.

We performed the full maintenance checklist — changed the oil and filter, replaced plugs, cleaned the air filter, tightened the battery lugs, and adjusted the regulator pressure.

When we ran the post-test, that generator started instantly and ran smooth as a new one. The homeowner said, “It sounds quieter than it did when it was new.”

That’s the difference a little maintenance makes.

How We Handle Maintenance at Coharbor Electric

When you call us for annual service, we don’t just do a quick oil change and leave. We go through every step on this checklist — plus a few extras specific to Florida’s climate.

We check for corrosion, salt exposure, storm debris, and anything that could cause trouble when the power goes out. We document everything and make sure your generator’s ready for hurricane season.

If you also look after rentals or multi-unit buildings, our preventive maintenance checklist lays out a repeatable plan to keep electrical systems reliable for tenants across Fort Myers.

Wrapping It Up

A standby generator’s one of the best investments you can make in a Fort Myers home — but only if it’s maintained.

Skipping your yearly service might save a few bucks now, but when the lights go out and that generator won’t start, you’ll wish you hadn’t.

👉 Call Coharbor Electric today to schedule your annual generator maintenance. We’ll handle everything — inspection, oil change, testing, and tuning — so your system’s ready when the next storm hits.

We make generator maintenance simple, safe, and built to keep your Fort Myers home powered when it matters most.