I have a gas powered Westinghouse WH7000EC - 7000 running watts/8500 starting watts. I've had it about 4 or 5 years now and was pretty good about starting it up about once every three months until this past year. This past time I tried to start it was after about eight months of it sitting over the Winter and gathering a bunch of stink bugs. When I initially moved the fuel shutoff valve into the open position, fuel began streaming out of the hose that was connected to the fuel line. I then moved the fuel line shutoff to the closed position. I was tied up with other stuff and let it sit for 3 or 4 days. When I finally got time to go back to try and start the generator, I turned the fuel line again to the open position and noticed right away that it was no longer leaking, which I thought was weird.
At this time, I tried the electric start (a half dozen times) and noticed a smattering of bug 'stuff' all over the place. Then I tried spraying some carb starter into the carburetor and a bunch more dead bugs came out of the muffler. Since then, with my 12 yr old grandson's assistance, we removed the air filter, removed the fuel line hose, replaced the spark plug and removed all the fuel and oil (and added fresh fuel with stabilizer as well as fresh oil). I've given up on the electric start as we got no where recently with that method(and this was the way in the past that we always started this generator). When I attempted to pull start it, using the rope, it sounds like it WANTS to fire up but dies within a couple seconds.
I looked around this forum briefly before writing this to see if I could gain some intel. I realize that this generator is made in China and isn't the most reliable option out there, and I am looking to replace it in the future when I can better afford one. That being said, has anyone experienced anything like this and if so, can they recommend a next step I might take? I'm pretty sure the problem has to be related to the bugs somewhere in the generator. But also, the leaky hose that stopped leaking baffles me also. I admit I'm not the most mechanically inclined person in the world. Or even my neighborhood. And I appreciate any advice.
Thanks
Joe
At this time, I tried the electric start (a half dozen times) and noticed a smattering of bug 'stuff' all over the place. Then I tried spraying some carb starter into the carburetor and a bunch more dead bugs came out of the muffler. Since then, with my 12 yr old grandson's assistance, we removed the air filter, removed the fuel line hose, replaced the spark plug and removed all the fuel and oil (and added fresh fuel with stabilizer as well as fresh oil). I've given up on the electric start as we got no where recently with that method(and this was the way in the past that we always started this generator). When I attempted to pull start it, using the rope, it sounds like it WANTS to fire up but dies within a couple seconds.
I looked around this forum briefly before writing this to see if I could gain some intel. I realize that this generator is made in China and isn't the most reliable option out there, and I am looking to replace it in the future when I can better afford one. That being said, has anyone experienced anything like this and if so, can they recommend a next step I might take? I'm pretty sure the problem has to be related to the bugs somewhere in the generator. But also, the leaky hose that stopped leaking baffles me also. I admit I'm not the most mechanically inclined person in the world. Or even my neighborhood. And I appreciate any advice.
Thanks
Joe