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Carsonsig · 03-19-2023, 02:11 PM

I have a westinghouse igen2200. I used it in fall, no sweat. Yesterday I get her out to use.. and NOTHING.. wont catch, wont even sound like its trying. poured out the gas, added fresh. It will start now and then stop within 2-4 seconds. The overload light and the ready for power light come on when it runs... then dies.

moving to run before it dies does nothing.

I have the gas cap off, so I know "venting" isnt an issue. even cracked the side open and drained at least a bowl worth of fuel. let it sit to refill bowl... same. When I start it then it dies, I have to wait like 90 seconds or pulling does nothing. after a couple minutes... it will start again.

Fuel starved? What can I do? I REALLY dont want to take the whole freaking thing apart to get to carb bowls and jets if I am missing something else? Appreciate any insight.

twinboat · 03-19-2023, 02:20 PM

You stored it with gas in the carburator, it going to need a cleaning.

You could try to fill the carb with seafoam and let it sit, that may clear it up.

Carsonsig · 03-19-2023, 10:27 PM

yeah. That is my next step.. annoyed!

shootist · 03-19-2023, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carsonsig

yeah. That is my next step.. annoyed!

2 ounces per gallon of seafoam.

twinboat · 03-19-2023, 10:36 PM

You want straight seafoam in the carb to soak the passages.
Then you can treat the gas if the generator stays running.

Persistent · 03-20-2023, 07:09 AM

Small portable generators have small jets and gas passageways. Even a small varnish build up can interfere with gas flow.

I had to take the entire fuel system on my Honda 1000i and clean the varnish out. Replaced the fuel filter.

Since then, I always run it dry before storage. I now use the same practice for all my small engines like chain saw and blower. No problem since.

I also use high octane and stabilizer in gas cans. I am not sure this is necessary.

Wrapped · 03-20-2023, 07:22 AM

Remove air filter and spray carb cleaner into carb,start generator every time it starts to die spray carb cleaner in carb it should keep running keep doing to keep running for about a minute or two. Each time you spray it should run a few seconds longer until you don’t need to spray anymore.

dbircky · 03-20-2023, 07:35 AM

Carburetor? Drop the fuel bowl and look at it. If there's a greenish or yellowish tint, spray it with some carb cleaner. If it comes off, even partially, chances are the same crap is in the jets. You might get lucky and just spray into each jet will clear enough to get it running. Fresh gas will finish cleaning the gunk once it's running.
You may also find a bit of water in the fuel bowl. It doesn't take much to do what you're describing.

Marine359 · 03-20-2023, 04:17 PM

Sounds like the fuel is running to rich. Could be the choke is out of whack. Choke running rich will foul the carburetor. Maybe check to see if choke dial is properly calibrated. My choke dial sometimes falls off, have you tried leaning the mixture. Normally, carbs will run much longer on a lean mix, but will stop quickly on a rich mix.

Carsonsig · 03-20-2023, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbircky

Carburetor? Drop the fuel bowl and look at it. If there's a greenish or yellowish tint, spray it with some carb cleaner. If it comes off, even partially, chances are the same crap is in the jets. You might get lucky and just spray into each jet will clear enough to get it running. Fresh gas will finish cleaning the gunk once it's running.
You may also find a bit of water in the fuel bowl. It doesn't take much to do what you're describing.

Took carb bowl off, and bowl was clean as a whistle.drained all gas and added a load of seafoam. now it will run same 5 seconds and die again, but I can do it with less wait

twinboat · 03-20-2023, 08:03 PM

Is the fuel pump running when you hold the stop switch down ?

dbircky · 03-20-2023, 08:16 PM

Ok, let's take one step back and put a new fuel filter on. Try it.
If that doesn't improve it, remove the pilot screw. Tighten it first and count how many turn till lightly snug. Clean it with carb cleaner and a clean rag. It's brass and you don't want to scratch it by using something abrasive. When you put the screw back in turn until lightly snug and back out the same number of turns you counted above.
The fact it's starting and running before shutting off points to a fueling problem. To make sure after it quits, pull a spark plug. Is it wet looking? If not it's a fuel issue, if it's wet you've got an electrical problem. I'm betting it'll be dry. Fuel issues are common in equipment that sits for long periods without being used. Gasoline containing alcohol has a shorter effective life than alcohol free gas.

tuffr2 · 03-21-2023, 09:49 PM

I used starting fluid 5 to 6 times in my lawn mower to get it to keep running. I sprayed starting fluid in the carburator as it was starting to stall to keep in running until it did not stall.

Good luck