16 Causes Of Westinghouse Generator Not Starting!

In the event of a power loss, many households an available generator. If you fall into this category, having a generator that won’t start when you really need it might be extremely aggravating.

A stopped air filter, the incorrect choke setting, a broken on/off switch, an empty fuel tank, a plugged fuel filter, a clogged fuel line, a dirty carburetor, a defective spark plug, a bad spark hydraulic piston, insufficient engine oil, or a malfunctioning fuel cap can all prevent a Westinghouse generator from starting.

For vehicles with electric starts, check the battery, starter solenoid, and ignition switch.

Before making repairs, set the generator down on a level surface, take the spark plug wire out, and let the engine cool. For safety advice, consult your Westinghouse operator’s manual.

Causes Of Westinghouse Generator Failure

Fuel tank on a Westinghouse generator that is empty

A tiny fuel tank is a feature of Westinghouse generators. It’s possible that you don’t remember when you last added petrol, or that your gas meter is no longer functional and giving you an accurate reading.

I simply bring up this simple explanation for a starting issue because it’s simple to neglect checking the fuel level while you’re upset.

FIX: Fill the fuel tank with new gasoline.

An outdated or faulty Westinghouse generator’s fuel

Many people are unaware that gas starts to deteriorate and loses effectiveness when it sits for extended periods of time. Within 30 days after the purchase, this may start to happen.

Most gasoline contains ethanol, which draws moisture into the fuel system. The varnish that is left behind s the mixture of ethanol and water evaporates might lead to component failure and fuel limits.

It’s crucial to keep the following in mind when buying, storing, and utilizing gasoline because of the damaging consequences for a Westinghouse generator:

• A minimum 87 octane grade should be used for new fuel purchases (91 RON).
• Never use gas that has more than 10% ethanol. Best fuel is ethanol-free petrol.
• Fuel must be used within 30 days.
• If you can’t use it within 1 month, use a gasoline stabilizer to extend its shelf life and keep it from degrading. (Fresh fuel must be stabilized with fuel first. It won’t undo the impacts of outdated fuel).
• Keep fuel away from moisture and flammable materials in a fuel container that has been authorized.

FIX: Use a fuel siphon pump to empty any old fuel from your Westinghouse generator. For assistance with cleaning the fuel system, lowering moisture, and stabilizing the gas, combine fresh gas with a fuel additive.

Fill the fuel tank with the gas. Once you have the generator running, let it run for about 15 minutes to give the gas and stabilizer mixture a chance to circulate throughout the fuel system.

I enjoy a product by the name of Sea Foam Motor Treatment. I use this product in every tank of petrol I fill up to assist minimize any problems that could arise from using ethanol-containing fuel. STA-BIL is still an excellent choice.

You may learn more about the best fuel to use in a Westinghouse generator as well as storage advice by reading here.

Fuel filter on a Westinghouse generator that is plugged

A fuel filter is used on a Westinghouse generator to keep debris and contaminants that enter gasoline tank removed from fuel system.

Westinghouse advises changing the fuel filter every 100 hours or every six months as a maintenance item. This filter might clog up if it isn’t replaced frequently.

Filters that are clogged up won’t allow enough fuel to flow through them. There won’t be enough fuel for the engine to start and run.

A Westinghouse inline fuel filter needs to be replaced as a solution.

Fuel Line Blockage on a Westinghouse Generator

Old fuel might leave behind sticky deposits or dirt that can obstruct the fuel system, such as the fuel line. Look for obstructions in the fuel line that might be preventing fuel from reaching the motor.

IF A RESTRICTION IS FOUND IN THE FUEL LINE, THE SOLUTION IS TO DISCONNECT THE FUEL LINE FROM THE GENERATOR. To clear the clog, blow pressurized gas into the pipe after spraying carburetor cleaner to release it.

Replace the old gasoline line with a new one if you are unable to get the fuel restriction out.

An unclean Westinghouse generator’s carburetor

Air and fuel are combined to create combustion, which results in an explosion in the cylinder. The carburetor is the part in charge of controlling how much gas and air mix in the engine.

Gas can’t reach the cylinder when the carb malfunctions because of old gasoline that has clogged the fuel pathways, which prevents the generator from starting.

The carburetor should be removed once it has been confirmed that gas is going to the carburetor but not the generator.

To get rid of varnish and deposits building up in the carburetor, clean it with a carburetor cleaner. Check the float, float needle, and fuel jets in the carburetor to ensure sure they are suitably clean and in excellent shape.

If you discover any broken components, you must replace them with a rebuilt carburetor or a new one.

Filter on a Westinghouse generator that is plugged in

The air filter is another upkeep component fitted to prevent preventing dust and debris from entering the air inlet, similar to how the fuel filter is. This is done to safeguard the engine against harm that even a small amount of dirt might bring about.

Your Westinghouse generators must always be running with an air filter. Throughout the course of the year, this filter needs to be cleaned and ensured that it remains in good working order.

I advise changing the air filter at the beginning of every year. The upkeep doesn’t end there. To keep the filter in good shape, it must be routinely examined and cleaned.

The generator may not only be unable to start, but also may overheat and even suffer severe engine damage.

If your air filter appears to be clogged, use the steps to wash a foam filter, see below. Consult the Westinghouse operator’s manual if you are unsure of the kind of filter you have or how to clean it.

Ensure the air filter on a Westinghouse generator is clean

• Air filter should be taken out of the housing.
• Clean the air filter housing and cover to remove any leftover dirt. Do not let dirt enter the air intake.
• Look for damage on the foam filter, and replace it if necessary.
• Use a mild detergent and water solution to clean the filter if it is in good condition.
• Clean the filter repeatedly until all soap is gone.
• The filter should be squeezed and then dried. You risk tearing the filter if you wring it.
• Apply fresh engine oil to the filter when it has dried. Squeeze extra oil out of the way.
• Put the air filter in place.
• The air filter cover must be reattached.

Fuel vent on a Westinghouse generator that is plugged

The gas cap is where the fuel tank vents on the majority of portable Westinghouse generators. To maintain the fuel tank’s pressure at the same level as the surrounding atmosphere, a vent is necessary.

The gasoline tank will create a vacuum when air is prevented from passing through the gas cap owing to a blocked vent. This keeps fuel from reaching the carburetor, which makes it impossible for your generator to start.

When turning on and using your generator, make sure the lever just on gas cap, which has a on and off position, is in the on position.

The best way to tell if your gas cap is the source of your starting issues is to try starting the generator after loosening or removing the cap to let air into the tank.

After you put the cap back on the generator and let it run for a time, if it starts running but then stops again, there might be an issue with the cap. I advise changing a damaged fuel cap or vent.

Westinghouse generator with a plugged-in spark arrestor

The muffler’s spark arrestor screen is a metal screen that keeps heated exhaust material from the escaping. To avoid accidents and fires, this screen is necessary.

The generator will have trouble starting and operating once it is connected in.

FIX: Take off the muffler’s spark arrestor screen. Examine it to make sure the screen is not torn or otherwise damaged. If it happens, a new screen needs to be installed.

Use a small metal brush to clean it if it isn’t damaged and to get rid of any soot buildup. Reinstall the screen onto the muffler after cleaning.

A Westinghouse generator with a bad spark plug

When the anode is burned, the porcelain is fractured, or the tip is unclean, a spark plug may be defective. As a result, your generator won’t start because there won’t be enough spark.

The deposits on the spark plug’s tip can be removed by cleaning it. You need to get a new ignition system tip if your old one is really dark in color or damaged.

The spark plug needs to be gapped correctly in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, which can be found in the driver’s manual. A loose spark plug wire or an appropriately gapped spark plug can also contribute to starting issues.

A Westinghouse generator’s bad ignition coil

Make sure your spark plug is in good shape before looking for a damaged ignition coil. The spark plug receives voltage from the ignition system in order to ignite the engine.

The engine won’t start if the spark plug can’t ignite because it has a defective spark plug or ignition coil.

WORKAROUND: Use an ohm meter to test the ignition coil’s continuity. Change the ignition coil if you discover a break in continuous.

An improperly topped-off Westinghouse generator’s engine oil

If the engine oil level is too low, a Westinghouse generator won’t turn on. A sensor on the generator detects lower revs oil levels. It will stop the engine from operating with insufficient engine oil.

Start by setting the generator on a level, flat surface before determining the engine oil level. Remove the oil fill valve, then use a clean towel to wipe the oil off the dipstick.

Put the dipstick back into the oil-fill tube without tightening the lid. Check the oil level on the dipstick after removing it. Verify that the dipstick reads the whole range.

If not, adjust the engine oil level by taking a little oil out or adding a little oil till it is.

When the low oil sensor illuminates even though the engine oil level is correct, you may have a malfunctioning sensor. The generator should ideally be taken to a Westinghouse service facility for repair.

On a Westinghouse generator, a bad choke dial or switch or a stuck choke

A dial or switch marked “OFF-RUN-CHOKE” is seen on several Westinghouse generator models. It might be broken and no longer work properly.

If a generator’s defective dial or switch when the choke no longer has to be adjusted it is switched between the choke/start and on positions, the generator won’t start.

For manual choke adjustment on ther variations of Westinghouse generators, utilize a choke lever. To start a cold motor in this situation, the choke lever must be in the choke position.

So that the engine receives enough air to continue running, it must then be turned to the off position.

FIX: Ask a service center to determine whether the dial is the issue. If the dial or manual choke lever is in the proper position and the generator won’t start, check for a jammed throttle plates.

Bad Recoil on a Westinghouse Generator with a Manual Start

It becomes difficult or impossible to start the generator when the starting recoil breaks or wears out. Your starting issues may be caused by the recoil rope coming undone, a broken pulley, springs, or clips.

Sometimes restringing the recoil is all that is required. Other times, you’ll need to repair or replace damaged components in your recoil. Cost the replacement of the entire recoil before changing any parts.

Depending on the price difference, it can be preferable to replace the recoil assembly rather than disassemble it and fix individual defective parts.

A Westinghouse generator’s bad ignition switch

A generator with an electric start may have ignition switch failure and become incapable of starting. Use the manual recoil to start the generator if the electric start isn’t working while you wait for a repairman to come and fix it.

WORKAROUND: Check the switch with a multimeter, and swap it out if necessary.

A Westinghouse generator’s battery is dead

A charged battery should be present. You can try to charge the battery if it has a low charge. It’s time to get a new battery if it won’t maintain a charge.

Verify the wiring and cables to ensure proper connections and excellent continuity.

THE ANSWER: Verify the battery’s voltage and, if necessary, charge it. Replace any batteries that are dead or won’t maintain a charge.

Westinghouse generator with a faulty starter solenoid 

Depending on your model, pressing the ignition switch button or turning the key may result in a clicking or buzzing sound, and your generator can’t stop. Alternately, you might notice that the wire is smoking and growing hot.

These are signs that the solenoid might be defective. When the copper plate starts to corrode or the internal spring becomes weak, a starter solenoid malfunctions. The solenoid failure could also be caused by a weak starter, a defective battery, or a bad ground.

WORKAROUND: You can try to disable the starter by contacting the cables from the battery and the starter with a screwdriver or pair of pliers.

It might spark, so take care. The starter solenoid is probably broken if the engine starts when the solenoid is bypassed.

Before replacing the solenoid, make sure there are no loose wires or poor ground conditions. These things have the potential to make the solenoid malfunction.

The good news is that most portable Westinghouse generators have a manual starter recoil that can be used to pull-start them in order to start them. If you can start it manually, you can focus on the electric start mechanism as the source of the issue.

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