My Generac Wheelhouse 5500 / 5550 generator (made by Briggs and Stratton) was sitting in my shed for years without seeing much action. I knew I had to test it every month but without any need, it was sort of forgotten and unused. So when it refused to start with Hurricane Sandy bearing down us, all I managed to do was flood the engine when I repeatedly pulled the starter rope.
Hurricane Season officially begins June and ends on November. Please check and service your portable generator well before June, especially if you have not recently tested your generator.
Although I was fortunate enough to purchase a new Briggs and Stratton 5500 Storm Responder generator from Home Depot at 3 AM, I shudder at the thought of not having electricity with 2 young children (by the way, my electricity was out for 14 straight days).
While my new generator was up and running, I was able to get my Generac generator to up and running, thanks to Internet and some fine folks at DIYChatroom (thanks again guys!).
I wrote this article to capture what I learned in hoping that it might help someone else to get their generators up and running.
PROBLEM TYPES
There are 2 main problems you may face with a generator that has been sitting around:
- Generator runs fine but there is no electrical output
- Generator runs poorly or does not start at all
- Engine starts but quits after running for about 10-15 seconds;
- Engine does not start but gas leaks from the air filter
- Engine will only start for few seconds with a squirt of starter fluid
- Engine will run rough under full choke but dies when choke is opened
- Engine sputters, guzzles gas then dies
If there is no electricity, you may need to field flash your generator or troubleshoot the automatic voltage regulator (AVR). Please see my other post titled "Troubleshooting a Portable Generator with no Voltage Power Output" (LINK -TBD)
SCOPE
Briggs and Stratton engine found in Generac Wheelhouse 5500 / 5550 generator came with either a Walbro or Nikki carburetors.
Information in this post pertains to only Nikki because my particular Generac Wheelhouse generator came with it (B&S OEM part # 697978 G02523 4312 A).
CAUSES
Generator's inability to start of remain running has lots to do with old, stale gasoline. Most research I've read indicates that the gasoline goes stale after only 30 days after it is manufactured. After 30 days t starts to form varnish that looks like red rust flakes.
Varnish tends to stick and clog internal components like a needle valve, emulsion tube, etc. where tiny holes are critical for the engine to properly work properly.
REPLACE OR OVERHAUL THE CARBURETOR?
BUY A NEW BRIGGS AND STRATTON CARBURETOR – PART # 591378
If you don't have the time for an overhaul / rebuild (i.e. a storm is coming!), you will want to buy a replacement Briggs & Stratton Carburetor – Part # 591378
Installing a replacement carburetor is basically a drop-in that takes less than 20 minutes. If you do buy one, you need re-use the choke handle bar because the new one is shorter than the original one (this involves simply removing a choke plate).
Nikki Carb Part #697879 has been discontinued and official replacement part is not available. Although the packaging on the new carburetor #591378 does not state that it can replace #697978, it works.
For about 15 bucks cheaper, you can also look at this replacement carb. I have personally not used this part though.
REPAIRING OR OVERHAULING THE OLD CARBURETOR
Overhauling a carburetor is more labor intensive process and may not be a good solution if you need to get the generator up and running and you need to do other things to get ready.
I am going to share my detailed step-by-step instructions with you so that if you have some spare time,
DECISION
I think you can agree with me that spending 100 bucks for a new Briggs & Stratton Carburetor Part # 591378
APPROACH
I had three choices in trying to solve my problem:
- VARNISH REMOVAL – Costs may be $10 or under; least expensive route but may develop leaks if old gasket is damaged during cleaning process
- OVERHAUL – Costs about $25 for an overhaul / rebuild kit
- REPLACE – Costs about $100
I ultimately chose to go with option #2 because I felt confident that my generator will be working after the engine tuneup (replacing air filter, spark plug, oil change, etc.) + overhauling my carburetor.
TOOLS
Parts
If you don't want to purchase the kit, you can buy these individual components separately (but will not be as cost effective):
- Briggs & Stratton Float Needle Valve Replacement – OEM Part # 696136
- Briggs & Stratton Float Bowl Gasket Replacement – OEM Part # 698781
- Briggs & Stratton Intake Gasket Replacement – OEM Part # 692137
- Carb Overhaul / Rebuild Kit:
- Briggs and Stratton / Generac – Wheelhouse 5550 Portable Generator – Owner's Manual (added 2016.09.19)
- Briggs and Stratton – What would prevent an engine from starting
- Briggs and Stratton – Operator's Manual
- Briggs and Stratton – Parts List Rev. 3
- Generac Wheelhouse 5500 / 5550 – Parts List (PLEASE NOTE: This is for Rev 5)
- Supplemental Generator Data for 87971 Rev. 7
- Outdoorpowerinfo.com – Disassembly, Cleaning and Repair of Briggs and Stratton Intek Single Cylinder OHV Nikki Carb
- Briggs and Stratton – Illustrated Part's List
- Youtube – Briggs and Stratton 10hp Generator Carburetor Repair Video
- Briggs and Stratton – Care and Repair Manual (abbreviated, online PDF version; not too useful
- Briggs and Stratton – Familiarization and Troubleshooting Guide
- Briggs and Stratton – Carburetion Troubleshooting Quick Reference Guide (PDF)
NEXT STEP
My next post will cover engine tuneup and Nikki carburetor overhaul (UPDATE: Fast and Easy Fix for Your Generac Wheelhouse 5500 / 5550 Portable Generator (Part 2)
Please don't forget to check the reference links as this section contains links to lots of useful information that are not easily found on the internet.
In the meantime, if you found this article to be useful, can you do me a favor and sign up for my newsletter? The signup form is found at the top of the screen on the right side.
Thanks and wish me luck!
REFERENCE LINKS
Posted by: apoloniastimsone013895.blogspot.com
Source: https://allthumbsdiy.com/outdoor-power-equipment/fast-and-easy-fix-for-your-generac-wheelhouse-5500-5550-portable-generator
