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2020/03/31 18:47:43
dspikes

Generac WheelHouse 5500 with Briggs and Stratton engine

I inherited a Generac WheelHouse 5500 generator that had been sitting forever.  It is powered by a Briggs and Stratton engine.  The carb was so gunked up that I decided to purchase a replacement.  I also replaced the spark plug.  My issue is that it will only start if I squirt a tiny bit of carb cleaner in the carb. throat.  After that, it will run forever like brand new!  Trying to start it on choke doesn't help.  I shut it off, and can't start it again without a squirt of cleaner.  Any thoughts?  Thanks, in advance!
6 comments Leave a comment
Roy
Is it an OEM carburetor?
2020/03/31 20:22:34
dspikes
No, it's not.  I could not find the Briggs and Stratton model number anywhere.  This carburetor was listed as a replacement for the Generac WheelHouse 5500
2020/03/31 20:39:08
Roy
A Briggs engine will have the numbers stamped into the blower housing if an L-head, the valve cover if ohv. You sure it's not a Generac?
2020/04/01 11:33:33
dspikes
It is a Briggs and Stratton engine.  There was no number on the valve cover, on the muffler housing, or on the blower housing.  The only number is a "family" number on the housing (see attached photo) which is 3BSXS.3422HT 275385.
2020/04/01 15:50:24
dspikes
In the meantime, I cleaned the flywheel (rusty), cleaned the coil, and re-adjusted the coil gap.  I thought that it maybe had a weak spark.  Still no start unless I give it a quick spray, then it runs great!  I thoroughly cleaned the old carb (Nikki), but the float bowl gasket was too stretched to put back on.  I've ordered one, so we'll see what happens when I reinstall the old carb.
2020/04/01 16:00:04
dspikes
Update:  I received the float bowl gasket, reassembled the newly cleaned carburetor, and it started on the first crank!  Still runs a tad rough, but it's better than having to spray carb cleaner just to get it to start.  I think I'll start it up today, and let it run for awhile.  Sometimes that helps if it hasn't run in quite a while.  Still difficult to find the exact engine, because I'm used to searching by model number and type, not "family".  Thanks for the help and insight!
2020/04/04 07:57:07

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