Changing the Oil in Westinghouse Generators before weekend storm

[@dees9502]

Great vid, thanks. My 9500DF just got me through hurricane Milton in Sarasota. She’s a beast! Now it’s time to pamper her.

[@BradleyWolfe]

That's great to hear! Hope you and your neighbors are ok.

[@GodisGreat6527]

My 9500 got me Hurricane Beryl Whole House, plus 2 window units

[@jeremysmith3225]

After Helene came through South Georgia we used this exact generator to power the majority of a 3000 sq ft space for 2 weeks. It ran the central AC ,freezer,fridge,etc. We couldn’t run the AC and the hot water heater at the same time but it was an absolute blessing to have. God bless the folks throughout who lost it all .

[@BradleyWolfe]

Out of curiosity, how much fuel did you go through in that 2 week time frame?

[@michaelblodgett4704]

If you don't have ramps, you can slide a shallow baking pan underneath to change oil. It only holds 1.1 quart.

[@condor5635]

I use a used 5quart oil jug I cut out a large square on the side of. Cap to allow draining. Slides under nicely. Also permanently tie wrapped a plastic piece to the frame that allows draining oil to channel exactly where you want it to go

[@maxwellcrazycat9204]

I use an electric hoist that I bought from Harbor Freight.

[@philliphall5198]

I started mine every month and replace gas every 3 months 😊😊😊 Then I’m AllWAYS ready ❤

[@BradleyWolfe]

smart move!

[@michaelblodgett4704]

Perfect. Use ethanol free gas if you can get it.

[@condor5635]

@@michaelblodgett4704 - never used ethanol fuel once in 15 years. Have the same generator. It’s all about storage nothing to do with Stabil or ethanol free gas. Just empty it completely of gas. I start mine maybe once every eight months starts on the first pull

[@TaylorSkillin]

Super informative, thanks so much. Could you link to the magnetic drain plug you mentioned that's compatible with this unit?

[@BradleyWolfe]

amzn.to/3Udqwrs

[@michaelboykin9881]

Top tip. Use only ethanol fuel. Stabil is fine, but play it safe and just use boat gas. Most stations carry it in my area. It's all I use in my boat and all power equipment.

[@eriklee5801]

i just picked up the Westinghouse 14500/11500 Tr-iFuel. It almost get the full 50amp out of it. Just ran it for its first 2hrs break in. Need to change oil and will be good to go! I'll have to pick up that magnetic drain plug.. that will be handy!

[@BradleyWolfe]

Always good to meet a fellow Westinghouse fan. Good luck with the new generator!

[@frankjones4357]

Great job 👏 Only flaw was lack of light so I could see more closely what you were doing.

[@BradleyWolfe]

I appreciate the feedback!

[@adca540]

Dumb question, do these come either oil or do you have to fill up before initial start?

[@BradleyWolfe]

Not a dumb question at all. Normally these will come with a small bottle of oil that you add yourself.

[@eriklee5801]

i just bought one. It comes with an oil bottle. You have to fill it up before initial start.

[@John12Dee]

So it's okay to leave the gas in it if not in use for a while or til the next black out as long as it has the fuel stabilizer? Thank you

[@BradleyWolfe]

I believe that the stabilizer claims to keep fuel good for up to 1 year. I use mine enough throughout the year that it only ever stays in there for 4-5 months.

[@michaelblodgett4704]

If available, buy ethanol free gasoline. Also, you should treat your gas in your can and not in your generator. Too much Stabil will erode gaskets and seals. If you use ethanol free and don't store for more than three months you don't need stabilizer.

[@maxwellcrazycat9204]

I use gasoline without ethanol in all of my power equipment. It's pricey but worth it. Especially for 2cycle. Plus I add Stabilizer for storage. And run it at least once a month.

[@samuelonthewall]

Brand and cost of the cool plastic ramps you're using?

[@BradleyWolfe]

Mine came from Harbor Freight (Pittsburgh brand) a couple of years ago ~$60 Here's an identical set on Amazon - amzn.to/4gFypyG

[@jiansheng7761]

Where did you get the ramp the wheels are pulled up? Thanks!

[@BradleyWolfe]

These are from harbor freight

[@davidtranmedia5112]

What i do when i store mine. I have the WGen20000c. Change oil and filter. Then fill up the tank to full and add stabilizer. Then i let it run for 10 to 15 mins so the fuel and stabilizer can mix and run into the lines and bowl. Once i know that the fuel and stabilizer is coating everything i shut off the fuel and let the generator run until all the fuel has been empty out of the lines and bowl and shuts off and top off again. And store. I do that i know only what is in the tank is stabilized and ready to go. Just the way i do it.

[@BradleyWolfe]

I like it. That should keep your carb from getting gummed up too

[@davidtranmedia5112]

@@BradleyWolfe thanks man. Thanks for the video. I learned new things

[@nodak81]

That's the way to do it. I run everything out of fuel before putting it away. It's annoying to do and sometimes it feels like you're beating up the machine making it surge over and over as it runs out of fuel, but it really doesn't harm anything and it does a tremendous amount of good for the fuel system. Keeping a steel tank full helps stop rust from forming too.

[@AXNJXN1]

HUGE recommendations to consider would be PROPER Break-In oil (If a new Generator) and installing dual magnetic oil drain plugs and a magnetic oil dipstick. You will and SHOULD get YEARS of service out of it by these three simple upgrades and for under $100.00 and add incredible longevity to your machine by this simple mechanical upgrade. No compressor I own gets less and only wished we had these over the last 40 years, probably could have saved more motors! Lastly, try modernizing a little bit; get a 200CC fluid extractor and NEVER have to worry about tipping or raising your Generator again.

[@edpast6044]

If you don’t use it constantly. Maybe start it for like 30 mins every 3 months. Does the oil change have to be done after every run?

[@BradleyWolfe]

Yes, I agree with you. The manual says to change the oil every 50 hours of run time or every 6 months. That sounds like a long time to some but if you're running it constantly during a power outage, you could easily have to change the oil after just a couple of days of use.

[@nodak81]

That's actually a good idea. I have nine generators and I tend to let a few of them languish. I haven't started my biggest one in a couple years because I have junk piled all over it.

[@sumner407]

When powering your house through your 50amp connector, do you run in bonded or floating mode? I enjoyed your video and thanks for posting. 👍👍

[@BradleyWolfe]

Sorry for the delay. I don't run a separate ground line to the generator frame. It's just a straight 50A rated cord from the generator outlet to the transfer box on the house

[@sumner407]

@@BradleyWolfe what I am asking is your frame ground connected to your electrical ground on the generator, or have you disconnected it?

[@BradleyWolfe]

I didn't disconnect anything. Factory setup on the gen

[@mattmcneal3507]

​@@BradleyWolfeYou need to remove the jumper in your alternator and have a floating neutral as opposed to bonded to the frame of gen, very important step as you are using your house's existing ground/neutral circuit. Can't have 2 bonded neutrals in same circuit.

[@robchambers7533]

@@BradleyWolfe ! didn't connect any wire on generator either. I guess I will have to ask my electrician about the bonding.

[@randallbrostean8009]

Mine has been sitting for 2 years and today I could not get the gas cap off. WGen 3600 It was all rusted. Gas tank was rusted and corroded at opening on top. Gas cap was rusted and corroded. Rust in tank and it will not start. Suggestions?

[@BradleyWolfe]

Was there old fuel in the tank as well?

[@frfrank5862]

How did you power the house from the generator with 30amp or 50amp transfer switch or did you run extension cords?

[@BradleyWolfe]

I've got a 50 Amp transfer switch that I connect the larger generator too. It will run everything that I need (well pump, 2 refrigerators, 2 chest freezers, tvs, lights, fans, etc.

[@michaelblodgett4704]

The most common and economical method is to back feed into your main panel with a 50amp breaker and an interlock. There are plenty of KZbin videos showing how to, or hire an electrician.

[@maxwellcrazycat9204]

@@michaelblodgett4704 A friend of mine is a retired professional electrician. I had him install the necessary wiring, switches, panel. ETC.

[@freddie3159]

I have the Wgen 9500 and I am trying to find the fuel filter. Does anyone know where that’s located? I looked everywhere and I can’t find it. It doesn’t have the inline fuel filter, I know that. Thank you.

[@BradleyWolfe]

Mine is bright red and located right underneath the on/off valve. How new is your generator?

[@freddie3159]

I bought mine in December of 2022. After watching various videos and asking around on Amazon, I found out that the fuel filter is inside the shutoff fuel valve. It’s a white cylinder like piece of plastic. So when I have to change the filter, I have to change the fuel shut off valve. They come together in one piece. They don’t use those red in-line fuel filters on this one that I have .

[@nodak81]

@@freddie3159 It's not really meant to be a maintenance item. You only replace it if it gets clogged which shouldn't happen for a very long time unless your tank is full of crud for some reason.

[@condor5635]

Might think about spending another 15 minutes on what you did when storing. Drain carb bowl. Remove all fuel from tank by siphoning bulk out. Remove small fuel line near fuel valve to drain remaining fuel. You can even use your air hose on low to blow out any remaining fuel from carb with drain bolt removed). Then store it. No fuel anywhere. I stored mine for as long as 8 months or more that way and it starts always on first pull. No Stabil ever. 15 yr old generator.

[@nodak81]

Empty steel tank = rust galore. Keeping it full of stabilized fuel means there's no oxygen in there to form rust. It also means it's ready to go in an emergency. I really don't feel like trying to pour 12 gallons of fuel into a generator in the dark.

[@condor5635]

@@nodak81 - wrong on all fronts but thanks for the reply. Only been doing that for 15+ years.

[@condor5635]

@@nodak81 - your in the dark analogy is really humorous. If you’re not prepared to fill up your generator with gas or even start it for that matter because it’s ‘dark’, you’ve got bigger problems. Oh now it started, but it’s in the garage cause it’s dark and I can’t see to move it outside. I can’t find the extension cord either because it’s dark. My garage door doesn’t open until I get the generator started and outside and hooked up, but it’s dark.

[@maxwellcrazycat9204]

I noticed that there isn't a gasket on your drain plug. Nor on mine. Same generator. The user manual lists a gasket. Plus there isn't a torque value printed for the drain plug. Just tighten. As a former auto mechanic I like having a torque value to work with. Well it has never leaked.

[@robchambers7533]

Mine came with a aluminum washer. first time I changed oil, it stuck to the wall around the hole. I used my thumb nail to remove it and put on the bolt and put the blot back in.

[@cherylraimerLLC]

How do you know if the gas tank is full. It has one red bar does that mean it's almost empty or almost full

[@BradleyWolfe]

When the tank is full, you should have a solid red bar

[@GodisGreat6527]

I want a Man with a Garage like this

[@ansia8785]

You might consider getting a vacuum pump to extract the oil from your inverter generator. A lot less messy and no need to tilt the machine.

[@BradleyWolfe]

Great idea!

[@Drummer55]

Can't you just magnetize the bolt?

[@BradleyWolfe]

It's a good thought. I don't see why not. They also sell pre magnetized versions that draw any metal shavings to the bolt at the bottom of the oil pan versus getting sucked into the engine

[@Werno15]

Grab yourself an SX model Fumoto Valve from Fumotousa