Westerbeke 4.5KW BCGTC Series

[drjbarnes]

My Westerbeke 4.5 generator has only 650 hours or so on it. Most of which has been put on during the 3 years I've owned the boat. General maintenance has always been done by the marina mechanic while I've owned the boat. This year they are booked out until November, so it's either wait or figure this out on my own. Impossible to sleep on the boat during an Alabama summer without air conditioning. I bought a 2500KW portable generator as a work around but it won't run the air conditioning.
At the start of the season the generator was running fine. While at anchor it suddenly quit, reminded me of a lawn mower that had run out of fuel. The start switch would always have a clicking sound whenever I flipped it up, it no longer makes any sound. The generator will crank but doesn't start. If I use starter fluid in the carb it kicks right over.
Since it's been down I've done all the usual routine maintenance: sparkplugs, wires, impeller, oil filter and oil change, replaced all the fuses, etc.
Any ideas on where to start the trouble shooting process would be appreciated. TIA

 

[Golfman25]

Fuel pump?

 

[hottoddie]

If you can get access the wire that powers the fuel pump check it for 12v. If you have 12v and the pump won't run replace it. You could try a couple of taps with the handle of a screwdriver to see if it will work again but if it does I would assume it's dying and it needs to go.

 

[bfernald0]

When you hold down the 'preheat' button, the fuel pump should automatically come on. On mine, you can hearing the choke click closed and fuel pump come on and prime. If it is the pump, don't buy the Westerbeke one. You can get a generic for a quarter of the price.