Help fix my generator

I couldn't get my generator to start up today testing it in prep for the storm. Last time it ran a month ago it sounded like it was struggling a bit. I pulled the spark plug and it was pretty dirty so got a replacement, but still pull the cord and I can't get it to start.  I did put it in the plug and ground it and pulling the cord you see spark.

It almost started once but puttered out really quickly. I dumped the fuel tank and am letting it dry out a bit now and have fresh 91 octane to put back in.  However watching some videos on generator repair it seems like I should maybe try a carburetor cleaner sprayed in through the air filter intake port to see if that helps? Another suggestion from YT was to get engine starter fluid to try and start up that way instead of the gas.  Appreciate some advice, i'm the kind of guy that can change the oil and filters and rotate the tires but not experienced in engines. 

Thanks in advance! 

Fuel change will probably make it happy. Carb cleaner in the intake (pull the air box and filter) just a bit. will get it going if bad gas needs to get out of carburetor. Good luck!!!

Thanks Ron!    I'll give it a shot and report back 

If the plug was sooty, it's running rich... check your air filter.  If the plug was oily, it may be low on compression.

I took apart the air filter housing to get at the carb and gave it a few good sprays then put it back together. After doing that I noticed the carb has a screw with a tube coming out of it and then found that it was a drain for the carb when I unscrewed it and leaked gas all over my floor.    I decided I'd clean that up and let it dry up over night and then I'll re-do the carb cleaning again today and try and see if it fires up.  The local auto store suggested I check the oil, saying that generators are sensitive to having low oil and not wanting to work.  It seems like its a tiny bit low and dirty, so I i'll also go ahead and change it today as well.  Hopefully get it running after this.

The air filter was quite clean, looks practically new. Didn't see oil on it either.  Is there some sort of adjustment for it the rich/lean? Or would it be an indication the carb is gummed up?

Al, Sounds like a plugged Main jet or Pilot jet. The jets will plug if the float bowl isn't drained and it sits without being started. Post the make and model of the generator along with pics of the old plug and carb. These carbs are pretty basic and usually come apart with just a Phillips screwdriver. I just went through my father in-laws generator and got it running after it sat for over 20 years. We'll get you through this. You can Do it!
Kevin

Al, Sounds like a plugged Main jet or Pilot jet. The jets will plug if the float bowl isn't drained and it sits without being started. Post the make and model of the generator along with pics of the old plug and carb. These carbs are pretty basic and usually come apart with just a Phillips screwdriver. I just went through my father in-laws generator and got it running after it sat for over 20 years. We'll get you through this. You can Do it!
Kevin

What he said.  Also, if you want to bring it by my place this weekend, we can get it all sorted for you.  We can pull the carb and make sure all jets are nice and clean and tune it up from there.  If it doesn't fit in your truck easily, I can swing by and throw it in my pickup.  Let me know... glad to help!

Al, Sounds like a plugged Main jet or Pilot jet. The jets will plug if the float bowl isn't drained and it sits without being started. Post the make and model of the generator along with pics of the old plug and carb. These carbs are pretty basic and usually come apart with just a Phillips screwdriver. I just went through my father in-laws generator and got it running after it sat for over 20 years. We'll get you through this. You can Do it!
Kevin

What he said.  Also, if you want to bring it by my place this weekend, we can get it all sorted for you.  We can pull the carb and make sure all jets are nice and clean and tune it up from there.  If it doesn't fit in your truck easily, I can swing by and throw it in my pickup.  Let me know... glad to help!

Thanks Ted! It's a small briefcase type and easy to transport.  It's a Costco special called an IPower, but with a Yamaha engine.  Will post some pics later when I pull it out to work on it.

Carbs for engines are relatively cheap on Amazon. I've been through what you describe on a couple of engines and just replaced the carb and they worked fine. Currently I have a lawn tractor that won't keep running after half a tank of gas sat in it all winter. Plan to drain all old gas and spray carb cleaner into carb but if that does not do it I will order a new carb and install.

After cleaning everything one more time, changing out the oil and putting it all back together it started on the second pull!  So very grateful for all the advice here, it's a huge load off my mind now that it's working again!

Super satisfying.

Oh another question though.  The parts store mentioned using fuel stabilizer to prevent gas from going bad.  I almost never stored fuel in it, usually filling it only enough to have it run a few hours and letting it die and adding more fuel.  So each time I used it I ran it dry, thinking that would prevent gumming up and always adding fresh fuel.  I didn't do that the last time, but it was the only time I didn't do it.  Does a stabilizer help to prevent the gumming up as well as keep the gas stable? 

It's running my refrigerator right now just fine btw.

Oh another question though.  The parts store mentioned using fuel stabilizer to prevent gas from going bad.  I almost never stored fuel in it, usually filling it only enough to have it run a few hours and letting it die and adding more fuel.  So each time I used it I ran it dry, thinking that would prevent gumming up and always adding fresh fuel.  I didn't do that the last time, but it was the only time I didn't do it.  Does a stabilizer help to prevent the gumming up as well as keep the gas stable? 

It's running my refrigerator right now just fine btw.

Yup, always use stabilized fuel.  Bonus points for ethanol free, but you can get Sta-Bil 360 and that will take care of ethanol and stabilize the fuel all in one.  Running dry is good, but there is still some gas left in the bowl after running dry, so stabilized fuel is still required.

STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer works wonders for keeping gas fresh for up to two years. The jets I was talking about are extremely small orifices' and can clog even with fuel stabilizer.  Best to run it dry, then drain the float bowel just to make sure. STA-BIL also makes a Fast Fix Fuel Treatment that will remove any water in the fuel and clean the carb out. Pics not working for me. Does your generator have a petcock to shut the fuel off?

Ah ok, that bowl I didn't know until today had a float switch and has to be drained separately.  I'l get that stabilizer fluid, and then sometime plan on doing a full cleaning of the carburetor.