Starting problem Honda EU2000i

[Lumatic]

Have a Honda EU 2000i and the companion generator. Companion starts. The other EU 2000i does not. Other than checking the plug what can I do to get it started?

I have not run the problem generator for probably a year. There is old E10 gas in it. When I get them running I will put a little Lucas gas treatment in. I should have ran them dry at the end of last season, but did not.. I know gas without ethanol is a better choice, but it's hard to find.

Should I do anything with the carburetor. Please be specific.
Hopefully it will start tomorrow.

[overlander63]

Have you checked to make sure there's enough oil in it? Not enough oil will make it not start.

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by overlander63

Have you checked to make sure there's enough oil in it? Not enough oil will make it not start.

Did not check the oil yet but will tomorrow. Thanks.

[mikeinca]

As you've discovered, these Honda generators are very sensitive to even small amounts of varnish clogging the fuel metering orifice and this can occur if you don't run the generator for a while and allow the fuel in the carburetor to evaporate. You don't actually have to run the generator dry; you can loosen the drain screw at the bottom of the carb which allows the fuel in the carburetor bowl to empty out before storing the unit.

I discovered this the hard way when one of my Hondas would only run (and very poorly at that) when fully choked and it took a lot of pulls to get it started. There was so little fuel getting through the orifice that only by restricting air flow drastically would the mixture allow for running at all. I mixed Techron concentrate into the fuel and ran the generator for several hours, gradually opening the choke bit by bit until the orifice was cleaned and the generator ran normally un-choked.

If you can't start your generator at all, you may need to remove and disassemble the carb and try to clean the fuel orifice although I've heard that in some cases a new carb is required. Good luck.

[ROBERT CROSS]

....on a neighbors Honda mower.

Dump the old gas, open the float drain, fill with fresh e-free and a little SeaFoam.

It should start with a couple squirts of starting fluid, once it starts a couple times & stalls, Stop....don't keep it running on the fluid. Put some gas & Seafoam in a spray bottle and spray into the carb, spray enough to keep it running....after about 10min of running rough the mower was back to normal.

Worth a try with the genset.

Other than that it's remove the carb & clean.

Bob

[TinShack]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

....on a neighbors Honda mower.

Dump the old gas, open the float drain, fill with fresh e-free and a little SeaFoam.

It should start with a couple squirts of starting fluid, once it starts a couple times & stalls, Stop....don't keep it running on the fluid. Put some gas & Seafoam in a spray bottle and spray into the carb, spray enough to keep it running....after about 10min of running rough the mower was back to normal.

Worth a try with the genset.

Other than that it's remove the carb & clean.

Bob

+1. My thoughts too. Seafoam, the miracle cure.

[wulfraat]

You can try sea foam, but it likely won't unclog the small holes in the carb fuel feed line based on how the carb is configured (at least it didn't on mine).

Best to just take 30 minutes, pull apart the carb, soak/clean with carb cleaner, re-assemble and you will be off to the races.

Basic maintenance that you should do once a year anyways...

[SeeMore]

If the proffered methods don't get you running, it is a fairly simple and inexpensive task to replace the carburetor altogether. The 2000 series uses the GX100U engine.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Hond...M/221994007456

While you are at it, you should also change out the fuel filter which is likely clogged or at least providing reduced flow.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Hond...-/321975125365

How to:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/6eovXyTHZvM

[HiJoeSilver]

Had similar last fall. First, fresh gas. If the gas in there is a year old, it's gotta go. Chances are that will get it running after a few pulls to get it to the carb. Next get some spray sea foam, comes with a really long straw. Take the cover off the air filter, thread the straw behind the air filter down the inlet to the carb, keep the filter itself in place. While the generator is running, spray sea foam just until the generator is about to die. Do that 3-4 times. The smoke will turn white. Then while running again spray seafoam until the generator dies. Let it sit for about 30 min. Restart and repeat spray until dies 3-4 times.
Then add some seafoam additive to the fuel and run for a while.
I always add a little seafoam liquid additive and fuel stabilizer when I fill the tank now. Even if I'm going to use it pretty quickly.

If the oil is a year old that ought to get changed too. Full synthetic recommended if you don't run it regularly. Also if you don't run it regularly give the pull a few pulls before moving switch to on to lubricate the engine a little.

Seafoam got mine purring with some use.

Seafoam spray(so you know what to look for) should be available at big auto stores:
https://thetoolcrate.com/products/se...ube-12-oz-tube

Seafoam additive:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sea-Foam-...&wl13=&veh=sem

[Rjpuckett]

Search You Tube...Honda Generator 2000 Carb.

There are multiple videos showing how to clean the carb.

[68 TWind]

I have lots of gas powered equipment. Saws, cutters, weed eaters, generators, tiller and lots of mowers. Since I started only using ethanol free gas a few years ago I have not had a single issue with a carb getting gunked up or an engine not starting. Folks in my neighborhood know I can fix mowers. Always the same issue, fouled carb due to ethanol fuel sitting in them. I tell them I'll fix it once but if you keep putting ethanol fuel in it I won't clean it again. It is well worth the effort to find an outlet that sells ethanol free gasoline. I also put some Sta-Bil fuel stabilizer in every can of fuel. Sure I will use it in my big mower in a week but I also might pour some in my generator and it may sit for 6 months so it is best to treat all the gasoline I buy. Yes it does cost more per gallon and takes a little time but it is way better than having to take carbs off and clean them.

[Wayne&Sam]

Cleaning the carb is not a big deal and should fix the problem.

[paiceman]

Ethanol is particularly hard on carburetors, especially these small engine ones. I put an additive that neutralizes the ethanol a cap each tank fill up. My guess, you need either a complete clean of carb or replacement.

[perryg114]

DON'T PUT ETHANOL IN ANY SMALL ENGINE. The carb is toast and needs cleaning. I have gone ethanol free and have very few carb problems now. You should have to clean 4 carbs on a motorcycle after that stuff has ruined the carbs. It also rusts the tank.

Perry

[DaveP]

One often overlooked maintenance item in the Honda 2000i is the spark arrestor in the muffler. It is a cylinder shaped screen in the inlet to the muffler. It can build up carbon deposits and cause too much back pressure in the engine. Only takes a few minutes to get it out and clean it. It is on my annual maintenance check list. All these little issues can add up...

[AzAirstream]

Drain the carb and fuel tank. If the gas is over a couple of months old, it will be hard to start or not at all. Fresh gas almost always fixes the problem.
Try this prior to disassembly.

[bbandeddie]

Originally Posted by DaveP

One often overlooked maintenance item in the Honda 2000i is the spark arrestor in the muffler. It is a cylinder shaped screen in the inlet to the muffler. It can build up carbon deposits and cause too much back pressure in the engine. Only takes a few minutes to get it out and clean it. It is on my annual maintenance check list. All these little issues can add up...

Be sure to pick up a gasket first. It's super thin and fragile. Tore mine this spring removing the arrestor manifold. Fortunately the tear was around the mount stud and not the open so I reused it.

When looking for ethanol free, in Canada at least, the highest grade at a tri-grade pump is almost always ethanol free.

[jtwind]

Do not use starting fluid!! It's bad gas, 99,99% sure. It may clear if you use a carb cleaner solution! It often needs to work over night to clean the varnish etc. Good advise here, use premium no ethanol gas and I use sea foam if in the gas if it's going to be sitting a while. If it doesn't work, take it to a deal to clean the carb etc.

[tyggeln]

Originally Posted by Lumatic

Have a Honda EU 2000i and the companion generator. Companion starts. The other EU 2000i does not. Other than checking the plug what can I do to get it started?

I have not run the problem generator for probably a year. There is old E10 gas in it. When I get them running I will put a little Lucas gas treatment in. I should have ran them dry at the end of last season, but did not.. I know gas without ethanol is a better choice, but it's hard to find.

Should I do anything with the carburetor. Please be specific.
Hopefully it will start tomorrow.

I'm sure you checked it, but I've been the victim of this before, have you checked the gas cap vent open?

[bbandeddie]

Oh. That's a good one. That's *never* happened to me. Just like I've never forgotten to connect the fuel line to my outboard.