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09-12-2017, 02:52 PM
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#21
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2 Rivet Member 
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
gainesville
, Virginia
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 31
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Ethanol-free is a 'must' in small engines such as this. It can often be found at airports and the marina if it cannot be found roadside. Ethanol-free gasoline treated with a double dose of Staybil will be good for at least two years and should be stored only in a safety can such as is available at Tractor Supply, the local Co-op farm store and several other places. Don't use the crappy plastic ones that expand and contract with temperature changes. Ditto for the tightly sealed metal ones with screw caps and no vent.
Trying to start an engine with too many squirts of so-called 'starter spray' (ether) can cause seizing of the cylinder due to lessening of lubrication. One good trick here is to remove the spark plug and heat it as hot as possible on a gas stove, replace it quickly and yank the starter. The combination of burning the carbon off and a bit of heat will often start a balky engine. Then is when the additives such as SeaFoam or others will then help clean the carburetor a bit.
Low compression engines should ONLY be run with the lowest octane gasoline. High octane gasoline retards ignition and is not good for low compression engines such as these. TOP TIER detergent gasoline (76, Aloha Petroleum, Amoco, ARCO, Beacon, BP, Break Time, Cenex, Chevron, CITGO, Conoco, Co-op, Costco, CountryMark, Diamond Shamrock, Entec, Esso, Express, Exxon, Holiday, Kwik Star Stores, Kwik Trip, Mahalo, MFA, Mobil, Ohana Fuels, Petro-Canada, Phillips 66, PUMA, QT, Quik Trip, and Road) has more cleaning detergent additives than standard gasolines, though all the rest do meet Federal standards for these cleaning detergent additives. I would always go with Top Tier brands, especially for small engines.
You should probably go on and clean your stuck-up carburetor now, rather than relying only on the 'magic' treatments such as SeaFoam, etc. I have found using a 10 or 12 muffin baking pan keeps parts in order as I take things apart, and makes it much easier to put things back together. Having a complete set of drill bits, including the tiniest ones to be found helps in cleaning out tiny jets, being careful to not enlarge the holes regardless of what you use. A good 12-hour soak of the metal parts in a cleaner solution from your auto-parts guy makes things much better.
Carry On!
><>
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09-12-2017, 08:59 PM
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#22
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"Cloudsplitter"

2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,135
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This site has come in handy.
I use efree in everything..luckily NOCO 2mi down the road. It retards nothing, not even this....
Bob
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
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09-13-2017, 12:18 AM
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#23
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Rivet Master 

2005 28' Safari S/O
Paradise
, California
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,446
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If you need to clean the carb, here is a good video on how to do it.
__________________
Steve
"THE OLDER I GET, THE BETTER I WAS"
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09-13-2017, 08:38 AM
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#24
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Rivet Master 
1971 25' Tradewind
1993 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Estancia
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,750
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GEEEER
Ethanol-free is a 'must' in small engines such as this. It can often be found at airports and the marina if it cannot be found roadside.
Low compression engines should ONLY be run with the lowest octane gasoline. High octane gasoline retards ignition and is not good for low compression engines such as these. TOP TIER detergent gasoline (76, Aloha Petroleum, Amoco, ARCO, Beacon, BP, Break Time, Cenex, Chevron, CITGO, Conoco, Co-op, Costco, CountryMark, Diamond Shamrock, Entec, Esso, Express, Exxon, Holiday, Kwik Star Stores, Kwik Trip, Mahalo, MFA, Mobil, Ohana Fuels, Petro-Canada, Phillips 66, PUMA, QT, Quik Trip, and Road) has more cleaning detergent additives than standard gasolines, though all the rest do meet Federal standards for these cleaning detergent additives. I would always go with Top Tier brands, especially for small engines.
Carry On!
><>
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In my area the only ethanol free gasoline around for at least 50 miles is 91 octane. There is a backyard method for removing ethanol but I have never tried it.
Yesterday siphoned off the old gas, drained the bowl, and added ethanol free. Sprayed the inside of the carb with carburetor with carb cleaner. Generator sputtered but will not run. Probably from the carb cleaner Will try again today.The bowl had new gas in it so I assume the carb is getting gas.
From the video it sounds like at least one of the carb gaskets needs to be changed when the carburetor is disassembled. Carburetor kit?
__________________
Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine.
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09-13-2017, 09:12 AM
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#25
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Rivet Master 

2004 28' Classic
Monument
, Colorado
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,572
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Bob,
Great link for ethanol-free gas! Found I had a station just a few miles from my house. Thanks!
__________________
DaveP
2004 Airstream Classic 28 "Willard"
2023 Ram 3500 4x4
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09-13-2017, 11:44 AM
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#26
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4 Rivet Member 
Byron Center
, Michigan
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 275
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Lumatic,
You've been focusing a lot on the carbs, and based on your info with old gas and such, it makes sense to start there. Make sure the choke isn't sticking open or shut, too.
If it's not sparking well with carb cleaner and a little fresh gas sprayed in the carb throat, you might have an ignition issue. In another thread, someone mentioned that some Honda generators were produced with loose clips for the spark plug boot/connector. Might be worth checking and tightening, as the other airstreamer checked this and it was an instant solution to their rough running/hard starting problem.
Remove the cable from the plug, roll/peel the boot back and use a pair of needle nose pliers to tighten the fit of the clip. Reinstall.
Could be totally off, but after you've explored all of the carburetor and fuel options, it's worth checking the ignition system.
Good luck,
Larry
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09-13-2017, 01:03 PM
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#27
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Rivet Master 
1971 25' Tradewind
1993 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Estancia
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,750
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It is firing but will only run after carb cleaner sprayed in the throat. Choke is not sticking and carb is getting gas.
__________________
Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine.
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09-13-2017, 07:00 PM
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#28
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3 Rivet Member 
2014 23' Flying Cloud
Rhinebeck
, New York
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 114
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Quote:
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.
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This happened to us with our 3000 model. Are you sure you have the fuel entry cap on the unit positioned to the "on/open" position? If not, the generator will not start.
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09-13-2017, 08:34 PM
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#29
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Rivet Master 
2005 30' Classic
Burlington
, Ontario
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,743
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We use our i2000eu infrequently - mainly only for a winter trip when stopping at FJ truck stops en route - but I do also sometimes use it a bit in summer if I have to do work needing power tools when the trailer is in storage a half hour from our house.
But I do start it up every couple of months anyway. It does take many pulls t start it after a couple of months idle. I don't drain the carb, but no doubt it evaporates and it takes a while for the fuel pump (I think there is one!) to refill the carb.
Typically after a few months not being used it can take up to 20 pulls, but then it starts right up.
I don't drain the fuel tank, but I do always put fuel stabiliser in with the gas - Hopefully it prevents fine drillings in the carb avoid being plugged with varnish.
Never failed to styart yet after the prerequisite 20 pulls!!
Once running, within the next week or so, it starts first pull!
__________________
Brian & Connie Mitchell
2005 Classic 30'
Hensley Arrow / Centramatics
2008 GMC Sierra SLT 2500HD,4x4,Crew Cab, Diesel, Leer cap.
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09-13-2017, 08:42 PM
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#30
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Rivet Master 
2015 30' Classic
Pleasanton
, California
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 745
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After cleaning the carb I would recommend emptying the carb. This only takes a few minutes before putting your generator away for an extended period.
__________________
Al, K6IV
2015 30' Classic, "Chez Nu"
2014 RAM 2500 w/Cummins Diesel
ProPride Hitch, 400 W Solar
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09-14-2017, 09:18 AM
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#31
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2 Rivet Member 
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
gainesville
, Virginia
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 31
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Wingeezer SEZ: ".... after a few months not being used it can take up to 20 pulls."
My lawnmower starts on the first or second pull after sitting all winter, (Briggs & Stratton) and I never drain the fuel. Double the recommended amount of Stabil in your non-ethanol gasoline. Same with my motorcycle, chainsaw, leaf blower, generator. I do shut off fuel petcocks to prevent leakage from gravity flow. None of these machines have fuel pumps.
-- Carry On !
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09-14-2017, 09:32 AM
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#32
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Rivet Master 

2004 28' Classic
Monument
, Colorado
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,572
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Actually, the Honda 2000i does have a fuel pump. That is how they got around putting the tank at the same level as the carb.
__________________
DaveP
2004 Airstream Classic 28 "Willard"
2023 Ram 3500 4x4
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09-16-2017, 03:41 PM
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#33
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Rivet Master 
1971 25' Tradewind
1993 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Estancia
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,750
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Just back from camping. Off and on spent 3 days spraying carb cleaner into the throat. I was ready to leave and gave one more pull and has been starting on first pull ever since.
When I put it away I will siphon off the gas in the tank, drain the bowl, and run it dry.
__________________
Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine.
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09-16-2017, 08:17 PM
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#34
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Rivet Master 
1974 31' Sovereign
1979 23' Safari
Wayland
, New York
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,632
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lumatic
Just back from camping. Off and on spent 3 days spraying carb cleaner into the throat. I was ready to leave and gave one more pull and has been starting on first pull ever since.
When I put it away I will siphon off the gas in the tank, drain the bowl, and run it dry.
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If you don't want to have to drain the tank to run it dry there is a wire connector in the case behind the on off switch. If you disconnect it, when you put the switch to off it stops fuel flow but doesn't ground the spark so the generator will run for about 2-3 minutes then die when it can't get more gas from the carb. As long as you have fuel stabilizer in it it'll start up next time but takes a few extra pulls.
Here's a video, worked well for me.
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