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Boondocker · 05-13-2007, 12:51 PM

My 2400 stoped while running on gas. It looked empty so I didnt think much about it. I refilled it and now it doesnt start. What is the trouble shooting routine on this? I half suspect a clogged filter but thought I would toss this out there before doing damage on my own. Thanks

lewster · 05-13-2007, 12:57 PM

Rodney,

It won't run without: fuel, spark and air. I would be sure it's getting spark at the plug, fuel to the carb and a clean air filter........new fuel filter isn't a bad idea either.

Try it and see what happens before you dig deeper.

Fyrzowt · 05-13-2007, 02:26 PM

I spent about 4 years working on small engines. A common problem once you've ruled out the obvious, is water in the fuel. There are many reasons why you may get water in your spare gas tank, which then gets transferred to your gen-set or lawn mower or chainsaw, etc. You may not think you could have water, but check it.
Take the fuel cap off, and look into the fuel tank with a flashlight. You need to see all the way to the bottom of the tank. Water will sit at the lowest point, and will look like a bubble in the bottom of the tank. Of course, if it's a large amount of water, you will see a seperation line part way up the side of the tank.
If you have water, you can use a non-electrical (!!) vacuum unit to suck the water out. You then need to get the water out of the carburator, either by a carb bowl drain, or by disassembling it.
Good luck, hope it's easy.
Dave

Fyrzowt · 05-13-2007, 02:39 PM

Also, a spark plug needs to be clean and with the proper gap, which is .025". For reference if you don't have a feeler guage, a credit card is .030 and a typical business card is .020".
If in doubt, spark plugs are cheap - get a new one.
Dave

Boondocker · 05-13-2007, 03:10 PM

OH FOR PETES SAKE! The spark arressor is COMPLETELY plugged with carbon

. Dead dinasaurs should not do this in 30 hours of running. Should I expect this to have damaged the unit? I will be taking some deep breaths now....

lewster · 05-13-2007, 05:03 PM

Easy Fix!

Glad you found it without too much other 'investigating'................

Boondocker · 05-13-2007, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewster

Easy Fix!.

I dont know, I havent got it started again. Is there any way this may have damaged the motor? And what is the deal with all that carbon, shouldnt the carb have been set before I got it?

lewster · 05-13-2007, 05:10 PM

I'm no small engine expert by any means, but it looks like it's running RICH from all that carbon. You might check the manual to see if there is an adjustment for the air/fuel mix.

Also, even if the mix is set properly and the air filter is clogged or the air passage is blocked, that would also contribute to the rich running condition. Better check the air intake and filter while you're at it and make sure that the proper amount of air is entering the unit.

Dwight · 05-13-2007, 05:35 PM

Just clean the spark arrestor with a wire brush and be careful not to damage it. Your owner's manual most likely tells you how often to clean it. The Feds required them for engines that would be used in National and Federal areas so as to prevent sparks coming from the exhaust and starting fires. Engines require 3 things: fuel, air and spark - I would start looking at the source of each one and narrow it down.

john hd · 05-13-2007, 05:57 PM

rodney

you can burn the carbon off with a propane torch.

looks like you need to tighten up the jetting a bit. not using any oil are you?

john

Boondocker · 05-13-2007, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john hd

rodney

you can burn the carbon off with a propane torch.

looks like you need to tighten up the jetting a bit. not using any oil are you?

john

It doesnt look like it started using oil. Ready for a laugh? The manual says for owners to take the thing in for carb adjustment on account of how hard it is to do right. Maybe THEY should have sent it to someone. This is really frustrating what with it being a new unit.

**azflycaster** · 05-13-2007, 06:50 PM

Have you pulled the plug? With that much carbon your plug might be fouled as well.

lewster · 05-13-2007, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gen Disarray

OH FOR PETES SAKE! The spark arressor is COMPLETELY plugged with carbon

. Dead dinasaurs should not do this in 30 hours of running. Should I expect this to have damaged the unit? I will be taking some deep breaths now....

Rodney, try carb cleaner for your spark arrestor. I use it regularly on carboned up diesel burners that are part of the Aquas-Hot heat/hot water systems on the big rigs. Works like a charm and NO DAMAGE to the mesh.

Fyrzowt · 05-13-2007, 10:33 PM

Rodney, after you get the screen clean, and the spark plug clean (use a wire brush and maybe some carb spray on the plug), it should start again - I'd be surprised if it didn't. At that point, the carb probably needs to be leaned out a bit. This is much too soon to see that much carbon, it appears that it's just running too rich.
Dave

lewster · 05-14-2007, 06:15 AM

Rodney,

Look at it this way..................................It's a GREAT EXCUSE to convert your EF2000iS to PROPANE. It's not that difficult, and you surely won't have this problem again.

3Ms75Argosy · 05-14-2007, 08:59 AM

my Honda EU2000i has a choke... did you turn off the choke after it started up? Of course, that's assuming it has one?

I too think it should just start up. Where did your gas come from, was it fresh? I put Sta-bul in my Honda between use to keep everything from gumming up.

But you are right, this shouldn't be happening to a new unit!
Marc

Boondocker · 05-14-2007, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewster

Rodney,

Look at it this way..................................It's a GREAT EXCUSE to convert your EF2000iS to PROPANE. It's not that difficult, and you surely won't have this problem again.

Actually it is a tri-fuel, I was just running it on gas out of convenience

Quote:

did you turn off the choke after it started up?

2airishuman · 05-14-2007, 02:10 PM

hi rodney...

what % of those 30 hours was running under significant load...

versus just 'battery chargin'?

the spark arrester required cleaning on the eu2000i much sooner when not used just for charging,

now i remove it and wire brush clean every 4-5 months...

cheers
2air'

Boondocker · 05-14-2007, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

hi rodney...

what % of those 30 hours was running under significant load...

versus just 'battery chargin'?

the spark arrester required cleaning on the eu2000i much sooner when not used just for charging,

now i remove it and wire brush clean every 4-5 months...

cheers
2air'

The majority of the hours have been with the AS pluged in and while using the Harbor Freight grinder.

davidz71 · 05-14-2007, 08:11 PM

Rodney,
I now have 119 hours on my EF3000iSEB and my spark arrestor is not in bad shape. I do find that the gen does run slightly rich. I have found one sure-fire way to prevent my gen from starting! If I do not close off the gas line between the tank and carb then run it dry, it will not start no matter what you do after you have loaded it onto or off the truck via arched ramps. The solution for my situation is simple, pull the plug, clean it off and stick 'er back in. She starts like a champ. It seems that any tilting of the unit when loading causes an extremely rich condition thereby fouling the plug prior to starting. Maybe that is what is happening to yours in addition to running richer than mine.