Honda 2000 problem

[Bulldoggr]

I bought a new honda 2000 ealy part of Dec. I change the oil on the machine after every outing. I use only premium gas in it.

Last couple of time out I have noticed the Generator running a bit rough. I have had to bump the throttle or choke up just a hair for it to run smooth.

I just got home, changed the oil and topped it off with gas. I started it up. with the choke off, but it does run a bit rough. Also noticed black smoke come out on intial fire up but none after that.

I turn the eco switch off to see if the generator will pick up RPM's. It didn't.

Then touched the throttle to choke just a touch, the turne dthe eco switch on and Bingo more rpms.

Now I am getting electricity and it eems to do what I want it to do. it's just now I am consuming way more gas then I did when I first started to use it.

Anyone experience this or have any input, short of me bringing it in and having it worked on.

[Whoaru99]

Have you checked the air filter? I've heard they can get moisture and ice in them in certain conditions if used outside in the winter (blowing snow, etc.).

If that looks OK I'd drain all the gas and run a gallon of regular (E10) though it to try to pull out any moisture in the system.

Also, why do you change the oil after every outing? I understand it doesn't hold much...I have one, but still...?

[Bryce]

Like above. Clean the filters and put new gas in. I will add Sea Foam to the list. You didn't store it with untreated gas did you? May have varnished the carbs.

Oil change every outing but ours runs for 75-100 hours non-stop on each fishing trip. The construction company I work for mandates that we change small engine oil every 25 hours. Takes less than 10 minutes and costs way less than a new generator.

[Bulldoggr]

yep checked filters, no problem there. Like above stated. Cheaper to change the small amount of oil, then to buy a new Generator.

I'll run mine as little as 16 hours, and up to 50 hours on a weekend.

I did put some stabil in. I use fresh gas all the time. the oldest it might be is 4 days old.

[gonehunting]

If you can't get it fixed yourself there must be a one year warranty on a Honda generator. Don't be afraid to use that warranty. That generator should last you for years. I've heard alot of good things about them.

[cableguy2]

3 year warranty on Honda

[tracker185]

i have new honda 2000. use it with the berg gas tank.run fine for 19 hour then generator ran out. unit was full when started and gas can was full.unit ran out with 4 gallon sleft in can. any ideas.thanks

[fishadb]

I wouldn't use premium if I were you, not a lot of it gets sold so you never know how old it is when you buy it.

[Bulldoggr]

I wouldn't use premium if I were you, not a lot of it gets sold so you never know how old it is when you buy it.

Aww good point, thought by doing so it would elminate the gumming up from the ethanol that is added in the lower grades.

[Whoaru99]

Ethanol doesn't cause gumming. It's a solvent.

[Whoaru99]

Cheaper to change the small amount of oil, then to buy a new Generator.

Honda warrants the thing for 3 years at 100 hour changes. Do you think they'd put out that number if it was causing a bunch of engine failures?

They have to pick up the bill if that happens using their recommendations and we all know how cheap companies are, they wouldn't be making a recommendation that costs them a bunch of money in warranty repairs.

[Bulldoggr]

I have read the warranty, I understand that. If I want to change my oil after every 50 hours of use, it certainly will not hurt the motor.

BTW I wash and clean the outside of the generator afte each use as. Not sure what the warranty says about that. I am pretty sure it's not hurting it by me doing that as well.

Seriuosly though, I was hoping someone else as had a simular problem and they knew of some way to fix it without me having to bring it in. I really don't want to miss a weekend without it.

Looks as of right now I will bring it in. A bit disapointed though, I bought this Generator due to their outstanding reputation. I expected no problems at all with it.

[Hawg]

Tracker, you're sucking air somewhere and not getting gas from what sounds like an extended run tank, not sure what you called it. Tighten all the clamps, fill the generator and you should be fine. Be sure the gasket in the generator cap is sound, ANY air leak screws them up. Keep in mind that everybody's may quit sometimes but the generator tank itself shouldn't be empty.

Bulldoggr, your's sounds as simple as a fouled or bad plug. I will say you are the first person that I've heard that changes oil every time out. That's preety cautious but at he cost of those things I'm sure not knocking you.

[trapperdirk]

I have a 2200 and it starts the same thing you speak of every so often . Mine has a bowl under the carb where water is supposed to gather . Take that off and clean it . Doing this resolves my issue everytime . Black smoke is often a moisture , water issue, but also could be too much air . They do vibrate a fair bit so something could have shook loose .Mines at least 20 years old with lots of usage and still running strong . All she eats is non ethanol premium and some seafoam to stabilize and keep it clean .

TD

[yoppdk]

Could be that by washing after each use you are getting some water somewhere it shouldn't be ... like the air filter or into the carb ... or perhaps it freezes up somewhere. Might want to check for moisture.

[Dykhuizen45]

I had the exact same problem with my 2000 while I was deer hunting so I tried all those things you can do in the woods and running to a local hardware store. Drained gas, new spark plug, added Sea Foam and I still had to run it half choke to get it even close to running smooth.

Called around when I got home and found an authorized Honda dealer who said the carb gets a bit of dirt in it. $50.00 later and it runs as smooth as the day I bought it. Spent more time and effort trying to fix it myself.

[JRB fishing]

I have the same problem with my 2000. Every summer i run it once a month with stable and it still seems to do the same thing. This year i have been running premium gas and we will see how that works. I have had to take mine in the last two years to get the jets cleaned out at $50.00 i hope this year i wont have to.

[kenlaker]

Ethanol doesn't cause gumming. It's a solvent.

While this is true, I've also seen where because it is a solvent, it picks up more dump from the inside of the fuel lines and dumps it in the carb, causing problems. So I guess it depends on the components of the fuel system.

[SkunkedAgain]

I wouldn't use premium if I were you, not a lot of it gets sold so you never know how old it is when you buy it.

This is a broad and unreliable statement. Premium does get sold a lot at many gas stations, especially both those required to run it in their engines and those not wanting to run corn gas in their old engines.

The proper statement would be to recommend buying premium from a station that does get good traffic, especially from sportsmen. Buying premium from a downtown gas station may not be a good move, but one next to a lake that gets good traffic should not be an issue

[kye1020]

I had the exact issue you speak of earlier in the season. All it needed was a good carb cleaning and mine was fixed like new. You have to remember these things are small compact engines burning very little gas. Any moisture at all in these things can cause issues. If you are "cleaning" it after every use. Dry that air filter out 100% I also like to change my oil after a long weekend of running non stop. I do agree on the premium gas however. A little ethenol isnt going to hurt these engines and it is a solvent and will help with a little moisture in the gas. Sea Foam everey now and than is good too. Id try a carb cleaning.