Honda Generator Issues

[Down2Earth]

Honda 2000. After sitting a day or so when you go to start it will run for about 5 seconds and then shut off, pull rope 10 times (or so) it will run for 5 seconds and shut off. This lasts for about 5 - 10 times of doing this then it runs perfect.

[fsnrod]

Just keep choking it until it stays running. Try putting in where it's warm then try it and see if it stays running.

[Down2Earth]

I start it with the choke on every time unless it's already a warm engine. It doesn't matter if I have it in my heated garage or keep the choke on after it's running. It will do the same exact thing as stated above. I've tried opening the gas cap, leaving the on switch on after shutting it off, running seafoam through it, etc.

[Macgyver55]

Using the choke will tell you if it is a lean fuel problem. If it isnt any different, I'd guess its the low oil sensor shutting it down. The low oil sensors are very sensitive in Honda generators. When cold, the oil is whipped away from the sensor and shuts it down. After it flows back it will start again and repeat the process. Your best solution (or test)is to put in the lightest weight oil that Honda recommends for the temperature you will be running it at.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Using the choke will tell you if it is a lean fuel problem. If it isnt any different, I'd guess its the low oil sensor shutting it down. The low oil sensors are very sensitive in Honda generators. When cold, the oil is whipped away from the sensor and shuts it down. After it flows back it will start again and repeat the process. Your best solution (or test)is to put in the lightest weight oil that Honda recommends for the temperature you will be running it at.

and or trying synthetic oil?

[Down2Earth]

Oil level is good. It does the same thing in the summer at 90 degrees.

[Minnie_sota_Mike]

Down2Earth, your low speed fuel jet is plugged

[Down2Earth]

Thanks I will give it a carb cleaning and see if that's the issue.

[Macgyver55]

Another thing to check would be the fuel shut off. The kill switch on many Honda models also shuts off the fuel, some by pinching the fuel line. If it has this style, I would check the fuel line where it shuts off to see if it has become hard and doesn't open up fully after turning it on. An easy test would be to turn the switch back to the "on" position after using it and see how it works in a day or so with the shut off left open the whole time. If it works then, the fuel line is the problem.

Dirty jets can also be a problem with this setup because the carb never empties out when you shut it down unless you manually drain it.

[Down2Earth]

Yep thank you Mac. I stated in an earlier post I tried leaving the fuel switch on (it is a petcock) type shut off. I figured it was in the carb but was just hoping it might be something easy I hadn't tried yet. Not that taking the carb off and cleaning it is hard just time I don't have but will have to make.

[Macgyver55]

Sorry, I missed that....

[Down2Earth]

No problem thank you for the input. If the carb cleaning doesn't work I'll be back for more ideas.

[hawgchaser]

A couple years ago, I had a 6hp honda engine that would only run with the choke half closed. I took it apart in my neighbors heated shop; cleaned the carb; put it together. No improvement, so repeated the process with the same results. Repeated the process with one difference. I ran a tiny piece of wire through that pinhole on the barrel of the carb, sprayed carb cleaner through it and blew it out. Engine ran perfect. The neighbor (who had been watching and listening to me say horrible things about my family or origin) had a Honda 2000 generator that was acting up like yours. He took the carb off & did what I'd done and it ran perfect after that. Something to keep in mind as long as you have it apart anyway.

[Whopper Stopper]

My 2000 starts great. However I did have problems in the first year or two. What I found was when it got hard to keep running it was an oil issue. Not that it was low but mine seemed to prefer clean oil. I just started changing more often and my problems went away.

They sure are a wonderful unit. They sure are frustrating when they act up. Good luck with figuring it out!

WS

[Down2Earth]

I cleaned the carb and the jets were filthy. Cleaned them up and it's running perfect now.