Archived Thread

NFT: Starting a Honda generator question...

trueblueinpw : 8/1/2020 11:12 am

I have a Honda EU2001 but I haven’t started it in well over two years. Any advice on how to go about getting this running? I believe it still has the old gas in it, which I know was stupid and the wrong thing to do. For troubleshooting here, assume I did everything wrong. However, I am fairly handy, gas engines aren’t my specialty (obviously) but I can do some basic repair with guidance. If it’s totally complicated I’ll take it for service but if there are some basic steps I can take myself I’d love to know them.

Asking here because I know we’ve had some pretty in depth discussions on lawn mowers in the past.

Thanks!

Drain the gas

oghwga : 8/1/2020 11:18 am : link

Add fresh gas and a little seafoam or some other gas extender. Let it sit for a bit. Pull the spark plugs and squirt a little wd40 in the cylinder.

One or two sprays of starting fluid and give it a rip. If it starts, let it run for a while, if not, you'll probably to rebuild the carb.

Absolutly

GiantMike92 : 8/1/2020 11:28 am : link

agree with the remedy. Good thing is I believe it’s fuel injected, if it had a carb it probably would’ve it up. I use a product called stable in my tank and also start it up every month or so to prevent what your dealing with now. The other thing you could do is just run the tank dry after using your Honda, btw they’re considered bullet proof compared to others. Although more expensive the cheaper ones aren’t alway the best, many times when these other brands break the replacement parts either aren’t available or extremely expensive.

Where’s the starting fluid go?

trueblueinpw : 8/1/2020 11:36 am : link

Asking for a friend...

After

GiantMike92 : 8/1/2020 11:45 am : link

pulling the plug squirt some in that hole then reinstall the plug. But defiantly dump the fuel first and put in fresh gas.

As stated...

JohnG in Albany : 8/1/2020 11:48 am : link

if it's fuel injected, you might be ok.

Two year old gas would probably have messed up the carburetor to the point that it would've needed to at least be cleaned or possibly replaced.

Only thing

pjcas18 : 8/1/2020 11:58 am : link

different from Oghwa I'd add is maybe after draining the stale gas instead of regular gas I'd use ethanol free gas to get it started.

That's also how I'd store it - if you leave gas in it - maybe use ethanol free gas in it.

Check to make sure the spark

section125 : 8/1/2020 1:04 pm : link

disconnect is turned on and the fuel cock is open(common thing to forget)...I have a 5700w Brigs and the gas in it is old. It starts first pull all the time, it even starts when I just pull the cord through to find the resistance point when not even trying to start it.
Hondas are pretty much bullet proof and lovely quiet machines.

Definitely use ethanol free

JohnG in Albany : 8/1/2020 1:16 pm : link

I have that generator--you

rebel yell : 8/1/2020 1:24 pm : link

can leave gas in it for a decent mount of time but you have to clear the gas line and then turn that little brass screw near the carburetor. Check the instruction manual. I know that doesn't help you now--but it might in the future. They're great generators and deigned to withstand people treating them poorly. You should be able to get it started....eventually.

Honda is a great motor

Ike#88 : 8/1/2020 7:36 pm : link

if you could drain the old gas by disconnecting the fuel supply line from the carb., catching it in an old milk plastic bottle ( cut it smaller if it won't fit) that would be helpful. The fuel line most likely has a clamp you can release with a pair of pliers and then pull the rubber hose off. Wear latex gloves as you will get gas on your fingers. Put the hose and clamp back on and then refill with fresh gas treated with stabil. When I put the generator away I always put in extra stabil and run the gas out. Obviously you want to do this with a small amount of fuel as it would take a while to run out.

Always run the gas out

Giant John : 8/1/2020 9:15 pm : link

Unless you plan on using it again within 30 days or so. Now you need to drain the old gas and put in fresh. Premium only. See if it starts. If not off to the shop.
Good luck.

If it has an airfilter

oghwga : 8/2/2020 7:47 am : link

That's where you spray the starting fluid. Inside the cylinder before the plug goes back won't hurt either.

That unit

jonnyess : 8/2/2020 6:54 pm : link

HAS a carburetor. Unless you thought to use 93 octane gas and stabilizer, I'm guessing the carb cannot be cleaned.

Turns out...

trueblueinpw : 8/4/2020 10:21 pm : link

Today, when the power went out this afternoon I figured I’d give the genny a pull. Pulled, no start. Figured I’d dump the gas but it turns out there was no gas in the tank. So I put on some fresh gas and gave it a pulled and she fired right up. Ran great for the seven or eight hours we didn’t have power.

Is there anything I should in terms of maintenance? I hate to be such a numb nuts with the gas engines. Just not my thing. Thanks for the help BBI!

RE: Turns out...

section125 : 8/4/2020 10:53 pm : link

In comment 14944040 trueblueinpw said:

Quote:

Ooops...nevermind. I was wondering what happened. Thanks for saying.
Those gensets are pretty reliable. Glad you got your power back quickly.