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Bought a HONDA EU 2000 i generator and before it used the first tank of gas it already needs partial choke to keep it from sputtering / hunting. I know, you'll say it's that alcohol gas. Screwed it up before one single tank of gas was used ? Gimme a break.

Starts on first pull? Don't bet your pay check on it unless it's hot. Sets idol for a week. Forget it.

SeniorCitizen said:

Bought a HONDA EU 2000 i generator and before it used the first tank of gas it already needs partial choke to keep it from sputtering / hunting. I know, you'll say it's that alcohol gas. Screwed it up before one single tank of gas was used ? Gimme a break.

Starts on first pull? Don't bet your pay check on it unless it's hot. Sets idol for a week. Forget it.

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How can that be? Its a Honda, everyone knows honda makes the best. It must be your fault.:confused3::shocked:

OP:

Sorry to hear that. It truly sucks that a Honda would be unreliable, especially at the price you probably paid.

Well, sorry to say, I bought a cheap 2,500 watt peak, 2,000 watt nominal generator on eBay 10 years ago. Chinese I am sure. I think I paid $199 plus shipping.
The damn thing starts on the first pull. It can sit for years and still start up right away (I use StaBil in the tank). It's run my internet and router, my TV and cable TV devices via a UPS, and a few lights around the house many times during power outages.

I've probably used it 5 times, and once for over a week during a severe power outage during an ice storm about 8 years ago. Never failed me. It just starts easily and runs like a top with no surging. Can you believe it? It's hard for ME to believe and I am the guy using it! I really thought when I bought it that it would be a use it once or twice machine and that would be it. It's like a Timex watch. Go figure. I have run PREMIUM gas in it since it was new. That probably helps as it's probably got the engineering tolerances of a 1930 Indian Motorcycle.

Senior, Honda did have a carb problem a while back, but I'm sure they solved it. You may have gotten an old unit found in the warehouse. This is not a fuel problem. If it were mine I would take it to anHonda dealer to have the carb replaced, which should be under warranty.

SeniorCitizen said:

Bought a HONDA EU 2000 i generator and before it used the first tank of gas it already needs partial choke to keep it from sputtering / hunting. I know, you'll say it's that alcohol gas. Screwed it up before one single tank of gas was used ? Gimme a break.

Starts on first pull? Don't bet your pay check on it unless it's hot. Sets idol for a week. Forget it.

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What is the serial number for your EU2? Honda did issue a Service Bulletin back in July for some units that had stale fuel from the factory. This may or may not be part of the problem with yours.

Next, understand the EU2 has a fuel pump, as the carburetor is not gravity-fed from the fuel tank. The fuel pump is vacuum-operated, and it may take a few pulls to get it fully primed and the fuel to get into the carburetor. A trick to making this easier is to turn the switch (fuel valve) to ON, then rock the unit back and forth a few times and give it a few seconds. This action will help prime the fuel pump and make it MUCH easier to start.

Finally, if the unit starts okay, but only runs smoothly when the choke is applied, it could be some blockage in the main jet or emulsion tube. Often, a dose of fuel system cleaner can resolve this. If you don't expect to use the EU2 for a while, drain all the fuel out (including the carburetor) for storage. Only add fresh gasoline when you're ready to start/run the unit.

robert@honda said:

What is the serial number for your EU2? Honda did issue a Service Bulletin back in July for some units that had stale fuel from the factory. This may or may not be part of the problem with yours.

Next, understand the EU2 has a fuel pump, as the carburetor is not gravity-fed from the fuel tank. The fuel pump is vacuum-operated, and it may take a few pulls to get it fully primed and the fuel to get into the carburetor. A trick to making this easier is to turn the switch (fuel valve) to ON, then rock the unit back and forth a few times and give it a few seconds. This action will help prime the fuel pump and make it MUCH easier to start.

Finally, if the unit starts okay, but only runs smoothly when the choke is applied, it could be some blockage in the main jet or emulsion tube. Often, a dose of fuel system cleaner can resolve this. If you don't expect to use the EU2 for a while, drain all the fuel out (including the carburetor) for storage. Only add fresh gasoline when you're ready to start/run the unit.

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EAAJ 2399031

I've solved the hard start problem ( when cold ) with the same eye dropper I use to prime my lawn tractor.


Draining gas. Is there instructions for the tank and carburetor draining in the manual? If not I'll need some .

Is there a recommended fuel system cleaner that may or may not be effective in solving the problem?

SeniorCitizen said:

EAAJ 2399031

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Okay, that serial number was NOT part of the affected units with contaminated test fuel from the factory. So no issue there.

However, my records show this serial number IS in a group of units that were part of a Safety Recall for a possible fuel tube leak. You did not receive notice of this, since this serial number was never registered with Honda (shows up blank on my database). It is important you get this unit to a Honda Generator dealer for inspection and possible repair. This issue is a fuel tube clamp may have damaged a fuel tube. The fix (if the tube is okay) is simply to turn the clamp. If the tube is damaged, it will be replaced. It's very important to have a Honda Dealer do this inspection and repair, so the unit can be properly logged into the Honda system and show this unit as having been inspected/repaired. When you take the unit to a dealer, they will also update the records showing you as the registered owner. This allows Honda to contact you if there are service issues in the future. Because this is a full-on Safety Recall, there is no cost for the repair; you just have to take it to a dealer (and usually can wait on the repairs).

Also related to your serial number, if you can provide proof-of-purchase (with a date) to the dealer at the time of repair, the dealer can also enter that date as the start of the 3-year warranty. Without proof-of-purchase, the warranty start date would be the date the unit was wholesaled, which is 6/14/2012. Not sure when you actually purchased the unit, but it was for sure after that. So try and find some documentation to show the purchase date and get the warranty start date set correctly. FYI, this unit was originally sold by Atwood Ranch & Home; did you buy it there?

SeniorCitizen said:

Draining gas. Is there instructions for the tank and carburetor draining in the manual? If not I'll need some .

Is there a recommended fuel system cleaner that may or may not be effective in solving the problem?

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Yes. The short version is simply to pump out or tip over and drain the tank though the filler neck. Then, loosen the drain screw on the carburetor to get the last few drops out. FYI, the EU2000i has a fuel pump, so you can't just gravity-drain the entire tank. Full instructions in the manual; link to it here: Honda EU2000i Owner's Manual for s/n 2399031

I took it to an independent mechanic because of course mine wasn't a part of the recall because of the factory leaving stale gas in it and the dealer wanted $100 / hour just to walk through the door with it.

The independent mechanic, I've known for years and knows how meticulous I am with my equipment, said there was no way that much crap could be in the carburetor with so little use. It had to come from the factory that way or was sold as new but was a pre- owned unit.

SeniorCitizen said:

I took it to an independent mechanic because of course mine wasn't a part of the recall because of the factory leaving stale gas in it and the dealer wanted $100 / hour just to walk through the door with it.

The independent mechanic, I've known for years and knows how meticulous I am with my equipment, said there was no way that much crap could be in the carburetor with so little use. It had to come from the factory that way or was sold as new but was a pre- owned unit.

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What is your ZIP code? Please let me help you locate a Honda dealer so they can do the Safety Recall inspection and possible repair (no charge). There is a real risk of leaking fuel from a damaged fuel line.

robert@honda said:

What is your ZIP code? Please let me help you locate a Honda dealer so they can do the Safety Recall inspection and possible repair (no charge). There is a real risk of leaking fuel from a damaged fuel line.

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The zip is 73701 but I can guarantee you none of the dealers will know anything about a Safety Recall and possible repair at no charge.

Give me a list, I'll give all of them a call and do my best to remember their QUOTE and report back.

SeniorCitizen said:

The zip is 73701 but I can guarantee you none of the dealers will know anything about a Safety Recall and possible repair at no charge.

Give me a list, I'll give all of them a call and do my best to remember their QUOTE and report back.

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Step #1: Contact any of these dealers...they are all authorized to provide warranty/recall service for Honda generators:

P&K Equipment, Inc.
4121 N Hwy 81 Bypass
Enid, OK 73701
(580) 237-2304

Kinnunen Sales & Rentals, Inc.
609 W Purdue Ave
Enid, OK 73701-1851
(580) 237-4500

Atwoods Ranch & Home
5418 W Owen K Garriott Rd
Enid, OK 73703-6074
(580) 233-3700

Step #2: When they answer, speak with the service department. Tell them you have a Honda Generator than needs to be inspected for the Fuel Tube Safety Recall. It is Honda Generator Service Bulletin # 47 from October 2012. This is what the document looks like:



Step #3: Tell them you've been in contact with Honda, and they've advised you your EU2000i *is* part of the recall and has *NOT* yet been inspected.

Step #4: Confirm they will perform the inspection and repair if needed at no charge to you; ensure they will do no other work unless you authorize it in advance.

Step #5: If you have any trouble from any dealer on this issue, please contact Honda Customer Relations at (770) 497-6400.

Honda pays them to do this recall work, and when they file a warranty claim with Honda, the Honda internal system will be updated to show the recall work has been properly completed and your EU2000i is safe to use.

senior, what a bummer...if using the choke a little helps , how does that point to leaking fuel from a clamp? The fuel mix is too lean to support ? A bad emulsion tube suggests the mixture should be rich, not lean as it is not getting additional air mix at the highr rpm? Or opposite too many holes in the emulsion tube , leaning the mix out which then requires the choke to help? Just comments and hope you solve this thing. Re the Chinese engine, good for them. But, Honda is more likely to have complied with emissions and that is not always so easy. Ever see the Bejing people with face masks on?

Senior, ya gotta hang in there! Yesterday, broad daylight, 10 minute haircut ( not many hairs), car stolen: parked, locked outside barber shop. :confused2:

Atwood's
Ugh, Ugh well, Uh, can you hang on a minute?

Sure

You'll need to contact Honda. They probably have an 800 number and they can tell you what to do.

Thank You

Kinnunen Sales and Rentals

Let me speak with the manager, hang on a minute. We are not an authorized service center but we can ship it to Stillwater, OK for service. Will you be bringing it in today as we have a truck scheduled to make that trip today?

No Sir, I won't be bringing it in today and thank you for your time.

P&K Equipment, Inc.

P&K Equipment, how may I help you?

I'd like to speak to the service manager.

Hello, this is Scott.

I have a Honda eu2000i generator that's had a safety recall on a fuel tube. Can you folks take care of that warranty work?


I believe we can, just bring it in and drop it off. The east side of the building at service would be fine.

Thanks, I'll do that

I'll post back when this is done and hopefully it runs as well as it presently does since my independent mechanic cleaned the carb.

motoman said:

senior, what a bummer...if using the choke a little helps , how does that point to leaking fuel from a clamp? The fuel mix is too lean to support ? A bad emulsion tube suggests the mixture should be rich, not lean as it is not getting additional air mix at the highr rpm? Or opposite too many holes in the emulsion tube , leaning the mix out which then requires the choke to help? Just comments and hope you solve this thing. Re the Chinese engine, good for them. But, Honda is more likely to have complied with emissions and that is not always so easy. Ever see the Bejing people with face masks on?

Senior, ya gotta hang in there! Yesterday, broad daylight, 10 minute haircut ( not many hairs), car stolen: parked, locked outside barber shop. :confused2:

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Going to get a haircut as we speak and sure hope I have better luck. New tundra with a $1,000 Honda generator in the back. Wouldn't a thief like a deal like that but he would hope the law caught him before I did. If I got to him first he would be absent 1 finger when i was finished. I've always wanted to do that to a thief for the 1st offense. My Schrade SP3 is always razor sharp.

SeniorCitizen said:

I'll post back when this is done and hopefully it runs as well as it presently does since my independent mechanic cleaned the carb.

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Hang on, let's be clear about this...please understand Honda WILL pay for your generator to be inspected for a fuel tube leak safety issue, and make repairs at no charge. I can tell you any problem with the fuel tube clamp is NOT related to poor running or performance issues, unless the clamp has cut into the tube and the generator is leaking fuel.

Honda MAY NOT pay for repairs to correct poor running or performance issues, unless they are identified as a factory defect. Please be sure there's no misunderstanding here; I'm telling you only the fuel tube inspection is absolutely covered under warranty at this point. Any other problems must be evaluated by the dealer who will determine if they are warranty or not.

robert@honda said:

Hang on, let's be clear about this...please understand Honda WILL pay for your generator to be inspected for a fuel tube leak safety issue, and make repairs at no charge. I can tell you any problem with the fuel tube clamp is NOT related to poor running or performance issues, unless the clamp has cut into the tube and the generator is leaking fuel.

Honda MAY NOT pay for repairs to correct poor running or performance issues, unless they are identified as a factory defect. Please be sure there's no misunderstanding here; I'm telling you only the fuel tube inspection is absolutely covered under warranty at this point. Any other problems must be evaluated by the dealer who will determine if they are warranty or not.

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Yes, that was understood.

According to the mechanic at P&K the black plug in the hole ( left center in the picture ) is an indication this recall had already been taken care of.

Strange as it may seem I'm thinking I probably don't want to know the full history of this generator.

Thanks all for your time, support, information and a special thanks to robert@honda.

SeniorCitizen said:

According to the mechanic at P&K the black plug in the hole ( left center in the picture ) is an indication this recall had already been taken care of.

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He's correct; however, the serial-number-based record system here at Honda HQ indicated your EU2000i had not yet been inspected.

The good news it obviously has, and you have no worries about a possible fuel leak from a hose-clamp-cut fuel line!

I'll work to get the record for your serial number updated.

robert@honda said:

He's correct; however, the serial-number-based record system here at Honda HQ indicated your EU2000i had not yet been inspected.

The good news it obviously has, and you have no worries about a possible fuel leak from a hose-clamp-cut fuel line!

I'll work to get the record for your serial number updated.

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Thank You