I am trying to bring to life an old eu2000i. When I got the gen it was not in a good shape. It had been used in a marine environment some time ago and then stored with old gas in the system. Here is what I have done so far:- replaced fuel pump- cleaned carb three times including running carb cleaner through everything and blowing with compressed air. I have also replaced all carb gaskets. The float bowl was rusted inside and I had to clean it with dremel steel brush.The carb looks sparkling clean- cleaned spark arrestor of carbon- washed fuel tank and filled with non-ethanol gas, added some seafoam.THE PROBLEM: I can start the engine after 15-20 pulls but only with choke closed. It runs choked but very unstable, surging and usually dying after a few minutes. As soon as I open the choke it stops immediately.What am I missing?

NOTHING! You are not missing anything at this time.Quadruple the Seafoam concentration and keep running the gen set at whatever choke position will keep it running. I am thinking that there is still some blockage in the fuel system and the Seafoam will eventually dislodge/dissolve the debris.I had a very similar problem on my Honda 500 watt unit. I put the entire can of Seafoam in the fuel tank and topped it off with fresh gas. It finally cleared up and it has been running without issue for several years now.By the way, I always add marine Stabil, the blue stuff, to my gas can before I put it in my gen sets. I use the one year storage rate so that it is really concentrated. I use Stabil because it comes in a resealable container. Good Luck,LeRoy

Replaced all the gas lines?. Probably need to re-clean/replace the low speed carb jets. If they're pressed in, super-glue a coat hanger to it and pull out.

Your other option is to get the serial number off the generator, and just order a brand new carburetor, on line, over the internet.Don't look the gift horse in the mouth, items exposed to a corrosive salt environment have a short life.Change out your oil too, and run it a short time between oil changes a couple of times also, to get any residual moisture out of the crankcase area.

skalashn wrote:THE PROBLEM: I can start the engine after 15-20 pulls but only with choke closed. It runs choked but very unstable, surging and usually dying after a few minutes. As soon as I open the choke it stops immediately.What am I missing?Sounds like it is running lean. Needle set too low? Bring it up a notch, or space it with a #4 washer (assuming a #4 will fit). Or, turn the fuel mixture screw out as you slowly open the choke to see if you can wean it off the choke.

A single spec of rust from the fuel bowl sucked into one of the minute passages in the body and the carb is ruined.No amount of SeaFoam or CarbCleaner will dissolve even a spec of rust , only varnish.Good Luck, Mike

Can't fix Honda eu2000i - please help! | Good Sam Community

skalashn
Explorer
Apr 17, 2014
marcsbigfoot20b27 wrote:
Pilot jet needs to be sprayed/blown out/rodded with small wire or stiff fishing line, etc.

Dont forget to clean any tiny holes in the body near the throttle blade area.

The pilot is the low speed/idle jet.

Already cleaned pilot jet with wire/carb cleaner/compressed air. Also cleaned three holes near the throttle, squirted carb cleaner in one of the passages and observed spray from all three holes.

Is there any chance the problem is somewhere else and not in the carb?
marcsbigfoot20b
Explorer
Apr 17, 2014
Pilot jet needs to be sprayed/blown out/rodded with small wire or stiff fishing line, etc.

Dont forget to clean any tiny holes in the body near the throttle blade area.

The pilot is the low speed/idle jet.
skalashn
Explorer
Apr 17, 2014
bigfootford wrote:
There is a sticky for how to really clean the carb and it's emulsion jet.
From you post I do not think you removed that jet, which is easy.
It is the only jet in the carb.

99% of the problems like you described is caused by this jet!

Follow the instructions in this thread, as have 100's of others and they have resolved the issue like you are describing:

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/26533119.cfm

Jim

I have used the sticky here, some youtube videos and the shop manual. There is the main metal jet and also plastic pilot jet. I have removed both and they are really, really clean.

As mentioned earlier, a speck of rust clogging one of the passages is very likely, but wouldn't it be something a blast of compressed air can take care of?
bigfootford
Nomad II
Apr 17, 2014
There is a sticky for how to really clean the carb and it's emulsion jet.
From you post I do not think you removed that jet, which is easy.
It is the only jet in the carb.

99% of the problems like you described is caused by this jet!

Follow the instructions in this thread, as have 100's of others and they have resolved the issue like you are describing:

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/26533119.cfm

Jim
skalashn
Explorer
Apr 17, 2014
Thank you for the suggestions.

I guess it wouldn't hurt to dump full can of Seafoam and try running it for a while. I might have to keep restarting every few minutes though.

I did not replace the gas lines. They are in good condition and I removed and cleaned them inside. Not sure what are low speed jets...however I removed and cleaned all jets according to the shop manual. Everything looks fantastic.

Forgot to mention that I also changed the oil and will change is again as suggested as soon as the gen is working. I am considering brand new carb as a last resort but they are not cheap and I am not 100% convinced the problem is in the carb.
popeyemth
Explorer
Apr 17, 2014
A single spec of rust from the fuel bowl sucked into one of the minute passages in the body and the carb is ruined.
No amount of SeaFoam or CarbCleaner will dissolve even a spec of rust , only varnish.
Good Luck, Mike
boogie_4wheel
Explorer
Apr 17, 2014
skalashn wrote:
THE PROBLEM: I can start the engine after 15-20 pulls but only with choke closed. It runs choked but very unstable, surging and usually dying after a few minutes. As soon as I open the choke it stops immediately.

What am I missing?

Sounds like it is running lean. Needle set too low? Bring it up a notch, or space it with a #4 washer (assuming a #4 will fit). Or, turn the fuel mixture screw out as you slowly open the choke to see if you can wean it off the choke.
NinerBikes
Explorer
Apr 17, 2014
Your other option is to get the serial number off the generator, and just order a brand new carburetor, on line, over the internet.

Don't look the gift horse in the mouth, items exposed to a corrosive salt environment have a short life.

Change out your oil too, and run it a short time between oil changes a couple of times also, to get any residual moisture out of the crankcase area.
Turbo_Diesel_Du
Explorer
Apr 17, 2014
Replaced all the gas lines?. Probably need to re-clean/replace the low speed carb jets. If they're pressed in, super-glue a coat hanger to it and pull out.
Homeless_by_Cho
Explorer
Apr 17, 2014
NOTHING! You are not missing anything at this time.

Quadruple the Seafoam concentration and keep running the gen set at whatever choke position will keep it running. I am thinking that there is still some blockage in the fuel system and the Seafoam will eventually dislodge/dissolve the debris.

I had a very similar problem on my Honda 500 watt unit. I put the entire can of Seafoam in the fuel tank and topped it off with fresh gas. It finally cleared up and it has been running without issue for several years now.

By the way, I always add marine Stabil, the blue stuff, to my gas can before I put it in my gen sets. I use the one year storage rate so that it is really concentrated. I use Stabil because it comes in a resealable container.

Good Luck,
LeRoy

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