Almost every year I have a gummed up carburetor where it will only run at full or half choke. I have used seafoam. I have started the Gen up every three months to let it run for 15 minutes and still carb gum problems. I saw a interesting Video on youtube where I think the guy had a great plan for running carb dry before storage. I apologize if this has been covered before. On the EU 2000 (and I assume the 1000 as well) the shut off switch not only turns off the gas but also turns off the ignition which makes it impossible to run the carb dry without draining the tank. if you open up the cover on the EU2000 down at the right corner you will see a couple of plug connectors. The one with the black and green wire, disconnect it. Now when your turn the switch it will cut the fuel but not the ignition.. The EU will run for about 2 minutes and sputter then stop. Actually I am thinking about leaving it disconnected all the time... I still will run a Seafoam fuel additive to the tank. We will see how it goes next year when I go to start it up...

I guess I have just been lucky with mine. I got it in 2008 from Mayberries and it sets secured in the tailgate corner of my covered and locked truck bed. It starts on the second pull just about everytime...I change oil in it the spring of every year...Maybe the bouncing around of the fuel when I am driving down the road helps???Roy Ken

I siphon the gas out of the tank and then run it until the carb is dry. For insurance I also open the carb drain. And all my small engines get non-ethanol gas.

Your post surprised me. I have had my trusty Honda for many years and have yet to have anytrouble. I do use STA-BIL fuel stabalizer. Wonder if that made the difference. Sounds like your pilot jet is clogged or gummed.

Running it only once in three months for 15 minutes is probably the problem (with an assist from that garbage, Ethanol). I have had good luck running mine for a solid hour, under a significant load once a month. I treat the fuel with Sta Bil/Sea Foam per the label instructions. Yep, takes a half a dozen pulls to fire off sometimes but it always does and then runs smooth. Changing the oil and cleaning/regapping the plug on a yearly basis doesn't hurt.YMMV.:C

Gummed Up Honda EU 2000 Gen | Good Sam Community

DarthMuffin
Explorer
Dec 01, 2014
I use premium (because it's the only type without ethanol around here) with Sta-bil in mine. At the end of the season I just close the fuel cap vent and let it run until it starves for fuel. Way easier than modding in a switch.
marcsbigfoot20b
Explorer
Nov 30, 2014
I had the same problem with my brand new 2000i.

After 3 months of sitting it would gum up ever so slightly that you couldn't even tell by pulling and disassembling the carb......but clean it and it ran perfect.

The solution,
Turn off engine, pop off cover, open carb bowl fuel screw and drain. Then turn on choke and pull start 10 times in off position.
hotpepperkid
Explorer
Nov 30, 2014
Dave H M wrote:
Hold on there folks. That E 10 is the answer to all ills.

if it weren't for it what the heck would we have to put the blame on? :W

If it weren't for E-10 There would be no reason. Ethanol is a highly corrosive chemical
dclark1946
Explorer
Nov 28, 2014
Tvov wrote:
dclark1946 wrote:
Tvov wrote:
77charger wrote:
Al my small engine stuff i just leave the fuel valve on except when transporting never had an issue with gumming or plugged jets.My honda gen gets used atleast once a month.

Most i know who have problems are the ones who drain all the fuel out of carb and let it sit.My guess would be that the carb in mine stays wet vs drying and leaving the residue.

Yes, if you use small engines at least once a month, then you don't have to do any special additives or draining. Storing an engine without running it is the issue.

Not if you store it properly meaning getting all of the gas out. I have four Honda generators that are not used very often and all of them are stored dry (really dry not just running it until it quits the first time). When I need one I put fresh gas with Stabil Marine in it and crank it 13 times or so and it is off and running.

Dick

I
Okay, I think we are talking in circles now!

Ah now we are in agreement.

Dick
Tvov
Explorer II
Nov 26, 2014
dclark1946 wrote:
Tvov wrote:
77charger wrote:
Al my small engine stuff i just leave the fuel valve on except when transporting never had an issue with gumming or plugged jets.My honda gen gets used atleast once a month.

Most i know who have problems are the ones who drain all the fuel out of carb and let it sit.My guess would be that the carb in mine stays wet vs drying and leaving the residue.

Yes, if you use small engines at least once a month, then you don't have to do any special additives or draining. Storing an engine without running it is the issue.

Not if you store it properly meaning getting all of the gas out. I have four Honda generators that are not used very often and all of them are stored dry (really dry not just running it until it quits the first time). When I need one I put fresh gas with Stabil Marine in it and crank it 13 times or so and it is off and running.

Dick

Okay, I think we are talking in circles now!
allen8106
Explorer
Nov 25, 2014
Oasisbob wrote:
Your post surprised me. I have had my trusty Honda for many years and have yet to have anytrouble. I do use STA-BIL fuel stabalizer. Wonder if that made the difference. Sounds like your pilot jet is clogged or gummed.

The key to this dilemma is.[COLOR=]I do use STA-BIL fuel stabalizer.
dclark1946
Explorer
Nov 25, 2014
Tvov wrote:
77charger wrote:
Al my small engine stuff i just leave the fuel valve on except when transporting never had an issue with gumming or plugged jets.My honda gen gets used atleast once a month.

Most i know who have problems are the ones who drain all the fuel out of carb and let it sit.My guess would be that the carb in mine stays wet vs drying and leaving the residue.

Yes, if you use small engines at least once a month, then you don't have to do any special additives or draining. Storing an engine without running it is the issue.

Not if you store it properly meaning getting all of the gas out. I have four Honda generators that are not used very often and all of them are stored dry (really dry not just running it until it quits the first time). When I need one I put fresh gas with Stabil Marine in it and crank it 13 times or so and it is off and running.

Dick
Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Nov 25, 2014
Hold on there folks. That E 10 is the answer to all ills.

if it weren't for it what the heck would we have to put the blame on? :W
Tvov
Explorer II
Nov 25, 2014
77charger wrote:
Al my small engine stuff i just leave the fuel valve on except when transporting never had an issue with gumming or plugged jets.My honda gen gets used atleast once a month.

Most i know who have problems are the ones who drain all the fuel out of carb and let it sit.My guess would be that the carb in mine stays wet vs drying and leaving the residue.

Yes, if you use small engines at least once a month, then you don't have to do any special additives or draining. Storing an engine without running it is the issue.
hotpepperkid
Explorer
Nov 25, 2014
You can thank our lovely government and them ramming E-10 down our throats for all of the small engine problems