I bought a pair of Hondas with the parallel kit two years ago. Used them a couple of times. They are always hard to start after setting a few days. Once you get them started they run great. Shut them off and they will start right back up.I have run some Seafoam through them and run real gas, no ethanol. They have been like that from day one. Getting them ready to sell just don't use them enough to justify having them. Would like them to start very easily , I think they would sell better.

mine was that way once too. I loaned it to a friend of my son's to use for elk season and he pulled until his fingers hurt so he took them in to have it looked at. he said the repair guy put a new plug in and turned a screw,(I don't know which one but it must have been on the carburetor) and it has started every time since then.

EU2000i starting procedure that has worked really well for me ...Run premium ethanol free gas treated with SeaFoamRun Mobil 1 synth oil in the crankcaseGood plug, clean air filter, clean spark arrestorTo start - make sure the fuel cap vent is closed, turn on the choke, turn on the ignition switch, and let the generator sit for a couple of minutes - that allows any pressure that has built up in the fuel tank to force gas into the vacuum fuel pump. After a couple of minutes, start the generator, adjust the choke, and don't forget to open the fuel cap vent. Using this procedure mine have started almost every time on the first pull. :)

SoundGuy wrote:To start - make sure the fuel cap vent is closed, turn on the choke, turn on the ignition switch, and let the generator sit for a couple of minutes - that allows any pressure that has built up in the fuel tank to force gas into the vacuum fuel pump. After a couple of minutes, start the generator, adjust the choke, and don't forget to open the fuel cap vent. Using this procedure mine have started almost every time on the first pull.Depending how long it has been since you filled the gas tank, a "couple of minutes" of sitting won't really change anything. A dealer told me to rock the generator side to side before attempting to start. The rocking will cause the pressure to build and aid starting as mentioned above. To see how that happens, try rocking a full, sealed gas can and then open the vent.

That's impressive, spend 2,000 on generators and have to mess with "shake" them before they will start. Any other ideas,

True temper wrote:That's impressive, spend 2,000 on generators and have to mess with "shake" them before they will start. Any other ideas,Some prefer dramatics ... I never "shake" mine and each of the two I've owned has almost always started on the first pull using my aforementioned procedure, even if they've been sitting for weeks. :B

Hard starting Honda 2000 | Good Sam Community

26 Replies

racer4
Explorer
Apr 02, 2016
x3 or 4
Turn ON (opens gas valve) and WAIT about a minute.
After waiting, pull start.
True_temper
Explorer
Apr 02, 2016
Tore into them this eve. Drilled out the jets in the carburetor to 3/32", regaped the spark plug I don't think it was wide enough, I gaped it to .065"', added some lacquer thinner to the gas to help with the varnish if there is any. Starts first pull every time thanks for the help.
2oldman
Explorer II
Apr 01, 2016
True temper wrote:
I have put fresh gas in them several times, I run them every couple of months.
I don't leave gas in mine for even one month...unless I'm using them regularly.
True_temper
Explorer
Apr 01, 2016
I have put fresh gas in them several times, I run them every couple of months. I use real gas, no ethanol.
Live in Kansas
Thanks Mex. that's the kind of info I was looking for.
Boon_Docker
Explorer III
Apr 01, 2016
Flipper alert. ????
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Apr 01, 2016
Yank spark plug. Connect ignition wire and lat connected spark plug on its side yank on the starter rope several times. What color of spark jumps across the spark plug electrodes? Blue? Yellow? What color is the center ceramic insulation inside the plug? Clean? Black? Brown?

Reassemble after adding 3 drops of gasoline through the spark plug hole. Gotta sorta work fast on this step. Yank to try and start. Did that change anything?

I prefer diagnostics, not guesswork...
NinerBikes
Explorer
Apr 01, 2016
Carb Cleaner wrote:
Are you near Virginia?
How much you asking?
I love my Honda 2000, but I could always use one, or two, more.
Flipper alert.
Carb_Cleaner
Explorer
Mar 31, 2016
Are you near Virginia?
How much you asking?
I love my Honda 2000, but I could always use one, or two, more.
2oldman
Explorer II
Mar 31, 2016
NinerBikes wrote:
So the same fuel has been sitting in them, in the tank, and in the Carb, for the past 2 years? Never drained, never run? Except for 6 hours?
Hope OP answers that!
NinerBikes
Explorer
Mar 31, 2016
True temper wrote:
NinerBikes wrote:
When is the last time you changed the motor oil and cleaned the air filter and cleaned out the carbs on both of them? Mine almost always start with 1 pull. Of course, I drain the carb float bowl before putting away in storage.

I also keep vent closed and turn to run position too for about 5 minutes to let the float bowl fill up again before pulling the starter cord.

These don't have 5 or 6 hours on them since new.

So the same fuel has been sitting in them, in the tank, and in the Carb, for the past 2 years? Never drained, never run? Except for 6 hours?