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PNW_Steve's avatar
PNW_Steve
Explorer
Jul 09, 2019

Honda generator repair/replace?

Hello Everyone,

I have a Honda EU3000i generator that has served me very well for 13+ years. Including running my household for 11 days during a winter storm.

Unfortunately in a moment of impatience I broke it. :(

It fell off of the rack when I rounded a corner. Found it lying on its side in the ditch still running. I shut it down and carried it back to camp. I looked it over and checked the oil level. It looked OK so I started it up. It seemed fine other than some road rash and a broken trim piece.

It ran fine for about 8 hours before I shut it down for the night. It started fine the next morning and ran for about 4 hours and abruptly stopped. I checked fuel and oil. All OK.

Started it up and it was not right. It runs at a very slow speed constantly. Eco-throttle setting makes no difference.

It sounds like one of the old Lister 6/1 engines. Pop....... Pop..... Pop..... Pop....

Suspecting a fuel problem, I removed the air filter and tried squirting a bit of WD40 into the carb expecting the engine to speed up. It did not.

It starts easily but will not run properly and nothing I have tried ha made any difference.

Any Honda guru's in the house? Any thoughts on what the problem may be?

As I will be needing another generator later this year, I thought that I would go ahead and buy another one to use while I am working on the Honda. Unfortunately, my budget will no longer support the purchase of a new Honda.

My big concerns about a new one are physical size, quiet and the ability to run my 1990 vintage roof air.

After much research I ordered a Champion from FactoryPure.com.

Well.... They screwed up the order and are being real butheads about it.

I am going camping on Thursday and need a generator. I have been looking locally and all I have found so far are 2000 watt generators from Craftsman, Westinghouse and Harbor Freight.

Do any of you have any experience with these? Will they support my roof air?

16 Replies

  • The last time I priced internals for an in-frame overhaul it was a pure acid stomach experience. Personally, I would opt for a diagnosis and repair estimate for the described malfunction.
  • If it's still running many hours later, likely not an issue of the motor not getting oil while on it's side burning up the motor.

    Likely a carb/throttle issue. Might see if there is a generator place that can look at it. Could be a simple fix.
  • Eco throttles on every inverter genny are all basically the same. It's a stepper motor that controls the throttle opening. Squirting WD40 in the intake does nothing but maybe foul the plug.

    Finally, no 2k genny will run your ac. You need 2500-3000 watts.

    I have a Champ and the HF unit. Both are good units, lot less cost than a Honda too.

    I have to ask why the genny was running when it fell off the truck
  • You'll need 2 2ks to comfortably run your air. If you can't find parallel cables I'll tell you how to make your own for about $25.

    Your Honda served you well. Too bad you don't want to afford another,..
  • Check the nearby rental houses, depending on how long your outing will be this weekend. My rental shop rents Honda and Yamaha inverter generators, from the 1kw to the beastly EU7000

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