What would you check if you were buying a used Honda generator? Thanks

i bought a used 2000i 10 years ago, off of Craigslist for $650.it only had 25 hours on it and the owner was a United Airlines mechanic.it was clean, the oil was clean, he had the cover/manual/sales receipt and it started on the first pull.and it still is running today.

I would make sure it's not leaking oil, no parts are missing/broken and everything looks right.Check the oil and make sure it starts easily. It should run quiet and not be smoking.Take a Volt Meter and check the output. Then put it under a load and make sure it continues to run properly.If the seller refuses to let you run or voltage/load test the Honda, walk away.

I would look at the overall condition of the outside to see how many scuffs and bruises it has. I'd check the oil level and color but this really tells you nothing if it's just been changed. If it has that swirly metal gray look run away. I may pop the cover to look at the air filter. I'd try to look closely at what you can see of the engine to see if there are any signs of it having been disassembled. look at the fasteners and look for signs of sloppy gasket sealers. Look for oil leaks. Look at the drain screw on the carb. It's very unlikely that a Honda has been popped open.Some Hondas will flash an led light on the control panel when you first fire it up to indicate hours. It will flash very quickly and each flash indicates 100 hours of run time. Search "hour meter" or hour logging for the model you are looking at. My 3000 has it and it flashes real fast. Run it for a while and apply a load that approximates it's running load. You might use a hair dryer, flood light, space heater etc. It should be able to carry that load and you aren't going to hurt it. Look for any smoke and listen closely for any rattle sounds. It's no guarantee but I feel you are at lower risk when looking for a Honda.

Check to make sure it starts in 3 pulls or less, check power outCheck the oil.. Is it "Sludge" if so don't buyThat about covers it. Other than the obvious visual signs of abuse or neglect.WARNING on Hondas specifically:Was using one on a halloween work station on the hunted trail Dang thing would run a few mintues then starve for fuel and die, tank was full.....Turns out they forgot to open the ventI've never owned a Honda, but I've read about 'em for years.. Told 'em to open the vent.. Ran fine all night after that.

I don't buy used, as even the prettiest shiniest unit can be a piece of worn out junk. There are tests that involve bore scopes and load testing that might give you a clue as to the units life. Even scuff marks are meaningless. I hauled a Honda generator for three years and thousands of miles. It looked rough, but did not have one hundred hours on it. We had others at work that hammered away for days at a time, got the oil changed, "once in a awhile", but looked good.Be careful. Depending on your application, new can be a bargain.

If buying used a Honda generator...what should I check?

21 Replies

path1
Explorer
Jul 16, 2017
OP here...If anybody still following this thread...
The sellers are going to loan their generators to their kid for him to use, and maybe someday if they want them back they'll know where they are.

Thanks for all the replies.
John_Wayne
Explorer II
Jul 11, 2017
buy a Kill a Watt before you go and it will give you info on output volts , frequency etc while it's running. will even tell you how much your drawing when you put a load on it. Then you can put the Kill A Watt in your RV to give you that info when your at camp ground.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Jul 11, 2017
RJsfishin wrote:
Can't believe anyone would gamble a few dollars on a used Honda generator.

I have, twice - no worries, eventually resold each of them for more than I paid. :B A used "low mileage" EU2000i here in Ontario that's properly priced rarely remains advertised for more than a day or so before it's snapped up. Happens all the time. ;)
path1
Explorer
Jul 11, 2017
robert_at_honda wrote:
path1 wrote:

Op here...
Thanks for all responses.
Honda 1000 that are 3 or 4 years old,

Honda guy here...on the outside of case, low and near the rear, there should be a data sticker with the serial number. It will be in the format EZGA-1234567 or EAAT-1234567. Drop me a PM with the serial numbers, and I can pull up: Aprox. age, date when wholesaled, date when retailed, if either unit was reported stolen to Honda, and most important, if there is any factory warranty left. If you do buy the units, drop me a second PM with your full name and address, and I'll update the database to show you as the new owner. Honda request this in the unlikely event there's a product safety recall and Honda needs to contact you for an update.

Note: 'EZGA' = made in Japan
'EAAT' = made in Thailand

- - -
Robert@Honda
Social Media Consigliere
Caveat: I work for Honda, but the preceding is my opinion alone.

Op here...

Thanks...Will do supposed to here from them no later than this weekend.

Thanks again
robert_at_honda
Explorer
Jul 11, 2017
path1 wrote:

Op here...
Thanks for all responses.
Honda 1000 that are 3 or 4 years old,

Honda guy here...on the outside of case, low and near the rear, there should be a data sticker with the serial number. It will be in the format EZGA-1234567 or EAAT-1234567. Drop me a PM with the serial numbers, and I can pull up: Aprox. age, date when wholesaled, date when retailed, if either unit was reported stolen to Honda, and most important, if there is any factory warranty left. If you do buy the units, drop me a second PM with your full name and address, and I'll update the database to show you as the new owner. Honda request this in the unlikely event there's a product safety recall and Honda needs to contact you for an update.

Note: 'EZGA' = made in Japan
'EAAT' = made in Thailand

- - -
Robert@Honda
Social Media Consigliere
Caveat: I work for Honda, but the preceding is my opinion alone.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Jul 10, 2017
A lot of the new price for anything is for warranty
EXAMPLE: Same tires
Costco USA $127.00 ea
Costco Mexico $82.00 ea
Difference? No 95,000 mile tread wear guarantee
Yuh the same exact tire and mounting service and Nitrogen including tax
azrving
Explorer
Jul 10, 2017
Far too high. Buy a 2000 new $1000. Why two 1000 when you can get a 2000 in one package new for $1000? Am I reading it wrong?
TomG2
Explorer
Jul 10, 2017
In my opinion that is twice what they are worth. Even the 2000 models are not worth that. Not to alert the Honda defenders, but there are other brands with similar specs that can be purchased brand new for that kind of money.
Dennis12
Explorer
Jul 10, 2017
MEXICOWANDERER,
You miss understood the question. He said it's a Honda not a Champion.
path1
Explorer
Jul 10, 2017
TomG2 wrote:
To the OP; What model are you looking for and what do you expect to pay?

Op here...
Thanks for all responses.
Honda 1000 that are 3 or 4 years old, from a local couple at Elks club. He had a "mini" stroke" and they feel their boondocking days are over with. They'll said "any future camping will be within cell phone range for medical reasons". They want $800 for each ($1,600 total). The main unit and the companion. I think price is a bit high and only a couple hundred below what I could buy new. They also know that about the price and told me to look around and make them an offer. I'm thinking not going over $600 each or $1200 for both.

The ones I see on Craig list which is not many are also high priced IMO. Not to mention couple hours travel time involved to check them out.
And being that my older style generator got stolen from my carport, I know these I am looking at are not stolen, at least 95 percent sure.

I thought I read on here it is a good idea to check the "frequency" of the voltage. Maybe I have this wrong in my mind, I don't know for sure. Is there a way to check the "frequency" to insure the "quality" of the elec being produced. (Not sure if I'm using right term.)