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

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.

Just like always, you can do all the testing you want to, and still end up w/ a wore out junk Honda. Honda is known for running a zillion hours in a vendors booth, and then dump it for a new one.
Can't believe anyone would gamble a few dollars on a used Honda generator.

When you arrive and find the generator warm

Turn around and haul ***

The owner managed to after a hundred pulls, and half a can of starting fluid to get it started and warm it up - just for you.

To the OP; What model are you looking for and what do you expect to pay?

I would be very cautious if the oil has been recently changed, if the oil looks brand new it is a big red flag. Looking at the oil tells a lot of stories. Also like said above it it has been cleaned to look brand new. Like said above run test, load test.

When I buy a used vehicle if I look at the engine and see a nice steam cleaned engine with fresh oil in it, I will generally walk away unless I am prepared to rebuild it.
Yellowish and creamy or worse foamy; it has water getting in
Sparkles; bearing or ring, or piston scrapping. They could have let it go low.
Extremely black; rings getting bypass
Sludgy; they didn't take care of it.
Smells like gas; rare but a leak somewhere.

Be very cautious when buying used.

Of course, you will always hear about the guy who knows a guy who sold an almost brand new Honda generator for $250. Doesn't really happen that often and never to me.

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.

Check to make sure it starts in 3 pulls or less, check power out

Check the oil.. Is it "Sludge" if so don't buy

That 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 vent

I'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 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.

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.