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HuckleberryHunt's avatar
HuckleberryHunt
Explorer
Aug 16, 2017

Seafoam fixed the stutter

This has probably already been addressed previously, but wanted to share my experience for anyone who might find it valuable. I have a Honda eu3000is that we bought new maybe 4 or 5 years ago. I learned right away to not use ethanol gas or leave untreated gas in the generator for any length of time unused due to Honda carbs being sensitive. After replacing the carb in the first couple months due to my ignorance I've been very careful about use and storage of the generator (non-ethanol gas and treated with Stabil). On our last trip I noticed that while in ECO mode the generator would occasionally stutter a little. It didn't effect performance and when under load or with ECO off it worked fine. I just didn't like hearing the occasional stutter at ECO idle. This led me to believe there was probably some light deposits in the carb/jets. After we got home I bought a can of Seafoam, drained the generator tank, and, per the instructions, added a small amount of 50/50 Seafoam/gas mix (about 3-4 oz total volume). I then ran the generator for about 5 minutes to work the mix into the carb. I shut it off and let it sit 5 minutes before starting it again. I repeated the 5-minutue procedure a couple times and then left it sit while we ate dinner. When I started it up next it blew a puff of white smoke out the exhaust (as it was supposed to). I loaded up the tank with fresh fuel and added the recommended maintenance dilution of Seafoam (~1oz/gal). The stutter is gone.
  • images's avatar
    images
    Explorer
    Aug 16, 2017
    The fuel jet in the carburetor corrode and stops up easily.

    Must be drained of any water in the settling bulb and kept clean.
  • Kayteg1's avatar
    Kayteg1
    Explorer II
    Aug 16, 2017
    Seafoam is mostly kerosene.
    I had my 15 years old Honda EU3000 running rough on 2 or 3 years old fuel, where adding 50% of new fuel and Seafoam did not help.
    I had to run it with about 30% of choke to smooth running.
    That all ended once I run old fuel dry and refilled with fresh one.
    I always shut off fuel valve and run the carburetor dry when I plan to put the engine away for few days.
  • Sandia_Man's avatar
    Sandia_Man
    Explorer II
    Aug 16, 2017
    Same here when it comes to using Seafoam for our onboard Onan and portable Champion inverter generator. Never had any carb or fuel delivery issues with either and we use whatever ethanol-laced gas we put in our vehicles. Have never drained either when the RVing season is over, just use Stabil and exercise monthly during the winter months.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Aug 16, 2017
    Same story with my eu2000i; it idels terrible and took 20 pulls to start when new.
    After a couple of years of that, I ran a strong dose of SF thorugh it over a 6 hour run and it smoothed right out.
    Now I always run SF in it.
    SF fixed a 10 y/o car I got with 4K miles on it too. Same roughness issues.

    SF seems to be the only snake oil that actually does something.

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