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Garry_Gayle's avatar
Garry_Gayle
Explorer
Apr 02, 2018

Starting issue Honda 2000

I have a cold starting issue with my Honda 2000 when temps are below 50, it starts, runs about 15 seconds then shuts off, it will do this for about 10 - 15 times by then its got some heat built up then it keeps running. I found out that if I tilt it about 25 - 30 degrees away from me it starts and keeps running so I hold it there for a minute or so then let it sit on the ground and its fine.
I have changed the oil, spark plug and checked muffler for carbon build up, air filter clean, I use Sta-bil in the fuel along with Schaeffers Nutra fuel stabilizer and it makes no difference. This issue only happens in cold weather.
Any ideas?
  • My guess is bad gas. Try draining it all out, adding fresh gas and a slug of SeaFoam to help any water that might be left in there.

    Ethanol gas is susceptible to separation of the alcohol from the gas with just the tiniest of water. This places a dose of alcohol at the bottom of the tank and runs for ****.
  • mine often needs a little bit of choke for a minute or so at lower temps.

    however I seldom if ever have issues with stalling at 50F unless I turn the chock off immediately.

    And, at around 30-40F or so , it will give the "low oil" light. and that is even when it is filled with oil to the top of the oil drain plug with correct oil viscosity for the temperature. so it will take a few restarts till oil is warmed up enough.
  • map40 wrote:
    It needs more oil.
    Maybe. There would be a red light if it's low.

    Perhaps try a 5w-30 oil. dunno.
  • It needs more oil. You tilt it, the oil reaches the sensor, it runs, after 1 minute, oil is circulating, foaming, reaching the sensor, you sit it straith and the generator believes there is oil.
  • I am using 10W-30 synthetic oil, generator is not new by any means estimate 150 hrs bought it new, carb was cleaned using the procedure on the sticky on this forum, it runs smooth no surging, I work the choke to try and keep it running but no help and yes the choke does work no cold start without using choke.
  • Is the choke actually operating? Easy check is to wait a few minutes after the engine starts and try to engage the choke again. Should bog the motor down or stall it pretty quickly if it is working.
  • Also in a Motorhome, a generator will stop or cut off if the fuel level is low. To keep you from running out of gas if you were parked and away. This added feature will hopefully leave you enough Gas to get to a station.
  • NEW Generators, almost always need more OIL. Check as low oil will stop generator an added safety feature. This is to keep them from burning out and damaging parts.
  • What oil are you using? You'll find recommended oil weights in your owner manual.

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