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jkbrea's avatar
jkbrea
Explorer
May 29, 2014

Advice on Honda 2000 Generator

I have a pair of 2000's with the parallel cables. They run great and I really like them. I service them by cleaning the filter, changing the oil often and replacing plugs. I can take them out after months of storage and they start right up. The only problem is when I'm camping I leave them outdoors locked with a cable. When the temperature drops overnight and I try to start them, they run for about 5 seconds then stall. The red oil light goes on for a few seconds. This goes on for about ten minutes before they run properly. I thought it may be the altitude but last time I brought one inside the RV overnight. In the morning it worked perfect. I'm no mechanic but I believe the oil may be thickening up some with the cold and not able to pump properly until it warms up some. Anyone ever have this issue and should I try a different weight oil? Using 10w30 now.
Seeking Advice
  • Vulcaneer's avatar
    Vulcaneer
    Explorer
    May 30, 2014
    Add about 2oz of oil. May need to tip it a little to get the oil in. Then cap it. You will have no more problem. I guarantee it.
  • opnspaces's avatar
    opnspaces
    Navigator II
    May 29, 2014
    Have you tried leaving the choke lever on for an extended period after starting cold? Maybe try starting with choke on, then after a few seconds move to half choke. After a while move the choke to all the way open.

    You can also try the sticky from the tech forum on how to clean out the carburetor. Link
  • ianmac23's avatar
    ianmac23
    Explorer
    May 29, 2014
    Not the same motor but I have a champion generator and when dew got on it the oil sensor would freak out and think there was no oil in it. I pulled the plug on the sensor and it has work perfectly sense then. I just check the oil before every start now. Give that a try and see if it fixes your issue
  • badboy368's avatar
    badboy368
    Explorer
    May 29, 2014
    probably not too good an idea to use straight 30wt oil... its even thicker when cold.... maybe try a 5-30 synthetic or a 10-30 synthetic .... better starting oil
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    May 29, 2014
    jkbrea wrote:
    . I can take them out after months of storage and they start right up.
    That's an indication that you leave gas in them. Many of us find they fare better sans gas, both in the tank and carburetor.
  • Z-Peller's avatar
    Z-Peller
    Explorer
    May 29, 2014
    Probably just a dumb question here, but you are using the choke lever, right?
  • jkbrea's avatar
    jkbrea
    Explorer
    May 29, 2014
    opnspaces wrote:
    Are you making sure the oil is full and up to the threads in the fill hole? The red oil light is an oil level light so it thinks it's low on oil.

    As far as oil weight, the 10w30 means it's 10 when cold and 30 when it warms up and the w means winter. This allows for easier cranking in your car when it's really cold outside. If you want to try an experiment you can run a straight 30 weight oil and see if it behaves any differently.


    Yes. Its filled. I think it also could need a carberator cleaning. I left some fuel in for several months. It started right up and has burned through numerous gallons since.

    This problem only happens when it sits overnight and it gets cold....about 35º or less.
  • opnspaces's avatar
    opnspaces
    Navigator II
    May 29, 2014
    Are you making sure the oil is full and up to the threads in the fill hole? The red oil light is an oil level light so it thinks it's low on oil.

    As far as oil weight, the 10w30 means it's 10 when cold and 30 when it warms up and the w means winter. This allows for easier cranking in your car when it's really cold outside. If you want to try an experiment you can run a straight 30 weight oil and see if it behaves any differently.

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