I've had an intermittent problem with my Honda EU200i. It's happened since new but couldn't reproduce the problem. Finally, this fall we were camping in the mountains of Idaho. When the temperature dropped below 45 degrees outside during the evening, I had troubles getting the generator started in the morning. I would go through the normal startup procedure but it would only run for about 5 - 10 seconds then the Oil Alert Indicator would come on and it would shut off. I would repeat the process 2 or 3 times until it would start and run normal. Oil level is normal. My question is whether others have experienced a similar behavior and what to do to resolve the issue? It's time to change the oil this fall and was wondering if a different blend of oil may resolve the issue? Thanks in advance.Jeff.

Jeff,I had the same problem. The stiff oil was aerating (full of air bubbles) which causes the oil pressure to be very low. The "Oil Alert" lite comes on and immediately shuts off the gen set. I changed to 5W30 oil and that instantly solved the problem. Per the owners manual:SAE 10W-30 is recommended for general, all-temperature use. Other viscosities shown in the chart may be used when the average temperature in your area is within the indicated range.LeRoy

Thanks LeRoy, I was hoping someone saw similar problems. I was also hoping a different oil would resolve. I'll give that a try. Thanks.

Homeless by Choice wrote:Jeff,I had the same problem. The stiff oil was aerating (full of air bubbles) which causes the oil pressure to be very low. LeRoyAre you saying they have a pressurized lubrication system :h

Yes, I do have some starting issues when cold, so I stay away from cold!

We camp at the coast during the fall and winter, always cool down into the mid 40s at night. I have found that running Fresh 91 octane helps, Starts easy and runs consistently. I also use 10-30 Mobile one synthetic.

Honda EU200i issue | Good Sam Community

Homeless_by_Cho
Explorer
Sep 19, 2015
Jeff,

I had the same problem. The stiff oil was aerating (full of air bubbles) which causes the oil pressure to be very low. The "Oil Alert" lite comes on and immediately shuts off the gen set. I changed to 5W30 oil and that instantly solved the problem. Per the owners manual:

SAE 10W-30 is recommended for general, all-temperature use. Other
viscosities shown in the chart may be used when the average
temperature in your area is within the indicated range.

LeRoy
jstaffon
Explorer
Sep 19, 2015
Thanks LeRoy, I was hoping someone saw similar problems. I was also hoping a different oil would resolve. I'll give that a try. Thanks.
arto_wa
Explorer
Sep 19, 2015
Homeless by Choice wrote:
Jeff,

I had the same problem. The stiff oil was aerating (full of air bubbles) which causes the oil pressure to be very low. LeRoy

Are you saying they have a pressurized lubrication system :h
2oldman
Explorer II
Sep 19, 2015
Yes, I do have some starting issues when cold, so I stay away from cold!
jake2250
Explorer
Sep 19, 2015
We camp at the coast during the fall and winter, always cool down into the mid 40s at night. I have found that running Fresh 91 octane helps, Starts easy and runs consistently. I also use 10-30 Mobile one synthetic.
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Sep 19, 2015
2oldman wrote:
Yes, I do have some starting issues when cold, so I stay away from cold!

True, and I had that problem one time in Death Valley in the winter, but the temp was more like 20 degrees. Hard to start in very cold temps is known issues with these gennys.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Sep 19, 2015
It'll cool down to the high 70's at dawn soon. I'm looking forward to it.
Homeless_by_Cho
Explorer
Sep 19, 2015
arto_wa wrote:

Are you saying they have a pressurized lubrication system :h

No, I am not saying pressurized oil system. I am only saying that whatever signal system (pressure, optical, float) Honda uses is not seeing solid oil. When you have this problem, immediately after it shuts down, dump out some oil and you will see that it is very foamy (aerated).

LeRoy
Rbertalotto
Explorer
Sep 19, 2015
Had exact same problem in early spring in Vermont. 34 degrees and cold thick oil fooled the low oil indicator and shut gen off after running a few seconds. On the 5th or 6th pull it finally ran fine. There are instructions on the Internet on how to add a switch to disable this function until generator comes up to temperature.
enahs
Explorer
Sep 23, 2015
Has this issue and fixed it some time back. It has never repeated. Cleaned and flushed tank with brake clean. Shot it in with a small tube from the hardware store. Added a bit of new oil to clean it and finally and dumped it. Then began using 5-30 Mobil 1 synthetic. Problem solved never to return. Just fired it up at a cool 33 degrees. One pull on a ten year old Honda eu2000.

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