Honda EU20i Generator - Oil sensor??

[Richard10002]

For a while my generator was hard to start, so I changed oil, spark plug, air filters, with no difference. It would run for a minute or so, then stop, with the red oil light coming on, (I know there is enough oil in it) - However, after a few failed starts, it seemed that it warmed up, and continued running, so I persevered like this.

Then I read something about an oil level sensor failing to cause these symptoms, (which makes the red oil light make sense). I now find that if I start it up, then lean it away from the controls panel side of things, (about 20 degrees or so), for about 5 minutes, it runs fine and then continues running fine when levelled.

When reading about the oil sensor it seemed that it is really difficult to get at, and some solutions suggested cutting the wires to the sensor.

I guess I could take it to a Honda centre for a service and overhaul, but I'm always wary of these types of places, unless I already have a pretty good of what the problem is likely to be.

Any suggestions as to what it might be? If it is the oil sensor, and experiences of changing it or solving it?

I've had it for 5 years, having bought it second hand, so it's had a good run with only minimal maintenance, (spark plus and oil).

 

[RichardS]

I have the same Honda and it does apparently have a low oil level shut down system which shuts down the engine if the oil gets too low, presumably when the light comes on.

I've never had any problems with mine but it's useful to know that there might be a potential problem.

Can you just pull the terminal off the sensor and see what happens, assuming that it's a spade terminal or similar. (it's an internal sensor but see below) It depends what the failsafe mode is I guess but it's worth a try as it probably makes a circuit when the level drops.

I don't know where the sensor is but there might be a diagram online somewhere but looking at this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0Wkbe2EHa0 it has a bullet connector into the wiring loom and a earth connection to a bolt on the outside of the crankcase. Perhaps disconnect the earth connection by unbolting it and wrap the terminal end in a bit of PVC tape and try it.

Richard

 

[GHA]

With my 10e, it needs the oil level to be right up high, what looks like plenty isn't and it cuts out.
Try putting a little more oil in?

 

[Steve_N]

With my 10e, it needs the oil level to be right up high, what looks like plenty isn't and it cuts out.
Try putting a little more oil in?

With mine it's exactly the opposite. Put in the correct amount of oil as per the spec. and it's fine. Any higher and the crank hits the oil and splashes it about too much and the low-level light comes on. I suspect that it's not an exact science

 

[GHA]

With mine it's exactly the opposite. Put in the correct amount of oil as per the spec. and it's fine. Any higher and the crank hits the oil and splashes it about too much and the low-level light comes on. I suspect that it's not an exact science

I suspect a lot of people miss this bit of the manual, instead screw the dipstick all the way in when checking the oil level, and think it has enough when it's actually low.

 

[Richard10002]

Thanks for the replies. I sent an email to petepower at the same time, more in hope than anything else, and he replied.

Firstly he suggested that the oil should be full to the point where it would overflow if any more is put in then, if I am certain that the oil level is OK, (which it might not be), to bend a couple of pins behind the 3 indicator lamps.

I'll fill with oil in a bit, and see how it goes. Whether I am brave enough to open it up and bend a couple of pins remains to be seen

 

[JerryHawkins]

+1 for PetePower. Top bloke who knows Honda gennies inside out. I had an Eu10i with a fault; my local Honda approved agent stripped it, told me it woudl be over £1000 to fix, but they'd sell me a new one for £700 odd. So I got two boxes of bits back and a bill for £22. Wish I'd known about PetePower before that sorry saga. I sent Pete the bits, he fixed it and sent it back within a week for £250 odd - some of which was to replace parts the Honda dealer had broken when they stripped it down!

 

[Richard10002]

I suspect a lot of people miss this bit of the manual, instead screw the dipstick all the way in when checking the oil level, and think it has enough when it's actually low.

I knew about the dipstick thing, and there has always been oil on the dipstick - about a quarter inch up it today.

But you, and Pete Power, are right - topped it up to just overflowing from the neck, started it up, and it ran and ran and ran .