Honda Gen Set Starting Problem

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fiveflipflops

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Hi

We have onboard a 700w Honda gen set. For the last 6 years it has not missed a heart beat. We now have a small problem which I can not seem to solve.

On pulling the start cable, gen set always starts but will run from about 30 sec up to about 1 mins then stop. When running it runs smoothly. After about 4-8 Starts as above will then stay on and run smoothly for hours.

Have cleaned air filter, checked fuel line\carb for blockage, changed fuel.

Any ideas what the problem my be?

David
 
I don't know the unit but it sounds a bit thermal, doesn't it? Is there some kind of automatic choke? Look for a vacuum pipe that is holed or not seated correctly, for example? Try to download a workshop manual. The fact that it runs for hours shows that it is not a fuel supply issue or an electrical issue. It is probably something to do with choke or emission control.
 
How strange I have a honda EU 1000 watt and same never missed a beat in a year and exactly the same thing, starts first pull, runs 30 secs, cuts out start again 4/5 times and then will run all night?
 
Have you checked the oil level? Had same prob with mine, there is an auto switchoff if oil pressure low, also a led on the panel shows for a moment before it cuts out.
 
I know this is a bit different but my Honda lawnmower did that and it was cured by a new Spark Plug. I thought it was dirt in the fuel etc but new plug and the problem went away.
 
On the face of it it sounds like it doesn't want to run until it has warmed up a bit, quote elsewhere "sounds a bit thermal" means I'm not alone in that line of thought. My 700w Machine Mart is similar and requires continous partial choking which is when I know to clean the carburettor.

The problem with these small engines (and I've had 4 small gennies plus the usual chain saw/lawnmower/strimmer/hedgecutter petrol garden tools) is that the jet size is so tiny and so readily blocks or gums up with no aparent reason. The only solution is a very careful strip down and liberal application of air-line blow-out power to clear all jet ways and jets. In 'extremis', physical cleaning of jets can often be assisted by stripping 10mm or so of small multi-strand electrical wire similar to that used for internal telelphone or burglar alarm systems and twirling it inside the jet body. It won't pass through the jet but can remove any "gumminess" against the orifice. To the naked eye the jets often look clear when held up to the light. The problem is that they are so tiny you really can't see if the orifice is reduced or not unlike a total blockage scenario.

I suggest a through clean of carb even if it LOOKS clean. Good luck!
 
Honda gen set

Thanks for replies. Will change spark plug, I believe is ok but will change just in case. Rechecked oil level is correct.

"I don't know the unit but it sounds a bit thermal, doesn't it?"

Not sure how we can jump to thermal. If gen run ok when running, can some please explian.

Is this a known fault with this type of gen set?

Many thanks

David
 
see my post above, I understood him to mean "not warmed up" so cuts out which has often been my experience leading to cleaning carb jets and solving problem as engine likes more choke than normal and for longer or even forever indicating partially blocked jets!
 
fiveflipflops said:
Not sure how we can jump to thermal. If gen run ok when running, can some please explian.

Is this a known fault with this type of gen set?

Many thanks
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As I said, I don't know your gen set but I do know engines and generators. Each time you run it up it gets warmer and then eventually it runs and behaves itself. Sounds to me like a temperature problem. Modern engines have stringent emission controls and to meet them lots of bits are added. If the bits go wrong then you have problems. The easiest thing is to take it to a dealer and there must be Honda dealers everywhere? But if you want to DIY try to get a manual and focus on things that might be temperature dependant. Sorry I can't be more help but I don't know that particular gen set.

My guess is that it will be something very simple like a pipe needing some tape round it or a drop of oil, or a hammer in the right place. The trick is knowing where to put the tape/oil/hammer-tap :)
 
Fault Found

Called dealer here in USA a very helpful man. Told him problem, he informed us that its a common problem. As stated in one post already, the oil sensor. The oil level needs to be spot on. If started on a non level surface as on the deck of a boat the sensor picks up that the level is not correct. Once running and oil is warmer the oil level raises enough so sensor is correct.

So we filled the oil level so its just above the full level, as advised by dealer now starts first time. So in the last 6 years I must have filled the oil level to a little higher that this year.

I am glad its not terminal.

Thank you for all the replies.

David
 
fiveflipflops said:
Called dealer here in USA a very helpful man. Told him problem, he informed us that its a common problem. As stated in one post already, the oil sensor. The oil level needs to be spot on. If started on a non level surface as on the deck of a boat the sensor picks up that the level is not correct. Once running and oil is warmer the oil level raises enough so sensor is correct.
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I thought it would be thermal but I had no idea that it would have an oil sensor like that. If it has a sensor it ought to have an indicator to show that it has operated otherwise it is pretty useless. Glad you got it sorted out. Imagine if our main engines had such clever devices to cut them out :eek:
 
On mine there is a red led which lights for a moment as the engine dies. Took me a while to notice it though. Good feature I think if the genny is working for hours every day, could save it from siezing should the oil run low.
 
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