Honda EU3000 generator

[oldnslo]

Neighbor brought over this Honda generator since it would not start. Checked compression and is 60 PSI. Squirted a little oil in spark plug hole and compression increased to 90 - 95 PSI which I think points towards bad rings or scored cylinder. Question is can oil also help seal a valve seat on an over head valve engine?

Accessing the valve cover looks to be a real challenge to even check valve clearance.

TIA

 

[TractorTech]

Oil isn't going to help seal the valve seat. It is a difficult engine to access with the shroud they put on it, but definitely would look at the valve clearance as the oil alert will not let the engine run without oil.

 

[grsthegreat]

On another site, i saw that the service manual on that gen shows a 52” pressure on starting per manual. Fir what its wirth

https://www.justanswer.com/small-engine/3jse4-head-pressure-3000-honda-eu-generator-have.html

 

[TractorTech]

On another site, i saw that the service manual on that gen shows a 52” pressure on starting per manual. Fir what its wirth

https://www.justanswer.com/small-engine/3jse4-head-pressure-3000-honda-eu-generator-have.html

Wow, I haven't pulled the manual, but that seems very low. OPs compression is reasonable either way.
One problem I have had is the choke cable pops off of the carburetor. It won't fire. Reaching in the access door and engaging on the carburetor will get it started.

 

[oldnslo]

Thanks grsthegreat: 52 PSI seems real low to start an engine but maybe some form of compression release that kicks out and higher RPM.


Thanks Tractor tech: will keep digging into potential fuel supply issue and valve cover access. Has good spark and fired a few strokes on carb cleaner sprayed in the intake. Even getting to carb looks like a contortionist nightmare.

 

[grsthegreat]

Im not too familiar with working on honda generators, but i found this video which was well done. Its almost more work than id want to put into something though.
im getting too lazy. Spent years rebuilding engines with my brother.

 

[tomplum]

One thing to consider to is if this has sat awhile and depending on storage prep could have valves that are on the sticky side. These small OHVs have light valve springs and should there be deposits on the stems, they can kind of pop and not start or even have one that won't quite seat.

 

[oldnslo]

I decided to check carb bowl and it was plumb full of water gas mix. Bottom of bowl was full of sludge so pulled sample from gas tank and with quart jar was about 1/4 water 3/4 gas so chasing this problem.

Appreciate all the support and these generators are a real pain to work on.

Another example of no good deed shall go unpunished

 

[grsthegreat]

Yeiks…. Wonder why it wont start.

 

[5030]

Don't run well on water. Problem with stale ethanol. Fuel lines are probably gummy too. Time for Tygon fuel lines. They don't degrade.

Take the carb apart and soak it in Berryman's B12 Chem tool. Tell the owner to add Marine Stabil (blue) to the fuel. Makes it last longer. I have a similar Champion but it has a fuel shutoff and I use it.

 

[RandyT]

Don't run well on water. Problem with stale ethanol. Fuel lines are probably gummy too. Time for Tygon fuel lines. They don't degrade.

Take the carb apart and soak it in Berryman's B12 Chem tool. Tell the owner to add Marine Stabil (blue) to the fuel. Makes it last longer. I have a similar Champion but it has a fuel shutoff and I use it.

Tygon shrinks and get stiff and brittle over time. And I will not use Stabil due to the issues with residue when it goes bad. Supposed to stabilize fuel for up to 2 years, but the product expires 2 years from opening.

 

[grsthegreat]

Ive been using stable marine for something like 20 years. Have never had any issues.. never.

 

[oldnslo]

Update with clean carb and fresh water free gas it now starts and runs. Still very surprised by the low 60 PSI compression while turning over with electric starter. Will recheck this after it runs for awhile to see if it changes.

Thanks again for all the helpful advice.

 

[TractorTech]

Good old Honda's. When they don't start, most likely an indication that there is som6wrong with the fuel.

 

[oldnslo]

Ran unit 30 minutes with my 3/8” drill plugged in so light load. Rechecked compression and little to no change at 60 - 65 PSI when at operating temp.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I think those "auto decompress" when starting.

SR