We are second generation RVers (Bob and Seana) and worked for many years producing magazines, articles, photographs and videos for Trailer Life, MotorHome and RV Buyers' Guide magazines.
We're continuing to share our lifelong passion for the lifestyle with a cornucopia of RV travel, tips and tricks and upgrade project videos here on RV-Smart.
Thanks for posting a clean and concise video. I use my Honda EU2000i generator at least once a year to announce a 4th of July parade for the City of Lake Forest (CA) and it was running rough. Didn't even know how to describe the noise it was making beyond it wasn't running smoothly. Now I know rough idle and surging. Took me longer to go to Walmart and get the carburetor cleaner and compressed air (which you need to be 18 years old to purchase - who knew?) than it did to take apart, clean, and reassemble . . . maybe 20 minutes max. My 10 year old generator is, once again, purring like a kitten. Should make you feel good that a video you posted about four years ago is still helping people around the world. Much appreciated.
Got this off the internet..."Ten Minute Tech" in Trailer Life Magazine: A subscriber used a window sash lock (one part on the door frame the other on the frame of the door sideways), it wouldn't work on our trailer because the door frame was too narrow as was the frame of the door to secure the sash lock. I will try to explain what I did. I made two bar locks which consisted of two pieces of flat metal, two open bent clips and a few screws. I screwed one bar into the door frame above the sliding plastic (to get to the door handle) and one underneath the sliding plastic. Both bars were screwed loose enough so the bars could rotate up or down, up to open the door down to "lock" the door. The bent clips were screwed into the trailer door frame (open end up) level with the bars on the door so the bars "dropped" into the clips to bar the door from opening (like the pioneers used to "lock" the cabin door). I also cut a flat piece of metal that fit in the horizontal screen door channel that fit between the rear vertical screen door frame and the closed sliding plastic piece, which prevented the sliding plastic from being opened. Two bars gives a bit more strength to the "lock". If someone really wanted in they would get the door open, but it would stop someone from just opening the door and give you time to react. I used this on a prior trailer that had no windows, just the bedroom door. Another project for the Cardinal.
Yeah, they are pretty clear that they don’t recommend them in winds above 20 mph. I Wil say that I use binder clips along the top edge of mine and they do seem to hold up better in the wind.
The only issue I had was when I pried out the jet, the o-ring remained in the carburetor. I had to use a bent paper clip as a pick to get it out and reinstall it on the jet. A bit of a PITA but once I got it back together, no more surging!! Thank you
Love the video as for the wire I laughed because I have used wire brush bristle many times. But at any hardware store you should be able to find a torch tip cleaner kit. It has varying sizes and comes in a small case they fit in the palm of your hand but each wire has ribs on it that helped you clean out the sides Of the opening as well. There are typically used for cleaning welding torch tips
Worked for me! My 18-month old log splitter has a GX200 Honda engine, and was proving difficult to start, was surging at low speed, and would then cut out when the speed was reduced to an idle. Removing the idle jet (size #38), cleaning it out with a 0.35mm diameter strand of wire, and then using an ultrasonic cleaner and carb cleaner, got it running perfectly! Many thanks!
Followed your instructions,it now runs perfectly, my friend was going to dump it after having paid £200.for a service and to rectify the fault,it came back worse,thanks a lot,brilliant,I've now got an operational generator for nothing. M.wood london uk.
I liked the price and the power rating I haven’t started it yet but it seems like a beefy machine. Like the brand name. What I didn’t like was I was promised a Bonus of a free cover if I filled out a review, tried and failed. Tried Customer Service and got no help. Hope they will be there if i really need them.
Great video! I’ve been researching this problem for quite some time and didn’t want to have to empty the gas tank to fix…even though that would still be a good idea. Could do in 10 minutes now that I’ve done it. Thank you!!
Thank you so much for your information I was about to take my generator to the local Honda centre and they said it would be about $250 to get into the carburetter to fix that problem I did it literally in 15 minutes thank you so much
Honda GX 630 pressure washer with only 85hrs On it started surging and backfiring soon as I let off the trigger and went into idle.. I replaced both coils, new fuel pump, new spark plugs, I even pulled out the pilot jet's and blew them out with compressed air.. put it all back together and still did the same thing backfiring and surging.. I watched this video followed his advice used the needle from a wire brush put it back together and it ran smooth as silk on idle.. that's one trick I'll never forget.. 👍
It seems to me you take it back. It probably means it's been sitting n their shelf a very long time with gas in it or they sold you a used unit. Either way it shouldn't be your responsibility to fix it.
Super-newbie question of the day: I presume that one should drain all of the old gas prior to this repair or the problem would recur fairly quickly, correct? My Honda EU3000is and I thank you very much for this great video! Cheers.
Did you run the gas out? It seems like otherwise there would be gas everywhere. Just curious before I get into it. My generator is running so choppy I don't really want to run it, so should I clamp the input line and drain the carb, or does something prevent fuel flowing out when the jet is removed?
Interesting - Thank you for the wire tip. Do you think it would run badly if the jet was worn larger from a larger wire? -- I haven't encountered the issue but this should save some $$ - especially since my local repair shop didn't survive the COVID shutdown.
Thank you! This was an easy fix - once you laid it all out! For any guitar players out there the wire size that worked for me was an acoustic guitar light gauge E string (0.012). I tried a 0.013, but that felt too big and I didn't want to force it. Many thanks for an excellent video. Well Done!
Thanks for the video. I never knew the jet was so easy to remove in honda carbs. I have a slightly bigger model of generator and the carb is virtually the same. Best part for me was I had easier access to the carb without having to unscrew it from the engine first.
Dont use wire clean tips. Consult a dealer for proper carb cleaning. (I'm a yamaha, mercury, arctic cat, Polaris, stihl dealer) Improper carb cleaning techniques can cost you a carburetor. Some carbs cost over $700...be careful on internet info
Definitely not a mechanic. The proper tools were not used and proper carb cleaning procedures were not used but for a DIY person it may work....if you carburetor is not that bad. See an actual dealer for a proper carb clean for anything. Come from a dealer standpoint this is not a proper way to clean a carb
Any suggestions on making the spring sturdier on a screen door? I had to replace the spring but screws and washers won’t hold it firmly in place as the movement of the door loosens over time. I sprayed some foam inside the door to give the screw something to go into but only a temporary fix
I used the smallest needle n my wife's sewing kit.It juuust fit. We're Off grid using Solar/wind So this is a huge deal for backup power!!! Worked like a charm She's piring like a kitten.
