Honda EU1000-EU2000

[h8snow]

I own both of these generators was just wondering if anybody know how many hours they can run before the engines are worn out. I see a lot of extended run fuel systems for them. People must be accumulating a lot of hours. Thanks for any insight.

 

[JimPghPA]

I do not own one, but have seen post of 1200 to 2000 hours and more.

GC is a great oil for them.

 

[OrdnanceMarine]

I don't think I'll ever run my EU2000 enough to wear it out but if you think you're in that boat I'd be sure to use a good synthetic oil and probably even track hours and run 2-3 UOAs so you know how your oil is doing and develop a good oil change interval. Besides that I'd make sure to store it in a dry clean place and do as they say by pulling the starter slowly until the valve is closed before you put it away to keep air from exchanging inside of the combustion chamber. Anything you can do to keep corrosion down ought to help it last a little longer. Other thought would be to let it warm up under a light load before you hit it with a full load and let it cool off after heavy loads before you shut it down.

 

[Jim_Truett]

I have seen one that was reported to have over 4400 hours on it, with only regular scheduled oil changes and a valve adjustment every 1000 hours. I wish I could find the thread, I would post it here.

I work for a large water wholesaler and we have at least 25 Honda EU2000i generators. In my department alone we have 12 and each truck carries one to provide emergency power to water delivery facilities during power outages, scheduled maintenance, and emergencies. We have several six gallon tanks and we have been known to run the generators continuously for several days at a time. Fleet maintenance does not track the hours on the small equipment, and most of the guys don't know or care about the service requirements. Seven of the generators are from 2001, and are probably on their second oil change in that 10 year span, and that would be the bulk 15w40 the diesel trucks are serviced with. They still start on the first or second pull, and do not smoke. The other 5 are new this year and still on the initial fill of the same oil.

Basically just run good oil, change it every fifty hours, and check the spark plug once a year. It will last you a long time. If we can't kill them with our abuse, you won't with your care.

 

[meep]

I've prolly got 50 hours on mine in 2 years, and it's just now breaking in after running a 1500 watt space heater for far too long. I say this because typically it will puff a little white smoke on cold start, but now does not.

Does anyone know if this is based on the GC or GX engine?

M

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: Jim_Truett
I have seen one that was reported to have over 4400 hours on it, with only regular scheduled oil changes and a valve adjustment every 1000 hours.


4400 is a LOT of hours for a small air cooled gas engine, but I suppose possible given the right conditions; Kept cool, premium oils used (or cheaper oil changed often), not too dusty, etc.

2000hrs is a reasonable expectation I'd think.

Joel

 

[meep]

Originally Posted By: JTK
Originally Posted By: Jim_Truett
I have seen one that was reported to have over 4400 hours on it, with only regular scheduled oil changes and a valve adjustment every 1000 hours.


4400 is a LOT of hours for a small air cooled gas engine, but I suppose possible given the right conditions; Kept cool, premium oils used (or cheaper oil changed often), not too dusty, etc.

2000hrs is a reasonable expectation I'd think.

Joel


There was a homebrew genset article done by homepower mag a few years ago-- belt drive a OPE engine to an alternator, turn the lowest revs you can sustain for fuel efficiency, and run for hours on end to condition solar battery banks, or for supplemental power when the sun don't shine.

They went through a bunch of small, presumably used engines. Said typical tecumseh lasted something like 700 hrs in this service, typical briggs a little less, then they found a flathead honda. 2000+ hrs on it and no failures at that point. They didn't mention what it was but I'm sure it was a GX.

Poor thing was all intact but looked beat to heck.

M

 

[h8snow]

Been using mine at the cabin probably have less than 100 hours total on one each one. Use Mobile 1 10w30 change every 30 hours or less just to easy not to. The only problem i have had is with the EU2000 the crank case vent freezes up the carb when it is run at below zero temps really a pain. Almost sold it a few years ago because of the carb icing just shuts down after @ 3 hours. The EU1000 does not seem to freeze up so bad thought about going to a type of oil maybe something that holds heat better. I am in Alaska. Thanks.

 

[Cujet]

Seems they last a long time and you get your money's worth.

 

[OrdnanceMarine]

I did recently discover that you can't leave fuel in the carb for two months and expect it to start. Brand new EU2000i, fresh fuel from a high-volume fuel station, 91 octane, Sta-bil, cool and dry storage, completely full tank, fuel vent closed. All this and no start. I had to pull the carb apart and clean the jet. Worked just fine after that. I'm now convinced that the only way to store it is with a drained carb bowl. A friend of mine would only store his with absolutely no fuel in it at all. Makes you really appreciate the mandatory ethanol that we have in our gasoline (two thumbs down).

 

[meep]

I've let my eu2000i sit 2-3 months once or twice. stabil was in the tank. prolly a 4-5 pull start. It's gotta run every 2-3 weeks to get a 2-3 pull start.

I'm more concerned with lack of fuel filtration, carb clogging, as the GC engines are prone to clog. there's no room in the case to add a small motorcycle fuel filter!!

M

 

[boraticus]

If Stabil is so effective, why the need to start the engine every 2-3 weeks? You could do the same with straight gasoline and save the expense of useless additives.

 

[meep]

If it runs every 2-3 weeks, it's because I use it 2-3 weeks. It's not a planned regimen. Otherwise it sits. Same 5 gallon gas can also feeds the trimmer and blower, so those 5 gals can sit for a while depending on the season, and some engines are more picky than others. I've had 6 month untreated fuel run great in a honda and poorly in a pathfinder and barely/not-at-all in a trimmer. So if it's in a can, it gets additive...

 

[OrdnanceMarine]

Originally Posted By: meep
I've let my eu2000i sit 2-3 months once or twice. stabil was in the tank. prolly a 4-5 pull start. It's gotta run every 2-3 weeks to get a 2-3 pull start.

I'm more concerned with lack of fuel filtration, carb clogging, as the GC engines are prone to clog. there's no room in the case to add a small motorcycle fuel filter!!

M


Probably has something to do with the additives in the gasoline that we have here vs. what you've got. There was absolutely no fuel getting through the carb in my example as evident by no smell of unburned gasoline coming out of the exhaust after 50-100 pulls. Brand new generator, fresh gasoline and essentially ideal storage conditions and no start two months later. On the other hand my 24 year old Honda mower with a barely-engaging starter will sit weeks and still start on the first pull if it's not cold outside.