Issues Typically Seen With Honda Generators
Keeping up with your generator’s normal maintenance at predetermined time intervals will help limit the number of issues that crop up over the course of its lifespan. But, if you possess a mechanical product for a sufficient amount of time, you will most certainly run into some kind of problem at some point.
To assist you in the event that this occurs, I have included troubleshooting charts that will identify the root cause of the majority of typical Honda generator issues. In the event that you need more assistance, you will discover links to articles providing assistance in greater depth.
The following are the Honda generator issues that arise most frequently:
- The generator will not start.
- The generator kicks on before shutting down again.
- Gas is escaping from the generator.
- Generator bogs down under load
Before doing any work on your generator, you must remember to always follow all of the necessary safety procedures. This information is available in the owner’s manual that came with your Honda. Before making any repairs, you should always remove the wire from the spark plug and wait until the engine has cooled down.
Table of Contents
The generator will not start.
When you start looking for a reason why your Honda generator won’t start, and it won’t even turn over, check the starter recoil on a model with a manual start, and check the battery, ignition switch, and starter solenoid on a model with an electric start. If you still can’t figure out why it won’t turn over, check the starter recoil on a model with an electric start.
If your generator will turn over but won’t really start, you should search for problems that might be causing a limitation in the fuel, air, or spark supply. It’s possible that the fuel filter is blocked, the gasoline lines are clogged, the carburetor is unclean, the fuel tank vent is broken, the spark plug is broken, or the ignition coil is broken.
Have a look at the following information for more details on the factors that could keep your Honda from starting:
Detailed information can be found at:
Reasons a Honda Generator will not start.
| Cause | Reason for Problem | Solution |
| Empty gasoline tank | There is no petrol in the tank at all. | Refill the tank with clean gasoline. |
| Poor or old gasoline | As time passes, gasoline deteriorates, causing it to become less effective and increasing the risk that it could clog the fuel system or damage its components. | Empty the tank of its gasoline. To prevent the gas from going bad and to keep the fuel system clean, fill it up with new gasoline and add a fuel additive such as Sea Foam. |
| Depending on the model, a faulty fuel tank vent may be located in the gasoline cap or in another sort of fuel tank vent. | It’s possible for the fuel tank vent to get clogged, which would result in the tank creating a vacuum and reducing gasoline flow. | If your gas cap is clogged or damaged in any way, as well as any other form of gasoline tank vent that could be located on top of your fuel tank, you need to replace it. |
| Defective spark plug | A spark plug that is excessively dusty or damaged, has a poor connection, or is not gapped adequately. | Replace it with a brand-new spark plug, make sure the connections are tight, and gap it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. |
| A malfunctioning ignition coil | If the ignition coil is defective in any way, your generator will not start because it will be unable to provide the necessary voltage to the spark plug in order to produce a spark. | Examine and perhaps repair a faulty ignition coil. |
| obstructed air filtering system | The air filter might get clogged with dirt, which will restrict airflow from reaching the carburetor. | Take out the filter and give it a good cleaning. If the filter is in poor condition, you should replace it. |
| Blocked fuel filter | If the fuel filter is unclean, the flow of gasoline will be restricted. | It’s time to change the gasoline filter. |
| clogged or obstructed gasoline lines | Dirt and stale gasoline deposits may accumulate in the fuel lines and cause them to get clogged, which prevents the engine from receiving the necessary amount of fuel. | To clear the obstruction from the gasoline line, you may make use of a carburetor cleaner as well as compressed air. If required, the line should be replaced. |
| An unclean carburetor | Due to poor gasoline quality and ethanol deposits, the carburetor might get dusty and blocked, which prevents fuel from flowing properly. | It is important to clean all of the components that make up the carburetor. If necessary, replace it. |
| Low engine oil level | When the engine oil level becomes too low, a sensor on a Honda generator prevents the engine from running. This serves to safeguard the engine. | Position on a level surface, and then add oil as necessary to bring it up to the maximum level shown on the oil dipstick. |
| erroneous choke setting or a choke that is trapped | Before starting a cold engine, the choke must be engaged in order to limit the flow of air. When the engine has reached operating temperature, the switch has to be turned off. | Check to see that the choke is adjusted appropriately. Verify that the choke linkage is operating correctly and that the choke is not jammed into place if the setting seems to be right. |
| Broken starter recoil | There is a possibility that the recoil on a pull-start generator is broken or damaged, which would prohibit the recoil from starting your engine. | Examine the recoil to determine whether or not it is possible to restring it and whether or not the damaged pieces can be replaced. In the event that it is necessary, replace the recoil assembly. |
| Problems with the battery, the wiring, and the terminals (electric start) | The inability of a battery to maintain a healthy charge will prevent the generator from starting. | Put the battery on charge. If the battery is unable to maintain its charge, you should get a new battery. |
| Faulty starter solenoid (electric start) | Failure of the solenoid may be caused by either a weakening of the solenoid’s internal spring or corrosion of the copper plate. | Bypassing the solenoid can help you determine whether or not it was the cause of the failure. If it is broken, you should replace it. |
| A malfunctioning ignition switch (electric start) | With Honda automobiles equipped with an electronic starter, the switch often fails. | Use a multimeter to carry out some testing on the switch. Until you are able to make repairs, you should start the engine using the manual recoil starter rather than the electric starter. |
The generator kicks on before shutting down again
There are numerous things that may keep a Honda generator from starting, and many of those things are also things that could cause the generator to stop working once it has already been started.
Spent gas is a factor that may lead to the failure of numerous components, and it is also a factor that can restrict the amount of fuel available. It is possible for it to evaporate, and once it does, it will leave behind sticky residues in the carburetor, gasoline lines, and fuel filter.
A fuel restriction may also be the result of a malfunctioning or clogged vent in the fuel tank. If the engine does not get the correct quantity of fuel, its performance will suffer, and it is possible that it could become inoperable entirely.
In addition to this, you need to look for anything that might hinder the flow of air or sparks so that they can’t get through. These problems might manifest themselves in a variety of ways, including a blocked air filter, a clogged spark arrestor, a dirty spark plug, or a faulty ignition coil.
Detailed information can be found at:
Honda Generator kicks on before shutting down again
| Cause | Reason for Problem | Solution |
| Poor gasoline | As time passes, gasoline degrades, making it less effective and increasing the risk that it can block the fuel system or cause harm to the engine. | First, the gasoline tank should be emptied, and then it should be refilled with new fuel. To prevent the gasoline from deteriorating and to aid in cleaning the fuel system, you should use a fuel additive such as Sea Foam. |
| Blocked fuel filter | If the gasoline filter is unclean, the fuel supply to the carburetor will be reduced. | It’s time to change the gasoline filter if it’s clogged. |
| obstructed air filtering system | The air filter might get clogged with dirt and grass, blocking airflow. | Take out the filter and give it a good cleaning. If the filter is in poor condition, you should replace it. |
| Clogged gasoline lines | Deposits of contaminated gasoline and dirt may accumulate and block the fuel lines, which prevents the engine from receiving the necessary amount of fuel. | To remove the blockage from the gasoline line, you may use a carb cleaner in conjunction with compressed air. |
| An unclean carburetor | Due to poor gasoline quality and ethanol deposits, the carburetor might get dusty and blocked, which prevents fuel from flowing properly. | It is important to clean all of the components that make up the carburetor. If necessary, replace it. |
| Poor Gas Cap / Fuel Tank Vent | It’s possible for the fuel tank vent to get clogged, which would result in the tank creating a vacuum and reducing gasoline flow. | If your gas cap is clogged or damaged in any way, as well as any other form of gasoline tank vent that could be located on top of your fuel tank, you need to replace it. |
| A Spark Plug That Is Soiled | An intermittent spark might be caused by a spark plug that is filthy. | Spark plug replacement is required if it is extremely filthy. Check to see that the electrode gap is set appropriately and that the spark plug wire is fastened adequately. |
| A malfunctioning ignition coil | In the event that the ignition coil fails, it will be unable to provide the spark plug with electricity. | Use an ohmmeter to check the state of the ignition coil. When you discover a break in the continuity, you should replace the ignition coil. |
| Low Engine Oil Level | When the engine oil level becomes too low, a sensor on a Honda generator prevents the engine from running. This serves to safeguard the engine. | Position on a level surface, and then add oil as necessary to bring it up to the maximum level shown on the oil dipstick. |
Gas is escaping from the generator
There is a chance that the generator you have purchased from Honda is the source of the odor of gas. Since exposure to fumes might be harmful, you must first identify the source of the leak before carrying on with the operation of the generator.
When a generator begins to leak fluids, one of the most likely areas for the leak to originate is in the carburetor. It is possible that the bowl gasket of the carburetor does not properly seal, or that internal components may get caught, either of which allows an excessive quantity of gasoline to enter the bowl, causing it to overflow. This issue may also arise if the internal elements of the carburetor become trapped.
In addition to the fuel shut-off valve and the gasoline tank, the fuel filter, fuel lines, and fuel tank should all be examined for any fuel leaks.
Detailed information can be found at:
This is Where Gas is escaping from the generator
| Reason for Problem | Solution | |
|---|---|---|
| An unclean carburetor | The carburetor has the potential to accumulate a buildup of compounds that are left over from old gas, which may lead to blockages or the breakdown of equipment. | The carburetor should be cleaned, and any broken components should be replaced. |
| Weak fuel filter | The filter’s plastic may deteriorate with time, which may cause it to leak at the seams. | It’s time to change the gasoline filter. |
| Fuel tank | A rust hole may form in a metal container over time. The seams of a poly tank have the potential to develop leaks. | It’s time to get a new gasoline tank. Even if you are unable to get a new tank, it may still be possible to patch a rust hole in the tank. |
| Turn-off valve for the fuel supply | Both plastic and metal shut-off valves have a propensity for leaking. | Switch out the valve that controls the shutoff. |
| Old gasoline lines | The fuel lines eventually grow dry and fracture, which allows gas to escape. | It’s time to change the gasoline lines. Make sure the gasoline line is fastened to the fuel components with the appropriate clamps by checking them out. |
Generator bogs down under load
When a Honda generator has a drop in output power when it is operating in a loaded condition, the problem is usually typically brought on by a restriction in the flow of either air or fuel. There’s also the potential that you’re trying to use your generator to power more items than it was designed to deal with. This might cause it to overheat and fail.
Detailed information can be found at:
This is Why Your Honda Generator Bogs Down Under Load
| Cause | Reason for Problem | Solution |
| Too Much Weight Is Being Carried | It is possible to bog down the generator by overloading it with more plugged-in objects than the load limit that the generator is rated for. | Examine the load limit for the generator. To make sure that the total load doesn’t go above the permitted amount, add up the wattage of everything that will be plugged in at the same time. |
| Poor or old gasoline | As time passes, gasoline deteriorates, causing it to become less effective and increasing the risk that it could clog the fuel system or damage its components. | Empty the tank of its gasoline. To prevent the gas from going bad and to keep the fuel system clean, fill it up with new gasoline and add a fuel additive such as Sea Foam. |
| Clogged fuel filter | If the gasoline filter is unclean, the fuel supply to the carburetor will be reduced. | If the gasoline filter is blocked, replace it. |
| obstructed air filtering system | The air filter might get clogged with dirt and grass, which blocks the passage of air. | Take out the filter and give it a good cleaning. If the filter is in poor condition, you should replace it. |
| erroneous choke setting or a choke that is trapped | While starting a cold engine, the choke is utilized to limit the airflow into the engine. If it is not adjusted correctly, the amount of air that is available to allow the generator to function properly will be reduced. | When the engine has reached operating temperature, the choke should be moved to its open or off position so that the engine can get the necessary amount of air to continue to operate. |
| Plugged spark arrestor | If there is a buildup of material in the spark arrestor screen, then air will not be able to move freely through the exhaust. | Take off the spark arrestor screen and clean it with any kind of liquid or a very fine metal brush. Repairing a broken screen is not possible. |
| An unclean carburetor | Due to poor gasoline quality and ethanol deposits, the carburetor might get dusty and blocked, which prevents fuel from flowing properly. | You need to clean each and every component that makes up the carburetor. If necessary, replace it. |
