Honda Generator Problem

[Justinlw]

I have a Honda Harmony 2500 Generator. Recently the engine started surging at just over 1200w load. It's rated at 2300w constant. My question is: Would a dirty main jet in the carburetor cause the governer to go crazy when it is requesting more fuel to compensate for the load? I can't get a rebuild kit for this carb, I have to buy a new one for $40, so I want to make sure I'm working in the right direction.

[TXbroker]

Originally Posted by Justinlw

I have a Honda Harmony 2500 Generator. Recently the engine started surging at just over 1200w load. It's rated at 2300w constant. My question is: Would a dirty main jet in the carburetor cause the governer to go crazy when it is requesting more fuel to compensate for the load? I can't get a rebuild kit for this carb, I have to buy a new one for $40, so I want to make sure I'm working in the right direction.

How long did it site between uses and have you used any fuel additives since this started?

[SCUFFY828]

alot of times carbs need to be cleaned just cause they sit alot , id clean it and see if that helps

[Justinlw]

I was going to clean it up and blow out the main jet, air jet, etc.........but the auto parts stores around me still don't have power, and home depot stopped stocking carb cleaner. Wal-Mart is a nightmare to get into since nothing else is open. I had a gallon of B-12 Carburetor bath around here somewhere, but I can't find it anywhere now. My power is back up finally, but now a friend of mine is trying to use it to power his fridge and window unit a/c. I put the amprobe on it and it was only pulling 13 amps total. The generator is good for 20 amps continuous, but it starts surging like crazy and won't smooth out until you unplug something. I normally only plug around 1500 watts of lights into it when we go fishing, which used to be the generator's only purpose.

[SCUFFY828]

may be able to adjust the mixture screws temporarily to get it to quit surging until you can get it fixed correctly

[Justinlw]

I thought of that, too. There is only an idle air screw, and that can only be adjusted by 1/4 of a turn.

[Justinlw]

I might just shove some torch tip files in the main jet tonight and blow it out with fuel and compressed air to see if that smooths it out any. Thanks for the replies.

[TXbroker]

Reason I asked about additives was I juts broyght 2 geni's out of 2 year hybernation.

Ran stabil through them with 1/2 of fuel and cleaned them right up.

Ran real rough at first then smooth.

[Justinlw]

It hasn't been sitting too long, maybe a few months. It has been running now going on 6 days straight since we haven't had power. I thought about pouring some stp in it on the next tank to see what happens. I always store it with stabil in the tank, though.

[DAYTONA392005]

WHILE IT IS RUNNING, TRY PULLING THE CHOKE OUT A LITTLE AND SEE IF THIS HELPS.


IF IT DOES, THEN THE CARB NEEDS CLEANED.


THERE SHOULD ALSO BE A SCREW DOWN CLOSE TO THE FUEL BOWL IN THE CARB BODY.THIS ONE IS JUST A DRAIN FOR THE FUEL. I HAVE DRAINED IT BEFORE WITH LIMITED SUCCESS, BUT WORTH A TRY.