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optimistic
Member
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# Posted: 12 Jan 2025 06:23pm
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Hey
My honda 2200w is turning 1 year old and I am over due for the dealer maintenance per the schedule and engine run times. It lists:
1. valve clearance - check/adjust
2. Combustion chamber - clean
3. Fuel tank and filter - clean
4. fuel tube - check
Looking at my local honda dealers from honda's website - non are really close and those that are - don't have such good reviews on google maps.
I saw a much loved local "small engine repair" shop near my cabin but he isn't a honda authorized dealer.. I don't want to mess with my warranty. Can I bring it to him or is that an issue?
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toyota_mdt_tech
Member
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# Posted: 12 Jan 2025 06:35pm
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Here is what I would do. Change oil, inspect and clean air filter if needed, but bet it doesnt. You can put a new plug in it, but not really needed.
Plugs, oil change and inspect air filter is all I have ever done to mine, zero issues. First EU2000i was close to 20 years old.
I did use the original OE Honda oil in 10W30, takes about .75 qt. You can get that oil from Home Depot also.
You wont ever have a warranty claim, I speak from experience. (currently own 3 Honda generators, 4th one, gave to my sister.
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optimistic
Member
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# Posted: 12 Jan 2025 06:57pm
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I'm at 550hr... Thinking maybe it is good to do those dealer things.
Oil change and spark plug I have done and do on time.
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 12 Jan 2025 08:54pm
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The exhaust valves on 4 stroke engines tend to get tighter (they live in a hostile environment), the intakes not so much. A too tight exhaust valve will 'burn' and you lose compression.
I don't know if you can get the tip of a mechanic's stethoscope on the valve cover but is so you can listen for a tick-tick-tick telling you there is valve clearance (not too tight). Listen to both sides. No tick is bad.
Typically the exhaust should have a bit more clearance than the intake so try to tell if it sounds that way.
If you hear light ticking great, not likely you'll hear TICK-TICK-TICK but that would be excessive.
I know, it is subjective....and Ive listened to a lot of engines; still worth a shot.
Maybe bounce that idea off your local guy.
Btw, if you don't have a stethoscope you may be able to use a long shank screwdriver with the hard handle at your ear.
De-coking the combustion chamber means pulling the head off ($$$) and rarely needed since unleaded/reduced lead gasoline (decades now). Forget it.
Do the filters, at least inspect, clean or replace.
Change the oil At Least as often as recommended.
Use a premium oil; I use synthetic.
Fuel tube is check for cracking, they do deteriorate over time but Honda rubber is very good. Visually check and fold over a little looking for cracking and make sure the rubber is still supple.
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DaveBell
Moderator
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# Posted: 13 Jan 2025 05:12am
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When the "kid" at the shop screws up your equipment you'll say I could have done it myself.
Quoting: optimistic 1. valve clearance - check/adjust (feeler gauge, flat tip screw driver, wrench.) 2. Combustion chamber - clean (BG-44K, proportion the amount, more is not better) 3. Fuel tank and filter - clean (check for junk in tank and on filter) 4. fuel tube - check
(this is the tube between carb and the tank. It goes bad every few years and needs replaced. Take it with you and buy the same size.)
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 19 Jan 2025 08:58am
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Quoting: toyota_mdt_tech warranty claim, I speak from experience. (currently own 3 Honda generators, 4th one, gave to my sister
Did a load of laundry yesterday using my old Honda generator (battery bank was low). Bought it from a friend for 100 when he switched to a new larger HF Predator. Only 1400w I think. Ran the washer fine but wouldn’t spin the dryer. I think I changed the oil when I got it. Valves, ignition.. forget it. Probably outlast me.
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 20 Jan 2025 02:56pm
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550hrs and you didnt touch the valves? I guess that's a honda, how ever I would definitely check the clearance.
I have a 1kw sportsman and 4500w champion. At about 100hrs on each they started running like crap. The 1kw sounded like a rod knock and blowing smoke. The 4500w was nearly locked up with the pull rope. Adjusted the valves and both where purring away this weekend at 5*f. The valve adjustment spec on these are at 250hrs.
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 20 Jan 2025 04:47pm
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Oh...550 hrs in 1 year! I missed the hours part. Wow, that is 1.5hr/day every day average.
Yeah, pay to have the valve service done IF you aren't someone that likes working on gas engines. Ive seen way too many valve adjustments done badly wrong by the inexperienced that fully thought they understood the process.
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 21 Jan 2025 03:23pm
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Quoting: gcrank1 have the valve service done IF you aren't someone that likes working on gas engines
Came across my old valve and seat grinder trying to clean up my life at the house last weekend. Did a lot of work with it, especially in the old days of cast iron heads/seats, particularly when unleaded gas became the norm.
Never had much of a problem with Hondas, aluminum heads with hardened seats and good valves. They were mostly just dirt bikes though, not the kind of hours mentioned here.
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ICC
Member
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# Posted: 21 Jan 2025 04:28pm
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Quoting: paulz Came across my old valve and seat grinder
Got any flathead grinder tools? I sold some FH ford V8 tools a few years back for pretty good money, along with the old collection of ?j?u?n?k? rare parts
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 21 Jan 2025 07:26pm
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Don’t really know. The flathead in the Bantam was fresh when I got it, an old circle track racer had stuck it in there. I did put a new cam in it when I put the blower on, but I can’t honestly remember taking the valves out. Crower out of Dan Diego ground it. Must have, how else would you slide the cam?
I ground mostly old motorcycle heads. V8s went to machine shops.
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ICC
Member
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# Posted: 21 Jan 2025 11:37pm
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Dad was a big fan of flathead Ford V8's. He had assorted genuine Ford special tools and a small barn full of parts, some NOS too. I like the old 30s to 50s cars and truck but never had much use for the engines. Though dressed up with finned Al heads, etc..they do look cool. They don't breath unless blown. Then you only have 3 main bearings. It can cost more to build a flattie than to build a mild SBC. I sold off all Dads old parts and assorted odds'n'ends. The old speed equipment heads and Merc cranks can bring in some dollars.
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travellerw
Member
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# Posted: 23 Jan 2025 11:29am
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Ok.. I'm not saying this is right.... BUT..
I have owner 3 Honda 2000s over the years. 2 of them were on our boat and used to run our water maker. We retired the first one with probably 2500 hours on it.
For any of my Hondas I have never done anything more than oil change, air filter cleaning, spark plug replacement and recoil rope replacement.
They were bulletproof. Always started on the first or second pull and just purred along. So, I wouldn't stress too much about getting that servicing done. Dave gave the best advice. Do it yourself! I will bet there are more than one video on Youtube showing the whole process.
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ICC
Member
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# Posted: 23 Jan 2025 11:53am
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Quoting: travellerw For any of my Hondas I have never done anything more than oil change, air filter cleaning, spark plug replacement and recoil rope replacement.
Same; except for the one that was struck by lightning.
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Nobadays
Member
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# Posted: 24 Jan 2025 09:52am
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Quoting: Brettny 550hrs and you didnt touch the valves? I guess that's a honda, how ever I would definitely check the clearance.
Looks like I have a maintenance job I hadn't even thought about. My old Predator 3500 has 1100 hours on it and other than , air cleaner, plug, regular oil changes I haven't done anything... oh and clean the spark arrestor. Looks like I should check valve lash!
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 24 Jan 2025 08:37pm
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Quoting: Nobadays Looks like I have a maintenance job I hadn't even thought about. My old Predator 3500 has 1100 hours on it and other than , air cleaner, plug, regular oil changes I haven't done anything... oh and clean the spark arrestor. Looks like I should check valve lash!
Honestly I always look for used deals so often that I have bought about 4 new gas powered items in my life. Two of them where generators and both of then had running issues at the same time.
The other two where a honda ATV in 1998 and a pressure washer that has about 6hrs on it.
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Nobadays
Member
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# Posted: 25 Jan 2025 10:09am
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Quoting: Brettny Honestly I always look for used deals so often that I have bought about 4 new gas powered items in my life.
Same here, except the old Predator with 1100 hrs on it.
I bought a Westinghouse 4500 dual fuel two years ago for $150. The guy I got it from called it a "fixer up'er" because he couldn't get it to run on propane and the electric start wouldn't work, started by the pull rope in two pulls. The hour meter had 2 hours on it! I replaced the electric start electronic board for $45 and that fixed the start issue. The propane I didn't mess with because I don't need it. I have to say it was a good generator until it died last spring while using it. Only has 12 hours on it now but won't start. I haven't dug into it other than the obvious things like fuel, spark arrestor, plug and oil sensor...but I'm guessing it's something simple as it died like you just shut it off.
I'll stick to my Predators... I bought another used one last winter for $300 with 270 hours on it. It runs great! I know Hondas are likely the best generators out there but I can buy 3 Predators for the price of 1 Honda. So far I've gotten 7 years and 1100 hours out of the first Predator and it still runs and operates like new.
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