Need advice on starting old generator (Honda EM 400)

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Need advice on starting old generator (Honda EM 400)

Posted: 10/17/2016 2:51:55 PM EDT

Just got my grandfather's old EM 400. I hasn't been started in at least 15 years. It still has gas in it. I have the manual in .pdf.

My plan is to:
1. Empty the gas, & refill with alcohol free.
2. Check the plug.
3. Replace the oil.
4. Check the air filter.
5. Try to start it.

Any other advice?

What is it worth if it runs? That will tell me how much I can put into it if necessary. My guess is abut $75.

Posted: 10/17/2016 3:45:38 PM EDT

[#1]

Might want to pull the carb off and clean the bowl and jet.

Posted: 10/17/2016 3:47:28 PM EDT

[#2]

Quote History

Quoted:
Might want to pull the carb off and clean the bowl and jet.

View Quote

What he said

Posted: 10/17/2016 3:51:17 PM EDT

[#3]

My guess is you will need a carb rebuild and/or cleaning.

Posted: 10/17/2016 5:01:08 PM EDT

[#4]

Fuel lines, and most gaskets will be dry and "leaky," so be sure to do outside where there is less potential for damage or fire.

Posted: 10/17/2016 5:01:18 PM EDT

[#5]

I just went through this with my dad's generator, a 15 year old Coleman Powermate. It hadn't been started in 8 years and still had 8 year old gas (with sta-bil) in the tank. He did cutoff the fuel last time he used it and let the carb run dry.
I didn't know it had 8 year old gas in it until he told me later so I just opened the fuel cutoff, set the choke and gave it a good pull. It fired right up on that first pull and ran fine.

-Deke

Posted: 10/17/2016 11:16:17 PM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
What is it worth if it runs? That will tell me how much I can put into it if necessary. My guess is abut $75.

View Quote

You might be surprised.

Older Honda "lunchbox" generators have a loyal following.

Posted: 10/22/2016 3:31:28 PM EDT

[#7]

Successful Update:

I followed my plan:

1. Empty the gas, & refill with alcohol free.
2. Check the plug.
3. Replace the oil.
4. Check the air filter.
5. Try to start it

I did not pull the bowl or check the jet because I was worried about any gaskets.

It started on about the 20th pull and runs fine.

Thanks all for the help.

Posted: 10/24/2016 7:55:46 PM EDT

[#8]

Those are awesome little gens. Indestructible - except rust. I'd run two tanks of gas with seafoam through it to really blast out the system. That should help clean any carb/fuel system deposits.

Posted: 10/24/2016 10:08:42 PM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:
Those are awesome little gens. Indestructible - except rust. I'd run two tanks of gas with seafoam through it to really blast out the system. That should help clean any carb/fuel system deposits.

View Quote

Wilco. Seafoam ordered.

Posted: 10/24/2016 10:38:01 PM EDT

[#10]

only thing i'd done diffrent would be to drop a bit of marvel mystery oil on the piston and let it soak a bit.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Need advice on starting old generator (Honda EM 400)

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