Today I will show you the right way to store the Honda EU2200i generator for long term storage. It is important to store your small generator the right way to ensure that it is ready to go in an emergency. Check out the links to the items mentioned down below: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links, which means if you click through and make a purchase, I'll receive a small commission. It does not affect the price you pay. Generator Cover: amzn.to/45VP50z STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer: amzn.to/43Az923 Honda EU2200i Generator: amzn.to/43TXPlT
I start my EU2200's once every six months, and run them for 30 minutes, eco throttles off ( I bought them for home back-up only, nothing else). They start with two pulls every time and run very smoothly. I store them with full tanks of VP 4-cycle fuel, carbs empty. They are great machines.
Literally went through this yesterday when we had an outage in the morning, i.e. a "coffee and tea emergency" for my wife and I. 2000i wouldn't start, despite running it last year and having treated the gas. Had to pull it all apart and found the problem was dirty jets & gummed up fuel pump lines - carb was not getting fuel. Once it was back together, it fired up on the 2nd pull. Moral of the story: use non-ethanol fuel and run it every few months to make sure it's ready when you need it.
Two items for long term storage: 1. remove the spark plug, pour in just a bit of motor oil, tilt the generator so the cylinder head is parallel to the ground, pull the starter rope slowly to cycle the piston up and down to evenly distribute the oil. Then reinsert the spark plug. 2. Pull the starter rope gently until the point of maximum resistance. This will be the top of the compression stroke where the intake and exhaust valves are fully closed. This serves 2 functions, to keep air from circulating into the cylinder and to relieve valve spring pressure when stored.
Agree with most of this, which is from the Honda long term storage section from my EG2800i. Maybe it’s a difference between the 2200 and the 2800 but the manual for mine does not recommend repositioning the unit when lubricating the cylinder wall with the injected oil and the spark plug out. FWIW
Just had an issue with getting mine started after a 6 month sit. Would not start at all. Then I saw a video that said to pull the handle in off position 4 or 5 times. That primed the carb and it started right up. Talk about feeling like a moron. Will drain it completely and get new fuel it now. Using it to power a pitching machine for sons baseball team this year.
I had issues with my Honda 2200 and could not get it started after 5 months of not running it. Basically brand new with only 27 hours of run time. Even though I was using non-ethanol fuel I ended up have to clean the carburetor and the jets. After learning this lesson I made the added expense of converting and installing propane fuel kits to both generators. Unlike gasoline, propane can be stored indefinitely. Also I have not noticed a power loss as his been claimed by others.
@@Asidebar I follow the process in this video but I check and run my two EU2000i every six months and flush the fuel out after 12 months. I have had no problems. Using the fuel stabilizer is key. The benefit is that they are ready to go when the power goes out. My 2 EU2000i are over 25 years old and have always worked when I needed them. Honda is the best.
@@papajo7316 My Troy-Bilt has hundreds of hours on it from 17 years of use. Buying based on Brand alone is a short-sighted approach and often times a huge waste of money. Proper storage and maintenance is far more important than Brand.
I just don't bother "storing" mine. Run non-ethanol fuel in all my small engines 100% of the time and use PRI-G in the gas containers at the pump so it has stabilizer in it right from point of purchase. Then I start them every 3-5 weeks and let them run until they warm up (or use them for something for a little while if I have a project to do). Like Steve on the Steve's Small Engine Saloon channel says, instead of storage, "Exercise your equipment". Thinkin' about that, it applies to other kind of equipment as well! 😂
I always shut OFF the fuel supply to the generator to let it die on its own thinking that starves the carb from fuel. No fuel = no clogging. Well that was WRONG. Somehow there was fuel left in the carb and it gummed up. I did this and let it sit for about 6 months, come back and it barely started and it was surging during idle and shut off under load. Pulled the carb out and pulled the idle jet and the main jet. Both were clogged up and all 3 fuel passages were clogged up. After cleaning the jets and the fuel passages, and using the same fuel in the tank, it fired up and ran smooth and stayed on during load. So now, i dont even do the storage thing, i just run it like once per month for about 30 min with 25-50% load
It's BETTER to never leave gas in a generator for more than a month. Why would anyone leave gas in them when it's so easy to either run it out of drain it dry?
@@Asidebar Hello This is sometimes necessary when I have the dealer do the service once a year. But usually not. In addition, I use synthetic gasoline. I have gas cans that are more than two years old, and my generators all work perfectly. They start the first time. 👍
If I ran nothing but trufuel through my generator, would there be the need to do this? trying to decide how I want to store. my new generator as I really just have it for emergency situations.
You said to run it dry before filling the tank and storing it. But then you filled it, and ran it to "remove most of the fuel from the fuel hoses and the carburetor". Wasn't it already removed when it ran dry before filling it?
I plan on getting a conversion kit in the future to run mine on propane as well. From what I understand, when running it on propane, you just have to turn the gas off and let the generator burn the remaining gas.
Propane doesn't go bad in the same way as gas. Propane kits don't use a bowl and the carburetor in the same way gas does, you don't have crap staying in the carburetor, gas is injected straight into the air going in. Once you turn the gas off, then it's burned out of the generator and nothing is left. If you are storing for long period, read the user manual, it shows how to oil the piston and close the valves so it won't seize up.
Always put the stabilizer in your gas and mix it before you put it in your tank. Never ever leave gas in your tank in long-term storage drain all fuel out of your system this guy doesn't know what he's talking about
Burn off the old gas, and next, add engineered gas cycle through for a few minutes. Label generator with date and time. This is the best way to preserve the readiness of your generator.
Check your manual for your machine. Page 51 of my manual has a table with options for storage. Over 1 month is “extended storage” if you don’t stabilize your fuel and don’t run it. Over 6 months lists additional precautions. STORAGE TIME. RECOMMENDED SERVICE PROCEDURE TO PREVENT HARD STARTING Less than 1 month. No preparation required 1 to 2 months. Fill with fresh gasoline and add gasoline stabilizer＊ . Run the engine for 10 minutes to use up the non-treated gasoline. 2 to 6 months. Fill with fresh gasoline and add gasoline stabilizer＊ . Run the engine for 10 minutes to use up the non-treated gasoline. Or drain the gasoline (page 52 ). 6 months or more. Drain the gasoline (page 52 ). Remove the spark plug. Put a tablespoon of engine oil into the cylinder. Turn the engine slowly with the starter grip to distribute the oil. Reinstall the spark plug. Change the engine oil (page 42 ). After removal from storage, fill with fresh gasoline before starting. ＊ Use gasoline stabilizers that are formulated to extend storage life. Follow the instructions included with the gasoline stabilizer. Contact your authorized Honda generator dealer for gasoline stabilizer recommendations
@@ikeyeet8312 Gas goes bad. After 6 months, even premium with stabil will start to destabilize. You'd have to run the generator for a while to burn most gas, to replace it after a year. I don't think keeping it full is better than keeping it completely empty.
I've had 2 eu200 for 15 + years and always drained it empty and you are 100% correct One time I left gas on it and forgot about it next time I tried starting it I was not able to The carb was gunkd up with cristalyzed ethanol from the gasoline
You finished off the gas when running it with fuel shut off. It was pointless to "drain the carburetor" since all you did was drain the hose going out the bottom, air came from the carburetor when you unscrewed the drain screw, which allowed the hose to drain.
Before storage I pumped most of the gas from the tank. I then ran it to use up the 1/2 to 1 cup of fuel that wouldn't pump out. Once the tank, fuel lines, and carb were completely empty I opened the screw on the float bowl and got about another teaspoon out. It was as empty as it could ever get but the carb. still went bad on it. The first run after storage was last week and the engine stammers on idle and will surge slightly under load. This should never happen on a machine that only has 17 hours, one season of use, and has been pampered since new. I even store it in the original box in my basement to maintain a cool and constant temperature. I'm a little disappointed with Honda to say the least.
I have been using my 2000 eu Honda generator for 17 or 18 years and I use it a lot and have never had any problem with it.. no ethanol ..regular oil changes .. and that’s it.. I have never pulled the spark plug out… it’s running rn pulling my inverter ac…this is the most flawless piece of equipment I have ever used…
If the pump that you got your 94 octane gas from dispenses multiple octanes from the same nozzle, the first flush may be clearing the hose of the last user’s product. I pump the first gallon into my car before filling a can for my 4 cycle engines. Assuming the carburetor and jets are clean, It’s possible that the fuel filter is partially clogged. That would be an issue with the fuel supplier or the fuel storage chain. There are some videos available showing how to clean or replace it. Spark arrestor could also be clogged if generator was run with the choke on for too long. There are also videos showing that repair.
DO NOT STORE YOU HONDA GENERATOR WITH FUEL! This is total bullshit. Drain all gas out of the generator, remove the float bowl and drain it. Change oil and replace everything, take the spark plug out and pour a little oil on to the top of the piston. Replace spark plug. I put my generator back into its original box and store it in my pantry. This is how I store my generator for a year. After Milton did its damage, I pulled my generator out filled it with 93 octane. Pulled it one time and it started. My EU2200i is one of the best investment I have ever made.
None of that crap is necessary. I own several generators of various sizes and haven't had a single fuel issue in 17 years. The ONLY thing that's required is running the carb dry after each use. 93 octane does absolutely nothing in a low compression small engine. Just a waste of money.
@@ACommenterOnRUclips Unbelievable! There is NOT enough fuel in the system to do anything. Fuel evaporates quickly when exposed to air, often within 3 to 24 hours. Anyone with a brain knows that fuel evaporates with time, I guess this must have missed you.
If you are storing a generator, then you don't need one. Start and run it for 15 to 30 minutes once a month, and don't worry about all this nonsense. Listening to people trying to make pocket change will always lead you into trouble.
I always shut OFF the fuel supply to the generator to let it die on its own thinking that starves the carb from fuel. No fuel = no clogging. Well that was WRONG. I did this and let it sit for about 6 months, come back and it barely started and it was surging during idle and shut off under load. Pulled the carb out and pulled the idle jet and the main jet. Both were clogged up and all 3 fuel passages were clogged up. After cleaning the jets and the fuel passages, and using the same fuel in the tank, it fired up and ran smooth and stayed on during load. So now, i dont even do the storage thing, i just run it like once per month for about 30 min with 25-50% load
Today I will show you the right way to store the Honda EU2200i generator for long term storage. It is important to store your small generator the right way to ensure that it is ready to go in an emergency.
Check out the links to the items mentioned down below:
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links, which means if you click through and make a purchase, I'll receive a small commission. It does not affect the price you pay.
Generator Cover: amzn.to/45VP50z
STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer: amzn.to/43Az923
Honda EU2200i Generator: amzn.to/43TXPlT
I start my EU2200's once every six months, and run them for 30 minutes, eco throttles off ( I bought them for home back-up only, nothing else). They start with two pulls every time and run very smoothly. I store them with full tanks of VP 4-cycle fuel, carbs empty. They are great machines.
That's great fuel, it's actual fuel instead of polyolifins and a tiny bit of fuel=pump gas.
Literally went through this yesterday when we had an outage in the morning, i.e. a "coffee and tea emergency" for my wife and I. 2000i wouldn't start, despite running it last year and having treated the gas. Had to pull it all apart and found the problem was dirty jets & gummed up fuel pump lines - carb was not getting fuel. Once it was back together, it fired up on the 2nd pull. Moral of the story: use non-ethanol fuel and run it every few months to make sure it's ready when you need it.
That's exactly what I've been doing for the last 6 years. 👍😊
A carb can't get gummed up unless you're leaving fuel in it. Run it out of fuel after every use and it will never be a problem.
How long do you run it?
Man, Thank You for all that! ...A few more steps than I even knew were possible. 🙏
Hey, great video! Just ran my EU2200i for about 24 hours. The annual end-of-May power outage in north Texas.
BEST Generator out there.
Two items for long term storage: 1. remove the spark plug, pour in just a bit of motor oil, tilt the generator so the cylinder head is parallel to the ground, pull the starter rope slowly to cycle the piston up and down to evenly distribute the oil. Then reinsert the spark plug. 2. Pull the starter rope gently until the point of maximum resistance. This will be the top of the compression stroke where the intake and exhaust valves are fully closed. This serves 2 functions, to keep air from circulating into
the cylinder and to relieve valve spring pressure when stored.
Agree with most of this, which is from the Honda long term storage section from my EG2800i. Maybe it’s a difference between the 2200 and the 2800 but the manual for mine does not recommend repositioning the unit when lubricating the cylinder wall with the injected oil and the spark plug out.
FWIW
Using fuel without ethanol is a better Idea.
Just had an issue with getting mine started after a 6 month sit. Would not start at all. Then I saw a video that said to pull the handle in off position 4 or 5 times. That primed the carb and it started right up. Talk about feeling like a moron. Will drain it completely and get new fuel it now. Using it to power a pitching machine for sons baseball team this year.
run all small motors out of gas works everytime small engine shop owner 35 years
This 100%
@@nodak81 you bet
Run until the engine cuts out? Is that safe for the generator?
@@roque-au-parcus been doing it for over 30 years never any issues
It is interesting to see how much fuel was left in the float bowl after he ran it out of fuel.
I had issues with my Honda 2200 and could not get it started after 5 months of not running it. Basically brand new with only 27 hours of run time. Even though I was using non-ethanol fuel I ended up have to clean the carburetor and the jets. After learning this lesson I made the added expense of converting and installing propane fuel kits to both generators. Unlike gasoline, propane can be stored indefinitely. Also I have not noticed a power loss as his been claimed by others.
Awesome, I just recently converted mine to be able to use propane as well. I love it.
You should never leave gas in a generator for over a month. Converting it to propane makes it less powerful.
@@Asidebar I follow the process in this video but I check and run my two EU2000i every six months and flush the fuel out after 12 months. I have had no problems. Using the fuel stabilizer is key. The benefit is that they are ready to go when the power goes out. My 2 EU2000i are over 25 years old and have always worked when I needed them. Honda is the best.
@@papajo7316 My Troy-Bilt has hundreds of hours on it from 17 years of use. Buying based on Brand alone is a short-sighted approach and often times a huge waste of money. Proper storage and maintenance is far more important than Brand.
I just don't bother "storing" mine. Run non-ethanol fuel in all my small engines 100% of the time and use PRI-G in the gas containers at the pump so it has stabilizer in it right from point of purchase. Then I start them every 3-5 weeks and let them run until they warm up (or use them for something for a little while if I have a project to do). Like Steve on the Steve's Small Engine Saloon channel says, instead of storage, "Exercise your equipment". Thinkin' about that, it applies to other kind of equipment as well! 😂
I always shut OFF the fuel supply to the generator to let it die on its own thinking that starves the carb from fuel. No fuel = no clogging. Well that was WRONG. Somehow there was fuel left in the carb and it gummed up.
I did this and let it sit for about 6 months, come back and it barely started and it was surging during idle and shut off under load.
Pulled the carb out and pulled the idle jet and the main jet. Both were clogged up and all 3 fuel passages were clogged up. After cleaning the jets and the fuel passages, and using the same fuel in the tank, it fired up and ran smooth and stayed on during load.
So now, i dont even do the storage thing, i just run it like once per month for about 30 min with 25-50% load
Hello, for a storage of more than one year, it is strongly advised to add 5ml of oil in the cylinder and close the valves.
I take the plug out after gently pulling the engine to TDC then fog it.
How do you know if both valves are completely closed? Is there a way of aligning the flywheel to know?
It's BETTER to never leave gas in a generator for more than a month. Why would anyone leave gas in them when it's so easy to either run it out of drain it dry?
@@Asidebar Hello
This is sometimes necessary when I have the dealer do the service once a year. But usually not. In addition, I use synthetic gasoline. I have gas cans that are more than two years old, and my generators all work perfectly. They start the first time. 👍
@@fredericlaurent430wdym 'synthetic gasoline'
If I ran nothing but trufuel through my generator, would there be the need to do this? trying to decide how I want to store. my new generator as I really just have it for emergency situations.
Run it once a month with 15ml per litre of gummout tune up in your true fuel with a load = vacuum out your car
i always store my eu2200 with no gas
Same here, but I test run it run it every 6 months.
I just drained gas on mine and getting the propane conversion. But will use gas when using with my sprinter van. I have the companion.
Awesome, I'm thinking of doing the propane conversion as well.
@@SensiblePreparedness yeah I have a 3000i propane, gas or natural gas for the house.
You said to run it dry before filling the tank and storing it. But then you filled it, and ran it to "remove most of the fuel from the fuel hoses and the carburetor". Wasn't it already removed when it ran dry before filling it?
I have always run my Honda 2200 on Propane. Anything to suggest for storing other than letting generator run out after Propane has been disconnected?
I plan on getting a conversion kit in the future to run mine on propane as well. From what I understand, when running it on propane, you just have to turn the gas off and let the generator burn the remaining gas.
Propane doesn't go bad in the same way as gas. Propane kits don't use a bowl and the carburetor in the same way gas does, you don't have crap staying in the carburetor, gas is injected straight into the air going in. Once you turn the gas off, then it's burned out of the generator and nothing is left. If you are storing for long period, read the user manual, it shows how to oil the piston and close the valves so it won't seize up.
Always put the stabilizer in your gas and mix it before you put it in your tank. Never ever leave gas in your tank in long-term storage drain all fuel out of your system this guy doesn't know what he's talking about
Burn off the old gas, and next, add engineered gas cycle through for a few minutes. Label generator with date and time.
This is the best way to preserve the readiness of your generator.
Ok to use premium gas or regular better? what about synthetic oil.
Premium won't hurt anything but it won't help anything either. All it does is cost more. Same situation with synthetic oil.
How long does yours run in the fuel-off position? When I tried it on mine, it took so long to shut off that I think it isn't working correctly.
I think mine takes about 1 minute or so, haven't timed it. But yea, doesn't go off immediately.
@@SensiblePreparedness I tried again, and it worked. Mine took about two minutes, and when I emptied the carb, there was barely any gas.
Just tried mine again and timed it and it took almost 2 and a half minutes. So a little longer than I originally thought.
What's your idea of "long term"? Would be cool if that was clearly defined. 2 months? 6 months? 1 year?
Check your manual for your machine. Page 51 of my manual has a table with options for storage. Over 1 month is “extended storage” if you don’t stabilize your fuel and don’t run it. Over 6 months lists additional precautions.
STORAGE TIME. RECOMMENDED SERVICE PROCEDURE TO PREVENT HARD STARTING
Less than 1 month. No preparation required
1 to 2 months. Fill with fresh gasoline and add gasoline stabilizer＊ . Run the engine for 10 minutes to use up the non-treated gasoline.
2 to 6 months. Fill with fresh gasoline and add gasoline stabilizer＊ . Run the engine for 10 minutes to use up the non-treated gasoline.
Or drain the gasoline (page 52 ).
6 months or more. Drain the gasoline (page 52 ). Remove the spark plug. Put a tablespoon of engine oil into the cylinder. Turn the engine slowly with the starter grip to distribute the oil. Reinstall the spark plug.
Change the engine oil (page 42 ).
After removal from storage, fill with fresh gasoline before starting.
＊ Use gasoline stabilizers that are formulated to extend storage life. Follow the instructions included with the gasoline stabilizer. Contact your authorized Honda generator dealer for gasoline stabilizer recommendations
Omg I haven’t use my for years oh no 😣😣
Bad idea! Always drain all gas when not using your generator. Its better to put the Stabil directly into your gas can so all your gas is treated.
Uh no, you leave the tank full to avoid condensation on the tank walls. Full of non ethanol is the best option.
@@ikeyeet8312 Gas goes bad. After 6 months, even premium with stabil will start to destabilize. You'd have to run the generator for a while to burn most gas, to replace it after a year.
I don't think keeping it full is better than keeping it completely empty.
@@ikeyeet8312There won’t be any condensation, if the tank is empty!
@@petermashak3341lol that’s not true
I've had 2 eu200 for 15 + years and always drained it empty and you are 100% correct
One time I left gas on it and forgot about it next time I tried starting it I was not able to
The carb was gunkd up with cristalyzed ethanol from the gasoline
Drain all fuel period.
You finished off the gas when running it with fuel shut off. It was pointless to "drain the carburetor" since all you did was drain the hose going out the bottom, air came from the carburetor when you unscrewed the drain screw, which allowed the hose to drain.
What about the oil???
Before storage I pumped most of the gas from the tank. I then ran it to use up the 1/2 to 1 cup of fuel that wouldn't pump out. Once the tank, fuel lines, and carb were completely empty I opened the screw on the float bowl and got about another teaspoon out. It was as empty as it could ever get but the carb. still went bad on it. The first run after storage was last week and the engine stammers on idle and will surge slightly under load.
This should never happen on a machine that only has 17 hours, one season of use, and has been pampered since new. I even store it in the original box in my basement to maintain a cool and constant temperature. I'm a little disappointed with Honda to say the least.
What type of fuel/gas were you using?
@@berettaguy7445 Premium 94 octane is all that ever went into it. That's the best fuel available to us in Canada.
I have been using my 2000 eu Honda generator for 17 or 18 years and I use it a lot and have never had any problem with it.. no ethanol ..regular oil changes .. and that’s it.. I have never pulled the spark plug out… it’s running rn pulling my inverter ac…this is the most flawless piece of equipment I have ever used…
If the pump that you got your 94 octane gas from dispenses multiple octanes from the same nozzle, the first flush may be clearing the hose of the last user’s product. I pump the first gallon into my car before filling a can for my 4 cycle engines.
Assuming the carburetor and jets are clean, It’s possible that the fuel filter is partially clogged. That would be an issue with the fuel supplier or the fuel storage chain. There are some videos available showing how to clean or replace it.
Spark arrestor could also be clogged if generator was run with the choke on for too long. There are also videos showing that repair.
Run non ethanol and avoid all this crap
DO NOT STORE YOU HONDA GENERATOR WITH FUEL! This is total bullshit.
Drain all gas out of the generator, remove the float bowl and drain it. Change oil and replace everything, take the spark plug out and pour a little oil on to the top of the piston. Replace spark plug. I put my generator back into its original box and store it in my pantry.
This is how I store my generator for a year. After Milton did its damage, I pulled my generator out filled it with 93 octane. Pulled it one time and it started. My EU2200i is one of the best investment I have ever made.
None of that crap is necessary. I own several generators of various sizes and haven't had a single fuel issue in 17 years. The ONLY thing that's required is running the carb dry after each use. 93 octane does absolutely nothing in a low compression small engine. Just a waste of money.
@@nodak81 Just a waste of money? I don't think so, your view on this is meaningless to me.
i can tell you that even with an EMPTY float bowl, there is still fuel in the fuel passages and the jets that WILL clog up over the months.
@@ACommenterOnRUclips Unbelievable! There is NOT enough fuel in the system to do anything. Fuel evaporates quickly when exposed to air, often within 3 to 24 hours. Anyone with a brain knows that fuel evaporates with time, I guess this must have missed you.
@@paratrooperlane7022 your opinion is meaningless to me 🤷🏽
Wrong
If you are storing a generator, then you don't need one. Start and run it for 15 to 30 minutes once a month, and don't worry about all this nonsense. Listening to people trying to make pocket change will always lead you into trouble.
I always shut OFF the fuel supply to the generator to let it die on its own thinking that starves the carb from fuel. No fuel = no clogging. Well that was WRONG.
I did this and let it sit for about 6 months, come back and it barely started and it was surging during idle and shut off under load.
Pulled the carb out and pulled the idle jet and the main jet. Both were clogged up and all 3 fuel passages were clogged up. After cleaning the jets and the fuel passages, and using the same fuel in the tank, it fired up and ran smooth and stayed on during load.
So now, i dont even do the storage thing, i just run it like once per month for about 30 min with 25-50% load