How To Clean A Honda 2000 Generator Carburetor

A well-maintained carburetor is the key to a long lasting generator. Dirt and debris can build up and bog down the carburetor, affecting generator and engine performance. Clean your carburetor regularly to keep your machine running like new year after year.

Before performing any maintenance on your generator, refer to your owner's manual for recommended maintenance and safety information. Maintenance instructions vary by model, so depending on your generatormodel our instructions may vary slightly.

Before performing any repair or maintenance on a generator, follow these safety precautions:

Turn fuel valve to off – prevents any spilling, any leakage or fire as the machine spills
Make sure machine is in the off position

To carry out this task, you'll need these tools:

Flathead screwdriver
Pair of pliers
Small flathead screwdriver
8 mm socket with ratchet
Pair of fuel line clamps
Carburetor cleaner
Drain pan
Rag
Safety glasses

To clean the carburetor on your generator, you need to locate the carburetor on your machine. On some generator models, there is a panel on the side that can be removed with your screwdriver. On other models, there is no panel to remove. If your generator has a side panel, remove it with your screwdriver.

On some generator models, you will need to use your screwdriver to remove the screw on the front of the air filter cover and use your 8 mm socket with ratchet to remove the 8 mm screws holding the air filter housing and carburetor to the engine. There is small black breather hose that runs from the crankcase to the air cleaner. Remove the hose before removing the air cleaner.

Once you have access to the carburetor, remove the fuel line that comes from the fuel pump to the carburetor. Use your fuel line pliers to clamp off the fuel line. Remove the small clamp that is on the fuel line that holds it to the carburetor.

When you pull out the fuel line you are going to leak some fuel so use your rag to clean up spills. Remove the air filter gasket and check for any damages. If you suspect it has to rip or see any damage, we recommend replacing it. Before removing the carburetor, drain the fuel bowl. Use your drain pan and flathead screwdriver.

At the bottom of the carburetor there's a small flathead screw that comes out of the bottom and allows you to properly drain fuel. On some generator models, at the bottom of the generator there's a hose that runs out the bottom so the fuel can drain right out the bottom of the machine.

Loosen the screw on the bottom of the carburetor and allow the fuel to flow into your drain pan. Move the carburetor out a little further. On top of the carb there is an electronic throttle control for your eco throttle. Remove the white cover that's on top and remove the wires underneath that top.

Now you're able to remove the carburetor from the engine. Remove the fuel lines from the housing. Once the carburetor is off you'll notice a gasket on the back side in between the carburetor and the engine. Inspect that for any damage and replace if necessary.

Take off the 10 millimeter bolt at the bottom of the float bowl. Before doing this, hold the carburetor over your drain pan because once you take the bolt off there will be some fuel that's left in the bowl. Take the bolt out and remove the float bowl. With the float bowl off, inspect for any varnish or dirt and debris that might be at the bottom and clean if necessary.

With the carburetor off, remove the float pin and remove the float. With the float, you'll notice there's a needle on a spring. That's what controls the flow of fuel into the carb and seals it to prevent more fuel or allow more fuel into the carb. Inspect that for any damage or dirt and debris.

There is a gasket that seals the float bowl to the carburetor body. Remove that gasket and replace once you have it. Replace this gasket every time you go clean the carburetor because it will warp once you take the float bowl off and it will not seal. Inside the main tube is a main jet. As fuel flows into it, this is what controls how much fuel goes into the engine. Use your small screwdriver to remove the main jet.

Once the main jet is out, inspect it for debris or varnish because this is where most debris ends up once it comes into the carburetor. On each side of the main jet you're going to find little holes. Make sure all those are clean and inspect them for debris and varnish.

To clean the carburetor you need carb cleaner. Make sure the straw is attached to the carb cleaner and put on your safety glasses. Spray the carb cleaner in both sides of the main jet and follow this with compressed air. Spray the carb cleaner and compressed air into the float bowl as well. With the carburetor itself, push the carb cleaner through where the inlet needle is and where the fuel flow comes in to flush out any dirt or derbis. Also spray the carb cleaner where the main jet was removed and in the air orifices on the front and back of the carburetor. Again, follow with compressed air.

Once the carburetor is completely clean, you need to reassemble it. Before reassembly, note how all items were removed from the carb. Reinstall the jet tube first and then insert the main jet. The small flathead screw on the bottom of the carburetor goes in last. Use your screwdriver to tighten it back down but don't over toque it because you'll run the risk of ruining the carburetor or the main jet.

Reinsert the float bowl gasket and make sure it's seeded down in the groove of the carburetor. Make sure your float and nut and needle are clean. We recommend replacing the needle and nut every time you clean the carburetor. Place the float back on the carburetor and install your float pin.

Reinstall the float bowl. When you put the float bowl back on, make sure you have your drain valve facing the front of the carb. That way, when you put the carb back on or when you take it back off the drain valve is in front so you are able to drain it.

Replace the float bowl bolt. Tighten the bolt back down with the10 millimeter wrench. Again, don't over torque, just lightly seed to prevent damage to the carburetor. Reinstall the gaskets between the carb and cylinder head. Reinstall the carburetor and reconnect the wires for electronic throttle control.

Replace the gasket between the carburetor and the air filter. Reroute the fuel lines that you took out to drain the carb. Replace the drain hose that comes out the bottom. The hose should show just a little bit at the bottom of the housing. Reinstall the fuel lines and air filter cover if necessary. Put the breather back on the cover on the little nipple that comes out the bottom. Check air filters to make sure they're clean and free of dirt or debris. Reinstall the air filter cover back into the housing.

Turn on the fuel valve and check the carburetor for any more leaks. Make sure nothing is leaking inside the generator. If your generator model has an access panel, replace the panel. Start your generator and let it run for 10 to 15 seconds, allowing the engine to warm up. Once you shut the machine down verify that you don't have any fuel coming out of the overflow. That shows that the carburetor is sealed and there's no issues with the machine.

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