QuestionQUESTION: John
I hope your well and I can't tell you how good it is to have you back from vacation.
I contacted you before about a EX1000 Honda Generator I'm fixing for a friend. It would not let me ask another follow up Question so it made me start another.
Here's the link to what you helped me fix before.
http://www.allexperts.com/user.cgi?m=6&catID=1746&qID=4763325
So at this point I have the carb cleaned out. It runs great, THANKS! Then I had a problem with getting the generator to work and I thought it was a fuse or faulty wiring but it wasn't. The way I fixed it was turning up the throttle screw on the pull start side below the carbuerator till the yellow line in the meter was at the proper number, I think it was 60. Now the generator works also.
Problem I am having now is that when you shut it off the fuel spills out the drain hose.
I did not remove the governor arm when dissasembled. I pulled the linkage off when I removed the carb. Would I still need to reset the govenor arm? Could this cause this?
I'm guessiing it's a dirty float needle/ seat or improper adjustment.
The float needle is on a spring, do I stretch it out or adjust it another way? It appeared to be in good condition when the carb was out?
I was told to clean the seat with a wood dowel?
I'd like to try and fix it using this needle due to a new one is $30 bucks and this generator isn't probably worth much more than that.
What do you think?
ANSWER: Hello Again Gerard:
If you Did Not Remove the Governor Arm, then you Do Not need to Set the Governor unless the Engine is Revving Too High During Operation. You and Clean the Float Needle Seat in the Carburetor with a Wooden Dowel and Lightly Clean the Needle Point with Emery Cloth. DO NOT STRETCH THE SPRING. You are Asking for More Trouble. If the Gas Still Overflows, then a Carburetor Kit is the Only Correction for this Problem. If you have a Shut Off Valve, then Turn Off the Gas Flow to the Carburetor before you Shut off the Engine. I have Several Generators and I (or the Employees) Always Turn Off the Fuel Shut off Valve Before I Stop the Engine. If the Generator is Not going to be Used for a While, then I Allow the Engine to Run Until the Carburetor is Empty and the Engine Stops. I Stopped Spending Money to Correct the Same Problem you are Having. As Long as the Flooding is Only When the Engine is Not in Operation and is Not Effecting the Engine Operation, then I Suggest you do the Same. The Quality of the Carburetor Kits are Not what it Used to be. You Might Correct the Problem with a New Kit or you May Not. It is a Hit and Miss Thing Now. I had a Family Emergency and had to take a Long Time Off. Thanks for Coming Back and Thanks for the Welcoming Words. I Hope All is Well for you and your Family. If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: John
I'm about to get into this tomorrow and just wanted to clarify what I need to
do. The owner says that is pours out fuel when shut off. More fuel than
would thought to be in the float bowl. He explained it as it drained out the
tank. I threw a cup of water on the ground and he said it was much more
than that.
I bought my supplies. Two sizes of wooden dowels. I'm guessing that I just
spin these around in the brass looking needle seat kinda like a drill/ pencil
eraser action?
I bought the emory cloth. Two different grits. One is 400 and the other is
called fine. The fine is much less gritty than the 400. it almost feels like it
has no grit. Which should I use?
Now the Float needle on this carb is made out of plastic not aluminum with a
black rubber pointed tip. Do I just gently clean the black rubber tip with one
of the two emory cloths?
When you say carbuerator kit do you mean the carburator needle valve on
this list here
http://www.planopower.com/store/honda/ex1000.shtml
This generator does not have a petcock that is reachable unless the cover is
taken off. The on off switch on the front of the generator that works the
electric has an arm that shuts off the petcock with the switch is turned off.
On the petcock there are two hoses. One is the gas flow to the carburetor
and the other I'm guessing is a breather or drainage, the other end of this
hose is not hooked up to anything. Is it possible that I put these hoses on the
petcock wrong? The generator does run so My guess is they're hooked up
correctly?
Any Idea?
Hope your family emergency worked it's way out. I had one of those that
lasted four months but in the end it turned out good.
Thanks!
AnswerHi Again Gerard:
From your Description it Sounds like the Shut Off Valve (Petcock) is Not Shutting Off the Gas Flow to the Carburetor. This Carburetor has the New Needle and Seat. You can Dress Up the Seat with the Wooden Dowels, but the Black Rubber Tipped Needle May have to be Replaced. If the Rubber Tip has Hardened or has a Groove/Indent Around the Rubber Head, then Replacement of the Needle is Required. For this Carburetor, the Kit is the Float Needle Valve. The Following Instruction File will Explain about the Needle Kit. The Cost of the Cleaning Solution I Use is $30.00us @ Gallon (I Use Gunk). The Gallon Can Comes with a Tray for Small Parts and the Carburetor Fits Nicely. Most Times a Carburetor can be Soaked and Cleaned and with the Float, Needle Valve and Other Carburetor Components being Soaked in the Cleaner with the Carburetor Body; there are No Parts to Replace on this Carburetor. If you Soak and Clean this Carburetor and the Float Needle Valve Still Does Not Stop the Gas Flow Properly, then Purchase a Needle and Seat Kit and Replace it. The Following is a Basic File I Made for Cleaning Carburetors. Any Input is Appreciated. The Most Common Cause is; The Carburetors Internal Passages are Restricted by Varnish that Gas Forms Over Time. This Varnish is in Layers. To Properly Remove this Varnish you have to Soak the Carburetor. The Following is a General Instruction File for Carburetor Cleaning. Even though the Carburetor Looks Clean, the Internal Passages May be Restricted with Varnish that Gas Causes to Build Up over Time. I Suggest you Make Sure the Gas is Free Flowing to the Carburetor Inlet Port (if the Model does Not have a Fuel Pump). If the Gas is Free Flowing to the Inlet Port, then **Remove, Disassemble and Soak the Carburetor Overnight in Carburetor Cleaner (I Use Gunk). I have Found that Most People can Use a Breakdown/IPL and Disassemble the Carburetor Enough for Proper Cleaning. You Only have to Remove the Bowl (if Applicable), Float Pin (if Applicable), Float (if Applicable), Needle Valve and Needle Valve Seat if Applicable. This is a Flat O-Ring Located in the Inlet Port the Float Needle Rests in. Use a Strong Wire with a Slight Bend to Remove the Old Seat. Sometimes a Small Pocket Screw Driver can be Use Also. The New Seat will have a Slightly Beveled Side and a Flat Side. The Flat Side goes Towards the Carburetor Body when Inserted into the Inlet Port. Spray the Seat with Spray Lubricant to make Installation Easier. The End of a Drill Bit that is Slightly Small than the Seat can be Use as an Insertion Tool. Wear Gloves or Use a Rag when Handling the Sharpened End of the Drill Bit. Remove Any Adjustment Screws that Go Into the Carburetor Body. The Welch Plugs Do Not have to be Removed. If you are Able to Remove and Disassemble the Carburetor and Keep the Gaskets Intact, then Usually these Gaskets can be Reused. Even the O-Ring Around the Bowl can be Reused if it is Not Broken. The Only Parts you May Need to Replace is the Float Needle Valve (and Seat if Applicable). The Float Needle Usually is Not Replaced Unless it is Not Operating Properly (the gas flow not shutting off and the carburetor is Flooding). Do Not Remove the Main Nozzle. This is a Pressed Fit and Removal is Not Required for Cleaning. Soaking and Blowing the Carburetor Out After Soaking will Clean the Nozzle. Once Disassembled, then Soak the Carburetor Body and Parts in a 1 Gallon Can of Gunk Carburetor Cleaner Overnight. The Can has a Parts Tray Inside it for the Small Parts. Once the Carburetor and Parts are in the Cleaner, you can Replace the Lid for Safety and to Prevent Accidental Spillage. Then Blow Out the Passages with Compressed Air.*** (Do Not Use High Pressure Air for the Zama Carburetors, they have Check Valves for the Primer and these are Usually Blown Out of the Carburetor if Not Careful. Allow the Zama Carburetor to Set on a Drip Pan and Dry)***. ****All the Carburetor Adjustments are the Same for Lawn Mower and Trimmers. There are Several Location for the Air Mixture Screws. The Idle Air Mixture Screws are Usually Located at the Top of the Carburetor Bowl and the Top of the Carburetor Body. If the Main Air and Idle Air Mixture Screws are Side by Side on the Side of the Carburetor, then the Idle Air is Nearest the Engine. The Main Jet Air Mixture Screw is Located in the Bottom of the Carburetor Bowl or Beside the Idle Air Screw on the Side of the Carburetor Body. Some of the Older Model Carburetors have the Main Jet Mixture Screw Straight in from the Top of the Carburetor Body (this is Rare anymore). If you have Cleaned the Carburetor (Disassembled and Soaked Overnight in Carburetor Cleaner (I Use Gunk). Then Blow Out the Passages with Compressed Air and Install a New Kit if Required. Now Setting the Air Mixture Screws: ****Turn the Idle Air and Main Air Mixture Screws In Until SNUG **Do Not Jam** Then Reverse Both Screws 1 1/2 Turns. Holding the Throttle Full Open, Start the Engine. Turn the Main Air Mixture Screw Clockwise Until Proper Revs are Obtained. Occasionally you May have to Turn this Counter Clockwise to Achieve the Proper Revs. Now Allow the Engine to Idle. Set the Engine Idle Screw (Not Idle Air) so the Engine will Stay Running if Required. Now Set the Idle Air Mixture Screw so there is No Hesitation when Throttling from Idle to Full Throttle. Reset the Engine Idle if Required.**** If This Carburetor has a Single Air Adjustment (Except Tank Mounted 9200 Model Carburetors), Use the Section Above that Pertains to Full Throttle RPM Air Mixture Screw and then Adjust the Screw if Required to Eliminate Any Hesitation when Throttling from Idle to Full Throttle. For the 9200 Model Tank Mounted Carburetor Adjust the Air Mixture Screw Full In, then Reverse 1 1/2 Turns. Set the Throttle Lever to Full Throttle and Start the Engine. Now Carefully Use 1 Finger and Open the Throttle Plate and Over Rev the Engine Slightly. If the Engine Over Revs and Does Not Struggle to Over Rev, then the Carburetor is Set. If the Engine Struggles to Over Rev, then Turn the Adjustment Screw In 1/4 Turn and Repeat the Over Rev Test. If you Adjust to 1/2 Turns In and the Engine Still Struggles to Over Rev, then Return the Adjustment Screw to 1 1/2 Turns Out from Snug and Turn the Screw Out 1/4 Turn. Do the Over Rev Test. Continue this Process Until you have the Engine Over Revving without Struggle. By Adjusting the Carburetor on this Style Carburetor Until the Engine Over Revs without Struggle, you have Adjusted the Air Mixture to the Best Possible Setting. This file was Intended to Give you the Basic Carburetor Cleaning Instructions and May Not Reflect Your Carburetor Components. If you have Questions, Please Ask. On Most of the Engines Today there is a Shut Off Valve to Prevent the Problem you Described. The Quality of the Parts being Manufactured Today is the Reason for the Shut Off Valves being Installed. The Older Needle and Seats Never Leaked so you Did Not have the Flooding Problems that Occur Today. You May have to Install a Manual Shut Off Valve to Correct this Problem, even if you Replace the Float Needle Valve. Use the Finer of the 2 Grits. The Emergency hasn't Worked Itself Out Completely Yet, but I am Hoping that it will be Good in the End. If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Ratings and Comments are Greatly Appreciated. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
