Honda EU20i service schedule
Generators · Older model (this manual edition 2009); succeeded by the EU22i
Every maker's service job for the Honda EU20i, counted in hours, with the oils, filters and parts each one needs. Add your implement to Farmyard Workshop and it works out what's due from your hours and dates, and keeps the service history.
Track your EU20i for freeService intervals
| Job | When |
|---|---|
| Air cleaner clean | every 50 hours or every 3 months |
| Engine oil change | every 100 hours or every 6 months |
| Spark plug check and gap | every 100 hours or every 6 months |
| Fuel tank and filter clean (dealer) | every 100 hours or every 6 months |
| Spark plug replacement | every 200 hours or every year |
| Valve clearance check (dealer) | every 200 hours or every year |
| Combustion chamber decarbonise (dealer) | every 300 hours |
| Fuel line check (dealer) | every 2 years |
| Storage: drain fuel tank and carburettor | when needed |
Service jobs and parts
Air cleaner clean
Engine · every 50 hours or every 3 months
Honda's schedule says check the air cleaner each use and clean it every 3 months or 50 hours, more often in dusty areas.
| Part | Qty | Notes | Part number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air cleaner elements (main and outer) | 1 | Honda part number not found; check your handbook | check your handbook |
Step-by-step
- Remove the maintenance cover and the air cleaner cover.
- Wash the main and outer elements in a non-flammable or high flash point solvent and dry them. Never use petrol.
- Soak them in clean engine oil and squeeze out the excess.
- Refit the elements and covers. Never run without the air cleaner.
Tools: Screwdriver, Non-flammable or high flash point solvent, Clean engine oil
Engine oil change
Engine · every 100 hours or every 6 months
Honda's schedule says change the oil after the first month or 20 hours, then every 6 months or 100 hours. The EU20i has no oil filter, so this is oil only. Check the level before each use.
| Part | Qty | Notes | Part number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil | 1 | API SE or later, SAE 10W-30, 0.4 L. Aztec Oils match: AGRITEC LAWNMOWER 10W-30 | check your handbook |
Step-by-step
- Never run a generator indoors, in a garage or near open windows or doors: exhaust carbon monoxide can kill.
- Warm the oil with a short run outdoors, stop the engine and let the exhaust cool.
- Turn the engine switch and fuel cap vent lever to OFF.
- Remove the maintenance cover and oil filler cap and drain the oil fully into a container.
- Refill with 0.4 L of 10W-30, check the level, refit the cap and cover.
- Wipe up spills and dispose of old oil properly.
Tools: Small drain container, Funnel, Rags, Screwdriver (maintenance cover)
Spark plug check and gap
Ignition · every 100 hours or every 6 months
Honda's schedule says check and adjust the spark plug every 6 months or 100 hours.
Step-by-step
- Remove the plug cover, cap and plug. Discard it if cracked, chipped or fouled; otherwise clean it.
- Set the gap to 0.6-0.7 mm.
- Refit by hand, then 1/8 to 1/4 turn for a used plug. Refit cap and cover.
Tools: Spark plug spanner, Feeler gauge, Wire brush
Fuel tank and filter clean (dealer)
Fuel · every 100 hours or every 6 months
Honda's schedule says clean the fuel tank and filter every 6 months or 100 hours, as a servicing dealer job unless you have the tools and skill.
Step-by-step
- Book with a Honda servicing dealer or follow the Honda shop manual.
Spark plug replacement
Ignition · every 200 hours or every year
Honda's schedule says replace the spark plug every year or 200 hours.
| Part | Qty | Notes | Part number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spark plug | 1 | Aftermarket: NGK. Honda specifies NGK CR5HSB; Honda's own part number not found. Gap 0.6-0.7 mm | CR5HSB |
Step-by-step
- Gap the new plug to 0.6-0.7 mm, screw in by hand, then tighten 1/2 turn.
- Refit the cap and cover.
Tools: Spark plug spanner
Valve clearance check (dealer)
Engine · every 200 hours or every year
Honda's schedule says check and adjust valve clearance every year or 200 hours, as a dealer job.
Step-by-step
- Book with a Honda servicing dealer.
Combustion chamber decarbonise (dealer)
Engine · every 300 hours
Honda's schedule says clean the combustion chamber after every 300 hours, as a dealer job.
Step-by-step
- Book with a Honda servicing dealer.
Fuel line check (dealer)
Fuel · every 2 years
Honda's schedule says check the fuel line every 2 years and replace it if necessary, as a dealer job.
| Part | Qty | Notes | Part number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel line | 1 | Replace if necessary; check your handbook | check your handbook |
Step-by-step
- Have a Honda dealer check and if necessary replace the fuel line.
Storage: drain fuel tank and carburettor
Fuel · when needed
Honda gives a specific routine before storing the EU20i for an extended period: drain the fuel tank, carburettor and fuel pump, change the oil and oil the cylinder.
| Part | Qty | Notes | Part number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil | 1 | 10W-30, 0.4 L plus a tablespoon for the cylinder. Aztec Oils match: AGRITEC LAWNMOWER 10W-30 | check your handbook |
Step-by-step
- Work outdoors, engine stopped, no smoking or flames.
- Pump all petrol from the tank into an approved can with a hand pump.
- Turn the engine switch ON, loosen the carburettor drain screw and drain the carburettor into a container.
- With the drain screw loose, remove the plug cap and pull the starter 3 or 4 times to empty the fuel pump.
- Turn the switch OFF, tighten the drain screw and refit the plug cap.
- Change the engine oil. Pour about a tablespoon of clean oil into the cylinder, crank a few times and refit the plug.
- Store dry and dust-free.
Tools: Hand fuel pump (not electric), Approved petrol can, Screwdriver, Container
Oils, fluids and capacities
| System | Oil or spec | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Honda GX100 98.5 cc single-cylinder four-stroke OHC, recoil start, inverter generator | |
| Engine oil | 4-stroke oil to API SE or later; SAE 10W-30 for general use | 0.4 L (no oil filter) |
| Coolant | Air-cooled | |
| Valve clearances | Check and adjust yearly or every 200 hours (dealer job); figure in the Honda shop manual | |
| Engine oil | API SE or later, SAE 10W-30 | 0.4 L |
| Fuel tank | Unleaded petrol | 3.6 L |
Specifications
| Engine | GX100, 98.5 cc, bore x stroke 56 x 40 mm, compression 8.5:1 |
| Spark plug | NGK CR5HSB, gap 0.6-0.7 mm |
| Dry weight | 20.8 kg |
| Output (UK/EU types) | 230 V, 50 Hz, 7.0 A rated |
| Battery | None fitted (recoil start) |
Known problems
Carbon monoxide
Honda warns never to run the generator in a garage, house or near open windows or doors, or in any confined or partly enclosed area.
Spark arrester
This 2009 UK/EU manual does not list a spark arrester. Some other EU20i manual editions on the web do list one; if yours has a spark arrester, follow that edition or ask a dealer.
Repair guides
- Siting the generator safely: carbon monoxide and never back-feeding a building (Easy, 15 minutes): Planning to run the generator in a shed, barn, porch or van; headaches or drowsiness near a running generator; or thinking of plugging it into a house or farm wiring.
- Spark arrester and muffler: what to check when your manual does not list one (Easy, 15 minutes (check); dealer for cleaning): Power falling off after long use, sooty exhaust outlet, unsure whether your generator has a spark arrester to clean, or a blocked or damaged exhaust guard.
- Generator won't start: vent lever, engine switch, oil, fuel and plug (Easy, 20–40 minutes): Pulls over but will not fire, fires then dies, starts only on choke, or stops and will not restart.
- Runs but no power: circuit protector, overload light and Eco Throttle (Easy, 15–30 minutes): Engine runs but the appliance does nothing, green output light off, red overload light on or blinking, AC or DC circuit protector button popped out, or tools bog down and lights flicker on Eco.
- Carburettor drain and fuel clean-out after storage (Moderate, 30–45 minutes): Hard starting or surging after the generator has stood for weeks or months, fuel that smells stale or varnishy, or getting it ready to put away for winter.
- Recoil starter: rope will not rewind, slips or has snapped (Moderate, 45–90 minutes): Grip will not pull back in, rope frayed or broken, starter spins without turning the engine, or the rope is very hard to pull.
- Oil Alert light on: engine stops or will not run (Easy, 10–20 minutes): Engine stops on its own with the switch still ON, red Oil Alert light comes on when you pull the starter, and the engine will not run.
The full step-by-step guides are in Farmyard Workshop once you add your implement.
Sources
More from Honda.