OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions On Honda Engines G400

I have a G400 on a genset that has been sitting under the bench here for probably 15 years since it was last run and as you would expect the carby was gummed up. Problem is I can't remove the main jet and the screw slot is starting to damage and I doubt I will be able to get it out. I was wondering if putting it in an ultrasonic bath would be enough to clean the jet holes or am I expecting too much of it. Any thoughts

It should be able clean it; although, you may need to probe it with a fire wire as I have found it is needed sometimes just to roughen up the clog so the ultrasound waves can get a grip on it. Also make you are using a hollow ground straight side bit as regular flat tips are tapered when trying to remove those jets.

Hi AVB thanks I thought it might do the job, any mix you suggest that works best on this in the bath?

Everybody seems to have a favored solution for but for me it is a 12.5 ph non-residual soap and water but I have used common household liquid dish soap and water with good results just need to rinse afterwards. It will corrode the aluminum if not rinsed off.

Currently I am using a 10L UC which I add 1-2 tablespoonfuls of soap to the water bath and change as needed. This is because a dirty solution will prevent good cleaning action of the UC operation. Also at different time swap around my mix according to what I am having to clean. Sometimes I even use white vinegar to remove most rust.

Just got be careful what you use while experimenting with different solutions as not all UC tanks of the same grade of stainless steel. I had one unit that actually tried rusting if left my soap solution in it overnight. Please avoid using things like fuel or any other flammable liquid to clean with as it is a fire and explosion hazard. To me it is best to drain and clean the tank when though with the cleaning right away.

Also don't every cleaning job to take the same amount time. In my current unit I have time as little 15 minutes up to several 30 minutes cylces. Using heat helps most time especially on heavy oiled items. I seldom go above 50C even though my unit can to 80c. One reason it is too hot for to put my hands in any length time hunting for small parts.

Thanks AVB, I will get onto it when I get a chance, I seem to be going backwards with all my projects at the moment

Hi AVB, got to look at this today , no way of getting the jet out so I will have to get another carby for it. I'm thinking of getting one of these https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/16100-ZF6-V01-Carburetor-For-HONDA-GX390-13HP-Engine-Carb/112767460616? because they are dirt cheap. I know I will have to drill new mounting holes that does not bother me and I don't want to spend much money on it at this stage because my son who is an electrician tested the charging output on it around 1990 and he said there was something wrong with it, but he can't remember what the problem was. It was working ok because my father was using it to build his new house. Being a G400 I think the carby from a GX390 will be close enough. Any thoughts?

I have no idea on that. I don't get to experiment like I once did. I currently spending 12 hr days in my shop just to keep up with the work load. Glad things are finally slowing some.

Yesterday I manage to destroy one my pullers removing an engine pulley. And I did this using a 1/2 dr ratchet and not a impact; I could understand if I was using an impact. Maybe it didn't like getting hot as I had to use my torch to heat the pulley but I could still hold the section with my bare hands. I got into to see if a larger forcing screw can be installed to save it or just get a new bearing separator puller set. It is a Chinese puller so the metal is probably lousy.

These dang Cub Cadet ZTRs rust the transmission pulleys on. The 3 pulleys I had remove all were destroyed during the removal process on the years. That is the only way to remove them. This time the pulley was good and I wasn't planning on removing it as I was just the electric PTO clutch but they changed the clutch which meant removing the shaft key. I glad I had brought a pulley the other day when I was ordering parts from the OEM warehouse just in case I needed it. At least I will not lose another week waiting on parts.

AVB, I hear and feel your pain, unless you have done this sort of work nobody understands how much grief a simple little thing can cause you.You look at something and hope it will come apart but often it can be hours before you achieve it. All these machines work in such a harsh environment it makes everything so difficult and trying to make a living from it is so hard. Your skill level has to be so high and varied but few appreciate that

Ok this carby turned up yesterday and I am sitting here looking at it in total amazement that I can get a carby of this size and quality delivered to my house for $12.50. There is no possibly way this could be made for that sort of money, even if you classed the labour content as zero, which is the case always put to us that it is our labour content that has killed manufacturing here

I have a two arm gear puller I bought at a closing down sale for AU$12.00 15 years ago and I have only used it twice, but it worked fine removing the Victa fan blade on top the motor. The beauty is its made in Taiwan, not China. I trust tools made in Taiwan as they have a good reputation like South Korea and Japan. I am leery of Chinese made tools. I buy Taiwanese when I can, as they offer quality at a realistic price.
NormK, you must be getting obsolete stock or something, that's almost dumping them!

MF this carby is just from ebay, and it works perfectly even though I have to lift the generator up a bit on one end to level up the float bowl, believe it or not this genny has not been touched in over 10 years and with the new carb it started first pull, no starter fluid, just with it hooked up to my 2 stroke fuel bottle. Motor is tipped to about 10 degrees but I think there should be enough oil splashing about to not cause any starvation issues