Honda power generator sputters

I have a Honda power generator EM5000SX. It has been in my garage and not run for 3 years. I am preparing to sell it, but I can't get it to run normally. I replaced the oil and gas and clean up the spark plug. When I crank it with the choke in open position, it runs for about 3 seconds, but if the choke is in closed position, it runs, but it shakes hard and sputters every 2 or 3 seconds interval. While it's running, if I open the choke, it shuts down. Does anyone know what might be wrong? Thanks.

 

The carburetor needs to be cleaned.

 

The Owner's manual doesn't show where the carburetor is. I did some online search and found a diagram at shortsmarineparts.com, but I can't tell where exactly it might be. Could you describe it and perhaps a procedure to get to the carburetor. Thanks.

 

It's behind the air filter. It's what the fuel line connects to. Remove the air cleaner box and you should be at it. It needs to be disassembled and cleaned internally with automotive carburetor cleaner.

 

Thanks. I'll try it this weekend and post

 

Thanks for the info. I finally had time to work on the generator. It took me a while to figure out how to get the carburetor out. I cleaned it with carburetor cleaning spray bottle from Walmart. I just sprayed hard at every hole and all loose parts. The generator runs very well now. One thing I had to do was to "flash the field" since it had no power. I followed someone's direction I found with google search: Use a cord drill; plug it in the generator's socket while it is running; set the drill forward; pull the drill trigger while spinning the drill head reverse (counter clockwise). As soon as I did that, the power kicked in.