If you plan on buying something with a small engine on it, stay away from Chondas. After using up a few head gaskets I got from "who the heck knows where", I find I can't buy them anywhere. I called three different, very reliable, parts houses and to get a head gasket, I have to buy an entire kit ($35). If I need a lock nut or a part for the over head valve setup, I have to buy the entire thing. What a crock. There is always folks defending these pieces of junk, and I used to be one of them sometimes. No more, no more, no more, no more. Hit the road Chonda! (More specifically...MTD 139cc imported junk!)
Chondas Strike Again
- Thread starter yeehaw1960
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FWIW, the MTD/Cub Cadet engine isn't a Honda GCV/GXV knockoff. Kohler makes a engine based on it in China as well.
I've actually started up a Chinese generator with a GX clone motor, it ran decently fine but I have doubts over its endurance.
I've actually started up a Chinese generator with a GX clone motor, it ran decently fine but I have doubts over its endurance.
You may have needed a head gasket, but they do run forever..
I'd rather buy a used B&S than a Chonda, wait I already did.
You may have needed a head gasket, but they do run forever
What? I assume it stopped running when the owner had to replace the head gasket. If he replaced it for no reason on a running engine, well that's fantastic and should probably be on youtube.
What? I assume it stopped running when the owner had to replace the head gasket. If he replaced it for no reason on a running engine, well that's fantastic and should probably be on youtube.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
Yeehaw- I'm no Chonda pusher either, but Tecumseh parts are any easier to source? You can barely get anything for them now being defunct. I'm still trying to locate a starter gear for my Mom's 10hp Tecumseh MTD snowblower. That- and the little coil that powers the headlight decided to dislodge itself from behind the flywheel, lock the whole thing up and punch a small hole in the block. What fun that was to fix and thank you once again JB Weld. I also suspect any Briggs parts will be hard to source now since nobody stocks anything that's not going to make them money constantly. I guess my point is; This is not only Chonda. It's everything.
Joel
Joel
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The fact that Tecumseh went out of business 2 years ago probably doesn't help one's ability to find parts. I have 2 of these Chonda engines; one 196cc Horizontal shaft(GX knockoff) on my rototiller and an MTD 179CC on lawn mower, both have perfomed beautifully.
I "LOVE" my 1967 American OMC made Lawn Boy smoker. 43-years and still going strong. And I can still get parts. Imagine that.
I hear you Johnny. We still have our 82 JD 210 mower. Needs a ring job but it runs like new(ish)! Kinda hard to expensive to get parts for those old Kohler K series but I love this thing!
139 CC, what is the price break on repairing those? Besides quality, parts have been the pain on anything chinese off brand. ATV's have been a nightmare. However, I would have thought something built on a scale to supply MTD would have a stable part supply.
What was MTD's plan?
Johnny, I have two lawnboys in pieces on the floor. The ones built toward the end were not up to their forefathers. Horrible carb design on the duraforce. I want to meet the guy with 3 hands who designed this cheap plastic carb, filter housing, governor, heat shield and gaskets, holding them aligned all at once! I swear, I will break his 3rd hand! A history of surging, broken cables and wheels on my 99" and 2001. I will have them running again by spring as I want a 2 cycle to cut banks, but these caused me to leave the CULT!
Johnny, I have two lawnboys in pieces on the floor. The ones built toward the end were not up to their forefathers. Horrible carb design on the duraforce. I want to meet the guy with 3 hands who designed this cheap plastic carb, filter housing, governor, heat shield and gaskets, holding them aligned all at once! I swear, I will break his 3rd hand! A history of surging, broken cables and wheels on my 99" and 2001. I will have them running again by spring as I want a 2 cycle to cut banks, but these caused me to leave the CULT!
Oh Cmarti, those Toro/Lawn Boys were never part of the CULT. Everything pre-Toro is. I also still edge my sidewalk with my 1966 Lawn Boy edger. Now that draws a crowd when I fire that thing up.
The disappointing experience with one engine is hardly a testament to the entire product line of manufacturers that build million upon millions of small motors annually.
I used to have considerable disdain for Chinese products and still don't like the fact that they are quickly becoming the dominant supplier. However, that does not allow me to negate the fact that the small Chinese Honda GX clones that I own have been some of the best running single cylinder OPE engines I've ever used. I've never had the need to source parts. The engines haven't caused me any problems. What I've read is that if the engine displacement is the same as a Honda, say 196cc's, Honda parts will fit right on.
Just out of curiosity, why did you need a head gasket in the first place? Did the head bolts loosen off?
By the way, B&S are also manufacturing internal engine parts in China for their own assembly lines. As JTK put it, Chinese content is everywhere......Resistance is futile.
I used to have considerable disdain for Chinese products and still don't like the fact that they are quickly becoming the dominant supplier. However, that does not allow me to negate the fact that the small Chinese Honda GX clones that I own have been some of the best running single cylinder OPE engines I've ever used. I've never had the need to source parts. The engines haven't caused me any problems. What I've read is that if the engine displacement is the same as a Honda, say 196cc's, Honda parts will fit right on.
Just out of curiosity, why did you need a head gasket in the first place? Did the head bolts loosen off?
By the way, B&S are also manufacturing internal engine parts in China for their own assembly lines. As JTK put it, Chinese content is everywhere......Resistance is futile.
Originally Posted By: boraticus
The disappointing experience with one engine is hardly a testament to the entire product line of manufacturers that build million upon millions of small motors annually.
I used to have considerable disdain for Chinese products and still don't like the fact that they are quickly becoming the dominant supplier. However, that does not allow me to negate the fact that the small Chinese Honda GX clones that I own have been some of the best running single cylinder OPE engines I've ever used. I've never had the need to source parts. The engines haven't caused me any problems. What I've read is that if the engine displacement is the same as a Honda, say 196cc's, Honda parts will fit right on.
Just out of curiosity, why did you need a head gasket in the first place? Did the head bolts loosen off?
By the way, B&S are also manufacturing internal engine parts in China for their own assembly lines. As JTK put it, Chinese content is everywhere......Resistance is futile.
+1 the 196 cc parts are interchangeable. The one I have on a generator continues to hum along.
I am a buy american guy, but picked this up as a backup at a tent sale, and it has performed flawlessly. I think he is talking about an engine designed for use on MTD products, not a direct clone, and I think Yeehaw repairs these in large numbers. Which is why I was wondering what MTD was thinking without a parts supply chain???
The disappointing experience with one engine is hardly a testament to the entire product line of manufacturers that build million upon millions of small motors annually.
I used to have considerable disdain for Chinese products and still don't like the fact that they are quickly becoming the dominant supplier. However, that does not allow me to negate the fact that the small Chinese Honda GX clones that I own have been some of the best running single cylinder OPE engines I've ever used. I've never had the need to source parts. The engines haven't caused me any problems. What I've read is that if the engine displacement is the same as a Honda, say 196cc's, Honda parts will fit right on.
Just out of curiosity, why did you need a head gasket in the first place? Did the head bolts loosen off?
By the way, B&S are also manufacturing internal engine parts in China for their own assembly lines. As JTK put it, Chinese content is everywhere......Resistance is futile.
+1 the 196 cc parts are interchangeable. The one I have on a generator continues to hum along.
I am a buy american guy, but picked this up as a backup at a tent sale, and it has performed flawlessly. I think he is talking about an engine designed for use on MTD products, not a direct clone, and I think Yeehaw repairs these in large numbers. Which is why I was wondering what MTD was thinking without a parts supply chain???
One of the head bolts loosened. The owner tried to tighten it and it did like most bolts on a 3-year old Chonda...it twisted off. I have a bolt, but don't want to spend $40 on a gasket set to get a head gasket. I'll put one of the 4 or 5 HP Briggs engines I have laying all over the place on it instead. I am keeping all parts from dead Chondas from now on though!
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
Originally Posted By: yeehaw1960
I am keeping all parts from dead Chondas from now on though!
That's a good plan. I'm definitely trying to do the same thing w/ my small engines, import or otherwise.
Joel
I am keeping all parts from dead Chondas from now on though!
That's a good plan. I'm definitely trying to do the same thing w/ my small engines, import or otherwise.
Joel
Slightly off subject, but when my brother was younger, he got his first four-wheeler, a Chinese made, $1000 150cc quad. Never found out the brand name or who made what.
The whole [censored] thing started falling apart... the headlights both fell off, the exhaust pipe broke, just every thing started breaking off around the engine. But that little 150cc engine could take a beating and had great torque. We ran 10W-40 Yamalube in it. Eventually, he jumped a small hill and the frame literally broke in half, bringing it to a dead stop.
That made me feel bad about making money off all the steel I could find back when the prices were high and the talk was all the steel was being sold to China. If that was true, and this is the quality of metal they produce for an ATV, I feel bad for giving away good American steel.
The whole [censored] thing started falling apart... the headlights both fell off, the exhaust pipe broke, just every thing started breaking off around the engine. But that little 150cc engine could take a beating and had great torque. We ran 10W-40 Yamalube in it. Eventually, he jumped a small hill and the frame literally broke in half, bringing it to a dead stop.
That made me feel bad about making money off all the steel I could find back when the prices were high and the talk was all the steel was being sold to China. If that was true, and this is the quality of metal they produce for an ATV, I feel bad for giving away good American steel.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
More for the Power Sports forum, but you're right on that Jaymus. Chinese ATVs have improved some since they came out in the mid 1990's or so, but the larger machines generally won't hold up to a severe teen or adult beating. Then again, you can get a full blown adult style chinese ATV (200-300cc) for a grand as opposed to 4-5x that for a "domestic". I've got a kids 110cc that is more than adequate for around the yard, trails and little kid use. The little engine is the only really good thing about it though.
Joel
Joel
At $99/engine, who cares if you can't find a part? Seriously...the most expensive part you could possibly need is $99 - a new engine! Buy two at the beginning and you get an entire spare parts kit for only $99!
Seriously, you got a new running engine for under a hundred bucks. That's amazing. Do you expect it to be top quality and/or run forever?
Seriously, you got a new running engine for under a hundred bucks. That's amazing. Do you expect it to be top quality and/or run forever?
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
True, if you can find a $99 match to your mount and shaft configuration. Not always the case.
Joel
Joel
Originally Posted By: JTK
True, if you can find a $99 match to your mount and shaft configuration. Not always the case.
Chondas don't come in very many flavors. I'd be willing to bet all the vertical shaft mower sized engines and the horizontal shaft blue engines use the same crank/mounting - the same way Briggs, Honda, and Techumseh always has. (and that's who they've been copying, right?)
True, if you can find a $99 match to your mount and shaft configuration. Not always the case.
Chondas don't come in very many flavors. I'd be willing to bet all the vertical shaft mower sized engines and the horizontal shaft blue engines use the same crank/mounting - the same way Briggs, Honda, and Techumseh always has. (and that's who they've been copying, right?)
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