Honda gcv 160 won’t start

[Leadslinger_90]

Hello everyone, first time poster. I have a Ryobi pressure washer with a Honda GCV 160 engine. The unit is about 4 years old. It has worked flawlessly and never gave any issues. I used it the other day with no troubles. Brought it out yesterday to wash the RZR and won’t start. I have spark at the plug. Yes it has gas in it, I checked the valves for clearance, both needed very little adjustment, and both valves look to be moving freely when cranked.
I can spray starting fluid into the carb and get nothing. Just a backfire every now and then. Unit has oil in it, and gets used on a regular basis. (Gas doesn’t sit long round here)

I have a push mower with the same engine, I have swapped plugs around just to be sure and still nada.

The occasional backfire made me think a stuck valve, but that doesn’t seem to be the issue.
Can anyone think of something I’m missing?
I don’t believe this one has a oil safety switch that I can tell.
Any help is appreciated.

 

[Warstud]

Try removing the spark plug and adding a little gas into the cylinder and start it.

 

[BMW Dom]

Stuck intake valve?

I was reading through this forum and is sounds like what you were describing.

Honda Mower GCV160 won't start! - DoItYourself.com Community Forums

Honda Mower GCV160 won't start! - Outdoor Gasoline and Electric Powered Equipment and Small Engines

www.doityourself.com

 

[Leadslinger_90]

Stuck intake valve?

I was reading through this forum and is sounds like what you were describing.

Honda Mower GCV160 won't start! - DoItYourself.com Community Forums

Honda Mower GCV160 won't start! - Outdoor Gasoline and Electric Powered Equipment and Small Engines

www.doityourself.com

Both valves are moving freely.

 

[Leadslinger_90]

Try removing the spark plug and adding a little gas into the cylinder and start it.

I’ve tried both gas and starting fluid.

 

[Leadslinger_90]

I also will add that compared to my push mower with same engine, this one seems a lot easier to pull. (Low compression)?

 

[BMW Dom]

I’ve tried both gas and starting fluid.

Hmm, this is an enigma.

Could you post a video or pictures?

So there's spark, but when gas poured down carb or spark plug hole - no start?

Could the timing be off, or a sheared flywheel?

 

[hemitom]

Strange if you used it he other day and it ran with no issues.
good spark at the plug ? maybe coil .
timing may be off ?
maybe try new plug .

 

[stangguy]

Ok, so it sounds like you have everything an engine needs to run, so something that you think is good, isn't. Since it is on a pressure washer, I seriously doubt if the flywheel key is sheared, but, are you sure you have a strong enough spark? How did you check it? You should have a nice blue spark that will jump a 1/4 inch gap. A red spark that will only jump the spark plug gap won't do. If that is good, I will have to figure something else out.

 

[Warstud]

I’ve tried both gas and starting fluid.

You said in carb not directly into cylinder

 

[Leadslinger_90]

You said in carb not directly into cylinder

I’ve put poured gas and sprayed starting fluid into the cylinder head.

 

[Leadslinger_90]

Ok, so it sounds like you have everything an engine needs to run, so something that you think is good, isn't. Since it is on a pressure washer, I seriously doubt if the flywheel key is sheared, but, are you sure you have a strong enough spark? How did you check it? You should have a nice blue spark that will jump a 1/4 inch gap. A red spark that will only jump the spark plug gap won't do. If that is good, I will have to figure something else out.

Between both plugs I’ve tried they both seem to be giving off a nice “normal” spark.

 

[Leadslinger_90]

Thank you for all the replies so far. This thing has me baffled.

 

[stangguy]

I also will add that compared to my push mower with same engine, this one seems a lot easier to pull. (Low compression)?

Somehow I missed this previously. If the compression is very low, It could be a chunk of carbon broke loose and is stuck under a valve. I would test it by putting a finger on the spark plug hole (tightly) and pulling the engine over quickly. It should blow your finger off with a pop.

 

[stangguy]

Between both plugs I’ve tried they both seem to be giving off a nice “normal” spark.

Try opening the gap on the plug to 50 or 60 thousands and see what the spark does. If still normal, probably ok.

 

[Warstud]

If it has a fuel filter I would replace it. Also fiddle around with the on/off switch

 

[oggb]

Does it have an on/off switch? If so try bypassing it. I've had so many of those stupid on/off switches on Hondas go bad.

 

[Leadslinger_90]

I could be wrong but my thinking was that if the switch was bad it would kill the spark to the plug? And it does not have a fuel filter.

 

[oggb]

I could be wrong but my thinking was that if the switch was bad it would kill the spark to the plug? And it does not have a fuel filter.

That's probably true, but unless you have virtually no compression the engine should run on starter fluid.

 

[CarLuver]

i am thinking stuck exhaust valve. take the vavle cover off and then the rockers. use a screwdriver and press the valve in. they should both go in the same distance.