Honda GCV160 with faulty choke?

[john_ertw]

Last spring I purchased a Craftsman mower with a Honda GCV160 engine. I've been very happy with it so far, but I have questioned the engine since day one.

This engine has the spring return choke that closes on it's own when the engine starts. This engine has always started on it's first pull (with the choke open), but it dies as the choke closes. What I have always had to do is manually keep the choke open for 30 seconds to 1 minute to allow the engine to warm up a little. It then runs normally. I'm wondering if this is normal for this engine or if I should send it back under its 2 year warranty.

Another thing I have noticed is that the engine speed constantly goes up and down slightly. I'm not sure if this is normal for this engine due to the govenor or if something is wrong.

Any comments from someone who has this engine or has worked with this engine would be very helpful. I don't want to send it for warranty work if this is normal.

 

[dwendt44]

Not normal.
A shot of SeaFoam or MMO in the next tank of gas may help.
My 2¢

 

[paul246]

I have the same machine. I always set the choke, then, without touching the "dead man lever" pull the engine through twice to help prime it. Grab the lever and always starts and runs on the first pull.

I don't have any surging, either, just a steady run speed.

 

[RTexasF]

Not normal on either one. Mine had the surging engine speed and it turned out the spark plug was loose. There should be no relation but once the plug was snugged up the surge went away.

 

[BeerLube]

Definitely not normal. My Honda always starts first pull with choke on, and transitions fine when I immediately move throttle to high-speed from choke position.