- Joined
- May 16, 2023
- Messages
- 10
Hi folks new member here. I found this informative website when I searched for gcv valve stuck / varnish... Although I don't believe this is the problem I am having I wanted to see if someone can point in the right direction as far as getting my mower up to speed and running good again.
I have a gcv160 Honda mower with auto choke that's been in the shed for a year maybe a little longer but I have owned it for about 3 years (it has had gas a few years old because I only mow twice or three times a year) when I bought it, it was used and obviously it did not have any sort of issues at the time.. I took it out recently wanting to use it and it just wouldn't start, so I drain the old gas out and replaced the spark plug with new gas and it would not start... I can spray a little carb cleaner in the carb to get it to start temporary (like a few secone) when it would started for a few second I noticed gas was spitting out of the carb (air filter side) because gas will be all over the air filter cover and around the top of the body /frame directly under the carb and air filter area. At the time, Im thinking it might have flooded because I pulled the cord like 100 times to try to get it to start.. perhaps I even flooded the spark plug..
After researching online, I thought I Must have a bad carburator and since I want it to run like new again I did not bother to clean out or diagnose with the old carb I ordered a brand new oem Honda carb and installed it today. first pull it fired up right away.. everything seems good for about 5 minute then it does the almost dying but kept trying to keep running sputtering thing it does and finally died again ... Tried to start it and it won't start (pulled the cord about 10 times).. Waited 5 minute, pulled the cord again and it starts again but wasn't running very good. RPM up to almost shutting off throughout the 20 minutes that I used it mow the lawn.. it did shut off a few times because I was cutting grass about 3 ft tall .. when the RPM was low it would stop it altogether because there just isn't enough power to keep it going.. I again noticed gas on the air filter housing because I was running the mower without the air filter for a while .. can anyone tell me what's going on ? Why even with all the parts I replace it still won't run well ?
Ps I noticed if I put the air filter back in with the cover it won't start at all.. only way to get it to run poorly is with air filter and cover off.. I'm just about out of ideas ... Could it be the gasket ? There are 3 total two of which is in good condition .. the one near the back between the carb and choke is worn out pretty badly .. I didn't change the motor oil just yet because it's still quite clear and filled to level but this problem doesn't seem like a oil issue
Additional parts I replaced: thermal wax assembly that has to do with the auto choke function (it's like a little pink screw with a pin in the middle) fuel line.
Someone suggested that my problem is a stuck stem valve, well I opened it up today and found it to be functional.. no stuck valve at all .. I sprayed some lubricant down the stem and valve guide. (See picture attached) when I took out the spark plug which is brand new .. now it looks like it's burned up with black gunk all around it.. (see picture attached) I'm assuming this is because I flooded with gas by pulling so many times?
I am waiting for carb gaskets and will install all new gaskets, if this still doesn't work and fix the issue .. what might be other potential problems that is causing this where fuel is coming out of the carb on the air filter side ? I am assuming this is a gas issue, can gasket alone cause this mower to act this way ?
Thank you all in advance... At this point, I am hopeful but doubtful that I am able to get it running tip top shape, was told this motor is good and lasts a long time so lesson learned about keeping old gas in it for long periods of time however this doesn't seem to be the issue .. could be wrong
I have a gcv160 Honda mower with auto choke that's been in the shed for a year maybe a little longer but I have owned it for about 3 years (it has had gas a few years old because I only mow twice or three times a year) when I bought it, it was used and obviously it did not have any sort of issues at the time.. I took it out recently wanting to use it and it just wouldn't start, so I drain the old gas out and replaced the spark plug with new gas and it would not start... I can spray a little carb cleaner in the carb to get it to start temporary (like a few secone) when it would started for a few second I noticed gas was spitting out of the carb (air filter side) because gas will be all over the air filter cover and around the top of the body /frame directly under the carb and air filter area. At the time, Im thinking it might have flooded because I pulled the cord like 100 times to try to get it to start.. perhaps I even flooded the spark plug..
After researching online, I thought I Must have a bad carburator and since I want it to run like new again I did not bother to clean out or diagnose with the old carb I ordered a brand new oem Honda carb and installed it today. first pull it fired up right away.. everything seems good for about 5 minute then it does the almost dying but kept trying to keep running sputtering thing it does and finally died again ... Tried to start it and it won't start (pulled the cord about 10 times).. Waited 5 minute, pulled the cord again and it starts again but wasn't running very good. RPM up to almost shutting off throughout the 20 minutes that I used it mow the lawn.. it did shut off a few times because I was cutting grass about 3 ft tall .. when the RPM was low it would stop it altogether because there just isn't enough power to keep it going.. I again noticed gas on the air filter housing because I was running the mower without the air filter for a while .. can anyone tell me what's going on ? Why even with all the parts I replace it still won't run well ?
Ps I noticed if I put the air filter back in with the cover it won't start at all.. only way to get it to run poorly is with air filter and cover off.. I'm just about out of ideas ... Could it be the gasket ? There are 3 total two of which is in good condition .. the one near the back between the carb and choke is worn out pretty badly .. I didn't change the motor oil just yet because it's still quite clear and filled to level but this problem doesn't seem like a oil issue
Additional parts I replaced: thermal wax assembly that has to do with the auto choke function (it's like a little pink screw with a pin in the middle) fuel line.
Someone suggested that my problem is a stuck stem valve, well I opened it up today and found it to be functional.. no stuck valve at all .. I sprayed some lubricant down the stem and valve guide. (See picture attached) when I took out the spark plug which is brand new .. now it looks like it's burned up with black gunk all around it.. (see picture attached) I'm assuming this is because I flooded with gas by pulling so many times?
I am waiting for carb gaskets and will install all new gaskets, if this still doesn't work and fix the issue .. what might be other potential problems that is causing this where fuel is coming out of the carb on the air filter side ? I am assuming this is a gas issue, can gasket alone cause this mower to act this way ?
Thank you all in advance... At this point, I am hopeful but doubtful that I am able to get it running tip top shape, was told this motor is good and lasts a long time so lesson learned about keeping old gas in it for long periods of time however this doesn't seem to be the issue .. could be wrong