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Surging on Honda gcv160...need help
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Posted by
eklind51 (
My Page) on
Mon, Feb 21, 11 at 11:57
Late last summer my mower stopped working. I changed the spark plug and it ran fine. Now it doesn't want to start again. So I put some gas in the spark plug hole and it started working again. I mowed my grass one time and it stopped working. It didn't even want to start after putting gas in the spark plug hole.
So this weekend I changed the oil and air filter. And cleaned the carburetor and put new gaskets. I forgot to buy another spark plug so I put a little gas in the spark plug hole. It started but surges badly. The current spark plug is only 6 months old.
So finally to my questions...do I need to change the governor springs? I tried very hard not bend anything. The throttle lever just goes back and forth. If I hold it still it runs normal...but as soon as I let go it surges. Do I need to clean the carburetor again? When I cleaned it there was no trash in the bowl. The mower is only 2 years old.
I just don't know what to do. I really don't want to have to bring it to the shop.
Thank you!! |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Surging on Honda gcv160...need help
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| Did you remove the jet up in the stem? |
RE: Surging on Honda gcv160...need help
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| I removed the main jet...but didn't see how to remove the main nozzle. I only know these terms from looking at the parts list. Is there a trick to removing it? I also bought a new spark plug tonight and now it starts up without having to put gas but still surges. |
RE: Surging on Honda gcv160...need help
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| You could try removing the bowl nut, taking a straw from jet spray carb cleaner and push the straw up into the jet and give it a few good blasts. Take care to protect the finish on the deck if you do this. Otherwise, unscrew the jet and if the nozzel is loose, shake the carb until it drops out. If it was gummed, a little help would be nneeded to dislodge it. It goes up through the stem into the venturi. If it is not cooperating, carbs are stupidly cheap for most of these. |
RE: Surging on Honda gcv160...need help
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| OK thanks I will try this tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes and hopefully it works! |
RE: Surging on Honda gcv160...need help
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So I took the carb off and was finally able to get to the nozzle. It was stuck. I sprayed it with carb cleaner and made sure none of the holes was plugged. Put it all back together and it still surges just like before.
What should I do next? New governor springs? Buy a new carb?
Thanks for your help. |
RE: Surging on Honda gcv160...need help
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| It is possible that an intake air leak is causing the surge. I would say that if you are confident in your assy of the the gaskets and spacer- a new carb could be an easy way out. Here's what i would do 1st. Be sure the tank is 1/2 full at least with fresh fuel. Do the following w/ an assistant and remember that you are working near a whirling blade. Safety first. Start the engine and direct bursts of Wd 40 or Gumout at the intake gasket and spacer area. A change in running indicates that a leak exists. If no change, pop the air filter and direct several long bursts into the opening of the carb. If there are deposits on the valve stems that are keeping them from working freely, it should get things working freely. The engine will respond when the spray enters. Let us know what happens. |
RE: Surging on Honda gcv160...need help
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| Governors/governor springs do not cause surges. You have a lean condition due to carb problem or vac leak. If you cannot find a vac leak, complete carbs are cheap. |
RE: Surging on Honda gcv160...need help
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| Certainly the most common surges are caused by a lean condition or a vacuum leak, but a hunt or surge can come from an over compensating governor, partially sheared flywheel key or even valve lash that is a tad tight. |
RE: Surging on Honda gcv160...need help
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So I tried the spray around the carb and there was no change. So I took the air filter off and sprayed it inside and that must have did the trick. The surging has stopped.
Thank you! |
RE: Surging on Honda gcv160...need help
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| The thing to know is the carb spray removed enough deposits from the valves to now function as it should. These deposits tend to get there from deteriorating fuel. With that being said, it may be beneficial to use an additive such as Seafoam, Briggs Fresh Start etc in your fuel from this point on. It will maintain the fuel quality and also act as a cleaner to remove depoits. Good luck and I'm happy it was an easy fix. |
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