Honda OHV 160 wont start/pulls slowly

12 years ago

Can't start this Honda mower. I don't think the engine is seized because I can rope pull or blade turn the engine. The rope pull is very hard. I was wondering about the head gasket. I drained the oil out. I think the previous owner over filled the crankcase. I got more out than I expected.

Dosen't seem to have any compression. It just turns over hard and steady - no compression.

Featured Answer

tomplum

12 years ago

If it pulls the same w/ the plug out, I'd go ahead and remove the 3 recoil bolts. Lift the recoil and the fuel tank off, then have a look to ensure that either the coil bolts didn't come loose and is dragging on the flywheel or that the brake isn't dragging.

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Comments (13)

tomplum
12 years ago
Did you both drain the oil from the crankcase and from the cylinder? Did the oil seem like it may also have fuel in it? Is it a GCV160 OHC?
mvron
Original Author
12 years ago
Yes, it is a OHC. Sorry about that. I really didn't smell any fuel when draining the oil - but I didn't really check either. I'll check my old oil can and see what it smells like. I removed the spark plug - acts the same way. I removed the valve cover. Haven't checked the valves yet.
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mvron
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks tomplun. I will do that and report back.
WavinDave
12 years ago
I'm thinking tomplum is on the right track. My first thought was that the flywheel brake has failed to release. A little WD40 on the mechanism perhaps or replace the return spring-just thinkin'
1saxman
12 years ago
Sure sounds like the engine brake is dragging.
mvron
Original Author
12 years ago
I turned the mower on end last night and poured some penetrating oil in the spark plug hole. This morning I put the spark plug in the plug hole. It was locked up tight with the penetrating oil in the cylinder. Took the spark plug out and the penetrating oil squired out of the spark plug hole when starting. Then it was back to the way it was. I took the valve cover off - the valves are working OK. I took the rope start/gas tank off to see if there was anything dragging. CouldnÃ¯Â¿Â½t see anything. Kind of out of ideas - maybe the piston is bad - donÃ¯Â¿Â½t know.
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Thanks for the ideas. How do I get at the flywheel brake/engine brake?
mvron
Original Author
12 years ago
The model is HRR2166VXA.
mvron
Original Author
12 years ago
Final result: The valve cover was dented to the point that valves wouldn't work. the other problem was that a bearing in the BBC was bad. It was replaced - ran like a champ. Some folks really abuse their lawn equipment - most folks really abuse their lawn equipment.
tomplum
12 years ago
Thanks for posting the result!
tyguyc
11 years ago
Kind of a noob question but what is the BBC? because i'm thinking of the British Broadcasting Corporation.
bill_kapaun
11 years ago
Blade Brake Clutch
Paul Govensky
last year
I have no idea if anyone is on this forum any longer talking about the same Honda GCV 160 OHV HHR2166VXA. Where is the flywheel brake at??? Under the flywheel itself? I try to turn the flywheel by hand even with the plug out and it feels like the brake is on, but I just don't see one.