GEAR HEADS ,,,, help

[skeets]

OK I pulled out the log splitter and started to make sue everything is working before I start wood splitting,,, It has a Honda GCV 160 motor, and the damn thing starts like a dream, take it off choke and it dies,, ok a clog,, took the carb apart cleaned it I use a tip cleaner to get into everything and spray carb cleaner to wash it out,,, put it back together,,, after a lot of bad words, fired right up and same thing dies when you take it off choke,, checked gaskets they look ok, fuel line seems to be running ok,, WTF am I missing here????

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Is it new fuel or old?
Check the plug?
When it's running on choke is it running smooth and lean or rich and rough?

 

[Daren Todd]

You got the funky gas actually since you cleaned the carb, try changing the spark plug. That's usually what I end up doing on my honda powered pumps. Clean the carb, change the plug generally takes care of that issue

 

[Billdog350]

If fresh gas doesn't solve it, sounds like a clogged main jet. I use an ultrasonic cleaner (Harbor freight, $89 for the 2.5 liter one) to clean my carbs and jets. Had the same issue on my log splitter (Briggs OHV motor but similar design to the honda)....once I cleaned the carb and jets, I was good to go. If spray cleaning your jets doesn't work, buy some number drills and clean out that jet to the correct size (or buy a new jet). When you choke your motor, its using a different fueling circuit than the main jet. Once you kick it off choke, the main is too plugged and it won't get enough fuel. Also use "Startron" in your fuel from now on to prevent the alcohol from corroding and clogging your jets.

 

[skeets]

Thanks,, I think Im having a gasket problem,, I found a lay out of the carb and there are 4 gaskets along with a fiber air deflector I got her running still on the choke but I could at least slip it off a bit before it started to surg again,, at least its not shutting down,, I used my tip cleaner on every hole/passage I could find and every thing seems to be open. SO for shyts and grins I shot carb cleaner at the gaskets and it smoothed out some, so maybe that's what it is,,
Ya gota understand I can do a lot of things,,, but me touching a motor is the kiss of death for it,, that's why I let Lil Bro work on them,, hes one of those guys, like some of the guys in here that can fix anything

 

[Wild and Free]

Remember small engine need premium gas to avoid fuel system issues. Any gas with ethanol has only a 30 day shelf life before the gas breaks down, regular 87 non ethnol gas has 60-90 day shelf life and 91 octane premium has a one year shelf life.

A lot of municipalities in my area mix a quart of avgas to their small engine gas mix and it virtually lasts forever then, I think they mix it at a quart avgas to a gallon of gasoline.

I bought a brand new generator a couple years ago and used it one time and didn't turn the gas valve off and drain the carb, went to use it and gas was running out the carb, took it to the dealer I bought it from and he said there is no small engine MFR that warranties fuel systems due to the poor quality gas now days, had to buy a new carb, he too explained the Gas situation as I described as did 2 other small engine techs at different repair shops when I was looking into this carb issue on a new engine, all had same story and all recommended 91 octane non ethanol in all small engines that sit unused more than a couple of weeks at time and to always shut off gas valve and drain carb bowl to avoid issues.

I ran 89 ethanol for 20 years in all my equipment no matter what is was and up until 2-3 years ago never had an issue, then 2-3 years ago every small engine I own had the same issues as you describe with your log splitter all at the same time, cleaned up all the carbs and switched over to 91 octane non ethanol and all issue went away, no more ethanol for me in anything I own.

 

[hodge]

Try pure-gas.org- it's a site that will tell you if and where there are any stations in your area with ethanol-free gas. It is imperitive that you keep the ethanol out of them.

 

[trouble11]

Ethinol strikes again, Damn stuff!!!!

 

[Eric McCarthy]

The cure for Ethanol

 

[85Hokie]

Remember small engine need premium gas to avoid fuel system issues. Any gas with ethanol has only a 30 day shelf life before the gas breaks down, regular 87 non ethnol gas has 60-90 day shelf life and 91 octane premium has a one year shelf life.

A lot of municipalities in my area mix a quart of avgas to their small engine gas mix and it virtually lasts forever then, I think they mix it at a quart avgas to a gallon of gasoline.

I bought a brand new generator a couple years ago and used it one time and didn't turn the gas valve off and drain the carb, went to use it and gas was running out the carb, took it to the dealer I bought it from and he said there is no small engine MFR that warranties fuel systems due to the poor quality gas now days, had to buy a new carb, he too explained the Gas situation as I described as did 2 other small engine techs at different repair shops when I was looking into this carb issue on a new engine, all had same story and all recommended 91 octane non ethanol in all small engines that sit unused more than a couple of weeks at time and to always shut off gas valve and drain carb bowl to avoid issues.

I ran 89 ethanol for 20 years in all my equipment no matter what is was and up until 2-3 years ago never had an issue, then 2-3 years ago every small engine I own had the same issues as you describe with your log splitter all at the same time, cleaned up all the carbs and switched over to 91 octane non ethanol and all issue went away, no more ethanol for me in anything I own.

Wild and Free,

you hit the nail on the head, couple of years ago I let some ethanol gas in a pressure washer.......2 hours later I did get it to run! (after taking the carb apart and cleaning the sheeeat out of it)

A buddy of mine that owns some property with me kept bringing gas up to the property, ethanol.....I could never get anything to work when I needed it to....told him - I will get the gas from now on

Skeets - get you a gas can you like for all you small engine stuff and place something (paint - stripe) and make it you E FREE can, even though you will pay more when you find the gas, it sure makes like nice when you pull the rope or turn the key!!!!

I too think you need to run compressed air through the jets or a small piece of piano wire - then the air........you always seem to find something after that !

let us know how it goes!

 

[Daren Todd]

The little mom and pop store by the house actually has ethynol free 87 octane. It's the same price a mid grade. Been using it for the mower and generator for a couple years. My trucks designed to run on 87. Anything higher drops the gas mileage. For giggles i started filling the truck up there. Truck went from 14 mpg to 18 on the first fill up. It's settled out at 20mpg and running a hell of alot smoother, and pulls the hills better.

 

[skeets]

I wish there was some place close to get fuel like that, closes place is a half a tank of gas in the truck away,,,lol