Craftsman mower starting problem

[jimbir]

I have a Craftsmen lawnmower model 917.370601. It’s equipped with a Honda engine model GCV 160 LAO S3A NH1 with a Kehnin #G2ZC2BH24 carburetor.

The only way I can get the thing started is by giving it a 1/2 sec. shot of starting fluid. After it starts, it surges for about 20 seconds and then settles down to continuous operation. I’ve let it run for 15 minutes. After that, I tried to restart it but wouldn’t without the shot of starter fluid.

There is no primer bulb. It has a choke with a curious mode of operation. You move the choke lever to the choke position. When you pull the brake, handle down and, before you can pull the starter rope, the choke lever begins to move to the open position. (I’ve attached a photo of the linkage below.)

When the cable from the brake handle is pulled to the right, the actuating pin is also pulled to the right until it contacts the right hand end of the slot in the choke release lever. This happens when the brake handle is pulled approximately 1/4 of it’s travel. As soon as the lever begins to move, the choke begins to open. I’ve bent the actuating pin to the left so that it just touches the left end of the slot thereby delaying the movement of the lever until the brake handle is almost at the end of its travel. I did this because I thought the choke was opening to soon and not being effective.

I’ve replaced the air filter, spark plug, drained the gas tank and carburetor bowl and refilled it 90 octane ethanol free gas. I’ve thoroughly cleaned the carburetor and arranged the gaskets per the diagram I have. None of that helped.

About the choke. I’ve even wired it closed and the engine still won’t start

I’ve been dealing with small engines for 60 years but this one’s got me stymied.

James Birke
North Tonawanda NY.
If anyone has had a similar experience, I sure would like to know how you fixed it!

 

[StarTech]

I had one like that last year. Ended up replacing the carburetor with a new Honda carburetor. Surprised me how cheap they are from the OEM. It would very cold but nearly impossible to crank after the engine warmed up. Something was definitely wrong with carburetor but I just could not find it.



And the way the choke is acting is normal for that style of auto choke.

 

[sgkent]

there should be no choke when an engine is warm. Choke enriches the mixture for when it is cold. That said, I have read many times here on the forum that Honda carbs are quite reasonably priced.

 

[Born2Mow]

You most likely left ethanol fuel in the carb over the winter. This will clog the smaller jet which the engine uses to start. On top of the carb is a Phillips head screw that looks like it's doing nothing. Remove that screw and push a fine 0.010" wire through the jet it exposes. Put the screw back. Then start using a fuel stabilizer AND cleaner, like StarTron.

 

[StarTech]

I thought about that here when I had my problem but that didn't help either.

 

[jimbir]

Thanks for the reply. Id th

I had one like that last year. Ended up replacing the carburetor with a new Honda carburetor. Surprised me how cheap they are from the OEM. It would very cold but nearly impossible to crank after the engine warmed up. Something was definitely wrong with carburetor but I just could not find it.

View attachment 65738

And the way the choke is acting is normal for that style of auto choke.

Thanks for the reply!
I'm hesitant to spend the money on a new carb.They're not really all that complicated. I completly striped mine and made sure all the fuel and air passages were open and free flowing. The engine starts immeadiatly with a 1/4 sec. shot of either and runs great afterword. That leads me to believe the carb is functioning correctly and I have the gaskets installed correctly. I feel It's got to be something else.

Anyway, is the carb. I should buy?

Amazon.com

Thanks. Jim

 

[StarTech]

I would go by the engine's serial number and the chart I posted. Now it may have been superseded but I would not know until I plugin the PN of the IPL indicated carburetor.

The 16100-Z0L-852 was superseded to 16100-Z0L-853 and the 16100-Z8B-851 is a current PN. Neither supersedes to the 16100-Z0L-862.

 

[jimbir]

Thanks again for the quick reply.
When I looked at the ad, I realized that wasn't the correct model number. My engine is a GCV160 LAO S3A S/N GJARA 3112113.
Where did you get the chart you posted?
Jim.

 

[StarTech]

Honda engines - Spare Parts

Honda Engines offers high-quality power units for a wide range of applications such as construction equipment, generators, lawn mowers etc.

www.honda-engines-eu.com

 

[jimbir]

I'm back... Thanks for the information. I finally got it to where it wants to start. There's a little tab that pivots off the head of the engine. The choke control lever causes it to push against a pin on the choke lever on the carb. That closes the choke. If that tab isn't pointing all the way toward the rear of the engine when you install the carb it won't activate the choke.
The engine will try to start on the first pull but it kicks back ferociously and yanks the cord out of your hand. Have any ideas what might be causing this?
Jim