Honda GCV 160 smokes

nbpt100

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I have a Honda GCV160 engine that smokes at start up. The oil was a bit over filled. Not terribly. I fixed that and it still smokes a bit at start up. It goes away after 5 to 10 seconds. Passed a leak down test with flying colors. A little bit of air leaking out the oil fill tube. The valves are tight. Pretty normal for a mower engine in my experience. I am thinking it is worn intake valve seal. There is no head gasket on these engines because of the way it is designed. Am I missing anything?
 

slomo

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Keep the oil ON the full mark. Not under nor over at EVERY mow. Like the old timers did it back in the day.

Over filling any engine causes issues. Oil aeration, oil pump cavitation, loss of oil pressure and so on.
 
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Auto Doc's

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It may take running multiple times to get over being over filled with oil. The breather also likely got excess in it so it may take time to get it cleared out.
 

nbpt100

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It may take running multiple times to get over being over filled with oil. The breather also likely got excess in it so it may take time to get it cleared out.
Excellent input Auto Doc. I will check the breather and clean that out as well.
 

slomo

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The oil was a bit over filled. Not terribly.
If it was over filled, it was over filled. Drain out the excess. Don't try and run it to burn it out.

Remember all that extra oil burns away and makes carbon. Carbon quickly shellacs up the cylinder and valves.
 
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