Honda GCV160 Hard Start (Not Choking)

[deegz]

Hi,

Has anyone come across problems with the Honda GCV160 not starting when cold? I have sourced the problem to what appears to be choke not fully choking. I don't see any way to make an adjustment of the choke. Any ideas? I have a temporary fix using a stick to hold the choke on while starting, but a permanent solution would be great.

 

[motoman]

deegz, There are Honda experts here who have probably missed your inquiry. Not knowing myself , is the choke possibly automatic , opened and closed via bi-metallic spring, a la automobile practice during carb era? Those were replaced when bad.

 

[exotion]

Is it on a mower? If so check your serial num there are quite a few mowers that have been recalled due to sticky auto choke Robert@Honda will hopefully chip in.

If its manual choke there is a cable adjustment on it. If its auto choke you don't have adjustments and may have the recall or lack of lubrication on the moving parts cleaning all dirt and debris helps a lot and a shot of white lithium grease on all moving parts is a good idea

 

[smallenginemechanic]

Yeah Honda has some defects with their auto choke systems. The problem is the thermowax is sticking. If your unit is still within warranty, take it to your local dealer and they will fix it at no cost. Just tell them its the thermowax auto choke bulletin.

 

[deegz]

Hi, thanks for the help

I'm in Australia. Not sure if any recalls apply.
It is on a victa lawn mower.

The choke is controlled manually by pushing the handle lever all the way down. This causes the swing arm to push up on another swing arm that has a rod leading to a black plastic swivel lever which then controls the choke in the carby. It seems that the choke is just not being pushed closed enough, as when I use my finger to move the black plastic lever on the carby to the closed position, the mower starts straight away. I cant see any way to adjust......

 

[exotion]

Can you post some pics of the cable at the handle, cable at the engine, the two arms, and the butterfly lever ? You may need to bend one of the rods to adjust but I would rather see first

 

[motoman]

Perhaps the cable housing vs the cable . Is the cable housing located at the choke handle properly (has not slipped)? Can you put a set screw somehow at the choke lever so the throw is long enough to close the choke? These ideas are not as good as returning to stock configuration, of course. Since Honda guys say the choke is auto, maybe someone converted to manual, but not sufficient?

 

[robert@honda]

Hi,

Has anyone come across problems with the Honda GCV160 not starting when cold? I have sourced the problem to what appears to be choke not fully choking. I don't see any way to make an adjustment of the choke. Any ideas? I have a temporary fix using a stick to hold the choke on while starting, but a permanent solution would be great.

HERE IN THIS USA, there was a autochoke service bulletin issued back in January. It is possible a similar problem may occur on an Aussie model; best bet is to (1) get the serial number of the back of the mower dek, and (2) contact Honda Customer Relations in Australia to see if they ALSO issued a bulletin about Autochoke, and see what that can do to help.

FYI, the warranty, Customer Service and Support a separate groups for both American Honda an Honda Australia . Here's link to contacting them:

Honda Australia: Contact Us

 

[deegz]

Thanks All.

Yes Motoman, I have a simple work around using a zip tie lol. But I would like to have it work the way it should.
I will post some photos in about 10 -12 hours time. I will also suss out the recall and see if it applies.

 

[deegz]

Ok here are some photos. Sorry I could not get a good shot of the black plastic lever on top of the carby.
The last photo shows the rod that comes off the lever with the cable tie. The other end of the rod pushes the choke closed with the black swivel.