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Honda HRX217VKA (version K6) GCV200 valve train noise

#1

FarmForce

FarmForce

I bought a new HRX217VKA in July and it must have been built on a Monday ... right from the beginning the valve cover leaked oil. I fixed this myself because it was easy. At the same time I also checked the valve clearance and both valves were at 9 thousands (spec is 8 to 12 thousands) so well within spec. The engine right from the beginning develops a noticeable valve train noise that doesn't start until the engine has been running for 15 minutes or longer, so not until it is fully warmed up. The engine starts quiet on cold start and runs fully quiet for some time, but then after 15 minutes the tapping is starting lightly and gets a little louder; then stays as long as I mow (about two hours). I am sure it's not the valve clearance as I checked it when I resealed the valve cover. It must be something in the valve drive train. I don't think these K6 version engines have the valvetrain belt anymore and the valve train might be driven by gears. This would make a little sense because gear-driven cams can also develop noise from the drive gears if they are not gapped correctly ( Harley had this in the Evo engine). My old GCV160 was dead silent, but this new GCV200 is noisy.

Anyone else experienced this? Any comments or advice? Thanks!!


#2

M

mechanic mark

See page 13 for valve lash setting with engine cold. 0.10 mm for intake & exhaust valves is .004 inches using standard measurement.










7


#3

FarmForce

FarmForce

mechanic mark said:
See page 18 in Operators Manual for valve lash specs.
Click to expand...
I have that manual. I know the valve lash. I checked the lash (as mentioned above). It is within specs (as I mentioned above). It's NOT the issue. ?


#4

O

olgeezershonda

Advice? It's under warranty. I'd let the dealership take care of it.


#5

Scrubcadet10

Scrubcadet10

olgeezershonda said:
Advice? It's under warranty. I'd let the dealership take care of it.
Click to expand...
^ What he said


#6

T

Texas1step

FarmForce said:
I bought a new HRX217VKA in July and it must have been built on a Monday ... right from the beginning the valve cover leaked oil. I fixed this myself because it was easy. At the same time I also checked the valve clearance and both valves were at 9 thousands (spec is 8 to 12 thousands) so well within spec. The engine right from the beginning develops a noticeable valve train noise that doesn't start until the engine has been running for 15 minutes or longer, so not until it is fully warmed up. The engine starts quiet on cold start and runs fully quiet for some time, but then after 15 minutes the tapping is starting lightly and gets a little louder; then stays as long as I mow (about two hours). I am sure it's not the valve clearance as I checked it when I resealed the valve cover. It must be something in the valve drive train. I don't think these K6 version engines have the valvetrain belt anymore and the valve train might be driven by gears. This would make a little sense because gear-driven cams can also develop noise from the drive gears if they are not gapped correctly ( Harley had this in the Evo engine). My old GCV160 was dead silent, but this new GCV200 is noisy.

Anyone else experienced this? Any comments or advice? Thanks!!
Click to expand...
I'm having the same issue, but I have the HYA. It uses the same GCV200 engine and I downloaded the manual. And the posts from the other dude is referring to the GCV190 which is the OHC engine. The GCV 200 is a OHV engine I realized that when I took the cover off. I am still trying to figure out more info on it. Like is it the same as the commercial engines, or a variant. But the torque rating is higher then the GCV190. I bought mine from A lawn care dude who only mowed 3 yards with it and decided he wanted a 30 inch toro. I changed the oil when after using it 2 times as the manual says 5 hrs. I used it last summer and after about 2 months it started doing the same thing. I noticed that my oil is dirty, and the spark plug has a lot of carbon on it.


#7

M

mechanic mark

Suggestion: If oil is black change it, also check air filter for replacement. Always check oil level on dipstick before cranking.


#8

O

olgeezershonda

I have the HRX2176HYC (C for Canada) with the GCV200. I bought it new last year. I've never seen any marketing material that suggests any GCV engines are commercial grade. It's the GXV engines Honda considers commercial but offhand the exact differences between the 3 engines you mention I don't know. Someone else will have to elaborate on that.

Following the recommended oil change schedule I don't recall it being overly dirty. No dirtier than what comes out my older mower equipped with the GXV engine. As suggested change it when you think it needs it.


#9

Scrubcadet10

Scrubcadet10

in my opinion the GCV's are the worst of the honda engines. partly because of the design, i've replaced many cracked rocker arms in them.


#10

B

bertsmobile1

Check the rocker cover
The thin tin is easily deformed and then the rocker tap on the cover .
Solution is to get some thick cork gasket material & cut a thicker gasket
Continual taping on the cover cracks the rockers as Scrubby has already noted .


#11

FarmForce

FarmForce

Some pretty wild SWAGs here ... i think the noise is probably normal. Honda is not what is was once. I noted the GCV200 engine does not have the belt drive of the cam in the head. The cam now sits again low in the engine case. This is different to earlier GCV engines that didn't soundlike a bucket of rattling screws. My oil is super clean and I guess I just have to accept the noise.


#12

M

mechanic mark

See my previous post regarding valve adjustment on page 1. Specs. are not .008 - .012 or .009. My previous post has specs. in Manual using metric system on page 13.


#13

T

Texas1step

mechanic mark said:
Suggestion: If oil is black change it, also check air filter for replacement. Always check oil level on dipstick before cranking.
Click to expand...
Yeah I'm in the process of winter maintenance, so I've drained the oil, adjusted valves etc. But I'd like to know why it has been knocking and has dirty oil and fouled spark plug from 3 months of use. The valve lash did seem to be off so maybe thats the problem. Maybe the carb needs adjusting because its over fueling.


#14

T

Texas1step

mechanic mark said:
Suggestion: If oil is black change it, also check air filter for replacement. Always check oil level on dipstick before cranking.
Click to expand...
Oil leve, was always exact.


#15

T

Texas1step

Scrubcadet10 said:
in my opinion the GCV's are the worst of the honda engines. partly because of the design, i've replaced many cracked rocker arms in them.
Click to expand...
When you say GCV do you mean the GCV 200 because the previous GCV 190 was an overhead cam engine GCV200 are overhead valve, which Was why I was wondering if there simular to the commercial engines.


#16

T

Texas1step

bertsmobile1 said:
Check the rocker cover
The thin tin is easily deformed and then the rocker tap on the cover .
Solution is to get some thick cork gasket material & cut a thicker gasket
Continual taping on the cover cracks the rockers as Scrubby has already noted .
Click to expand...
I didn't see any marks on the inside of the cover so I don't think it was touching it. Also the cover new from factory.


#17

FarmForce

FarmForce

mechanic mark said:
See my previous post regarding valve adjustment on page 1. Specs. are not .008 - .012 or .009. My previous post has specs. in Manual using metric system on page 13.
Click to expand...
Let me repeat: I have that manual. I know the valve lash. I checked the lash (as mentioned above). It is within specs (as I mentioned above). It's NOT NOT NOT the issue. ?


#18

Scrubcadet10

Scrubcadet10

to be honest i would have taken it back to where you bought it from, or expressed your concerns to the local honda dealer.


#19

FarmForce

FarmForce

Scrubcadet10 said:
to be honest i would have taken it back to where you bought it from, or expressed your concerns to the local honda dealer.
Click to expand...
Home Depot ... seriously? Naw, I am good I think it is not an issue of some defect or out of specs, but these engines are that noisy. I will continue to run it and see. It has a 5 year warranty and if it craps out well then I will take it to Honda. If not I will trade it in side that time anyways. I really think Honda has started to cut corners int eir design.


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