Husqvarna HU700H w/ Honda GCV160 engine, ran on low oil. Rebuild kit? Or replace the engine?

[Weberkettleguy]

Hey all! I find myself in a very unfortunate spot, and I’m really kicking myself as I’m afraid I just ruined my mower. I’ve had it for years, and love my Husqvarna HU700H. It has the Honda GCV160 auto choke engine. I changed the oil today, and misread the dipstick and did not properly fill the oil. Got half way thru mowing before I realized that the mower seemed to be running rough. It runs similarly to having a bent crank. I stopped, checked the oil, and sure enough it’s low on oil. I topped off the oil, but I feel the damage is already done. It runs, but it’s got a shimmy to it. Did I just ruin the crank, or the piston and block too? Is it worth rebuilding or should I just get a replacement engine? I’m really upset with myself, as I’ve never ruined an engine before. I’m fully capable of rebuilding the engine, (built a couple automotive engines over the years) just trying to figure out if I’d be time and money ahead buying a new engine to put on the mower. What’s your thoughts?

the engine model is GCV160 LA0 S3B NH1

Thanks in advance for your help!
Tim

 

[bertsmobile1]

Unless it was really low very unlikely you have done damage to the bore
Usually it will be either the little end or the top crank shaft bush that go dry first
Worth pulling down to check
Continuing to use it will destroy the engine

 

[Weberkettleguy]

Unless it was really low very unlikely you have done damage to the bore
Usually it will be either the little end or the top crank shaft bush that go dry first
Worth pulling down to check
Continuing to use it will destroy the engine

I’ll take this as good news. I’ve struggled to find a bushing/bearing set, or a basic rebuild kit. Best as I can tell, everything is piece by piece. Any way you could point me in the direction of a rebuild kit? Thanks for the reply!

 

[bertsmobile1]

No bushes AFAIK everything runs on the aluminium
You clean the build up off the crankcase chemically with HCl or Na2OH
remove any burs very carefullythen refit
Con rods are just replaced

 

[Tiger Small Engine]

No bushes AFAIK everything runs on the aluminium
You clean the build up off the crankcase chemically with HCl or Na2OH
remove any burs very carefullythen refit
Con rods are just replaced

Honda GCV160 engines are rarely rebuilt (not cost feasible). Unless you want to open it up yourself and source some aftermarket parts. Perform compression and leak down tests if you have the equipment.

 

[Weberkettleguy]

So, got everything apart and was surprised that there isn’t any apparent damage. I expected the top crank bearing to have damage, but I’m not really seeing anything on the bearing surface. Same with the connecting rod. I would appreciate any insight or what you feel my next course of action should be. Both crank bearings have slight play, the top more than the bottom, but it’s very minor. Let me know what you all think. At this point, I’m feeling just putting it back together and running it. I tried to add pictures here, but it says the photos are too large to add.