OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions On Honda Engines Seeking Advice Rebuilding a GCV190

Hello all,

I just registered and this is my first post. This seems like a great resource for small engine repairs.

My Honda HRX2175VKA mower stopped starting back at the end of June. After doing all of the normal checks, I eventually concluded that the engine had a problem. I took the engine off of the mower and took the valve cover off and noticed the valve guide was pushed out. Additionally, a rocker arm was bent. I am not sure how this happened as it's always had regular oil changes and checks. This all happened with just weeks left on my warranty, but I couldn't get it repaired in time given COVID shutdowns. I've since purchased a new mower (same but current year model), but am still interested in repairing this engine.

Full disclosure - I'm a DIY type guy but I'm not an engine tech. I do all/most of my vehicle repairs and can learn just about anything. By day, I'm an audio-visual technician and programmer so I generally deal with complicated things. I've never rebuilt an engine before, but this might as well be the first.

Here's where I am...

Before I opened the engine up, I was able to push the valve guide back in but after I did that, the valve would not move in and out freely. I assume it is bent.

The engine is complete disassembled. I have the flywheel off, engine opened up, camshaft and piston/rods removed. I also knocked the valve guide out from the inside as I assume it needs replaced. The valve stems doesn't look drastically bent but I think there is a slight bend in the exhaust valve.

Looking inside the cylinder head, I can see some lines that look like cracks, but are those just normal seams from manufacturing?



If this is normal / OK, it seems I should be ordering the following parts. If I should replace others, please let me know. The timing belt, springs, camshaft, and piston all seem OK.
- Valves
- Exhaust Valve Guide
- Rocker Arms
- Camshaft Pulley (has a chip in the plastic)

I also see there's a Cylinder Assembly (12000-Z8D-010) available, which appears to have at a minimum the cylinder head, valves, springs, rocker arms. I can't tell if it also has the piston or connecting rods and is just missing the camshaft.

The serial for this engine is GJAAA-3126586.

I did find this thread, which has been very helpful. I see there's a valve driver tool used to set the guide. I assume I need this.

Thanks all!

Nick,
from the photo it certainly does appear you have cracks which should not be there, but can you give us another photo not quite as close up so we can get a good idea of the area is that appears to be cracks.
To have a valve guide push out you most certainly have had a reasonably serious malfunction in an engine that is usually quite reliable, so a couple more photos would be helpful.

Beech.

Thanks,

What sorts of shots are you looking for? The outsides, the cylinder and everything else seems OK.

Personally looking at the pic I wouldn't bother going any further with it, there has been something go horribly wrong in there and what stresses have been put on other components is only waiting for something else to fail

Nick,
if the photo was of a crack in a wall of a house it could be anywhere, high, low, toilet, bedroom, what would be required to be able to make a judgement is a photo showing where the crack is located, high in the wall, low in the wall, above a window or door etc, get my drift.
A couple of shots showing the engine that can be identified as to where the crack is and any other damage they some of the experts on this forum may see, NormK is one of those experts so his words are well worth noting.

Beech.

I agree with Norm. I think it's beyond economic repair even as a project it looks to be problematic. I can get Chonda's at the tip for $20 and have that mower going in a few hours.......sometimes, maybe, now and again... well, once.

Thanks guys,

So what about getting the cylinder assembly? Costs seem to be about $70, but I can't tell what that doesn't include. It seems my problem parts would be replaced by this...

The problem is that you may be up for a new piston, rings plus gaskets - all the stuff you can't see. Is the other stuff that you can see OK?

What about a second hand engine Nick? Someone here in the "For Sale" forum may be able to help you out. There are heaps of these engines at the recycle centres of the dumps - Sanli, Victa, Rover, and lots of others all use Honda OHV copies that will fit your mower. Just make sure its not a side valve engine.

Ok, for a start you will find those aren't cracks. That looks normal inside a honda, I have questioned it myself many times. Now for it to bend a valve like that and move a guide, I would say the timing belt has either let go or slipped a few notches. Really the only way you will get damage like that is if the piston hits the valve.

Personally as far as i have ever known GCV engines are a throw away. By the time you replaced the cylinder (99% sure guides are not available as a part for those) valve, rocker, belt, cam, maybe a gasket (mostly glued together) you will be looking at a lot of money. not to mention if you are having belt troubles it would indicate it has done quite a bit of work so you may even be looking at rings etc.

That's good news!

The valve isn't noticeably bent. I need to take a straight edge to it. I think what happened is there's enough build up on the valve stems that it simply got stuck. It also didn't look like the belt slipped or anything. Right now I'm trying to find out what Honda part 12000-Z8D-010 includes and doesn't include.

Looks like when I google it it comes with the valves pre installed. You're dealer would be able to find out exactly. One thing to watch is where you get you're pricing. On the aussie site I trust they have the cylinder listed at either $284 or $516.