OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions On Honda Engines Honda GCV135 hard starting

Hi guys,

I have a Honda GCV135 on victa base, got it cheap because it was hard to start. Upon inspection i found the choke was not closing so adjusted the cable so it would. Gave it a full service, new filters, new plug (gapped .75mm) changed oil and adjusted the valve clearance. Despite all this it was still hard to start both hot and cold (had to use choke to restart it hot) however it runs great, smooth steady idle, plenty of power. I've recently pulled the carby off, stripped and cleaned eveyrthing i could with carb cleaner, poked wire through all jets, checked fuel flow was all good and reset the pilot screw to spec. Carb/insulator gaskets seemed fine also. This didn't help infact it no longer liked to idle, and popped out the exhaust on decel rpms, so i readjusted the pilot screw as per the manual to achieve highest idle speed and it runs perfect but is still a pain to start (3-4pulls cold/choke to restart hot). The pilot scew now is a bit over 2 turns out, if i wind it out some more it does get a little easier to start but will blow alot of smoke untill it has warmed up. Any suggestions, could it maybe be low on compression? Valve clearance not quite right?

Thanks,

Dan

Hi Dan,

Have you checked the compression with a compression tester?

I've found the carby insulator gaskets sometimes look fine but are still worn out. The other problem with the Chonda motors is that sometimes the linkages need to be bent around slightly to actually activate the choke fully.

Try replacing the gaskets and triple checking the butterfly is closing fully.

Also - I apologise if this sounds like a stupid question but are you using fresh fuel?

Pete.

cleaned out the emulsion tube and the idle jet ? long brass one , lots of tiny holes , the other is small black plastic one held in under the idle screw , both of those could do what your describing too as well as a suspect gasket , and almost all of them and honda's like choke even on hot starts

Forgot my compression tester, choke buttery fly is fully closed, definitely fresh fuel.

Ah the emulsion tube that could be my problem i unscrewed the main jet but it wouldn't drop out tried spraying and tapping it to no avail so let it be. I realise now i can maybe push down on the tube from the top to get it out? Think my idle jet is different, the idle screw merely sets the butterfly stop. Anyways i'll get the emulsion tube out and report back. Thanks!

aaaaah then yes that could be the problem huh , and idle jet too while you have it off just be gentle they are thin plastic , the tube spray cleaner and let soak a little then GENTLY push from top with a flat driver bread tie or jet cleaners if you have them ? bread tie works well just strip off the plastic n there ya go and all the tiny little holes i think 12 ? could be more good luck and play gently . gentlyyyyyyyyy

Thanks mate, idle jet is pressed in on my carb but found it and cleaned it out. Got the emulsion tube out finally, bit gummed up in the top smaller holes. Cleaned and put it back together again with pilot screw set to 1 turn out. Runs great, idles great, will do a proper cold start test tomorrow but looking good!

Well shes still not quite a first pull starter, second go but it's much improved, could just be a matter of fine tuning choke adjustment or maybe a slight turn out of the pilot screw. I'm about to sell it so would really love to get it starting first pull. I just picked up a nice old HRU195, thing starts so easy first pull barely any effort, almost as good as my victa 2 stroke.

Set pilot screw 1 5/8 turns out, i thought it was 1 to 5/8 turns, starts easily first pull hot or cold, runs great, sold for a good price. Thanks for all your help.

Thanks Dan, good result in the end.