Hello, folks.

I'm the *very* lucky owner of not ONE but TWO *wonderful* Honda GCV 160 powered devices, and both of them are a dream come true.

sarcasm ;)

Does anyone know where I can get a repair manual for this engine?

The 160 on my lawnmower refuses to run correctly. It will run fine for a few minutes from cold, but it starts to cough, sputter, backfire then die. I can run it for 30 seconds before it dies again.

I've checked the carb and it's fine. Nothing plugged, fresh gas; no varnish.

My next guess is to check the timing, and I've got a good handle on how to approach that from reading posts on this forum.

Is there anything else I can check, such as ignition?

Thanks for all your help. I'm moving in two months and would rather try to get as much life out of this mower before I leave.

First thing I would try is a new spark plug. If that makes no difference, I would still suspect a carburetor issue. You can find some service info at the Honda Europe site http://www.honda-engines-eu.com/en/welcome.html

I agree with 30YT that it's probably a fuel problem as opposed to ignition. The timing would not change on a running motor. It's typically either good or bad and the things that would cause it to change on a running motor are all pretty unlikely scenarios.

I have seen magnetos(ignition modules) be intermittent and the best way to check that is with a gap type tester that you leave in series with the plug and watch the spark with the engine running. When the engine begins to shut down, if the spark is going away, that's a good indicator it is the cause of the shutdown. If it isn't, I'd make the leap of faith that the ignition is probably OK and your problem is elsewhere(most likely fuel delivery).

In addition to inspecting and cleaning the carb, have you tried loosening the gas cap and running it. If the vent is plugged in the cap it will run for some period of time till the bowl is empty and then stop. Restarting can be difficult.

Finally, regarding the manual. You can get them from HelmInc.com. Honda distributes their manuals through them. Here is the link for your manual.... $28.95. (I haven't seen these on line anywhere for free)

http://www.helminc.com/helm/product2.asp?class%5F2=ENG&mk=Honda+Engines&yr=All+Years&md=Engines&dt=Shop%2FService+Information&module=&from=result&Style=helm&Sku=61ZM000&itemtype=B&mscsid=9BWG01UM3H8G9M2GGLRA7TCKGGT1A05E

Let us know how you make out...

Thanks, guys!

I'll try the gas cap.

Then the plug.

Then I'll clean the carb again.

Hopefully it will be fixed at plan 1.

:)

You guys are the bees' knees! :thumbsup:

It was the gas cap.

I'm a new member from Salina Kansas.

Hi I'm a new member from Phoenix and I was hoping someone could tell me how to adjust the choke on my lawnmower. It's a Honda 5.5hp GCV 160.

Hi all,
I'm a new member from Orange County, California, USA. I need some hints for the GCV160. Mine won't start - it stopped in mid-operation. Thought the kill switch went bad but it's OK. Changed spark plug, replaced gas. Still no start.
It might be bad gas - I have never stabilized the gas, but didn't worry about it since I use it every week normally, and there is no off-season in this part of the country. I guess I need to get into the carb, etc, but would like to look at a repair manual first so I don't mess something up. I like to repair things, but would like to know the tricks.
Appreciate any help.

It was listed under another thread,but here it is again.


Here is a link to access the service manual and general Honda information.

http://www.honda-engines-eu.com/en/welcome.html