Honda 160cc engine problem; can't diagnose (HRR216K6VXA)

7 years ago

Mod. HRR2166VXA KD,
MZCG 8019177 (HRR216K6VXA)

This is the first time I've run into this problem .....ever.

The engine starts up on choke (with a strange muffler sound) but backfires and dies on fast speed. It runs well at idle.

I cleaned all the jets on the carb; installed a new carb; same symptom.

I checked the valve clearances; both good.

The original plug looked good but was changed; no change.

I pulled the flywheel to check the key; good.

I swapped out a known good coil; no change.

Gas is fresh. I did not do a leakdown test.

Any ideas appreciated.

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Comments (13)

yt125
7 years ago
Hmmm, these use a plastic timing gear that likes to slip on the camshaft. Worn and slipping timing belt or worn cam lobes could be possible.
baymee
Original Author
7 years ago
With the valve cover off and the piston at TDC, I noticed that some factory yellow marks on the cam gear were not centered in the opening, but would the engine run well on choke and idle if the gear had moved?
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Ted (Zone 4) IA
7 years ago
Backfire through the carb? Or backfire backfire.
baymee
Original Author
7 years ago
Only thru the muffler and only when I try to run at fast speed. Works fine on choke or idle. Reminds me of an air leak symptom but......
tomplum
7 years ago
Is the valve cover dented?
baymee
Original Author
7 years ago
No, no dents. I have to set this mower aside a few days to work on my van. I want to check the timing gear position at TDC. I will send a pic of what I see.
baymee
Original Author
7 years ago
I checked the timing marks at TDC/compression and they line up exactly. This doesn't make any sense.
tomplum
7 years ago
You may want to consider working something like Marvel, Deep Creep etc. in the valve guides. As long as it runs, point it towards your favorite neighbor's house and run it in via the air box. Remember that the valve springs are very light duty and should you have a slight stick, that would make it cough like he double tooth picks.
baymee
Original Author
7 years ago
I
worked Sea Foam into the guides and then put a few ounces into the carb while it
was running with the choke 70% ON at 3000 RPM.

The
video shows the mower running at 3000 RPM with the choke 70% ON. I tried to
open the choke a bit and it started stumbling so I threw it to idle where is
idles nicely. Then I tried to work it back up to 3000 RPM with the choke
totally off and you can hear it backfiring etc. Once back at the original
starting point, it runs fine.
tomplum
7 years ago
I listened to the video a few times. I couldn't confirm the popping was from the intake, but it sounded like it was. If it were mine, I would remove the inline tank filter if it has one and verify routing of the kill wire. Since you swapped coils, I assume that the wire ends were also swapped. But it really sounds like a sticking valve yet. What is the history on the mower? Has it sat? If varnish is present on the stem, the official Honda way is to heat the stem. Could it be a loose baffle in the muffler? I've not ever see one. If something else comes to mind, I'll give a shout.
baymee
Original Author
7 years ago
When I took the carb off this afternoon I could see the valve stem was spotless inside. Since it runs well at 3000 rpm with the choke partially open I'm not thinking fuel supply problem. Kill wire.....good thought but the misfire comes and goes with throttle/choke position. Loose baffle....remember I said that the exhaust sound wasn't normal....that's something worth checking. The popping is definitely from the muffler. Thanks for the thoughts.
mdstamen
6 years ago
I guess you got it resolved?

One of the biggest problems with Honda GCV engines is to always replace all of the carb gaskets.

I have seen the same problem many times. A loose carb or defective gasket. It will start like a dream , but it will die at regular speed. Yes, and it looks like gas starvation.

A cracked plastic heat spacer will drive you crazy.

A lot of surging problems is caused by a loose carb and a defective gasket.

So, what was the problem?
summersrhythm_z6a
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
It sounds like Ethanol damage. Did you put in Ethanol gas? Google Ethanol damage to small engines. You can find Ethanol free gas near you from here: pure-gas.org

Honda 160cc engine problem; can't diagnose (HRR216K6VXA)

Comments (13)

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Honda 160cc engine problem; can't diagnose (HRR216K6VXA)

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