Question I own a Honda Harmony II HRT216 SDA MZCG6161636 with a GCV 160 engine. I bought it in May of 1999. I'm not sure if I have the choke hooked up correctly. I was wondering if anyone can provide a picture of the proper connection of the choke rod to the black plastic choke lever on the carburetor? I've tried both holes on the carburetor choke lever and the hole that is closest to the air cleaner (farthest from the engine) is the only one that provides any throttle control. I’ve gone to Home Depot to examine other GCV 160 engines. And it appears that the choke rod should be connected to the black plastic carburetor choke lever by the hole closest to the engine and it looks like the choke is closed on the motors in the store when the choke is fully applied. When I hook my engine up this way the engine to revs uncontrollably high and the choke is wide open even though the lever on the handle is in the position when full choke should be applied. I know these are newer engines so they might be slightly different. I’ve also made sure the cable is adjusted correctly. Could there be a problem with the springs on the control base or the governor?
When using the hole that is closest to the air cleaner (farthest from the engine):
1. The choke is not fully closed, only partially when starting cold as I thought is was supposed to be and it takes several pulls to get it started instead of just one.
2. The mower used to idle when the control lever was in the full choke position (all the way forward) now it won't run at all.
3. The true idle position (when the throttle control on the handle is pulled all the way back) causes the mower to stall.
The engine runs fine (no surging or sputtering but very little throttle control) once I get it started and keep the throttle in the midway position.
I've also attempted to reset the governor as per the directions I found on this site. I'm not sure I've done it correctly. Can you tell me how far the governor rod should turn when it is disconnected from the governor lever/arm? The governor rod on my mower turns very little. Is that normal?
This mower had run perfectly until last year when it was turned upside down while running. Right after that it began to surge (surging isn’t the current problem). Hence the problem(s) I have now. Pictures of the proper set up and additional information/direction would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Answer
Honda
Sorry to take so long to reply, I was digging around the garage to find an old engine for a pic.
Honda has nothing online as far as repair goes.
In the pic attached, it all takes place to the left of the spring.
When working on the mower, the bracket is easily bent so that the
lever coming up will partially miss the bracket, and not fully close
the choke. and the stop on the bottom needs to meet in the correct spot as well.
The choke rod needs to go to the hole closest to the engine.
So you might have to straighten the metal, take a look in that area,
and I will see if I can find something on the gov adjustments.
