QuestionQUESTION: Hi there, I've got a honda gc 190 on a pressure washer that's only a year or two old. It's always worked great until about a week ago when we started it it was backfiring every couple of seconds (real backfiring-thru the carb, not the muffler). It seems to only really do it at full speed, when I lower the idle it seems to run smooth.
It also seems to have very high compression, like I have to have someone stand on the other side whle I put my foot on this side and pull with all my might.
I pulled the carb off and cleaned it pretty good with carb cleaner, inside the bowl too, and took the valve cover off and sprayed the valve stems and springs pretty good too (I then flushed the crank case and valve train with fresh oil).
I don't know if these two problems are related, but I'm kinda thinking that it may have something to do with the timing. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks and God Bless,
Jay
ANSWER: Hello Jay:
>>From your Description it Sounds like the Exhaust Port or Muffler May be Clogged, the Flywheel Key May be Damaged, the Timing Belt May have Jumped a Tooth or the Valve Clearance May Require Adjusting.
>>You can Use this Site Addy; http://www.honda-engines-eu.com/en/welcome.html and Select Service Information from the Drop Down Menu of the Service Tab. Then Select Troubleshooting, Owner Manual or Service Manual (whichever you are Looking for).
>>I Suggest you Check the Flywheel Key First and then the Valve Clearances.
>>The Following is the Instruction File I Made for Removing the Flywheel from Most Mower Engines. It is the Basics and if you have a Question, Please Ask. Any Input to Make this File Better is Appreciated.
>>***Disconnect the Coil Wire from the Spark Plug. Remove the Blower Housing (metal engine cover).
>>Remove the Coil. Remove the Flywheel Nut or Starter Cup (Depends on the Model).
>>Now Attach a Steering Wheel Puller to the Flywheel Using the Threaded Holes in the Flywheel.
>>Tighten the Puller. Now Hit the Puller with a Hammer. Repeat this Procedure Until the Flywheel Pops Up or can be Lifted Off the Crankshaft.
>>On Some Models you Can Not Use a Puller and and the Jaws of a Standard Puller will Not Fit. On these Type Engines you can Use a Pry Bar and a Pipe Cap that is Slightly Larger than the Crankshaft. Place the Pipe Cap Over the Crankshaft to Protect it. Place the Pry Bar Under the Thick Section of the Flywheel and Pull Up Against the Flywheel.
>>**BE CAREFUL DO NOT PUT A HOLE IN THE BLOCK UNDER THE FLYWHEEL** Now Hit the Pipe Cap that is on the Crankshaft (covered with the Pipe Cap).
>>Repeat the Procedure Until the Flywheel can be Lifted Off the Crankshaft.
>>*** Be Sure you have the Flywheel Torqued to the Proper Torque (I require the Model and Spec/Type Numbers Off the Engine to Provide the Proper Torque) and Set the Coil Gap to .020in..
>>The Following is a Basic File I made for Setting the Valve Clearances. Any Input is Appreciated.
>>**I Do Not Use the Setting Called for by the OEMs. I have Found that the Following Works Best.
>>Remove the Valve Cover (on the Dead Cylinder for Twin Cylinder Engines).
>>Set the Cylinder you are Setting the Valves on to Top Dead Center on the Compression Stroke When Setting the Valve Clearance. Now Loosen the Valve Adjuster Lock and Using a Blade Style Feeler Gauge, Set the Intake Valve Clearance to (OEM's Specs) and the Exhaust to (OEM's Specs) Loosen and Tighten the Rocker Arm and the Feeler Gauge is Placed Between the Rocker Arm and the Valve Top where the Rocker Arm Pushes on the Valve.
>>***BE SURE TO TIGHTEN THE ADJUSTER LOCK AFTER YOU HAVE THE PROPER VALVE CLEARANCE***
>>I have had Better Performance Out of the Mowers and Less Burnt Valves Using these Settings. Be Sure the Piston is at TDC on the Compression Stroke.**
..If you Remove the Valve Cover and then Turn the Engine by Hand, you can Watch the Intake Valve Movement. When the Intake Valve Closes, the Piston will Just Starting the Compression/Power Stroke. On Some Engines you can Us a Straightened Coat Hanger and Feel the Piston.
>>Be Careful and Don't Jam the Wire in the Cylinder. Usually the Piston will Push the Wire Out of the Spark Plug Hole with No Problems.
>>You can Use this Site Addy; http://www.honda-engines-eu.com/en/welcome.html and Select Service Information from the Drop Down Menu of the Service Tab. Then Select Troubleshooting, Owner Manual or Service Manual (Service Manual should have the Valve Clearance Specs).
>>You can Locate the Valve Clearance Specs at this Site Addy; http://outdoorpowerinfo.com/engine_specs/ and Select Valve Clearances Under you Engines OEM (Honda).
>>Please, Do Not Hesitate, If you Hit a Snag, if I Missed Something or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
>>PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Comments and Ratings are Greatly Appreciated. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: ok, so I've checked the flywheel key, it's in excellent condition, the valve clearance is good, removed the muffler and looked in at the exhaust valve (seems to be operating fine) and ran it without the muffler. Without the muffler it seems to run ok, but stutters a few times every 5-10 seconds. Is this normal for running with no muffler?
AnswerHello Again Jay:
>>Some Engines Require the Slight Back Pressure that the Muffler Places on the Cylinder for them to Run Properly.
>>You Put the Muffler Back Onto the Engine and it Starts Backfiring through the Carburetor, then the Intake Valve (Both Valves Actually) May Require Seating.
>>Can you Send me the Rest of the Engines Model Numbers, Please. With these I can be Sure I am Looking at the Correct Engine.
>>Thanks.
Respectfully
John
>>PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Comments and Ratings are Greatly Appreciated. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
