Honda clone generator backfiring through carb, any ideas?

Anonymous-0 · Dec 8, 2013

Hi all, i picked up a non running chicago electric generator with a 5.5 hp honda gx160 clone engine. I could not get this thing to start to save my life, found a weak spart and a broken air screw on the carb. I replaced the plug, coil, and the carb and now after about an hour of messing with it it fired up and ran really well. I shut it off and started it again with the choke on a few times no problem. Next day i go out and back to square one. I even sometimes get a nice big flame shoot out of the carb so that tells me maybe valve? Opened up the valve cover and re set the valve lash and i see both open and close and seem to be working fine. Checked air screw on carb and its 1 1/2 turns out like should be from what i have seen. Everything is tight no air leaks or anything. Anyone seen this before? Am i over looking something? Thanks a ton!

JT · Dec 8, 2013

If it is backfiring out the carb, a couple things, burnt intake valve if it does it every time, or could be carb contaminated. I know, new carb, but, unless you took tank off and completely flushed it, could still have bad fuel

rbooe05 · Dec 9, 2013

I was concerned that maybe the fuel had water in it so i put some of that heat in the tank to remove water and help clean the lines but still didnt help. I think im going to start over and try new gas from another station and im going to pull the flywheel to verify the key is still ok and after that i think ill have to pull the head.

Butch(OH) · Dec 9, 2013

First thing I do when working on a Honda with problems like that is unplug the low oil shut down, they can cause all kinds of weird operating issues. Second thing is to replace the plug,, again. Cant tell you how many time a perfectly good looking plug that will fire when laying on the shroud would cause similar starting symptoms. Spitting out the intake or exhaust or both. Best plug in my experience is the OEM NGK

JT · Dec 14, 2013

also check and make sure the push rod or rocker arms is not bent, or broken or a valve stuck in the huide, another thing that the chinese engines do

Geo-TH,In · Dec 25, 2013

If you had a broken screw in carb, it's possible the carb is damaged internally. IF all else fails that is listed below, take carb apart for a look see. You may need to buy a new carb.

Neighbor had a weedwacker that would hit and then miss. Turned out the flywheel was rusted and the rust would short out spark.

How healthy is your spark when it won't start?

I have a 13 hp honda that was a PITA to pull start. I had to have full choke, gas lever set in a particular position, pump pressure turned all the way to zero, open sprayer. Sometimes I would flood it. Tried to give it away to son, he didn't want it. Then I put an electric start on it. It sat for a year. When I hit the key, it fired right up, no problem. I'll keep it now.

I think if I buy a new genny, it will definately have an electric start and be a quiet RV genny with a 110v 30 amp.

George

Honda clone generator backfiring through carb, any ideas?

Anonymous-0

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JT

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rbooe05

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Butch(OH)

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JT

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Geo-TH,In

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