Hard starting 13 hp HONDA

[B.E YOUNG Sr]

I have a 13 hp Honda engine. It gets very difficult to start when the weather is cold (below 40 f). The oil level in the engine and pump is is correct.

The low pressure shut down is disconnected.

It feels like the compression is not releasing.

You can pull the spark plug out and it still is extremly hard to crank.

If you let the machine warm up in the sun several hours you can eventually get it to start.

The unit is stored in an enclosed trailer. All water is blown out of the pump before storage. A movers blanket is than placed over the pump and engine. The unit is not freezing.

I have an 11hp Honda stored under the same conditions and dont have any problems with it.

Any input would be appreciated!

 

[johnny]

My Kohler (a knock-off of the Honda) had a similar problem. No spark going to the plug. Traced it to the magneto. $100 bucks later it's running.

 

[Mark]

Check with your local Honda engine dealer, he may suggest a lighter weight oil, and or hotter spark plug.

Let me know what he tells you.



Sorry I have not run across this problem before.

 

[B.E YOUNG Sr]

Johnny,
I will pass this on to my small engine guy Monday. Thanks!

Mark,
I am already using 5w30 oil.

 

[Mark]

Wish I had a remedy for you keep me posted on your findings.

 

[ron]

are you sure it's the engine and not what the engine is connected too?
In other words have you disconnected the belt's and tried to start it? Or is it a direct drive unit? in that case remove the pump then try to spin the engine.
I run a 13 hp honda everyday and it's on an uncovered truck[air compressor] and use synthetic oil 5w-15w oil.
Sometimes the oil in the compressor head is so thick i feel a huge drag. So that's why i suggest you disconnect whatever it's running. I sometimes have it covered in snow for 12 hrs before i need to start it.
Your not dealing in thick engine oil if it's still hard to crank with the plugs out.
When you say hard to crank, are you talking starter or cord?
Maybe your starter is going or the transformer module thats off the starter.

 

[B.E YOUNG Sr]

Ron,
Thanks for the input.
The unit is direct drive with a manual starting system. The pump oil is non detergant 30 weight.
This thing has got me stumped at this point.

 

[Larry L.]

The flywheel could be rusty which will have a low spark at the plugs,the coil may be setting to close,the points may need setting,could even be out of time.

 

[Mark]

I assume you have checked for spark at the spark plug correct?
Have you tried to start engine with no gun / nozzle on the end of HP hose?

If I undestand this correctly you are saying that the rope is hard to pull, ( harder than what is normal) Is this correct?

If you are getting spark, and it feels that the rope is hard to pull, go ahead and remove the pump, should be able to remove in 10 minutes or less. (If the engine shaft was coated with Never Seize prior to pump installation.)

Is the rope still hard to pull after removing pump, I would take engine to a small engine shop.

 

[ron]

i was under the impression that it was hard to even pull the rope without the plugs in.
30 wt oil should not get that thick.
I think it's something to do with binding between the engine and pump.
I never have had a direct drive so i dont know what it could be.
It must be something with close tolerances because a temp increase will get it going.
If it were electrical heat shouldnt effect it that much.
Heat exspands metal so warming should make it worse not better if it were the flywheel.
im going with it's the pump.
it's under some kind of load.
Have you tried starting it with the trigger gun in the open position?
I like to start with the dumb things first.

 

[B.E YOUNG Sr]

Mark,
Will pull the pump for the h--- of it later today. Once you do get the machine started it runs fine though. Yes even pulling the plug and trying to spull start does not help. Does feel like compression is built up.

Ron,
What cause the pump to be in a bind before starting?
I have been staring with no gun attached so pressure should be low.

Thanks Mark and Ron for the input.

 

[Aplus]

My guess is the motor will run fine once the pump is removed. Heck it's only 4 bolts, should take 2 minutes to pull the pump.

 

[john orr]

I have a 13hp Honda that does the same thing. When you pull on the starter rope, it will not budge - almost like the rope will break. I had this problem in the summer also, so temp is not an issue.

If you pull REALLY hard, it will eventually turn the crank...slowly at first, then as normal. At this point, gas starts spitting out. Many pulls later, it does start.

I use it every day, change oil every 2 weeks and once started, it runs/stops/starts as normal. It drives me nuts, not to mention hurting my hands. This machine is now back-up to my new trailer, so I haven't followed-up on it, but I am curious a sto what is going on.

 

[Rick - Pro Wash]

Hello John,

Your problem sounds like a needle and seat (in carb) problem or pressure building up the the fuel tank. It's filling the combustion chamber with fuel and you are trying to compress the fuel when you start it. I'll bet that the oil level has gone up some and the oil smells like fuel. The fuel may be leaking by the rings.

The Briggs on my Fury will fill the cylinders with water if left out in the rain. The air cleaner housing has a small hole in it and allows water to run into the carburator.

I don't know what to tell you Bruce. Is this a recent problem or has that rig always been like that?

Good luck
See Ya,
Rick

 

[B.E YOUNG Sr]

John,
Mine is just very hard to start. Seems like it has gotten woarse in the past six weeks. Have another Honda 11 hp stored in the same conditions and it starts right up. This 13 will about wear you out.

Tony,
That pump is coming off Monday evening. Got to see if that is the problem.

Rick,
New problem. All oil levels correct. Mostly seems to be related to cold weather. Would not start this a.m. when 34 F. Put a movers blanket around it and let the generator exhaust blow onto 13 hp motor and pump. Thirty minutes later it cranks easy as can be. Ran motor for 4.5 continuous hours and no problems. Hmm cold blooded maybe! LOL! Using straight 30 weight non detergent in my pumps and 5-W 30 in the Hondas.

Going to talk to the small engine man Monday. May also call AR and see if any of their pumps have had problems like this.

 

[B.E YOUNG Sr]

Big Boy,
I will let the small engine guy know what you suggested.

Justin,
I have been partial to Hondas because of their longevity but hey maybe I need to look at a Briggs. I have a Kohler engine that I will put the pump on when the Honda is in the shop.

Mark,
Thanks for your suggestions also. I am going to let the small engine guy take care of it nexy week if taking the pump off does not help staring. Hopefully he is not behind.

Thanks to all for the replies. I will let you know the out come.

 

[B.E YOUNG Sr]

Justin,
Hey I will pass that on to the s.e. guy. Would the run ok once it is started if it has an exhaust valve problem?
Sure have been thinking about Mobile 1 the past few days! Can you switch after using conventional oil? Is there a procedure to follow?

 

[ron]

i switched to mobil 1
i drained the old oil,added 1 qt of the mobil
ran it for 1 min
drained it and refilled with the mobil just to be safe
it cost me an extra $4 but i figure it safe that way.
If it is the pump that is making it hard to start then one day soon you will bust the keyway on the motor shaft.

 

[Michael T]

B.E. I will have to agree with John Orr. I think you are leaking fuel into the cylinder. I had this same problen on a 16hp Honda. If I didnt shut off the gas tank fuel would leak into the cylinder and would do the same thing. I started shutting off the gas when finished and , Problem Solved.

Hope everything works out

Michael T

 

[outlaw]

Seems like it could be so many things, mines doing the same thing, I've found if I pull the trigger whilst pulling the rope it will start very easily, I'm sure this is not fixing the problem, but its kept me running the last 2 days.

Gav