Help please-Equipment

Tim Smith

New Member
I have a 11hp honda engine.

About a week ago, the unit would not start. It seem like it was not getting fuel, but I open the plug on the sump beneath the carborator and fuel came out, when I turned the fuel lever on. It was getting ignition.

Took system to honda repair shop - the said water was in fuel and they cleaned the tank and carburator out - stated that carburator was pretty gunk up. They also adjusted all the valves.

Got system back and was on a job when it did the same thing. It work just fine for about 2 - 3 hrs and through two fill-ups of gas. Out of nowhere, it just stop as if it ran out of gas. Same thing all over.

First of all - it has plenty of oil. Second, I got my gas from a another place and used a different gas can to make sure water would not enter fuel again.

I am stumpped. Please help.

Can water get into system from washing to close to unit?

Thanks
Tim
 

Aplus

New Member
Try spraying a little starting fluid directly into the carburator, see if it starts. Check the rubber fuel line, make sure it is not soft and degraded, thus collapsing and cutting off fuel. Take the spark plug out and observe what the electrode looks like. Most auto parts stores have charts depicting what improper combustion looks like on a spark plug electrode.

Check the oil again, make sure it is not low, the Hondas have low oil shutdown protection.

If you suspect water in the gas again, drain it into a glass container and look at it. Gas and water separate and is easy to spot.

That's all I can offer, maybe the service pros can add more ideas.
 

oguard

New Member
Honda engines are notorious for not liking too much oil in the crankcase, especially the 20 HP V-Twin. The pressurized system is really finicky.

My clue is that the carburetor was "gunked" up and it runs for increasingly less and less time before it stops all together.

Ensure that the oil level is slightly below the full mark on the dipstick and you will have to get the whole upper cylinder and carburetor cleaned.

This should clear up your problem. Also for a while, until you can get summer fuel, add some isopropyl alcohol (gas line anti-freeze) to keep the water out of your fuel. Also there are some fuel additives you can get to help clean out the cylinder.

Hope this helps?
 

Aplus

New Member
It is possible that since the carburator was "gunked up" that maybe it wasn't completely disassembled and cleaned the first time it was in the shop. Maybe a little piece of gunk broke loose and clogged something. I had that happen to a lawn mower one time.

I like to run a small amount of carburator cleaner thru the system from time to time. Just pour it in the gas tank, and let it work.

Also, I only run synthetic motor oil (Mobil 1) which does not allow gunking up. It just stays viscuous all the time!
 

Mark

Moderator / Sponsor
Tim,

It sounds like Tony & Michael pretty well answered your question.:)

[hand]
 

Tim Smith

New Member
Get this!

Honda repair shop stated that the ignition was bad. They stated that there was water in the gas & took it for granted that the problem was only moister.

So now they want to replace the ignition.

What do you think about that?
 

oguard

New Member
Careful as they rarely cover the ignition and/or starter under warranty. Get it in writing before you agree to the service. The problem with Honda is they know there is a demand for their products so they do not have to bend over backwards like some others would.
 

Mark

Moderator / Sponsor
Tim,

Intermittant problems can be a bear to find.
Personally I think I would try to reason with the
dealer and see if he will give you a break.

Good luck!
:)
 

Our Sponsors

Top