Diagnosing a Honda GCV160 That is Hard to Pull the Start Rope

[@billgorsche223]

Thank you very much clearly explained nice job !😊

[@richardmorse5307]

I have the exact same mower so the procedure for changing the cam gear was of great interest. Thank you for your very clear instructions which I’m going to save if it ever comes up.

[@JLPicard440]

Excellent! You're welcome, I'm so glad to help... 😊

[@Tsnor150]

Super job. I've watched many videos on the same problem. You've done the best job, by far. Super clear. TY.

[@JLPicard440]

Thanks for the great feedback! I really appreciate it. 😊

[@go4lowcost652]

Thanks for the video, followed what you did on the first half of the video, and got my mower working again!!!

[@JLPicard440]

You're welcome! SO glad I could help... 😊

[@Michael-yv4uh]

I need to inspect the cam gear on a PW with the 160, Real hard to pull, it started, ran for a few minutes then lost rpm's down to barely running. The exhaust rocker was also very loose. I'll check the cam gear thanks sir.

[@JLPicard440]

Possibly the exhaust rocker is cracked? I would look closely at that if the compression relief seems to be ok...

[@mstechbasement5395]

This is a super video, thank you. Are old Honda HRS-21 mower GCV-110 engines similar?

[@JLPicard440]

HI! Thanks for the great feedback! I looked up the HR 21 engine and it looks like it's one out of the 70s... I could not actually find anything on the GCV110 at all...

[@jagboy69]

It's RUDY from the home improvement channel. I didn't know you turned wrenches?

[@JLPicard440]

Yes! I've been turning wrenches since they were invented.... 😊

[@SikesPhotography]

I want to thank you for these wonderful diy videos. Clear, concise and easy to understand. Using that mirror to show the underside of the cam gear was genius. After going thru all the checks, I'm still stuck with my Honda mower as very difficult to pull start. I don't think there's ANY compression relief, and I'm fighting the engine. my cam gear looks just yours did at 3:21 in the video, yet you knew it wasn't working. What's it supposed to look like at cold start position? Maybe it's bad, and I don't know how to confirm? Is there anything else I can check for? It'll start, and run well, but pulling it is a chore. My exhaust valve was actually stuck, and you taught me how to free it up, by getting into examining it, as I slowly turned the engine with my hand.

[@JLPicard440]

HI Sikes.... Thank you for the great feedback.. I really appreciate it. Without having it in front of me, Im going off memory, so if I get something not quite right that's the reason.. The cam gear has a metal part that is supposed to be raised when the engine is not running... When the engine spins around while pull starting, it slightly bumps the exhaust valve thus relieving the compression.. When it speeds up it goes flat so it's not doing anything. If you have a GCV160 / 190 engine it should have this on the cam.. There's a very light spring on it that brings it back to the raised position when the engine is not running.. IF yours is flat while not running, chances are the cam is bad... or most likely the spring, but replacing the whole cam is easier than fighting with the spring... Hope that helps.

[@Tsnor150]

Look at video at 3:42 See the spring loaded piece of metal that moves? He's holding the cam assembly in his hand. Now look back at 3:15 at the cam assembly as installed. If the spring loaded piece moves freely and is spring loaded as assembled then it's fine. If the spring loaded piece is missing, or if it flops back and forth without any spring tension then you need to replace the cam assembly exactly as described here.

[@JLPicard440]

That's right! If I remember right it might not have been evident on camera that there is supposed to be tension holding that compression relief back and keeping it in the neutral position until it starts spinning. Thanks..

[@benrobles752]

I bought A Troybilt mower with GCV 160 engine at a yard sale. It has 150 psi when spun with a drill. That's my prob;em, right?

[@JLPicard440]

HI, it could be! I also mentioned in the video that these engines have an issue with the valve getting stuck and as a result it cracks the rocker arm. It'll cause the same exact symptom as the compression release. You'll have to take off the valve cover to look and see..

[@Up2winPartStore]

Hi~We have parts that may fit your Honda engine. We're happy to offer you the product completely free of charge in exchange for a video review. Are you interested?

[@JLPicard440]

HI, you can email me at [e-mail]