How To Fix A Honda Engine Stalling. Honda Engine Hacks.

Fix for power washer stalling. Honda small engine stalls and how to fix it. If you are having problems with your power washer stalling or any other machinery stalling with a Honda engine on it, we may have the solution to the problem for you. See our video for tips to this engine problem including replacing the gas cap, check for low oil, bad gasoline, and checking the oil check valve.
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Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of The Idaho Painter (or Chris Berry), I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. The Idaho Painter assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. The Idaho Painter recommends safe practices when working on any structure and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of The Idaho Painter, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from use or improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not The Idaho Painter.

[@BBradshaw131]

Painter / mechanic. Same thing lol. I can't talk. I paint, mow grass / landscape, and Handyman for a living and have been playing mechanic all weekend myself lol. I love to see people who are multi-talented

[@mhenry1967]

Thank you for your repair tip. My pressure washer was running fine until I pulled the trigger and then the motor would die. I put in more oil and started it and let it run for about 10 minutes before I pulled the trigger and that gave time for the oil to settle and the sensor to reset.

[@pcarroll8799]

Fair play, my Honda engined water pump would run for 10 seconds, cut out and fail to restart until left to rest for a while. Never once failed in the workshop and often worked perfectly many times before the problem resurfaced. It was full of oil but I was using it on a slight slope as it was easier to connect the pipes. The sensor was on the high side and once oil began to circulate it shut the engine down. This has been doing my head in for months as a 10 minute job was taking up to 40.

[@johnd1070]

Here's some awesome info I just did this weeken. I bought and old GX390 for $200 bucks and found a rebuild kit on Amazon for only $39 bucks. Kit included new carb, gas cap, plug and wire, air filter, pull start, on off switch, oil and gaskets. Unreal for $39 bucks. Took me 45 minutes to install all and it started on the first pull!!!.

[@Idahopainter]

Thanks for sharing John!

[@kevinlong5091]

Just had a issue with a Honda engine so I watched this video to see if issues matched, it did have a similar problem run a minute then die, my issue was it had TO MUCH oil. So I drained the oil out add some new to the full mark and it run perfect with no stalls. So thanks for sharing your video

[@boblewin7099]

Chris, thanks for the tips. Well my 13 HP Honda generator has exhibited this problem intermittently over many years. It was happening again today as I was getting ready to winterize. Turns out it is the Fuel Cap, just as you had said. After running without the cap for a half hour and no stalls, I cleaned the fuel cap and blew it out. Ventilation now through the cap and it now runs with the cap on. Who would have thought? Thanks again Chris.

[@Idahopainter]

Glad you got it fixed, thanks for watching!

[@macmillanlavety2101]

Bob Lewi

[@frankdelucey2137]

Thank you. We had replaced everything on this homelite power washer. Took out the oil sensor wire and now it runs perfectly. Will be getting a new sensor now. Again Thank You.

[@IronHorse254]

Thanks mate, pulled the carby off multiple times, couldn't figure what was wrong??, the machine was out of the box and used 1 time. I went to the oil sensor and disconnected it,,BOOM!! the engines running like a clock!!,, cheers for your help.. NT Mick..

[@doubledeuce5084]

To help anyone else that has this stalling problem that is not fixed by the Idaho painters suggestions. I found another answer. After the gas cap, oil sensor and new carb didn't fix the problem, I figured something electrical. To test the electrical, I couldn't pull the plug in time, so I pulled the cap off the plug and inserted a new plug right after it stalled. The spark was good at the new plug immediately. I had already cleaned the tank, and checked the in tank screen at the bottom of the tank(many times). I also put in new gas lines and had a new inline filter. My son suggested changing the spark plug, because while I checked spark during the 10-15 second period the engine would not restart, I did not check it on the plug in the engine. That plug can not be tested correctly because it will fire when cooled 10 to 15 seconds even when left in the engine so I installed a new plug and that cured everything. Best guess is there is a crack in the insulator on the bad plug that opens (expands) and shorts out the plug. I learned something and I hope this may help someone too, before you buy a new carb or extend your down time.

[@lmdetect]

You can test a spark plug with a multimeter. There are KZbin vids on this subject.

[@mmusgrovetn]

Thanks for info. I had checked the oil level when the Honda GX390 engine on my pressure washer started shutting down. It has one of those dipsticks that are "hard to read". After watching video, I just added oil until I could see it. All good now!

[@Idahopainter]

Glad it helped

[@joearnold8887]

Great video! My Honda GX360 was dying like it was running out of gas. I unplugged the oil sensor and it runs perfect.

[@Idahopainter]

Thanks for watching Joe!

[@WesTpaintninjagc]

well thanks for that, I actually gave away my old one to my mechanically minded friend just after servicing it thought it might be something simple. Then my new one turned up and had the same problem after first use. Did this and now works fine. So I've told him whats wrong with it also.

[@Idahopainter]

Awesome, glad it helped!

[@especkellen010]

so ur new one didnt have meif oil or was it the cap or sensor cuz my gx390 is stalling while the teigger is pulled unless i back the unloader ofd to like 2500 psi..everytime i adjust the unloader and get it pver 3000 with a good spike even she dies n she idles great n she runs good ..i called AR n thry told me i was adjusting unloader om new pump with worn tips but the tips r correct and a year old not alota use so i dunno guys any help wud be great

[@b34r81]

Can’t thank you enough buddy solved my problem just needed a little bit more oil big thanks from the United Kingdom

[@Idahopainter]

So glad I could help! Thank you for sharing and watching🤙

[@b34r81]

Paint Life TV this had me stuck for nearly two weeks now I’m a bit further with the garden/yard happy days 👍😁

[@TheCowvmd2004]

nice video, thanks. have a honda 11.0 on a generator started randomly shutting off but would start right back up. This gave some nice simple pointers to look at. thanks!

[@tonyliddiard9714]

Ok.. So I took the Carb off and gave it a good clean.... then I set the clearance of the intake and exhaust valves of the cylinder... no good... still the same issues... now I have had the engine stored on its side for almost 3 years and you do get to wonder if it it was something to do with oil going places it really shouldn't... (where ever that may be)... so I thank you for pointing out my school boy error of not enough oil in the sump.... However in my defense it is a real pain putting oil in these things... thank you for taking the time to make that little clip.. cheers from Western Australia.

[@danielmorse6597]

I worked on one of these just today. It had a few problems. 1, very dirty carb. 2, oil switch was bad also low oil and lastly a tank of bad gas. Our climate here in the Midwest is a lot of moisture. Bad gas happens.

[@willytheriot8439]

Thanks. I was going to take a hammer to my engine, then I watched your video.

[@thehook2242]

Hi painter of 5years I have 7 years experience with power washing you should get a Honda with a brass pump and filter hose way better washer I only use a 2500psi Honda 8 hp and it does every job on earth and trust me on that I live in Ireland get a lance with a good turbo nozzle and use Honda gun for more soft approach to fences houses ext

[@thomashorn9152]

Thank you on your video, helped me out. Not enough oil.would run for 2-3 minute then die. I don't have a oil switch like yours. But it has one somewhere on it.

[@crossexteriorcleaningllc7512]

Very informative! ill try adding more oil tomorrow.

[@BernRex]

Hi did it stall on its own? Or was it stalling under load?

[@nicktollison2827]

Great video. Thanks for the info!

[@rbernal78]

Thank You so much. I have a Honda roll blower, less than a year old, doing the same thing. The oil was low and that sensor was doing its job. I added oil and it’s back to working properly. Thanks man I appreciate it.

[@1cinjim]

gotta check my go cart but i never would have known this. nice tip . thanks

[@doubledeuce5084]

My problem sounds very similar to yours. My machine a gx270 honda runs the pressure washer about 20 seconds and dies. I tried it without the gas cap and it still dies. I tried it with the sensor unplugged and it dies just the same. I thought it was not getting enough gas so I bought a new carb. No change, it still dies after 20 seconds. I thought it was not enough gas so When it was dying I turned the gas off. Waited 15 seconds and the engine started and ran another 10 to 15 seconds with the gas turned off so that leads me to believe it did not die the first time from a lack of gas. When it does run that first 20 seconds it runs perfectly. I feel like it might need the big hammer! I need this thing so I'm holding off for now.

[@jerryriggan]

Sounds like a small orifice i the card is clogged.Take the bolt out of the bottom of the fuel bowl. Probably 10 mm. Clean that out then shoot carb cleaner up into that tube where the bolt came out. Fixed mine, good luck.

[@larryhaney6608]

thanks you just described the problem i''m having with my 212cc honda clone . I just cut the censer wire but will have to drive down the road to know for sure .

[@Idahopainter]

Glad to help, thanks for watching!

[@larryhaney6608]

well I test drove it today and its still stalling . when it started stalling I loosened the gas cap and no change . Guess ill try a new plug although the one in it is clean add looks new.

[@larryhaney6608]

Ok I found the problem ! I pulled the flywheel cover to swoop out the coil and saw that the air gap was way too wide on one leg witch was throughing timing off . Don't know how it got like that the screws were still tight . re gaped it and road it 8 miles problem fixed .

[@missingpiece2071]

Thank you for doing this video

[@Idahopainter]

My pleasure!

[@clintonr7172]

Very informative

[@spillsy33]

very handy tip

[@LoveMyKleeKai]

at first i was like i just did my oil change, and i know the oil levels correct. than you said dont screw it in to check and i was like oooooooohhhhhhh Thanks a ton gonna try to add more next weekend. its been doing the iratic rev like it does with a low fuel in lawn mower but today it just gave up and stalled in the middle of the car wash

[@Idahopainter]

Yeah, that would've helped lol!

[@TK-ff5kc]

Just had an issue, was running, went to move it and it died. Has gas and oil, it will start then immediately die. Will check the sensor, thanks.

[@gvlive]

Thanks for the vid. My Honda GX390, when I pull the crank, turns over, runs for about 3 seconds, then dies "as if it's out of gas". This started happening right after I accidentally put pump oil (maybe an ounce) into the engine oil chamber (I grabbed the wrong oil from my garage). Could this have fouled the sensor? Thanks again!

[@rachaelkaytemusic]

I liked your video. Going to go check my oil now.

[@DXWXMX44]

Thanks Chris - good to know, I just bought one of those.

[@georgereider5520]

DXWXMX44 i got a problem with to idle doun is there a way to set govner

[@Boss1234killer]

I have a Honda gx200 less then a month old and it’s not starting at all. The carb is clean and the spark is good. I did change the muffler but I’ve heard nothing about that doing anything. Any thoughts

[@quiklids]

My issue is the engine starts and runs, but when it’s under load it sputters and eventually dies. Any ideas?

[@andrewjohnson3788]

Mine as well did you figure it out

[@gibbo4173]

Thanks mate. I had stuffed fuel cap

[@JPerry2337]

Chris, very good video you should be a school teacher.

[@Idahopainter]

lol, good idea

[@pressurewashertv4216]

Sure wish I would have seen this about a year ago. Took my pressure washer to shop and had to pay their minimum 1 hour diagnostic rate just to be told that it was the gas cap. Worst was the time wasted taking pressure washer to shop and having to return to job site. Could have just loosed cap and kept on working & make a profit on job vs not.

[@greatbungblaster]

Do you check gas cap by just opening it ?

[@greatbungblaster]

Thank you ! Great video !

[@dirttdude]

im pressure washing my roof so climbing up and down the ladder is making me tired

[@lucci6142]

Please use a microphone, hard to hear even with both video and computer speakers at highest level, plus there's some background noise.

[@pringlesgirl102572]

My husband just put a brand new Honda GX120 on his shingle lift it starts fine and idles but when you go to lift ...it cuts off. Any idea what's happening?

[@Idahopainter]

Hey, thank you for being here with us! Due to the overwhelming amount of messages we get each day, we have created an amazing community through a private FaceBook group called Paint Life Mafia. Join us for private live shows and much more. Only members will be allowed to enter and interact in the group, creating a tighter knit community of painters. Each tier has different perks, depending on what you are looking for. Click here to learn more about this EXCLUSIVE group and join: facebook.com/groups/2305219262837596/ Special Thanks - Chris Berry, The Idaho Painter

[@kevinlong5091]

I would say that the engine is fine but it may be to small of a engine to handle the load of the lift.

[@daveperryLXXVII]

that bloody sensor. thanks mate

[@timleggett9052]

Did all that and still stalls after running a couple minutes.

[@kevinwalcott2265]

my Honda gx160 starts but not throttling

[@Idahopainter]

I would say it is having carbinator issues.

[@bigmuller1]

Bought a pressure washer cheap because only run for 5 minutes. Then did exactly put oil In it........perfect

[@0001070181]

God for bid dude, you constantly repeated your self the first half of the video.

[@CompetentSalesUSA]

Savoie. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@btrproperties]

Jesus F. Christ, 6 mins to talk about an oil sensor and gas cap....

[@doubledeuce5084]

I forgot to add that after 20 seconds running then dying because the crack expands and shorts the plug, when it cools the cracks contracts and the plug works again. This process is repeated indefinitely and the crack is not visible to the naked eye.

[@josepacheco5298]

My issue is when i pull the cord to start pull my hand back

[@ChrisRiley3D-Everything]

@@josepacheco5298 You have a broken spring on the compression relief. it's on the cam.

[@Blackdog4818]

Honda powerwasher still not working after adding oil and putting gas cap on. Hmmm?

[@Idahopainter]

There could be several issues

[@CompetentSalesUSA]

Volume low.Thank you

[@deannavanhorn8292]

Ours was running fine til we shut it off and then it wont do anything??

[@Idahopainter]

Interesting, could be several things

[@joet6990]

i have gx200 on a racing go kart that i just bought and when i give it gas it spudders like crazy and i have to have someone give me a boost so it can start pulling me around. any idea what that could be?

[@Idahopainter]

It could be a spark plug, bad gas, or clogged air filter

[@eddieabraham3341]

Video too freakin' long for such a simple problem!!! Too much talk...not enough action!!!

[@Idahopainter]

Thank you for the feedback Eddie!

[@jerrywhatsworth3589]

thats how ost people learn by reading and listening.

[@JOSHUAloves1]

The alpha

[@ArthurKlisiewicz]

Honda ? are you kidding me ? never again. Purchased GX-35. Never deal with Hopnda again. Worst support, worst customer service and repairs for standalone motors do not exist..

[@Idahopainter]

Thanks for sharing Arthur!

[@eagleone6079]

0

[@louiscypher7090]

Redundant information. Stop repeating details.

[@a-veteranlandscapesitework2413]

If that works I’m sending you $200 in the mail.

[@Idahopainter]

lol, did it work?

[@a-veteranlandscapesitework2413]

It worked LOL, guess I got to live up to my end of the deal LOL.

[@sandyjames9983]

Hope he sent it

[@thanxx]

are you Mr Slave from south park......... urrhhh jesus cwiste

[@akoffgrid676]

Stop repeating yourself

[@Idahopainter]

why why why why why

[@BBradshaw131]

​@@Idahopainter 😂😂😂

[@ronnie.1983]

Honda is a miserable old bastard. I HATE pressure washers!!!