How To Fix An Engine After You Run It Out Of Oil

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Check out this inexpensive set of feeler gauges --- amzn.to/2M1LHer Click here for a variety of IR Thermometer Guns---- amzn.to/2LXN4uE Click here for my website--- www.stevessmallenginesaloon.com/ Click here for my Parts and Tools Store---- www.amazon.com/shop/stevessmallenginesaloon

[@TC-th1ey]

You were the Chosen One! It was said that you would repair engines, not destroy them. Bring new life to old Machines, not seize them.

[@OldJoe212]

That was really amazing. I once forgot to refill a B&S mower( you know how it is when you get pulled away for something else) and it completely seized up. Could not turn the engine. Now it seems like I check the level several times. I'm sure I lose more oil wiping the dipstick than running the engine.

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Right on...

[@ipodman505]

Project farm would approve

[@BROKEN.WRENCH.GARAGE]

Yup

[@MrHuntermikey]

Thinking the same

[@edwardcalvert]

Project Farm did that where one lawn mower engine ran with straight engine oil and another one with oil that had Slick 50 in it. After that they were run with no oil to see which one would fail first. The one that had Slick 50 failed first and then the other one. They both seized up and apparently neither one could be repaired.

[@austinkreller4336]

I just got a Honda gcv 190 pressure washer in the shop that was ran with no oil aswell, followed suite adjusting the valves and topped up the oil and it runs mint, no knocking, no smoke, starts easy, these Honda engines are no joke

[@shawngoldsberry747]

Not only is the cam plastic, it only has one lobe for both intake and exhaust. I’m impressed.

[@andrewjones2973]

That proves that Honda engines are that good. Honda for me every time. Thanks Steve for interesting and informative videos.

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Glad you like them!

[@barbraabsalom4531]

Honda engines might be good on a lawnmower but they are too heavy , the iron block contributes to that , , the missus & I used to get puffed pushing it ( even as fit 40 year olds ) they are heavy machines . So I found a few old rover mowers ( Aussie built back then ) with old 200 & 220 series Briggs that I got going , some use a little oil , but they are LIGHT & way EASIER to push than the Honda Tank , horses for courses .

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Wouldn't have believed you if I hadn't seen it, goes to show you to check a little farther before scraping something huh? Thanks Steve for sharing the information. Keep the good videos coming.

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Right on....

[@DistinctOgre]

I'm 29 seconds in, and this is my favorite Small Engine Saloon video ever! Keep on kickin ass, Steve-o!

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Stay tuned for when I actually do blow it apart, LOL. Coming soon...

[@robbeewisher8972]

Are you kidding me ,REALLY???? Priceless 😃

[@bobbastion7335]

Miller is the perfect beer for blowing engines.

[@andylibby854]

You should try adding some slick 50 that stuff that lets your engine run without oil, I know from personal experience. Did that with a V6 Ford engine a few years ago. Not by choice. I picked up my Windstar from a place that replaced the water pump it was sitting outside with the Engine running ready for me to drive away. Drive away I did. Drove it for a few days put about 250km on it. Wasn’t until I was driving back to my house on the highway that the crankshaft bearings finally went and vehicle started shaking! Got home pulled the dipstick and not a drop of oil! Still ran after I added oil but it was a write off after that.

[@mickdog2]

this is fascinating. I've picked up a couple of Honda mowers that were run out of oil. Now I know what to do.....Over the winter, I was working on a Spirit brand snotblower, with the 8hp Tecumseh. Got it to run, but it'd shut off and stop right now, Too fast to be normal. Eventually, after running it this spring, and it was running great, it did throw the side of the block all over my motorcycle.

[@MrKnoxguy101]

Can’t wait for the valve reset video. This one was quite interesting as well. Thanks Steve.

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

You're Welcome...

[@bob327077]

You are a magician. Enjoy all you do. Keep up the good work

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Thank you very much!

[@gregmauchline9146]

i wonder how different that would have gone with a load on the motor.

[@Grahams-Grass]

Thanks Steve I just realised I just cut the grass with no oil in ..😟😥 the engine hasn't failed so I did get some oil in it. But i think I'm going to check the valves ... 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 🤞🤞🤞 hope I've not destroyed...

[@stevensargent6222]

Good scientific method. Hope you show how it run's under full load.

[@milwsdl39]

So this video gives me hope picked up the yard sale find generator guy said he ran out of oil now it has no compression and after watching you guys and other people on KZbin it sound like hopefully it’s gonna be a valve issue no compression so going to that tomorrow I’ll keep it on the update thanks for everything Steve be safe out there

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Right on

[@timbylander7015]

That says something about Honda. My brother overheated his garden tractor because of mouse nests and it got so hot the valve seat popped out. 🔥

[@jjparody8257]

I loaned a Honda GCV160 powered mower to a family member & he overwhelmed it with clippings & clogged the air filter. Eventually it sucked in & burned oil till it was almost empty. It threw the rod right through the crankcase. Maybe it was because of the blade load but your PW, though not having the pump attached, still has load because it has a heavier flywheel to add load. I think you are kinda lucky that more damage wasn't done.

[@corbinprydwen4130]

And that’s probably why mine died! Yep! I’ve ripped the carburetor apart four times and cleaned it out. I’ve got spark. I’ve got compression. Seems like I’ve got fuel. But It won’t start. And that’s about as long as it ran so I’ve got a strong feeling based on the amount of oil I’ve put in it after it died that I’ve ran it out of oil! Now time to adjust the valves! Brilliant! 🤞🙌🕺

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Right on

[@donzmilky5961]

Nice to know steve. Thanks for the lesson. Lots of those get dropped off at my dads scrapyard, might have to start checking some valves and flipping some pressure washers.

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

DO IT....

[@deebee3901]

Wow. What a tough little engine. Great video Steve. I'm interested how it performs after this.

[@chatrkat]

Runs good now but it probably won’t last real long under load. Rod bushing took a beating running dry as well and main crank bearings. .That said, that GC held up extremely well compared to cheaper engines. I like the Honda small engines and own several. They all start super easy and run well.

[@gtdodgeviper]

Today i was mowing my lawn with my honda lawn mower and it stated sounding like that. I thought it was just running out of gas. Until I heard a loud metal noise and the engine shut down. I thought the blade had broken or something but no, it was fine. I started checking everything on it and found out it didn’t had any oil. I added oil knowing it was too late but I had to try it and sure it had no compression.

[@gabelanger]

And thats why Honda is the best.

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Right on....

[@brucemorton13]

I’ll admit that I was gobsmacked. Like you, I was expecting the worst. Thanks for performing the experiment.

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

You're Welcome...

[@seantheboy64]

Thanks Steve.. Can't beat those Honda engines

[@thomasr.miller5553]

OK .. Now that you did that ...... you are now an official shade tree mechanic .

[@krakenwoodfloorservicemcma5975]

Steve! From a high functioning alcoholic, every day is a miller high-life day!!!

[@shermankearns200]

This was the best video. You are allways thinking and I love Honda engines. you cant kill them

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Thank You...

[@stanleybennett8879]

Love this channel always learn . We just ran a free mower out of oil and the rod put a hole in the case it was cool

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Right on....

[@semco72057]

By the engine cranking after the valves was adjusted properly, and oil put in the crank case is saying quite a bit about how that engine was built.

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Right on....

[@adamdorris4081]

They have aluminum bores. The GC series are not that good. However, the GX motors are actually one of the best out there.

[@dw4940]

@@adamdorris4081 spot on.

[@Husky848y]

Well I guess that explains why Honda motors are much more expensive than a normal Briggs N Stratton motor.

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Right on....

[@mfb6310]

I think I ran mine out of oil; push mower, Husky B&G engine, oil cap wasn't tightened after checking it and ran it hard last weekend. Filled it up (rec'n fuel), started right up, ran a bit no prob, then just puttered out. Done. I changed the air filter (it was bad) and saw the oil all over. So put in lots of oil given to me by the husky shop, and now it starts right up and stops right away. Starts, stops, etc. I'm no mechanic. Just a suzie homeowner. Not lack of fuel, not air filter, not spark plug obviously...would it be a valve problem if it starts? Or do I check the carburator (somehow) and clean it (somehow)? Thank god for youtube and folks like you, Mr Steve.

[@user-yr4os6jz4r]

Replace the muffler bearings and you should be good to go.

[@mfb6310]

@@user-yr4os6jz4r Hmmm! Will begin researching. Thank you.

[@rltkktlr]

Nicely done. For the sake of science! Very interesting, thanks for doing that Steve. Keep us updated on how it performs and it’s longevity.

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Thank You...

[@941Earl]

Nothing beats a Honda

[@TheSkipatroldave]

That was a super fun video! Thanks! I wish you lived closer. I could use your expertise on my small engines and I’d love to have a MHL with you! Cheers!

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

That would be cool!

[@J20J20]

Rad vid once again I’m curious to see how long it lasts .... keep the vids coming dude I’m just across the water on the mainland

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

More to come!

[@dw4940]

Is Steves Saloon on Vancouver Island then?

[@markschoenhals4816]

Cool video Steve I would like to see you do one until the engine locks down and open it up and see what you find out. I’m guessing the connecting rod would be seized on the crank

[@RobertSilva-lc3yf]

Wow ,Steve very surprised it didn't break thru the casing with a broken rod , but Honda's are very good engines. Interesting , thanks.

[@johnaldrich2074]

Honda GC engines are not as well built as the GX or GCV engines. The head is not removable on the GC. Just harder to work on than a GX or GCV. Great video.

[@alanporter2694]

I would still be curious to see were there any other visible signs of the - no oil situation - showing up on the internals. Regards Al

[@neilcrompton3488]

Hey +steves small engine saloon i honestly thought it would be scrap metal afterwards 🤣 love your videos im learning a lot too 👍👍 If u run a 2 stroke without oil in the fuel it melts the rings into the grooves which obviously means no more compression lol 😉

[@Jim-ie6uf]

Gotta love a Honda.

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Right on....

[@jw-dw7yf]

Love your videos, I have done a lot of repairs on my own equipment

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Thank You...

[@daphnekite578]

Hi Steve. I love watching you. Have you any ideas re my self propelled briggs and Stratton mower which popped and stopped as ran out of oil I think . Won’t start. Ive tried starting without air filter as old one was dirty. Refilled with oil, but nothing . Not sure if engine seized . I’m 76 lady who likes to tinker and save cash . Any help appreciated

[@ianwilliamson2980]

Good rescue job

[@KohlfyreProductions]

Honda small motors are just about bullet proof. Valve adjustments go a long way to allowing an engine to breathe and run properly. My old XL600 needed valve adjustments a couple times a year, otherwise it would lose it's thump.

[@dw4940]

I had pne one of the600, dont recall the letters mita been xr600. Started out as off road bike that orig owner put baja kit n made street legal. It was too big for me & i prefer 2 strokes. Sold it to a crazy guy who said he can wheelie in 5th gear!

[@Fartsmucker1]

Hey Steve you should have drunk “Harviestoun Old Engine Oil Beer” with this video.

[@helmighomestead2976]

you do such good service to People Steve! Love the videos! If our channels ever collide I'll buy you a beer brother! that way you wont have to be slumming it with Highlife LMAO

[@vincewoolley6774]

That sir was interesting. 8 minutes and 1900°! Set the valves and it started, I would not have bet on those results. Just having compression was amazing, but starting. Miller High Life stands clear, so Honda Motors do to. Thanks Steve.

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Right on....

[@dalemcinnes1834]

I think you better watch the video again. 190 F not 1900 F. The whole motor would have melted at 1900 F. Dale in Canada

[@ahmedfazzaa5573]

I was lucky to get across your channel , really very helpful , you got a new subscriber and 👍, thanks mate .

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Awesome, thank you!

[@famasmaster2000]

Makes me feel better about my Honda motor after seeing this !!!! I will be splitting wood til im dead by the looks of it 👍

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Right on....

[@robertwilliams3983]

It's hard to believe that the rod didn't knock the motor into several pieces. That must be a very well built motor.

[@Sintagoe]

Honda have always been the best

[@goriverman]

Wow, Steve that was a very interesting video. I think there is more damage done when it is run low on oil longer period of time. Love if you can keep us updated on how long that engine does last. Love your channel

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Right on....

[@garrettstevensen2467]

I liked the higher quality of the video... Steve must have upgraded the camera to HD!

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Glad somebody noticed...

[@bidders77]

i'm not ashamed to say it. I love Honda's!!

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Me too....

[@whitelightning5937]

Me with 2 parts lawnmowers and 2 parts weed whackers: don’t give me an ideas steve

[@corbinprydwen4130]

So this is the exact same pressure washer that I have and your video is exactly what happened with my pressure washer. I have done exactly as you have and I still can’t get it to start. Do you have any other suggestions?

[@isaacmercado7216]

Look at you Mynan, did you pass Buckin? Shoutout BBR... That a Honda plain and simple

[@boggieman881]

Steve. Where can I buy a digital tach like you use to check the rpm’s on your small engines

[@jparra4766]

Wow. I wasn't going to watch this video. I thought why do this. Now I'm glad I did. Who would have thought. I would expect a total loss. Thanks!

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

You're Welcome...

[@Orefamilylawncare]

A briggs would have blew itself up just being low on oil😂😂. That's amazing. Honda neeeds to see this.

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Agreed!

[@appleztooranges]

Honda = bulletproof!

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Right on

[@elonwhite6628]

I had a Honda clone engine pressure washer and when it stopped working I took the engine apart and found that there was very little oil in the engine,but also as it was a pushrod type engine I ended up doing more damage than good, and most Honda engines are reliable, does your engine have a oil level sensor, sometimes they can have oil residue which will cause the float to stick and they will let you run the engine but after a while the vibrations will unstick the float and you won’t be able to start the engine again until they are submerged, if you want to blow the engine up then all you need to do is bypass the sensor by cutting its wires and some you need to short them but some engines have the oil sensor tied in to the kill system so as long as they don’t become shorted the engine will run.

[@christopherlell1697]

Honda engines are made really well. I wonder if a Briggs & Stratton would resurrect as easily?

[@slikballa]

Good vid steve keepem coming

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

I WILL destroy that thing yet....

[@timbylander7015]

A friend of mine ran her tiller dry. It has a tecumseh engine it broke the rod and put it through the side of the case right where the optional starter would have been. I was able to replace the rod and fab up a patch plate that used the starter Mount holes. A true lucky break. 😅

[@Ranger-vv2jv]

Great Video Steve.I thought the rod would break.

[@Bjs20247]

Thanks Dr. Steve. Very useful.

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Very welcome

[@73oldsmobile88]

Will a gas Honda edger work after it ran out of oil ? My boss said it seized up on me , I thought it was the pull sting got stuck and that was it

[@johnosczakiewicz9740]

A Tecumseh engine on idle will break at the wrist-pin ,and blow out on the electric 120 volts starter side, nice hole outside, and a Ariens will simply seize right-up

[@murraymacneill2545]

I wonder if the melted lobe is a safety feature built in by Honda to save the engine in cases of overheating due to whatever causes.

[@KY.0009]

One time somebody told me Miller high life was the beer of champagnes, and that always seemed more fitting

[@foreverwood1963]

That is amazing HONDA! HONDA! HONDA!

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Right on...

[@russellpetrie119]

good old honda they rock

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Right on....

[@concernedcitizen3651]

That was a great idea......very helpful....Thanks Steve

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

You're Welcome...

[@joev3315]

Great video, like the Honda Engines, thanks Steve

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Thank You...

[@neverclevernorwitty7821]

Yeah, I whoopsied on this myself with a cheapy predator harbor freight engine. Thankfully I realized my extremely stupid mistake, I refilled with oil, I didn't even reset the valves about 4 pulls and off it fires again.

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Right on

[@Jyroxxnrolls]

I just had a drain plug back out of a 25hp Kohler Courage motor, and smoked it too. I'll try this and see if it will work for a Kohler.

[@conner5611]

Those courage engines are junk make sure to blow up every one you see or have lol

[@greggkathy1892]

I am hoping this works to bring my nearly brand new with less than 10 hours on it Makita backpack blower back to life. Kind of ticked that a brand new machine ran out of oil after such limited use. I could probably play the warranty card but I need my machine back up right now!

[@Budro4764]

Heck yeah no Bull Butter for sure.......... You did not throw a rod or seize the engine..... Amazing Hondas and LCT's are great engines....... I cannot leave out Briggs though....... I seen quite a few of the older classic's 3.5 and 4 HP. videos where they drain the oil and then throw sand and dirt into the carb, with the gov wide open and it takes 10 to 15 minutes to THROW a rod and destroy the engine totally....... A test of course for that purpose on the Briggs engines........ In fact I am thinking you are trying to explain the low oil situation or no oil example and getting it running again...... Which in my mind is a GREAT effort on your part to save the consumer money........ Looking forward to Part 2 of this video Mon Ami....... Kudo's to you Plus Tard Mon Ami ~!~!

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Thanks Boo. I am definitely going to SMOKE this engine soon. Gonna set the governor backwards and let it go! Stay tuned....

[@garythompson8140]

That was impressive!!!

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Thank You...

[@NitroGuyJH]

Now if that Honda were under a decent load, this experiment would have went a lot different.

[@13panda13]

It will lose half its power if u try and throttle up. But, if u didn't cook your main bearings (over 10 mins for small engines under medium load) then top it up with oil again and everything should b fine.

[@888HUSKERS]

That's one tough little motor!

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Right on....

[@jjparody8257]

I see you are getting many " Honda is the best ... " replies but I have had 2 brought to me after being run with low oil and I could not rescue them. Reset valves, etc. just like you did but it was just too late; one fairly quickly threw a rod right thru the block. I like Honda's too, but they are not bullet-proof,. I know it sounds obvious, but like for like all engines, you can't be lax on maintenance.

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Amen....

[@PrincernPrince]

Hey Steve, This is really stupid but I simply forgot to change the oil in my mower for a while even after doing all kinds of other maintenance on it. It became very hard to start and hard to pull the rope and it is an easy start engine. I'm wondering what's wrong and realized I hadn't changed the oil. What little was left was like a thick gluey consistency and very black. I ran it this way for quite a while. I emptied it of the thick oil over night and added more and it was pretty easy to start again but it makes a little ringing sound when I try to start it. Is this engine still good or do you think the rings may be worn? It also seems to be running at faster rpm now. Thanks!

[@trackernichols]

Love your videos! Thankyou for your knowledge.

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

You're Welcome...

[@jefnf]

The motor also was allowed to cool down. What effect did that have? Rod still went dry and will knock

[@ggr1847]

Used pressure washer for sale, well maintained with new pump.

[@buckleyhollembaek8682]

Honda baby !!

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Yeah....

[@umajunkcollector]

Last week, changed the oil of my John Deere L100 w/17.5 B&S, used Castro blend 10w30. Also changed oil filter. Grandson cut grass, motor knocked, then seized. Could it be the synthetic blend?

[@dw4940]

How many hrs? How old?

[@williampennington5307]

I run honed an Koehler engines like both motors but hard to bet Honda on reliability

[@Brian81-207]

Any chance you would no what the valve clearance is for a 37.7cc 4 stroke Honda clone

[@bumblbesss]

@Steve's Small Engine Saloon Can a person cut a "Flex shaft" from a trimmer without it unwinding the strands? I need to shorten the one I have in order to make the trimmer work again. Any thoughts appreciated

[@snowking55]

It's a Honda, and looks like you use pretty good oil. Some oil will stay with an engine for quite a while.

[@StevesSmallEngineSaloon]

Right On....

[@rodrigojimenez5081]

I run a shtil pressure washer without oil, and now the rope got tighten you think valves could be the problem as your video was? thanks

[@abdulsingati1511]

If you can’t pull it over with the rope no matter how hard you pull, the engine is locked up.