So my customer took this mower into one of the biggest small engine repair shops in my area, and they couldn't figure out how to fix the choke issue. They also said they "cleaned and rebuilt" the carburetor, but it leaked in the end... Very unfortunate how they treated my customer, but in the end, he was very pleased with our service (and he got this mower back the next day) and said we're getting all his equipment from now on!
I have customers that have done the same thing . It amazes me how these shops act ,and treat their customers. People tell me all the time that they r rude and expensive. Smh o well more business for me .lol
Awesome job and explanation. I've been searching for the top spring part number. The one that is attached to the rod that you bent. Any help would be appreciated. Or if you have an extra laying around, I may be interested.
You’re a freaking small engine genius guru! Thanks to your videos, I was able to fix my Honda pressure washer and my 13 year old Troy Bilt mower with a Honda engine! 😊
Sir, I have chased a myriad of problems with my old Troybilt-Honda GCV 160 lawn mower. After replacing the carburator, coil, and fixing the ground on the stop switch, it would only start cold with starter fluid. I finally found your video. When I examined the hybrid choke, I noticed it was sticking open just like in your video. However mine was not hanging up, but was very dirty. I took it off the engine, cleaned and lightly lubricated the metal components and adjusted the release rod and spring. After I put it all back together, I engaged the choke on a cold engine, and upon the FIRST pull, the engine roared to life on pump gas! Thank you for your help!
I RARELY comment on videos but I just want to say that this really helped me out! I was stuck for 2 hours - fixed it in 5mins after watching this! Thanks!
At the risk of repeating it, your technical dexterity is worth its weight in gold! Your honesty is also worth a fortune. Even at 62 years old, I'm still looking forward to your next video because we learn more every time. Thank you Jake. God bless
My automatic choke wasn't returning, I took it apart and found a spring laying loose, but didn't know where it came from. This video showed me exactly where it went and I replaced the spring. It's working fine now. This 68 year old woman is very happy, probably saved me hundreds of dollars.
Thanks for the video. I was having the issue where it got hung up while returning to the off position. It didn't actually stop but slowed down so much that the engine would almost die from being choked for too long. Your close-ups and explanation of how the system works was a huge help!
Actually he didn't mind paying because the issue ended up being fixed! He brought it to different places and no one seemed to even understand how this system worked lol he said I'm getting all his equipment from now on!
I long for the good old days when mowers had manual throttles and manual chokes. I had an old Honda HRS21 mower that was 30 years old and would always start with one pull even after sitting all winter.
Very good repair. My troy bilt after I rebuilt the carb. The choke doesn't feel as smooth. It works. But I am definitely gonna check on the plastic part. I won't take it off. Maybe hit with some compressed air and dry lube. I spent good hour trying to figure out why it running high rpm. But that governer pin needed adjusting. Then had to bend my governer a little bit. I have learned so much from you guys
This was by far THE best video on the mechanics of the carburetor system. Your zoom ins were so sharp that I was able to ascertain the small wire that attachs to the throttle. The previous mechanic that replaced my carb, did not even have that flange on the other side of the black choke mechanism. I was up until midnight last night but I knew I could get it done after seeing this video. You rock. 'nuff said. Oh and loved the mount WITHOUT the plastic housing for the air intake to see the mechanics. I still have a bit of resistance with the actuator. I sprayed it with WD40 but knew better but just wanted to see if it improved the action and it did. Then I resprayed it with Brake Cleaner as I ran out of my Carb Cleaner. Are they actually the same? I wouldn't be surprised. Thanks again for the detailed video and know that you made a difference. You rock.
Very well explained. Briggs old automatic flathead choke should just be adopted by every brand, its so much simpler. One spring effecting another just gets may too complicated. Well done!
This was an excellent video. Replacing parts? I can do that. Diagnosing the problem like this guy did? Not a chance. This guy went through a very good - and interesting - diagnostic process.
Thank you for the video. I've had a few mowers come in with these return choke Honda engines, and most of the time, the choke opened a bit too fast before the engine could warm up. However, on the most recent specimen, the choke would not open up on its own until I used your "half wrap" method for that choke spring at the 12:27 mark.
Works perfectly, I find that the system gets a bit of wear on it over the years and the choke plate itself just needs a little less tension so the system can function properly. Thanks for watching!
In a pinch, and I just did this earlier, you can fold up a couple of store receipts to about just under a 1/2 inch and set the choke all the way back then place the receipts under the choke wiper arm. Start it up. Works great. A piece of semi hard rubber may do the trick too. When you pull back the handle it will function normally and displace the receipt bunch then start right up. It may take a time or 2 to play with the right height but it works!!!
Excellent video, my Honda CVG160 has similar issue with that choke due to the small metal tab was out to far and needed to be bent back in. Your video showed me where it should be to ensure a smooth operation, thanks again your videos are concise and spot on..
Thanks for this video. It helped me understand how the auto choke worked and finding where the problem was. Your video was clear and to the point where I was able to understand everything. Thanks again.
Have one of these from my Troybilt which I recently transferred to a Honda body. I wasn’t such a fan of this as compared to a manual choke of yester year. I typically have to hold it in the 3/4 released position for 5-10 seconds for the mower to warm up before letting it go the rest of the way. However, after all the issues I see online e related to the Honda auto choke, it seems to me that this is a solution that is less maintenance overall. This is the first video I have come across on this type of choke.
Dude your channel kick ass!! This is the best demonstration on how this mechanism functions that I know of. No wonder you're way above the repair shops man. Great instructional video brother♥
Great video....I just had to replac the carb on one just like this, so now I know what to look for to get the choke working correctly again. Thank you!
Great explanation. I thought they used silicone damping grease in those things to slow them down but I’ve never had one apart. Good to know there’s some adjustment on them, thanks!
Well O buddy you've taught me something yet again so thank you. However the more I see about these Honda's the more I don't want to own one. Good job, very informative.
Eliminator,when you took the choke plate off the spring under the choke plate where it is hook just below it is a smaller notch to hook spring for more spring tension.Per Honda GVC shop manual.
Thank you! Many videos show the wax choke and are a waste of time. There are too many failed “idiot-proof” solutions that make life way too frustrating. Try finding a mower with a manual choke! Worse, they are going battery now!
I am impressed by your troubleshooting skills! I have the opposite issue. The choke was working perfectly but now won't stay stuck and slides right back to off position. I'm guessing a component in the assembly you've shown has come apart? I had a service done in the spring and they said the cable from the top to the choke needed replacing but the parts are no longer available.... perhaps its that. Anyway, hopefully this might help me. Thanks!!!
You are a very knowledgeable man , have you ever changed / cleaned a carburetor on a self propelled craftsman m250 160cc mower . I attempted to clean ,removed bolts the whole assembly fell apart , have no idea how to put together , any advise would be well received. I have learnt my lesson next time get a grown up to fix mower
Very good video. I have same Honda engine. My problem is that it revs quite high. What should I Do to solve problem. Thanks and keep up the good videos, Joe in Owen Sound ONTARIO
Cheers from Port Colborne (southern) Ontario, Canada! Check the governor spring and adjust the metal tab to give less tension on the spring. It'll be on the left side of the engine, near the deck.
Hi EP great video again and extent of investigation to sole the choke issue. I am looking for some aluminum deck HXC 215 parts. First I haven’t taken apart but it is is very possible that I need to get another Hydrostatic variable transmission. Do you have one (used)? Also a mulching plug, a rear right wheel, a black knuckle handle bar nut. If anything please advise.
Nothing like that here, I hardly have anything used or scrap anymore as we've been busy with repairs and I needed the room so I scrapped anything we weren't going to use
Great video and detailed description. Persistence is a virtue! I have several gvc160s on different pieces of equipment. They have manual chokes. Could that have been another option?
I was having the issue with the choke not locking up and the choke opening before I even get to the pull rope. I do thank you for this info and I was directed to you by @BrucePender
Hey excellent tutorial I know it’s been some time but how was that choke spring situated on your other mower ? Also what size fuel line do you use on these Honda s ? Thank you
Thank you. My neighbor has Honda lawnmower that starts and runs but after 20 minutes it stops. The carburetor was cleaned out it did not make a difference. Could it be as simple as getting the right spark plug. Could it be the idle screw with the air jet plastic screw like piece under it. I don’t know what else to check. Thanks Houli
Hi, I have a Troy-Bilt mower with the Honda GCV 160 and the same choke system. Mine is retuning to fast that it won’t start unless I pull the cord once without engaging the safety bail and then pull it with the bar depressed. Otherwise I can pull and pull choking it several times and it either won’t start or is very hard to start I’m confused though, should I try adjusting the spring on the choke assembly or move the spring location on the carburetor as you did? -Thank you
The spring that controls the Plastic handle you move. It probably has too much tension. You normally don't have to touch the spring on the choke (the one on the carb)
Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge. It is truly appreciated. I'm working on 2 of these mowers and both have this problem. Also the 3 nuts on the top plastic cover will not come off due to the bolts turning on the inside. Have you ran across this before?
I have, keep turning it and it will come off, stud and all. Separate the stud and nut. The stud also holds the coil on. When you get it removed, use thread lock to prevent in from happening again.
Can I ask you something? My honda is having trouble with auto choke, I apply choke and it closes too fast and stalls the engine. I have tried keeping the choke open and the mower will continue to run. Even when it gets warm, when the choke is allowed to shift back to run position, the engine stalls immediately. I see the mower you use as an example in this video as the second mower, has a hole drilled into the lever that looks like a screw or pin was being added to it to keep the choke on at 1/2. That is what I have had to do to keep the mower running. Is there any advice you can give me?
Yea so that's exactly what the other one had, a customer did that with a pin. Essentially, to slow the return speed, you need less tension on the return spring. You can stretch it a bit or try and bend the tab the spring attaches to
Great video! You are getting better than Terrell. TFL leaves out assembling and disassembly more than he should. people wanting to learn want to see how they take it apart and reassemble they don't want those parts left out
I need your advice. Working on Yardman mower with same gcv Honda engine. Choke worked fine. I disassembled carb to clean jets and ventury. Now there is no protrusion sticking up from black plastic piece that turns choke butterfly. Nothing to come into contact with the metal piece that chokes the carb then returns under spring tension. There is no sign that the black plastic piece broke in anyway... ..it's as if I lost that part that sticks up higher to be pushed by the metal part to turn the choke on. Are there 2 pieces there and I just lost the plastic piece that sticks higher and is pushed by the metal part. What am I missing on this? Thanks for any help.
EP, I'm trying to adjust throttle cable on HRB215 with gxv140 engine. I put throttle handle to fast. Loosen cable holder. But when I pull on cable to move throttle to barely touch choke arm the cable is past cable holder to secure it. Will adjustment at top help or is the cable stretched. The problem was that chokecwas not fully closing and mower not starting.
Was performing well needed maintenance on my dad’s 10+yr mower because it would start and just run for a couple of mins before shutting off. So I took apart the carb and cleaned, changed filter, spark plug, and oil and it now stays on, but my concern is when I pull that lever to choke and pull the rope to start…it doesn’t start, even after several tries. The lever moves back into the ‘run’ position, but if I pull it to ‘choke’ again… it’ll start after 1-2 pulls of the rope. Before, it would start right away after choking. Did I screw something up when I took the carb off to clean?
@@EliminatorPerformance I have also sent my viewers here as this is such a well done video. I tend to jump around a bit on my videos of this choke So thanks.
@Bruce Pender Thanks, I really appreciate it! My father and I actually just finished watching one of your videos as well. He thoroughly enjoys them. Thanks for posting! We work together, and he's told me that he frequently comments on your videos. There's some great content on this site, all kinds of great information.
