There are two possible Issues taking place. The first would be a symptom called vapor lock in which the temperature of the engine is affecting the fuel in a way which makes it difficult to start. In that specific set up I would try opening your fuel cap halfway to allow air to be pulled into the fuel system via the fuel tank and might allow the engine to start easier due to sometimes the fuel caps are not vented properly. Make sure you are using the proper oil to keep the engine running at proper temperature change the spark plug and if you still have a problem then the carburetor itself should be taken off and completely broken down and cleaned properly. The needle and seat in the bowl of the carburetor might not be sitting properly and this will have to be inspected and cleaned to ensure excess fuel is not being pulled into the combustion chamber from leftover vacuum when the engine was running. Another option you could try is to turn off the fuel valve which goes from the gas tank to the engine and let the engine burn out the excess fuel before you stop mowing your lawn. Then you can simply open the fuel valve and begin mowing again as normal

Mine does the same thing!

@@davelehl366 try what I wrote and let me know if it helps.

I have that issue. It often happens on purposeful restarts (moving the hammock/sticks) or stalls. Pull it backwards 8-12 feet, then forward 2-3 feet. I think it's leftover vacuum MrV2u mentioned. Maybe it's the choke. But this back 10 feet, forward 2 seems to make it much easier to restart. Even my wife can then restart it.

Sounds like back pressure from overhead valves or the drive belt is still engaged making it difficult to turn over the engine Sometimes the valves stop in a position so the flywheel is hard to move or By moving the mower your turning the flywheel if the drive belt is still engaged

Thanks much brother. Try my best to be straight up, no frills.

If you have any questions next year I’m always around for advice. You got this my sister. Thanks for the feedback.

Good to hear my friend. Thanks for the feedback. Who would have thought my video could reach out and help in the UK. 👍🏽

Your very welcome Jane. These mowers are very good with a strong motor. Stay on top of the maintenance and they will last forever.

Glad I could help you brother. Thanks for the feedback.

I’m so glad I could help you brother. Glad it turned out well for you as well.

Ian Dalhuisen thanks for the feedback. I try my best.

I try to take care of the machine so it can last years to come brother. Money doesn’t come easy so it’s worth doing preventative maintenance on them every year in my opinion. Thanks for the feedback brother.

I really appreciate it brother. Glad I could help.

Lee de Ibarra your very welcome. It’s not that hard to do and you really don’t need much in tools to do the job.

Glad to have helped my friend. If the blade spins on you when your swapping them out use a vise grip to lock the blade in place. Makes it easier.

Thanks for the feedback brother. I try to make it as easy as possible.

DHV VLOG your very welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed the video and thanks so much for the kind words. If you ever have any questions I’m always around for advice.

Good idea brother thanks for the advice. Will do next season.

Krae you absolutely can. And if you hit a snag. Just got me up. I’ll do my best to answer your questions.

Christopher Tritt I’m glad to have helped bro. Let me know how you make out or if you have any further questions.

MrV2u I will let you know tomorrow! It’s my Dad’s equipment, so I want to do a good job.

Christopher Tritt you got this job in the bag. Good luck 👍🏽

Your very welcome brother. Good luck !

@@MrV2u Did you put the video out on how to replace the blades?

Sam Howard maybe in a couple weeks. It’s not hard to do, I got it on my to do list lol! Good suggestion brother.

@@MrV2u Good deal. Thank you!

@@MrV2u Hello friend! It's about that time of year to try this out. I plan on following your tips in this video this weekend on my mower. Thanks again for your help!

Your very welcome brother.

You got it my friend. Thanks for the support.

Tak for feedback min ven. Hav en velsignet dag.

I don’t have any videos on swapping the tire or fuel filter. I sold my mower last year. Sorry brother or I would have made a video for you.

Thanks for the feedback and the criticism. It’s what helps us all grow together.

Glad to have helped my friend. If you have any further questions I’m always around for advice.

Very much appreciated brother. Let me know how you make out on your tune up.

Your very welcomed my friend. Glad to help.

Will Berkley I don’t have a video at the moment for changing the start cable. If I have to swap it out I’ll definitely post it up for you brother. It’s not a hard job to do at all.

Thanks for the tip brother. I’m sure your comment will help people out as well.

That is correct, many people are not putting the 12 ounces in because when you screw the dipstick in it shows full when its not! 4 ounces short.

@@MrV2u It's true that you are not supposed to screw in the dipstick when checking the level. Spec for my GCV160 GJAEA is 0.58 qt. I found that 16 oz. fills it precisely during an oil change. Not convinced that you drained yours well. At 5:22 it looks overfull and yet you only added 12 oz. I think it should rest on two wheels (not one) when draining. You don't have to pay out that much and use the Honda brand items, especially the oil. Could probably come close to cutting your cost in half on each item. And you don't need a new plug every year. The main things are oil and filter changes.

@@wryanddry2266 your correct brother. I always double check my levels, not always showing it on camera. But it topped off and you should check it with the dipstick loose.

You can use any brand. Take your old one out and have them match it up for you.

Can you explain the gapping tool for the spark plug to me?

It’s just a tool that makes sure the spark plug probe is open to the correct measurements required. The opening dictates how much of a spark is fired off. You can find one at any auto store. Just find the correct measurement on the tool and press the spark plug in and make sure it’s not to wide or narrow. Does that help?

@@MrV2u which part of the spark plug would I make sure has the right gap?

The gap where it looks like a bent finger. The tip of the probe

Good idea brother.

Roberto Carlos Valdez Cantu for sure brother. 10w-30 is 10w-30 my friend.

I truly appreciate the feedback. Thanks for the support and if you have any questions I’m always around for advice.

Your very welcome my friend.

Thanks brother. I would do it once a season to be safe. It also depends on how many hours the motor is running.

MrV2u thank you 👍

First thing I’d do is change the spark plug and make sure it’s gapped to 0.025-0.030. Honda plugs aren’t that great to begin with. If that doesn’t work check the carburetor. Last you can take off the over head valve cover and make sure the lifter rods are tightened and the gap is proper.

E3 Lawn & Garden plugs are gapped at the factory, but may require some adjustment to meet your O.E. engine requirements. I ran mine the way it came and it’s perfect.

Dc2 Honda motors are very reliable. You change the oil once a season and tune them up every season or other season and they won’t let you down brother.

These motors are self adjusting. It shouldn’t go out of adjustment. Is the grass super tall?

I think you’re talking about the throttle cable ? Take a picture and send it to me. Above the fuel line it’s all throttle linkage. Below is a small spring that controls the governor. I need more details. MrV2u@hotmail.com

@@MrV2u Yes, correct - the long Throttle Return Spring. Where should it be attached? the end towards the front of the GCV160 mower. It became disconnected and I can't tell what it should attach to.

Check your throttle cable and make sure it’s tight and connected from the handle to the carburetor. If that’s ok then you might have to remove the bowl and get to the jet and clean it all out. You might have debris inside. It start with the cable first brother.

www.homedepot.com/p/Honda-Tune-Up-Kit-for-GC-GCV-Engines-670365-TUK929/204144337 This is a link for the kit I used from Home Depot. Genuine Honda parts. Let me know how you make out.

@@MrV2u thank you so much! I didn't know there were kits available and this is much more cost efficient. I really appreciate this video. I was never thought how to do these things and you made me feel more confident.

Let me know how you make out or if you have any other questions, I’m always around for advice. Good luck and thanks for the feedback.

No brother. You can get one from advance auto or auto zone for like $3.

I change it every other season.

Not that I’m aware of, but even if they say they do I’d always recommend double checking the gap. It’s not really that hard to gap spark plugs and doesn’t cost much in a gauge.

Nothing to do with it unless your having issues.

I’m a magician brother lol. There is always gas in the lines unless you lock off the tank and crank it till it doesn’t start.

@@MrV2u My carburetor is shot I believe. I changed dumped the gas and oil for new and all it does is crank and goes immediately dead.

@@DarrenWulfen go to advanced auto and buy a bottle of k100. Pour some in the tank and try again. It raises the octane level and it might be enough to get it started. If that doesn’t work you might have a gummed needle valve in the carb. But I’m sure the k100 will do the trick. Let me know how you make out.

I'm in Nigeria. Africa.

I would drain the oil and put in 10w-30, so it last longer bro. That thick a oil in a Honda mower will shorten its life. Any more questions I’m around for advice.

@@MrV2u Thanks

You might have a carburetor issue. Or a crack in a fuel line.

@@MrV2u cleaned both out.

@@MrV2u cracked rocker head!

It is not unusual for Honda GCV engines to break exhaust rocker arms, but there is always a reason, and it needs to be found. When a rocker arm breaks there are two things to check for immediately. The first is whether the valve is stuck. That is by far the most common reason for GCVs to break rocker arms, and it seems to be often associated with the engines being fitted to pressure washers. Water gets into a lot of the wrong places on pressure washer engines. A stuck valve is easily found and it will be obvious if that is the problem. Since this has been happening to you for a while and the engine has been running along the way, it seems unlikely that you have a fully and permanently stuck valve. The second thing to check is that the valve will move as far as necessary. The valve lift is set by the camshaft and the rocker arm lever ratio, and on the GCV engines there is only one (usually plastic) cam lobe which operates both valves. Since you are not having any problems with the inlet rocker arm, chances are the problem is not with the camshaft. However, you still need to check whether the exhaust valve will freely open as far as necessary. I think the easiest way to do this, is to assemble the engine with (another) new rocker, not a cracked one, adjust the tappet clearance correctly, and rotate the crankshaft in the forward direction until the exhaust valve begins to open. Then, press down on the rocker directly above the valve, and note that the valve will open further. Rotate the engine further in small steps, checking at each step that the valve will still open further. The objective here is to see that the valve does not run out of available movement, even when the maximum lift position is reached. If it does run out of movement, when the engine runs the rocker arm will have to act as a flexible joint every time the valve opens, and it will soon fatigue and fail. If you find there is insufficient valve movement to accommodate the full lift dictated by the camshaft, you know why your rockers are breaking and you just have to find what is causing the exhaust valve to have restricted travel. There are four obvious possible reasons. The first is that the valve guide has moved upward from its correct position. The second is that the valve has been adjusted with insufficient clearance, which has the effect of increasing the valve lift. The third is that the timing belt has jumped, and the head of the exhaust valve is hitting the piston, which limits its movement. The fourth is that there is incorrect assembly of the valve retainer, so that some part of the retainer system, or some additional component which should not be there, hits the valve guide and prevents full opening of the valve. I know you have checked two of those four things (correct valve clearance, and correct belt timing), but if it is neither of the other two, I suggest you recheck. Then, if it is none of the four things, we are reduced to looking for unlikely problems such as a damaged or incorrectly machined cylinder head or rocker pivot, causing the rocker pivot geometry to vary when the engine is running. This is what I found. Maybe it’ll help you. Let me know. I’ve never rebuilt one, I got a friend that’s more versed in small engines.

Some have them some don’t. Mine didn’t have one, normally they are on the side, inline with the fuel lines.

Thank you

Thanks for the info brother.

Good general advice but to prevent gumming of gas in carburetor, use no ethanol gasoline. Also, place the wheels nearest the bucket on bricks and top evenly to the right to get all particles out. When through cutting, turn gas supply valve to off position to burn all gas out of the carburetor bowl to prevent gumming. Happy mowing.

@farrislyons2603 awesome advice brother, thanks.

@@gpecci2253 thanks for the info my friend.

More than one way to skin a cat. Thanks for the tip brother.

Jason Peterson , the way he shows is the way the manual shows, and the easiest

Fanfeck thanks brother. Spot on!

You got it brother! If you have any questions I’m around for advice.

This is how the owners manual says to do it!

Con Dios todo es posible.

Lmao best comment ever my brother. Only made men can repair mowers like me.

@@MrV2u shhh. j. Edgar hoover is watching 🤣

@@jetrojackin3400 lol no lawns are safe.

I’m old school. A tune up is plugs, wires when needed and air filter. And in those rare cases points. Your not really going to “tune” this motor up unless you have issues.

Roberto Carlos Valdez Cantu you can use car oil no problem. Let me know how you make out brother.