Honda GX 16 Carb

[FMC1959]

I have a vibrating plate compactor that has a GX 160 engine. Gas flows from the tank to the bowl very well. If I spray a bit into the carb directly, it runs, for a couple of seconds. The floater, which would be unrelated to what I think the issue is, works well and allows gas to the bowl and cuts it off when full. From what I can tell, the issue is gas not getting from the bowl to into the carb.

How does it get in there? There are no vacuum hoses connected. My carb looks' very much like this one

Amazon.com

The hose is the fuel line. Does fuel go from the bowl up to the carb throat strictly from the vacuum created from the cylinder compression/decompression cycle. If this is how it works, where would I check on the carb to see if there is any blockage that could stop the gas from being pulled up into the carb. Or is it more a gasket that may be failing and not allowing for the proper suction/vacuum?

 

[decableguy2000]

The jets are more than likely clogged. Pull the carb off and take the bowl off, flip up side down and the jet is in the stem. If it's not corroded it should come out easy. Honda carburetors are fairly simple to work on.

 

[FMC1959]

The jets are more than likely clogged. Pull the carb off and take the bowl off, flip up side down and the jet is in the stem. If it's not corroded it should come out easy. Honda carburetors are fairly simple to work on.

I pulled it last night and ran it 30 minutes in an ultrasonic cleaner at about 150 degrees with just a spoonful of cleaner. Would this alone clean the jets, or do I need to take the jets out clean them? and how, just an old toothbrush and some brakes cleaner?

 

[Snapped-off]

I pulled it last night and ran it 30 minutes in an ultrasonic cleaner at about 150 degrees with just a spoonful of cleaner. Would this alone clean the jets, or do I need to take the jets out clean them? and how, just an old toothbrush and some brakes cleaner?

I spray carb clean through jets and any orfices. I don't have an ultrasonic cleaner though.

 

[The Cobbler]

brake cleaner can affect the rubber parts, also the ultrasonic can swell them .
the carb needs to be dismantled and probe all of the orifices
Best to watch some you tube videos on it

 

[scooby074]

Run some fine wire (copper if you want to be fancy) through all the holes in the bowl (jets). Blast with some carb clean and put it in the ultrasonic again.

Very likely you have a clogged jet or passage, particularly if the machine has sat with fuel in it.

If the bowl is full of gas and gas isnt overflowing the carb, there likely isnt a problem with the float.

 

[jabberwoki]

$25 for a new one.

 

[Retired dozer fixer]

Check for water in your gas

 

[theoldwizard1]

brake cleaner can affect the rubber parts, also the ultrasonic can swell them .

True on #1. #2 depends on what cleaner you use in your ultra sonic. Some people just use a health squirt of Dawn dishwashing liquid !

I don't do enough carburetor rebuilds to justify an ultrasonic cleaner. I just disassemble the carb and put it in a bucket of Berryman Chem-Dip Carburetor Cleaner over night.

the carb needs to be dismantled and probe all of the orifices
Best to watch some you tube videos on it

One of the best YouTube series that shows MULTIPLE Honda "style" carburetor rebuilds is James Condon. (Skip the ones on rebuilding Tecumseh or old Briggs carburetors. They are "different".)

You also need a Carburetor Cleaning Tool Kit.

All carburetors (including 4 barrel Holley) have (at least) 2 fuel circuits, a primary (often incorrectly called idle) and a secondary.

Fuel ALWAYS flows through the primary fuel jet. These are very small and are easily clogged. On the Honda style carb this is UNDER the idle speed screw ! Also there is always a primary AIR passage, usually a small passage IN FRONT of the throttle plate. These need to be clear also.

Many people INCORRECTLY call the jet through the bowl nut the secondary jet. The secondary jet is up inside the tube that the bowl but feeds. YOU MUST USE A HOLLOW GROUND SCRWEDRIVER TO REMOVE THIS ! Above the secondary jet is something called the emulsion tube (typically a brass tube with small holes in the side. They all need to be cleaned.) The emulsion tube usually falls out after removing the secondary jet.

 

[FMC1959]

Thanks to all the replies!

 

[FMC1959]

Check for water in your gas

The tanks had been emptied fresh gas was added

 

[FMC1959]

$25 for a new one.

I know, found for even less, but I wanted to fix it if possible. Prefer to fix when I can. Geez, with all the tools GJ has made me buy, I got to use them......no?

 

[FMC1959]

brake cleaner can affect the rubber parts, also the ultrasonic can swell them .
the carb needs to be dismantled and probe all of the orifices
Best to watch some you tube videos on it

I did watch some YT, some good ones.

 

[FMC1959]

Run some fine wire (copper if you want to be fancy) through all the holes in the bowl (jets). Blast with some carb clean and put it in the ultrasonic again.

Very likely you have a clogged jet or passage, particularly if the machine has sat with fuel in it.

If the bowl is full of gas and gas isnt overflowing the carb, there likely isnt a problem with the float.

I used a pin from my wife's sewing kit, then followed up using a 1/64th bit, NOT in my drill, just twirling slowing with my fingers.

A YT video, the guy had a key ring with "abrasive wires" hanging from it, like a feeler gauges with all the sizes on the ring. I think he said he uses it for cleaning welding tips? What I did not understand it if he made it or it is something you can by.

Anyone know of such an item?

 

[The Cobbler]

torch tip cleaning wires are available at welding supply places. they are effective for cleaning, so is wire from twist ties, wire brushes etc.

 

[FMC1959]

True on #1. #2 depends on what cleaner you use in your ultra sonic. Some people just use a health squirt of Dawn dishwashing liquid !

I don't do enough carburetor rebuilds to justify an ultrasonic cleaner. I just disassemble the carb and put it in a bucket of Berryman Chem-Dip Carburetor Cleaner over night.


One of the best YouTube series that shows MULTIPLE Honda "style" carburetor rebuilds is James Condon. (Skip the ones on rebuilding Tecumseh or old Briggs carburetors. They are "different".)

You also need a Carburetor Cleaning Tool Kit.

All carburetors (including 4 barrel Holley) have (at least) 2 fuel circuits, a primary (often incorrectly called idle) and a secondary.

Fuel ALWAYS flows through the primary fuel jet. These are very small and are easily clogged. On the Honda style carb this is UNDER the idle speed screw ! Also there is always a primary AIR passage, usually a small passage IN FRONT of the throttle plate. These need to be clear also.

Many people INCORRECTLY call the jet through the bowl nut the secondary jet. The secondary jet is up inside the tube that the bowl but feeds. YOU MUST USE A HOLLOW GROUND SCRWEDRIVER TO REMOVE THIS ! Above the secondary jet is something called the emulsion tube (typically a brass tube with small holes in the side. They all need to be cleaned.) The emulsion tube usually falls out after removing the secondary jet.

I don't do enough carb cleans, (this is my first), but there are many uses for an Ultrasonic cleaner.

theoldwizard1, a lot of useful info. I have the engine running now, but will check out JC video, thank

 

[FMC1959]

I spray carb clean through jets and any orfices. I don't have an ultrasonic cleaner though.

Carb cleaner was my first thought, but hen remembered reading that many bike fanatics usually clean their carbs in an US cleaner

 

[The Cobbler]

Ultrasonic cleaners are nice, but I've had great success using pinesol original for cleaning a really bad Briggs carb. let it soak for an hour or 2. my carb turned black but it ran the mower well after it was cleaned

 

[theoldwizard1]

Ultrasonic cleaners are nice, but I've had great success using pinesol original for cleaning a really bad Briggs carb.

I have heard some people just put the disassembled carb in boiling water for 10-15 minutes !

The key is disassemble and probe all openings with fine wire.

 

[jabberwoki]

I know, found for even less, but I wanted to fix it if possible. Prefer to fix when I can. Geez, with all the tools GJ has made me buy, I got to use them......no?

Yeah I hear ya but after wasting so much time trying to get those tiny passages clear I'm done.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Yeah I hear ya but after wasting so much time trying to get those tiny passages clear I'm done.

Cleaning the carb takes only 5-10 minutes (unless I do an over night soak) !

At least 10 minutes to get it off the machine and 10-20 minutes to put it back on !

 

[FMC1959]

Cleaning the carb takes only 5-10 minutes (unless I do an over night soak) !

At least 10 minutes to get it off the machine and 10-20 minutes to put it back on !

"At least 10 minutes to get it off the machine and 10-20 minutes to put it back on !"...the time to take off and put back on, you need to do whether cleaning or replacing, regardless.