Honda GX160 fuel in sump

[brnomauser]

Hi all,
I joined this site with a view to get welding tips, but so far I've got another problem...

I have a generator with a GX160 powering it. It's pretty new, and hasn't had any faults so far... But now the fuel tank is draining into the sump when switched off.

It happens while it's off, after a couple of hours I find the whole tank just ends up in the sump. It runs and starts perfectly. I've played around with the float level - no change and it shuts off when it should.

Has anyone else come across this problem or does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks a lot for any help

 

[shenion]

Sounds like the float valve is dirty or corroded. I have a Honda that has similar problems. Seems to shut off fine but over time they bowl overflows.

They don't use a brass valve like the Walbro carbs most of the other engines have, so they are prone to pitting or corrosion.

You can try blowing out the fuel line withe the float removed to remove any crap from the seat.

I have used a pencil eraser to polish the seats and it has helped.

 

[pedrobedro]

Can't you fit a fuel stop tap between the tank and the carb, switch it off and let it run the float bowl dry to stop itself?

 

[brnomauser]

Thanks guys. Thought it was the seat but it shuts off fine with minimal pressure on the bowl. It is still very new - not worn or corroded. There is no dirt and have had it apart and back together so many times! Is there no way it could set up a siphon into the sump thereby keeing the inlet valve open?

I can switch the fuel off - but that's not the point. It shouldn't do this...

 

[shenion]

Siphon fuel after it reaches the sump? It has already ruined the oil.

Just shut it off.

I have one that is a real pain, like many things on Honda's, they are not serviceable.

 

[the snooper]

Thought it was the seat but it shuts off fine with minimal pressure on the bowl.

it cant be anything but the needle valve / seat as it controls the flow of fuel.

I can switch the fuel off - but that's not the point. It shouldn't do this...

take it back to where you bought it, if you cant then buy a new needle valve and seat around £20 last time i enquired

 

[shenion]

The ones I have seen you can't replace the seat. That is typical for Honda, replace units not parts

 

[slimjim]

I have one of these that does the same, but it stops in the cylinder, giving it a hydraulic lock, tis old though, I just turn the fuel off if I remember,

 

[stinkbridgenine]

i have these engines for karting,i ALWAYS turn the fuel off at the carb and let the engine run until it runs out of fuel before switching the ignition off and i`ve not had a problem,it just takes a couple more pulls to start when you want to use it again.

 

[the snooper]

The ones I have seen you can't replace the seat. That is typical for Honda, replace units not parts

yeah you're right cheap rubbish, but its usually the rubber tip on the needle that goes anyway

 

[shenion]

yeah you're right cheap rubbish, but its usually the rubber tip on the needle that goes anyway

No rubber tip on any of the Honda's I've worked on.

 

[the snooper]

No rubber tip on any of the Honda's I've worked on.

i did one last year with a rubber tip, same problem needle valve not sealing.

 

[pedrobedro]

Thanks guys. Thought it was the seat but it shuts off fine with minimal pressure on the bowl. It is still very new - not worn or corroded. There is no dirt and have had it apart and back together so many times! Is there no way it could set up a siphon into the sump thereby keeping the inlet valve open?

I can switch the fuel off - but that's not the point. It shouldn't do this...

I think that's probably the reason there is a fuel tap on there It's not a syphon feed to the carburettor is it? Usually they are gravity fed with the tank higher than the float bowl, syphon would only work till the levels equalise. I think I would get used to the fact it needs switching off, stick a notice on it to remind me and stop worrying about it.

 

[Big Mick]

Thanks guys. Thought it was the seat but it shuts off fine with minimal pressure on the bowl. It is still very new - not worn or corroded. There is no dirt and have had it apart and back together so many times! Is there no way it could set up a siphon into the sump thereby keeing the inlet valve open?

I can switch the fuel off - but that's not the point. It shouldn't do this...

I had to do exactly this job on a mate's genny a few weeks ago.

ALWAYS use the fuel tap when leaving the engine off!!!!!! that's what it's there for.

All motorcycles with gravity fed carbs have either a manual shutoff or a vacuum one, carb needle valves are there to regulate the fuel refilling, not as a fuel tap for prolonged periods.

Cheers, Mick.

 

[Uniqueusername]

We currently run approx 800 of these little Hondas.
We never turn the fuel off (it confuses customers) except on towable machines.
Towable machines it's the bouncing that causes the float to flood the crankcase.
On the rest it means there's crap on the fuel valve seat or the fuel valve is worn.
So far this year we've changed 16 ignitions but zero fuel valves, so that should point you towards the crap on the seat route.
turn off fuel, Remove float bowl, pull out float pin and remove float and needle.
Blast up it with carb clean or WD40, anything with a straw on it.
Reassemble and test.
If there wasn't any obvious crap in the float bowl and the valve leaks again then the tank needs to come off and be washed out, it's got silt in it and it's getting past the filter.
The above only applies if it's less than a few years old and not knackered or indeed a very good chinese copy engine, then it could be needle, seat or seat seal.
If it's a Robin engine, they leak anyway, turn the fuel off !!