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2019/01/29 09:22:30
Ian Bristol of Carolina Cuttin Company

Honda GC160 Fuel System Repair

Hi. I'm working on repairing an MTD Yard Machine 21A-395A129 (front-tined tiller) with a Honda GC160 engine. This is my winter project and, since I'm in SC, I need to be gearing up for business in February and getting out there in March. I wanted to have the tiller ready to use for my vegetable garden as well. I've put fuel in the air intake and the tiller will start and then sputter out. Putting different amounts of fuel in the intake did affect how long the tiller ran. I've replaced the carb and confirmed that the fuel filter and lines work fine. I'm going to try replacing the fuel pump. If that doesn't work, what's left to try? I'm fairly confident that the problem is in the fuel system.

Some extra info: I've done landscape maintenance for another guy and am trying to start my own business. Being a small business with very little income, (I started in September. Not the best time to do that, even in SC.), I'm trying to do as much repair on my equipment as I can, but I have virtually no experience.

Also, I included the model number on the tiller because I have noticed that GC160s at least are assembled slightly differently depending on the machine they are on.



-Ian T. Bristol (Owner)
Carolina Cuttin' Company
11 comments Leave a comment
AVB
Correct that they setup differently depending what they on but for parts look ups you need the engine type engine and serial number.
2019/01/29 10:04:23
Roy
Did you try loosening the fuel cap? The vent may be plugged. Did you use an OEM carburetor? A lot of the aftermarket ones are sketchy at best. You can check the fuel pump by disconnecting the hose at the carburetor and pointing it into a can while running the engine with a primer bottle. Be VERY CAREFUL doing this!
2019/01/29 11:44:58
Ian Bristol of Carolina Cuttin Company
AVB: Thanks! Any clue where I could find this info for the motor? I can't find the tiller online anywhere.
2019/01/29 14:24:39
Ian Bristol of Carolina Cuttin Company
Roy: I used the cheapest carb I could find online, so: no. Probably risky, I know, but I'm trying to keep the cost down on this project. If I have too, I'll try an OEM carburetor. I've already ordered a fuel pump, but I might try testing it like you described. I'm not familiar with the process. Could you recommend a video demonstrating the process? Thanks for the help. - Ian
 
2019/01/29 14:31:33
Ian Bristol of Carolina Cuttin Company
I haven't gotten around to looking at the fuel pump, but I had a thought. I have replaced some of the fuel lines because they were dry-rotted. The new lines were a good bit longer (I can explain why, but it doesn't seem worth posting right now.) Would this cause problems? I've tried to start it enough times in a row that I would think I would have gotten fuel all the way through them if that was the problem.
2019/02/02 19:21:18
AVB
Double check your plumbing of the fuel pump. I have seen where techs have incorrectly connected the lines.
2019/02/02 22:23:20
Ian Bristol of Carolina Cuttin Company
OK. So:

Problem confined to fuel system.
>Carb replaced and confirmed to work.
>Carb gaskets replaced and confirmed to work.
>Fuel lines replaced and confirmed to work.
>Fuel pump replaced and confirmed to work.
>Fuel filter not replaced, but confirmed to work.

The engine still won't start unless fuel is put into the air intake and then in only runs for a couple seconds, depend on how much fuel I give it.

WHAT'S LEFT TO FIX!?



I am going to take it over to my old boss and he's going to double check my work. As of right now, he's as baffled as I am.
2019/02/12 07:52:26
Ian Bristol of Carolina Cuttin Company
So. The tiller is running. I took it to my boss and he showed me where I had connected a hose wrong. 
 
For anyone who's interested, in the process I replaced the carb, the fuel pump, and the recoil assembly. (All needed repairs, anyway.)
 
Thanks everyone for the advice!
2019/02/21 07:27:39
Ian Bristol of Carolina Cuttin Company
So, I've put maybe 6 hrs on the tiller since getting it running, and it's run fine... Until July. When it suddenly wouldn't start. I didn't have time to look at it, so I haven't messed with it since.
 
As mentioned previously, I've replaced the carb, the lines, and the fuel pump (Carb and pump were Chinese knockoffs. I know, I know. Probably not wise.) My lines are all still in place. The fuel filter (16910-ZV4-015, 16915-ZV4-000) was not replaced, so I'm going to go ahead and do that now.
 
Any thoughts on what it might be if not the fuel filter?
2020/01/11 11:50:42

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