Common Reason for Honda Lawn Mower NO START | GCV160 Engine Auto Choke Repair

This video covers the diagnosis and repair process for a Honda GCV160 engine auto choke. This repair only pertains to this specific engine, other lawnmowers will use various styles of auto choke assemblies.

Thermo Wax Replacement Part:

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[russellyoung]

Before tackling this repair, give your local Honda dealer a call with serial number and engine code as this repair may be covered by recall or special policy. This issue was fairly common and Honda was covering this at no cost to owner.
I was formally (retired warranty clerk) and we covered a number of these repairs for customer satisfaction 😉

[geekbot]

Bro, you saved my life. I needed to do some PM and clean my carb. I took it apart and panicked when it all fell apart. Thanks to you, she's running good as new.

[brianjohnson]

This is the first time I repair a lawn mower with automatic choke. I saw the two bolts with paint on them and thought I shouldn't really do this but it didn't work so I had nothing to lose. I also got concerned when all the gaskets dropped as they didn't stay stuck to the parts. I got all the way to the thermowax part but didn't know what it dd. Was about to give up and I hate doing that but put it back together and still wasn't working then watched this video. You did a great job with the video so easy to understand and realized what the thermowax did and then realized it was the problem. Picked up the part this morning and 10 minutes to reassemble and it works like a charm thanks to you 0:22

[track]

Replaced the thermowax unit, still needed a shot of starting fluid to do a cold start. Hot start was ok. Cleaned carb, no better. Choke appeared to be closed when cold. The metal post on the top of the carb is the stop for the choke pivot shaft. I ground off a little material from the metal post which allowed the choke to close another 5 or 10 percent. Now it starts with one pull.

[evelynmahoney]

Excellent video & instructions. I'm qualified to make this statement because i have watched at least 25 other lawn mower repair videos. Additionally, i have watched easily over 100 repair videos on everything from gas dryer centrifugal switch to Mercedes Benz Active Body Control (ABC) hydraulic pump replacement, and everything inbetween.

Keep up the good work!

[kyliewescombe]

Thanks for sharing this video I just checked my choke and found the problem, after taking my mower to the repair shop and being told I needed a new mower I’m so glad I didn’t get sucked in because I’m gonna get the part and replace it myself 🙂

[jonnykban]

Cheers. Pulled my old Mountfield out this morning. Choke stuck open exactly as you said. Took the two bolts out, pulled the thingy forward bolted back up. Fired in a few pulls. Will order the part now.
Top stuff.

[radimpaule]

That was so fast and easy!!! Thanks for the great video. The lawn mower started on the first pull, which hasn't happened before 👍

[michaelbeaumont]

Great video mate. Just picked one of these up, heard it was a common issue after a few hundred hours. Now i know how to fix it cheaply.

[stevemayberry]

this is a very well-done video for being able to see everything done and explaining it well. If you lived closer, I be at your shop! thank you, Steve

[impyzyf]

Thanks for a great and much needed video. I've spent over five days researching Honda literature and countless videos on YouTube without much success. I knew I had a choke problem but there were no videos showing this Thermal Wax device and it's purpose. Even in the Honda literature. So once again thanks and I'll subscribe to your channel and recommend to others. Happy Thanksgiving.

[shadyfranco]

Thank you. Loved how close you were to what you were doing and how informative ... SUBSCRIBED!

[petersampson]

Brilliant. Works beautifully again. Repair shop said it was toast.

[skully]

yes after losing a 100.00 and a new carb I did not need I see what my problem is now. Ordered the thermowax I will change it myself thanks to your video. Peace

[BostonSmiles-hg]

opened up a used GCV160 mower I picked up (only started right after I bought it). Had the autochoke thermostat removed, was missing gaskets and the card had been changed to a manual choke carb but disconnected, no control. Made some gaskets and tied a rope to the manual choke to operante it =). Runs like a champ

[rustynutz]

everything I was looking for IS IN this video. I'm ordering part now. Well Done ! : ) Thank You !

[spacecoastkid]

Great video, clear easy to follow instructions! Thank you.

[treygroff]

Thank you for the information. I really appreciate it. It was exactly what I was looking for in regards to troubleshooting this lawnmower my neighbor had given me.

[letalaura]

Hi I changed the plug thermo wax cleaned all the jets in the carb, still surging badly, I redone all carb cleaning and jets at least twenty times, then by accident I removed the metal arm which hold the springs to the carb, removed split pin removed the shaft, cleaned replaced the arm, started the mower started first time, runs perfectly, al I can think the arm was not sitting on the shaft properly, no surging at all, hope this helps other people.

[gflames]

Thank you very much for this video!!
My choke was stuck half way open making the engine sputter. Little WD40 and it loosened up. Running like a champ.
Thanks again.