I have a mower with the Honda GCV 160 engine, automatic throttle, that belches black smoke and uses excessive fuel when mowing. This mower was only about 2 months old when this problem started.

Any ideas what to check?

Ray, September 2008

I've had one of these for five years, great mower, but over past few months has given puffs of black smoke and used 25% more fuel.
My own stupidity and neglect. The throttle/choke linkage was stiff due to dirt, and the choke was still partly on. Once cleaned with wd40 and well oiled, the choke can be felt to engage as the throttle lever is pushed fully forward. You can see the linkage operating as well, there should be a distinct extra pressure when the linkage contacts the choke lever.
The engine still didn't feel quite right so I removed the air filter which looked quite clean. Engine immediately ran perfectly, so the filter was blocked, no wonder after five years. In future I shall change every two years as recommended in manual.

Mike, August 2009

Hello,

Have a look at the air filter for blockages & clean if blocked with grass, careful not to get grass in the inlet.
If this doesn't do the trick change filter as a blocked filter will cause the engine to be running rich.Take care in fitting it correctly so not to damage the filter corrogations when you refit the access cover - put this on the correct way up.

Steve, July 2009

my buddy has this mower and he left the fuel on and put a little to much oil in it.... well it smoked black and won't ideal . we worked on the carb , because it was lose. we think the vibration shock the carb lose. still didn't get the ideal at the right level. we need help on that automatic chock. we also noticed that the govener was not working right . this mower is used to start with half a pull and now it takes about five or more. anyone with an idea on whats going on with this auto chock and gov. please help...

Billy, March 2009

The engine does not have a manual throttle. However, I have checked that the choke is opening as it is supposed to when the engine warms.

Any othe suggestions?

Ray, October 2008

Are you sure it's not simply that the throttle control is too far in the 'FAST' direction, thus activating the choke?

phil_saunders@bigfoot.com

Phil Saunders, September 2008