Troy bilt splitter question.

I have a Troy Bilt 27 ton splitter that I purchased used last year. When I got it I could tell it was hardly ever used and still had the price tag on it. I bought it from a friend of a friend and was told it had only split around 6 cords since new. This unit has the Honda gcv 160 motor on it. Well , the splitter ran great the first few times I used it but began to pulsate around the fourth time I used it. At this time it also became hard to start and would only run good at full choke. I tried to clean the carb and jets and also replaced the old fuel lines and filters. This didn't work. I found that a new carb was very cheap from my local dealer, so I replaced it. That worked pretty good and started much better but still needed to use slight choke to run perfect. I ran it this way to split around 10 cords. Now approx. 2 months later I tried to start it and it was back to no start without a little help from starting fluid. Do you think it is possible that it has a stuck valve ?

 

That's pretty odd. Are you using fresh gas?

 

yes

 

It sounds as if the diaphragm may be having trouble picking up fuel at the low engine speed you get when trying to start it.

 

I'd guess a fuel supply issue too. Fingers crossed, so far my TB 27 ton is starting OK after I shot some carb cleaner at it this spring. I also just bought a used 1 year old unit. I now keep Marine Stabil in the fuel to help prevent varnish build up in the carb and filter.

 

You don't hear too many stories like this with Honda engines.

 

Just my luck I guess. I have the same engine on my power washer and it has been great. No issues.

 

Thanks, I will pull the carb and take a look.

 

Did you look in the fuel tank and at the pickup. Make sure your fuel valve is open all the way.

 

Yes, I replaced the filter in the tank pick up line. Also replaced the fuel shut off valve.

 

Don't confuse GCV and GX. Worlds apart.

My bet would be carburetor, sounds like you did the right things so far. If you can get it running, try to find an air leak with some WD40 or carb cleaner. However, with a no start condition, I don't think you have an air leak, I think you have a clogged jet.

 

Could be the fuel line degrading from ethanol and sending black smutch into the carb. Can't really tell from the outside as it softens up from the inside.

 

I did check for an air leak and didn't find any. It will start but only with starting fluid when cold.

 

I replaced all fuel lines.

 

Yeah, the GX is the commercial grade stuff while the GCV is the homeowner/box store stuff. Way different animal. Wish I had the GX. lol

 

Have a look at the link below, maybe you missed something.

 

I have a compressor with a Honda GX 160 on it and the gas tank on it attracts water. Keep it covered/under cover at all times, keep an extra spark plug on hand. I have a Snap-on carb jet cleaning tool that really only gets used on that carb.

Oops, thought the tank was the same metal tank, but it is completely different.

 

Yeah, I had a GX motor on a splitter that a friend had let me use. The tank rotted out at the bottom from water that had been collected and was leaking. I replaced it with an aftermarket tank for him.

 

I keep my splitter covered or inside when not in use. I am not a big fan of leaving any equipment outside and uncovered, just about anything deteriorates eventually.