Need some help - log splitter engine

OK so here's the scenario - Timberwolf log splitter, Honda GX160 engine. Working fine two weeks ago. Took it for a long drive, towed behind my truck, almost 120 miles round trip. Did not use it at all on the trip, waste of time. When it came back, it sat for a few days and then my father took it to split some maple. He was unable to start it and after a few pulls could not even get the starter rope to pull out, like it was seized. So he has been slowly and methodically taking it apart to figure out what the problem is, and on Wednesday he called me to say that the engine was full of gasoline. I'm not talking flooded, I'm talking gas everywhere. Like, oil sump and reservoir full of gas, pouring out of spark plug hole, pouring out of both oil fill and drain plugs, etc. There wasn't any oil left in it, it was all mixed into the gas.

He's taken the spark plug out to dry it, and left the oil drain plugs out, hoping that it would dry out and evaporate. I'm not sure what caused it, must have been something to do with the long trip (and the fuel valve was NOT off). With the drain and spark plugs out and the gas emptied out, he was able to easily (slowly) pull over the engine, so it's not seized, but it's only got residual oil left in it, if any. Gasoline is not a lubricant, so we need to add new oil. Was scheduled for a change anyway.

We don't want to cause any damage, so is there any advice from the forum about what we should do to make sure we don't kill this thing? Hopefully it's not already toast.

 

Needle in carb most likely stuck open. After fixing I would fill oil, spin with plugs out drain and refill.

 

You have it covered. yes the gas on and the bouncing around jiggled the float in the carb. hence everything in the fuel tank ended up in the oil sump. Could not pull over due to hydro lock. install fresh oil, check carb to make sure float is working correctly. Couple shots of thin lubricating oil in cylinder pull over a few times sans plug of course . Then you can fire it up for a short run and maybe replace oil again

 

Yeah, I would have been seriously bent if I had actually needed to use it and was unable to. I know better now - never transport with the fuel lever 'on' and a full tank of gas. I heard from my dad a few minutes ago and he'd already gotten it back up and running just by doing what was advised above.

 

With these Honda engines, if you even tip the motor on an angle a little bit it'll dump excess fuel into the carburetor. Got to keep the gas turned off when they're not in use

 

If it dies Jon_E , let me know.. I got a spare Honda ill donate to a good cause...

 

They only hold a small amount of oil. I would change it again pretty soon. Or, you could run it and get the oil temp. up to 250 or so. Any gasoline left in the engine oil will flash off after it runs a while.

 

Honda small engines are notorious for filling crankcase with fuel. Its easy to shut fuel off, turn it off after every use and you won’t have to worry about it.


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All good advice

 

Thanks all for the advice. Engine was thoroughly drained, new oil, and run for 4+ hours over the weekend. No issues. Learn something new every day!

 

Sounds like you towed it with the fuel on, which is a big no no.

Engine should be fine, add the correct oil, id flush it once or twice after some run time.

 

Used to see this commonly when I worked in the shop. A lot of rollovers or tip overs resulting in carbs full of oil also.

Agree, nothing hurt. Just cleaned the bottom end real well is all (I've run GXs with 60/40 oil/diesel to clean sludge from the crankcase before on a neglected engine).

 

It's actually running a lot better and smoother than it used to. I used to have to keep the carb on half-choke for 20-30 minutes or it would die. Now it's fine.

 

The vacuum that was created might of sucked the gunk out of the carb.

 

The chonda predator doesn't suffer from this. I never have had any hydro lock or flooding issues and I don't turn the fuel off before towing it.

 

The main problem is on the mortar mixer. When not on the truck, the hitch is an inch off the ground. So it has to be lifted 18-20" or so to get hooked up to the ball. That angle combined with bumpy roads is what does it.