Honda GC160 help...

[Diesel_crew]

Hey folks so I'm pretty new to this forum, however not new to engine forums. I've done a little searching and not found a solution to the confusion or my sanity. This year for Christmas we bough our sons used go-karts (didn't seem to be any American builders and didn't trust TAO-TAO Chinese karts.)

The kart that my youngest son has seems to be a frame built in GA (i can already hear the banjos) with a Honda GC160 engine and what appears to be a comet 20 series drive and driven torque converter type setup. The problem I seem to be having is after I took apart and cleaned the carburetor thoroughly and put it back together it has a very very high idle.

I have had various other engineering flaws with it as it didnt appear that the engine and throttle cable were fully thought out. but now all works well and the engine still idles very high, so high in fact that the clutch wants to engage all the time. I have backed the idle screw all the way out and still the same high idle. could this be a governor issue? i know this could also be a symptom of bad drive pully staying engaged... help? ps i will post pictures shortly

 

[jhuckstead]

I am surprised to see a GC160 on a kart... Most of us on here with Hondas or Clones, are working with GX series or copies there of...

I don't have any experience with the GC series, but based on my experience with GX's... It seems that in fact it is your governor that is pinning open the throttle. This can happen when the engine does not idle properly at the designed speed. For instance if the pilot jet of the carb is too rich or too lean... the governor will bump the throttle open to keep it running.

To set the pilot jet... you need to override or disconnect the governor... you can simple push the connecting arm until it closes the throttle... turn the idle screw in until it will idle smooth.
Then, with the engine at normal operating temp, adjust the pilot all the way in until the engine starts to lean out and misfire, then turn it back out until you get the fastest idle rpm. Then back the idle screw out to lower the rpm again, and adjust the pilot screw until you get the highest rpm again.... keep repeating until you get the low idle you want.

Now connect or release the governor, if it is still raising your idle too high, you need to decrease the spring tension between the Throttle arm and the governor. On most GX's, there are at least 2 positions for this spring. The position points that shorten the spring length decrease the tension and allow the governor to close the throttle with less tension. Unfortunately, doing this will also lower you max rpm...

 

[Diesel_crew]

Here is the kart in all of its glory. when we got it the throttle cable was engineered with zip ties hold the plastic outer still. i bypassed this by drilling a small hole in a bracket. but there was also random springs and a bungee cord pulling the governor lever back. i have since removed this because it seemed not necessary for the operation of the kart. (i ran it both on and off and it made no difference.

 

[Diesel_crew]

ugh i didn't know that they would all come out sideways... dont break your neck...

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Can't respond, playing my banjo.

 

[jhuckstead]

There is a zip tie that going around the spring and the linkage, before the connection point to the governor arm... I am positive that it should not be there... It should have 2 attachment points, one is usually on the governor arm, and it is, the other is usually connects to the throttle body, and I can't tell if it is or not. If it is connected to the throttle body, the tension from the zip tie could be pinning the throttle body open a little.

 

[qtband]

Personally, I doubt that engine came initially on that kart. The GC160 engine is popular on power washers. When used on power washers, you have full throttle & off. In the past, I also have had issues getting a GC160 to idle. Plus, the exhaust always blows the wrong way (at the back of the seat). If you can't get it to work, I would get a new $100 Predator engine, which will be an easy swap, and be worry free.

 

[Omahawg]

I have one on a kart too, though I’ve only run it once. I had idle issues too, but I haven’t really fine tuned it yet. I still have hope for it. I just have to tweek the home made throttle assembly.

 

[Diesel_crew]

Can't respond, playing my banjo.

I can say that I'm hail from banjo Ville GA

---------- Post added at 12:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:29 PM ----------

Thank you guys for all your help! It turns out it was the throttle cable not allowing the throttle to fully close. As well as throttle mechanism not springing back properly, the drive clutch sticks open. Thank you guys for your help!

 

[mindymogul]

Doing research (cuz I have 2 GC160s myself on cub cadet machines) they're a LOT less durable than the GX or GS series. They're not made to withstand constant throttle change, they wear out a lot quicker, most of the exterior components are plastic and modifications are limited. Plus its only rated at 4.7hp so I'd say get yourself an actual GX190 or equivalent so you dont have to worry about issues in the future.

https://ventry.com/blogs/faqs/honda-gx-versus-gc-engines

 

[Randy H]

Cool you got it figured out.
Looks like your torque converter belt is a bit to loose.

Perhaps the wrong belt type as well?

https://www.amazon.com/Bando-3515-Precision-Engineered-V-Belt/dp/B002EC9NG4

http://www.bmikarts.com/PDF/Comet_TAV2_Torque_Converter.pdf