Honda GX390

[Ty Korrigan]

Now then, 

 This engine is on my wee FSI B20 stumpgrinder and has done 200 hours.

The head gasket is failing.

I can also smell oil being burnt.

A kit containing all the gaskets and seals can be had for just a few Euros.

Is it likely I will need a new head though?

I could buy a new engine for under €800

Meanwhile, It will have to hang on a little longer before my long Summer break as only then will I have the time to fettle.

 

 

 

[AHPP]

Interesting. Was under the impression they were indestructible. Maybe Briggs need a bit of sympathy after all…

 

I bet you could flatten the head yourself with a sheet of glass and sheets of sandpaper if it was warped. Fairly cheap experiment. 
 

What do you think’s causing it? Does it sit at a funny angle while running?

[Ty Korrigan]

No idea as to the cause, I just change the oil and air filter.

 As a fresh engine is just a day's turnover, it seems tempting to go for one rather than fecking around fettling or handing it over to the local mower shop.

 

Moteur HONDA GX390 SXQ4 13 CV 3600 tr/min avec démarrage à lanceur - Regelav

SHOP.REGELAV.COM

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- Moteur à essence monocylindre 4 temps- Moteur à essence OHV- Arbre de prise de force horizontal- Cylindrée du...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 4 by Ty Korrigan

[GarethM]

11 minutes ago, Ty Korrigan said:

No idea as to the cause, I just change the oil and air filter.

 As a fresh engine is just a day's turnover, it seems tempting to go for one rather than fecking around fettling or handing it over to the local mower shop.

 

Moteur HONDA GX390 SXQ4 13 CV 3600 tr/min avec démarrage à lanceur - Regelav

SHOP.REGELAV.COM

---

- Moteur à essence monocylindre 4 temps- Moteur à essence OHV- Arbre de prise de force horizontal- Cylindrée du...

Probably overheating if it's on a stump grinder 

[Mick Dempsey]

I change the head gasket on my B&S 35hp v-twin. 
Set the valve clearance and everything!

Been fine since. 

Its worth having a look and seeing if it’s clearly compromised. 
 

[Ty Korrigan]

41 minutes ago, Mick Dempsey said:

I change the head gasket on my B&S 35hp v-twin. 
Set the valve clearance and everything!

Been fine since. 

Its worth having a look and seeing if it’s clearly compromised. 
 

 

Is it worth getting a compression test before dismantling it?

 

[Mick Dempsey]

6 minutes ago, Ty Korrigan said:

 

Is it worth getting a compression test before dismantling it?

 

Not to my mind, no. 
 

[Tree monkey 1682]

1 hour ago, Ty Korrigan said:

Now then, 

 This engine is on my wee FSI B20 stumpgrinder and has done 200 hours.

The head gasket is failing.

I can also smell oil being burnt.

A kit containing all the gaskets and seals can be had for just a few Euros.

Is it likely I will need a new head though?

I could buy a new engine for under €800

Meanwhile, It will have to hang on a little longer before my long Summer break as only then will I have the time to fettle.

 

 

 

Take it off and put a loncin engine on it, Honda engines aren't great anymore... Even from new... Tempromental shites

[spudulike]

You could be burning oil from a leaking head gasket rather than bore wear, seems more likely at 200 hrs and the oil could be entering the bore from the oil ways up to the tappets and cam.

The options are stripping and fitting the new gaskets or sticking in a Locin engine like the previous fella said then rebuild the thing over the winter as a nice little project.

 

[AHPP]

A Loncin is only £370 + VAT! I am constantly in awe of how things that can do so much work can be made so cheaply. Imagine giving one to a medieval grain miller. He could do a year's work in an afternoon.

Edited June 4 by AHPP