Engines revving, and sputtering out

[JDhomeservices]

Both of my pressure washers have GX 390 engines. Every morning when I first start them up, the RPM's fluctuate up and down and eventually sputter out. Seems to sputter out quicker if I leave them in bypass. I usually have to fool with them for about 30 minutes letting water run through them and restarting them a few times until they're warmed up, and they're usually good for the rest of the day. Anything I can do to fix this?

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[Johnson]

Try a tune up (change oil and spark plug) and clean the carbs. Check air filters too.
Also leave gas cap off at the first start up to see if it still does it.

 

[Doug Rucker]

Shut it off at the gas...not the switch.

 

[Kiloman]

Check the governors on these little guys if they go out of whack its trouble all the time.

 

[Russ Johnson]

It's the environmental regulations that require smaller jets in the carb to eliminate emissions that causes this. Try running them at half choke for a few minutes until they warm up.

 

[Ron Musgraves]

WOW !!!!! More GOV regulations

 

[Russ Johnson]

Oh, it's been ongoing. Remember back in the 80s there was a mixture screw on the carbs to adjust them. People ran them too rich, polluted the air, and spoiled it for the rest of us...lol.

 

[JDhomeservices]

Thanks for the help!

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[Rapid HotClean]

Ethanol in the gas?

 

[JDhomeservices]

Ethanol in the gas?

Yep.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[Hardwaresteve]

I know it's a lazy approach to the carbs on Honda, but a lot of times its easy and relatively cheap to throw an aftermarket carb on the little Hondas than to mess with trying to clean them. Now if it is still under warranty I wouldn't advise aftermarket but I have never had a problem with them.

 

[Johnson]

I know it's a lazy approach to the carbs on Honda, but a lot of times its easy and relatively cheap to throw an aftermarket carb on the little Hondas than to mess with trying to clean them. Now if it is still under warranty I wouldn't advise aftermarket but I have never had a problem with them.

When I said clean them I meant with the spray type cleaner, not to take them apart and soaking them in carb cleaner overnight.

 

[Hardwaresteve]

I agree with you, if the spray don't work however you don't have to spend a hundred bucks on an OEM carb is all I am saying.

 

[Russ Johnson]

You can get a pin drill and wallow the jet out a little bit, a thousandth or two.

 

[Johnson]

I agree with you, if the spray don't work however you don't have to spend a hundred bucks on an OEM carb is all I am saying.

I agree. I bought one of those knockoffs from Russ a couple years ago for $35 I think.

 

[JDhomeservices]

Hmm... haven't been getting notifications on this topic... Is it bad that I don't know where the carb is, what it looks like, or how to clean it?

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[Johnson]

Hmm... haven't been getting notifications on this topic... Is it bad that I don't know where the carb is, what it looks like, or how to clean it?

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

Yes....

 

[Johnson]

Hmm... haven't been getting notifications on this topic... Is it bad that I don't know where the carb is, what it looks like, or how to clean it?

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

Yes....

 

[Hardwaresteve]

Look it up on the internet and get familiar with them, its a must in this business

 

[Kiloman]

Or just get two 14 hp kohlors and rock on .