Oregon 22TON Log Splitter Honda 190 Runs, sputters, dies. Occasionally recovers, then repeats.

[CalG]

The fact that the engine STARTS and ran for some period of time strongly suggests it is NOT an issue of fuel quality OR "carburation".

Rather, it is FUEL DELIVERY.

Based upon your success, My bet is that you had a stuck fuel needle in the float assembly that needed some help. The bowl would fill with fuel based on the needle position, but it would not pass enough fuel to maintain. (or too much!)

I recently "fixed" this near identical issue with a lawn mower merely by tipping the entire unit on it's side.

One would "think" that the engine shaking and vibration would jiggle those little parts loose, but NO! Sea foam to the rescue!

On a side note:
My wife decided to clean out the garden shed yesterday. That meant pulling the old Troy Built Pony roto-tiller out of the corner where it has set for over three years without attention. (we quit tilling garden pathes in favor of heavy mulching)

Dang thing started on the third pull and ran perfectly! I let it run about 10 minutes then shut it down. It's back in the corner of the shed again. I can't say when it will come out for another start up..... ;-)

 

[AndyM1]

I had a similar issue with a Honda engine on a chipper - someone suggested it was caused by resister plugs gone bad. Changed plugs and all was good. FWIW.

 

[RandyT]

I had a similar issue with a Honda engine on a chipper - someone suggested it was caused by resister plugs gone bad. Changed plugs and all was good. FWIW.

As a shop owner I have seen this several times over the years. Push mower than would run 5 minutes and then die, drain the carb and then would start back up and run another 5 minutes, but would run fine with a new plug. pressure washer that was running and died, and when cranked would attempt to start, but just backfire and die. Honda ATV that when the spark plug was grounded to the head the spark would jump from the center electrode to the side fo the plug instead of jumping the regular gap.

But have never come across this issue on any engine other than Honda.

 

[5030]

Not overly fond of the GC series anyway. Only engine I own where the cam is driven by a rubber belt immersed in engine oil. Obvious to me it's a low buck engine.

 

[KilroyJC]

I can't speak to the carb cleaner you used because I don't know which carb cleaner you used. But I can talk about Sea Foam. I was having trouble with my Stihl chain saw. Even though I only use ethanol free gasoline, according to the pump label at least, my saw carb showed the typical signs of being gummed up. Sea Foam in the gas returned the saw to proper operating condition. Almost instantly. I was truly amazed at how quickly the saw started to run the way it did when new.
Eric

I used GumOut Small Engine carb cleaner.

seaFoam is GOOD STUFF,