Honda Engine

[Frank(Mi.)]

I've got a walk behind leaf blower with an 8 horse Honda engine that starts and runs great. It does need oil added every second or third tank of gas though.

The thing is probably twenty years old. I got it used. Probably crank seal? I don't know any of the previous history. Wondering if this a common Honda thing?

Would something like lucas help?

 

[a49deere]

Have you looked for leaks, does it smoke when running??

 

[scootergmc]

It's not a common Honda thing. The common Honda thing is never needing oil and being the most reliable small engines ever produced. If it's needing oil every two or three tanks I'm assuming you either have a oil running underneath or a good amount of smoke when running. Did the problem just start?

 

[Frank(Mi.)]

No smoke at all, doesn't really seem oily on the bottom either... It did sit unused for a few years before I got it...

 

[Blackhole49]

The 60s Wisconsin on this leaf machine has been using about a pint of oil every 4/5 gallons of gas ever since I built it 40 years ago. Smokes a little at start up, but very little once warm. Run as good today as 40 years ago. I got 150 gallons of 20w50 Kendall for free 30 years ago. I Just keep it full. Agree with others about quality of Hondas. As long as it's not leaking, I would just run it.

 

[JIM MN]

What are you using brand and weight of oil??

 

[Stan Coryell]

I've got a walk behind leaf blower with an 8 horse Honda engine that starts and runs great. It does need oil added every second or third tank of gas though.

The thing is probably twenty years old. I got it used. Probably crank seal? I don't know any of the previous history. Wondering if this a common Honda thing?

Would something like lucas help?

It sounds like the rings are sticking or or maybe the pcv valve is stuck.

First I'd check the pcv valve and the I'd run some ATF in the gas and oil or maybe switch to T4 Rotella oil (or equal).

I have a John Deere mower (400 hours bought used) with a Briggs and Stratton 24 hp v-twin, or something like that. I ran Fram 10-30 for a few hundred hours. The Fram oil became unavailable last spring and I switch to Rotella T4. It ran fine but drank a half quart of oil after 3 gallons of gasoline (no smoke). After the second half quart, I posted here. One member suggested that because of the high detergent content, the detergents were softening up deposits and causing excessive oil consumption and it would settle down. We'll, after the second half quart, it's back to not using a drop. The crankcase only holds two quarts, so it wasn't underfilled.

Just my experience, but a leaf blower is probably used only a few months a year. I'd bet the rigs are gummed up a bit.

 

[T.R.K.]

How much oil are you needing to put in? Most small engines use some oil. Some manufacturers say 1 ounce per cylinder per hour is not unreasonable.
You say it is on a leaf blower. What shape is the air filter in? You aren't blowing the filter out are you? No small engine manufacturer recommends blowing out their air filters. They say it makes bigger holes in the paper than was there before and then the dust goes right through and ruins the rings. (And then it uses oil.) Also, if the air filter is plugged, it will pull more oil through the crankcase breather and burn it with the fuel.
Keep a clean air filter on it and check the oil every time you fill up and it should be o.k. for a long time.

 

[Ray,IN]

It's not a common Honda thing. The common Honda thing is never needing oil and being the most reliable small engines ever produced. If it's needing oil every two or three tanks I'm assuming you either have a oil running underneath or a good amount of smoke when running. Did the problem just start?

Yep! Too bad for us Honda stopped producing small engines. I need a new Honda GXV530 16hp engine. There are none/NLA. My only path forward is to rebuild mine, as parts are still available.
MIne is on a 2002 ZTR with unknown hrs. Crankshaft seal is bad due to vacuum fuel pump failing and sucking the crankcase full of gas. Crankcase gasket sealer stopped mine from leaking for many years, but now it's leaking again.

 

[UncleTom]

And how are you checking the oil On Hondas you dont screw the stick all the way in to check it. You on screw it and wipe it clean and then just stick it in and read it.

 

[Steve in IL]

Yep! Too bad for us Honda stopped producing small engines. I need a new Honda GXV530 16hp engine. There are none/NLA. My only path forward is to rebuild mine, as parts are still available.
MIne is on a 2002 ZTR with unknown hrs. Crankshaft seal is bad due to vacuum fuel pump failing and sucking the crankcase full of gas. Crankcase gasket sealer stopped mine from leaking for many years, but now it's leaking again.

Ray… When did Honda stop making small engines? Their website says that they’re still in the biz. Perhaps they just stopped making the GXV530?

 

[scootergmc]

No smoke at all, doesn't really seem oily on the bottom either... It did sit unused for a few years before I got it...

There should be signs if you're losing that much oil. You should definitely have bread crumbs.