Honda GCV160 lawn mower - idles high then low for a minute and dies

Hey all,

Just found this forum and hope someone can give me some good advice. I bought this Honda GCV160 mower last year. Before storing for the winter i ran the fuel almost empty so i wouldn't have bad fuel issues. When i started it up a few weeks ago with new fuel the engine idle runs high then low, high then low, then dies. I am not able to start again until i wait about 5 minutes, then it will repeat. I changed the spark plug but that made no difference. I have a feeling it has something to do with the auto choke. I have never had a mower with auto choke.

Do these symptoms sound familiar to anyone?

Thanks,

Sounds like it could use a carb clean/rebuild.

Thanks birddogcg,

You nailed it. I tore the carburetor apart and soaked it in parts cleaner. I rinsed it off with water and used pressured air to dry. Runs like a champ!