Honda GCV160 smokes

[dtestin]

Older Honda GCV160 has 90 psi compression, about 1 psi leak down (I was expecting much more), oil level is good, runs great, starts on first pull, but has white smoke, especially bad at start up. It does use some oil. Is 90 psi ok? I am thinking valve stem seals. Any other ideas?

 

[Oddjob]

I think you’re right about oil leaking past valve stems.

 

[Tiger Small Engine]

Older Honda GCV160 has 90 psi compression, about 1 psi leak down (I was expecting much more), oil level is good, runs great, starts on first pull, but has white smoke, especially bad at start up. It does use some oil. Is 90 psi ok? I am thinking valve stem seals. Any other ideas?

That engine has a compression release so the acceptable range when testing is about 72 to 85 psi. So your 90 is reading high probably because you are not using the right compression tester for small engines. The fact that you come up with 1% loss on a leak down test is laughable. Any reading under 20% is considered acceptable and normal.

 

[Tiger Small Engine]

That engine has a compression release so the acceptable range when testing is about 72 to 85 psi. So your 90 is reading high probably because you are not using the right compression tester for small engines. The fact that you come up with 1% loss on a leak down test is laughable. Any reading under 20% is considered acceptable and normal. Keep an eye on the oil, top off as needed, and run it.