Valve issues on a Honda engine

I was running my splitter the other day .
It has a Honda GX 390

I shut it down and about 10 minutes later I started it up.
It was running real rough. It sounded mufflely or farty.
I shut it down and restarted it, same thing.
Since I have had it, when I try to start it , the compression can be hard and the pull cord can get ripped out of my hand every now now then.
Now it was even harder to pull and the cord ripped back with even more force.
I was no longer able to start it and eventually broke the rip cord.

I opened up the valve cover and this is what I found.




I also found this and assumed it goes on the end of the spring since it fit so well




I took both rocker arms off and pulled the push rods out,they were fine.



I put it back together but didn't gap the rockers.
It still sounds weird when I pull the cord and I still can't start it and the compression is way hard.



Other than adjusting the rockers, what could be wrong.
Also what should I adjust the rockers to?

Should I pull the head? Could I have bent a valve?

altmartion said:

did you try it without the spark plug?

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Yes. It pulls easy but something just doesn't sound right. It doesn't have that nice purr when you pull an engine over without the plugs.

maple1 said:

I can't see the pics?

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Hmmmm did you see them almartion?

Hopefully you can see them know.


This is what I found when I opened the cover





This is the little cap that seemed to belong on the end of the rod holding the spring.




Both rockers off and the little cap on the left spring.

Rock Crusher said:

I can view the pictures now, thanks. Yes that goes on the tip of the valve and it looks like the valve keeper stayed in place. Judging from the pictures, it almost looks like the valve adjuster/jam nut loosened up or the threads stripped out-hard to see. Can you confirm? If there is too much valve lash caused by above, that cap could come off/rocker arm could roll off to the side. I've also seen the exhaust valve seat separate from the head causing similar issues.

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The studs are fine and not stripped out.
I am able to tighten both nuts.
With the plug out it pulls very easy. But with the plug in its hard and is kinda back fires out of the carb but doesn't start. So that sounds like a bent exhaust valve. Ok I guess I'm pulling the head.

I tried adjusting the rocker arms but that didn't work.
So I finally pulled the head and this is what I found.
The seat for the valve has popped out. The head is shot.




Now I can buy a new Honda OEM head with everything...valves, springs, push rods, etc, etc. A complete assembly.
That will run me about....$450.00 +/-
http://www.hondaenginepartstore.com...NDER_HEAD/GX390K1-JPN-ED6/2410ZF60DZF60E0200D

Or I can buy an after market one for about...$70.00 from this place http://www.hlsproparts.com/product-p/h30341.htm

or $100. from this place http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-Cylinder-Head-Assembly-Replaces-13hp-GX390-Engine-/260631074863

OR I can buy a BRAND NEW ENGINE for about $600 from here http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-GX390-13-HP-Horizontal-Shaft-Engine-NEW-/330941730466

What would you do????

kjahnz said:

Not knowing anything else about the motor, hours on motor, if it was mine I would go with the $100 head and gasket kit. I would be taking a close look at the piston and cylinder for any sign of damage. Carb and intake would be inspected also. If the rest of the splitter was working great then $100 is a small price to pay to get it running again. Then maybe budget for a new one and sell the old one. Just a thought.

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A friend and I bought it together from a commercial firewood company. It's a Timberwolf TW5. A real animal!
It has a lot of hours on it. I'm sure.
When you split the cost between the two of us, from the original purchase and some other repairs, we are into it for about $900 each.
The ram piston is rebuilt, the valves are rebuilt, the pump looks good, the wedge was re-welded, the log lifter is strong as can be.

My friend is leaning towards a new motor, but I'm saying just buy the head.
I guess if we bought a new motor we know we will get a lifetime out of it.

MarkinNC said:

I am not an authority, but looking at the inside of the case, that looks like a pretty high hour unit with less than optimal maintenance. The amount of hours of operation required to wear out a wedge on a splitter like that is probably REALLY long or it could have been abused.

I would think a new engine would last two homeowners over 20 years.

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The splitter is about 20 years old but the previous owner has replaced almost everything through out the years.
I can't get my head inbetween the motor and ibeam to see how old the engine is. But I'm sure it's got plenty of hours on it.

I actually tore the wedge off the beam
It did have hairline cracks in the welds and I just did it in.
That was a big ticket since I had to bring it to professional to get welded. $500
Like I said we paid $1000 original and dumped another $800. So another $600 would bring us to $1200 each. Brand new theses things run $8000

I've already split close to 25 cord since we bought it. That's $36 a cord.
If we buy the motor then it would be $48 a cord. Still not bad.

He has split about 18 cord also.

altmartion said:

if you look around the net, you can find ways to determine the internal welfare of it. bore wear, piston wear things like that will tell you if it's worth rebuilding or not. personally I would bore it an build it, but that's just how I am.

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Based on your avatar, I can see why you would do that

greg13 said:

I have not been too impressed with the new GX390s I have had 2 new ones with cam & decompressor come apart on them. It will rip the starter cord out of your hands or break the handle off when you try starting them. Not to mention what it does to your shoulder & hands when it does it.
It may be worth checking Harbor freight for a new motor, new Hondas are made in China anyway.

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That was what was happening to me on occasion. The rip cord would rip right out of my hand if I didn't catch it on the right compression stroke. maybe it was because the exhaust valve wasn't opening correctly.

jatoxico said:

Bolt it on and get back to work! Gotta feed the beast .

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I hear ya. I've gained 5lbs from feeding the beast and not being out there and working.