Honda GC160A engine

[sbushman46]

Hi everyone. I have a single stage honda snowblower with the GC160A engine. Problem im having is even though it starts and runs well its very hard to pull once i reach the compression stroke and often the pull handle snaps back. Ive adjusted the valves according to spec .006 on the intake & .008 on the exhaust @ TDC but still having the same problem. Are these engines equipped with the compression release valve and if so how do i ckeck it to see if its bad. Thanks

[KE4AVB]

The ACR (automatic compression release) is not a valve but there is ACR on the cam gear which creates a bump of one of the valves just before TDC compression stroke.

Front and back image of the cam gear's ACR.

[sbushman46]

Thanks for your reply. So what causes this to go bad on them

[bgsengine]

Thanks for your reply. So what causes this to go bad on them

they can fall apart or the spring breaks or it sludges up or rusts and sticks to name a few things

[sbushman46]

Thanks guys. I inspected the cam gear's ACR and seemed ok but its cheap enough to buy a new one so I'll just replace it. Hopefully that would resolve the problem. Thanks again

[NO0C]

You should be able to see the ACR working as it bumps the exhaust valve open a bit with every compression stroke.

[KE4AVB]

[sbushman46]

Just an update, i replaced the cam gear and the machine runs great. Thanks for the help.