OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions on Other Engines Rockwell (Chonda) Mower, Oil smells like fuel

Hey guys,

Found a Rockwell mower on the curb, looks to have the Chonda engine. Visually looks OK, but when I checked the Oil, it smells a little like fuel. A quick google search said it could be running rich, possibly from carb needle not sealing, so I've taken the carb off, stripped down, stuck it in the US cleaner for a little bit (cleaner's a bit on the small side), but will run carb cleaner though the holes when I get a chance. Inspecting the carb however, it all looks fairly clean on the inside.

I haven't started the mower yet, not sure if it even starts. Didn't want to cause more issues if there was one. Anything else it could be? Worn/damaged piston/bore perhaps ? I'll have to inspect it when I get a chance, but does anyone know what the valve clearances are for it too ? Not 100% sure on model either, so I'll have to have another look when I have light.

p.s. how do I embed images rather than having them as attachments ? The "insert image link" doesn't work .

Hi Widget,
When I get something like that I just check for oil, check for spark, give it a squirt of starter fluid down the center of the filter and see if it will start, if nothing after a few pulls, try another plug and starter fluid. If I don't get a flutter or an indication it might run I just bin them. I had one that had a broken rocker, replaced that and it ran fine. All I have done with the valve adjustment is bring the piston to TDC compression stroke and make sure the rockers have play in them. That is near enough for these cheap motors. If I get one that looks reasonable and wants to run but it has a carby problem I don't bother with the carby trying to clean them (often they have been run on ethanol fuel so they are beyond repair) I just put a new $18/20 carby on them

I've always just done .015 inch intake, .020 exhaust - works fine on an identical (aside colour) Wesco. But as Norm said, don't feel you need to be spot on

Also I have found they have a propensity for fuel leaking past the needle whilst sitting between mows (even if the carby is good). Get a cheap inline fuel tap, cut the fuel line and install. Turn off after last mow and turn back on 20 sec before you try to start.

Don't know if you would succeed in getting a customer to do that though

G'day folks,

The Honda factory tappet clearances for their GXV series OHV engines are 0.15mm In/0.20mm Ex.

Should work well on these Chondas, too

Could that not cause issues with lubrication though? If fuel got into the oil, there would be less lubrication on the walls for the piston, potentially causing metal-on-metal ?



Thanks for the tip . Overall, the mower doesn't look too bad, so hopefully it'll start up OK.


Excellent, thanks guys, I'll check it out and see how it goes


I read that too, when I googled the issue. I'll have to have a look to see if I have one spare, if not, I'll have to go shopping. Anyone know if Bunnings happen to sell these? I'm sure they would have something in gardening or plumbing section, if not their mowing section, but whether they would be fuel resistant, not sure ?


Re: fuel oil, I might just drain it to be safe, maybe after I try and fire it up. Is there anything to add to the oil to help remove any fuel that's gotten in ?


Thanks again

Widget,
never loose sight of the fact it is only a Chonda, they are not worth spending too much time and money on it. If the oil feels like oil, see if it will start, the think about changing the oil, why waste good oil on something that might be junk anyway