OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions On Honda Engines GXV120 Smokey

Hi guys,
Just recently purchased an HRU194 with a GXV120 Eng. It blows a puff of blue smoke on a cold start. Is this normal for these engines or do they have valve stem seals which may need replacing?
Once it's started it runs beautifully and blows no smoke at all.I've put in a new airfilter and adjusted the valve clearances and I'll change the oil next time it's been running and is nice and hot. What oil should I be using?

Normally you don't get much oil through valve guides unless the cylinders are sloping uphill - vertical crankshaft engines don't pour the oil through the guides. I doubt even Honda would put stem seals on a mower engine, and can't find any mention of them in the manual.

The most likely reason for your oil smoke is worn piston rings. Puffs of blue smoke on cold start are commonplace with mower engines if the rings, or the cylinder bore, are past their best.

Honda recommends automotive engine oil: SAE 10W-30, API rating SG or SF.

Cheers guys, thanks for the info.