Fastrak Honda GXV610 Hunting at low speed

[PaBobW]

I purchased a "leftover" 48" Fastrak from a dealer a far distance from my place - he said it had been sitting at his shop for a couple years, but was new. I have used it twice so far this spring, and while it seems to run fine at full throttle, the engine surges or "hunts" at low speeds and/or idle - to the point that it sounds like it is ready to die. Before I load the thing up and take it to the local Hustler dealer for a warranty call (not going back to the selling dealer - long story, but there is zero confidence with that place) - are there any suggestions I might try to fix or determine the source of the problem with the engine? I installed a brand new fuel filter on the machine due to the 2+ years it sat in the shop - just to be safe.

I am also assuming that I can obtain warranty service at any Hustler dealer, yes?

Thanks in advance -
Bob

[mowerconsultant]

Sounds like there is some debris in the carburetor bowl and jetting.
Removing the carburetor and cleaning it and the jetting out would likely take care of this, any Honda dealer can do this for you.
If it is debris in the carburetor I doubt Honda would warranty this, check with the dealer to make sure.
This is just a guess as to what the issue is due to not being able to see th unit in person.
As to Hustler warranty, you can obtain Hustler warranty at any authorized Hustler dealer.

Pj

[ddrk44]

PaBobW - would like to know if this works as my 18 hp Honda engine is doing the same thing. At low rpm's, if I use 1/2 choke it evens things out. Without choke there is considerable surge when mowing deck is disengaged at low rpm. Unfortunately, my Hustler dealer is no longer in business, and next closest one is a 2 hr round trip for me.

[mowerconsultant]

Putting the unit on half choke forces the carburetor to use a different jet / pilot jet due to the main jet likely being plugged.

Pj

[chambers6363]

Strange but the Honda Engine on my Sport does the exact same thing and it only has about 15 hours on it.

[HussyFan]

ALL of the Honda motors do the "hunting" thing. My Fastrak 44 does it and my neighbor has had 3 of them and they do it. The Hondas run very very lean and will tend to hunt until put under a load, such as moving or mowing. Mine comes out of after I push just above idle.

[PaBobW]

ddrk44 - what you described is exactly what I found - pulling the choke out slightly smooths the idle out perfectly. My local dealer replaced the carb about a month ago with a new one, and the machine idles great when first started (cold), but after mowing for an hour or so, it just barely will keep running at idle. It stumbles, the revs up a bit, and stumbles again. I dropped it back off at the dealer today to let them play with it for the week. If this is "just the way they are", then I can use partial choke to keep it running, but it seems like a lousy set up from Honda. My local dealer echo'd what HussyFan mentioned - the honda's run really, really lean - lower emissions. If the dealer finds a solution, I will let you all know - but I am thinking that it just might be the way the Honda's are - since several of us are experiencing the EXACT same symptoms. I have a Honda ATV- runs great. Guess I figured their mower engines would be similar.......