New Carb... Engine *Still* Surging/Hunting??

[WheelHorseSteve 56]

Hi everyone --

I know this isn't a Wheel Horse product but I'm hoping you engine gurus have some ideas here. I have a Honda EM5000 that I'm trying to fix for my dad. He bought it used -- well taken care of overall but it hunts/surges (only gets better at about half-choke). Having never rebuilt a Honda carburetor before and with not a lot of time to do it he said he'd be willing to buy a *new* OEM carb... which is what we did. I installed it and was very disappointed to find that it runs exactly like it did with the old carburetor... hunting/surging! Again, half choke is the key to getting it running better.

What could be causing this? I know it isn't clogged fuel jets... it's literally off-the-shelf, OEM... new.

Thanks for your help as always!

-Steve

[Ken B 3,189]

Have you checked your fuel lines that they aren't collapsing and or pinched? Replaced the fuel filter?

[rmaynard 16,289]

I am not at all familiar with your Honda, but I do know that virtually all hunting/surging problems that I have had with any small engine has been related to the governor. Considering that the same problem is happening with both the old and new carburetors, I would be looking at the governor.

[bowtiebutler956 650]

If running it at half choke makes it run better, then there has to be something restricting the fuel flow. Something in the tank, something in the line, bad fuel pump { if applicable}. Plugged fuel filter.

Matt :flags-texas:

[WheelHorseSteve 56]

This is why RedSquare is such a great place -- contributors like you. Thank you!

I removed the fuel filter {screen} / sediment cup and drained the fuel and didn't find anything. In the process of reinstalling it I noticed that one of the governor springs had popped off. After re-attaching that and restarting it is running much better. So, perhaps it was a fuel filter issue or governor or both... who knows! You guys pointed me in the right direction and I appreciate that very much.

On to the next project!

[midnight rambler 36]

did you check the gov spring setting to make sure its in the correct location?