WTH
- Thread starter al9226
- Start date
Lightning Gene
Active member
where from
Here is the thing with cheap motors. I have done the route in the past and yes they can work and can keep going, but they also have a higher chance of failure when it matters most. Failure can happen with any motor from any brand, but my experience with cheap clones is that it seems to happen way more often. I even designed my setup so I could change the motor in less then an hour, but I got sick of replacing a motor and with my first child on the way had to look at ways to spend less time at work and more time at home while making the same money.
When I started 8.5 years ago in this industry with no kids I would have been all over this. I have since learned that I had to make changes to accommodate work and family life and the easiest one to make was to build quality setups with quality parts. This would make a great back up or a machine needed only on big jobs. I would not have it be a machine though that you depend on day in a day out to pay the mortgage.
Just my 2 cents having been there and done that.
When I started 8.5 years ago in this industry with no kids I would have been all over this. I have since learned that I had to make changes to accommodate work and family life and the easiest one to make was to build quality setups with quality parts. This would make a great back up or a machine needed only on big jobs. I would not have it be a machine though that you depend on day in a day out to pay the mortgage.
Just my 2 cents having been there and done that.
Guy Blackmon
Roundtable Host 2009
More Honda knock-offs.......When the way you make your living comes down to the equipment you use.....Do you really want to gamble with knock-offs?
Lightning Gene
Active member
thinking of go kart motor
innovativewash
New member
Never!!
The worse thing is to have downtime during your season.
al9226
Member
Have 4 machines now. All honda. Would be nice if honda would jump a couple hp on some of it's motors but that has always been one of honda's secrets even in the cars. Detune so they won't reach their breaking point. I like running all the same equipment so I only buy one set of backup parts.
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814jeffw
Active member
I prefer and run Honda. They start!
Although I don't do it with engines,.. I am not above trying cheap stuff,.as long as I'm not having to count on it. There is some cheap stuff that works very well and can be way more cost effective than some stuff that is simply over priced,..whether it be in business or just everyday things.
For instance: This Summer,..I have been testing out cheap Seaflo 12V pumps,..they seem to work very well. I also use cheap solenoids in my remote units, the Dema 481P went out in 1 1/2" months,.and are about $70.00 to the door, and the wear part,.the plungers,.. are around $17.00 to the door. The cheap solenoids last a month,..but are only $10.00-$15.00 and it's a very easy swap.
Another example: I bought a Shimano fishing reel this past Spring,..I think it was around $80.00,..the $20.00 Mitchell's I normally use as my river reels was the better reel,..it was just as smooth and it will handle getting dunked,..the Shimano got dunked and was junk for the rest of the day,..and it was a B*&%h to work on,..in fact it isn't on a rod at the moment, Ha,Ha,..
So it is worth experimenting with cheaper sometimes as long as you're not doing it to simply "cheap out"
Jeff
Although I don't do it with engines,.. I am not above trying cheap stuff,.as long as I'm not having to count on it. There is some cheap stuff that works very well and can be way more cost effective than some stuff that is simply over priced,..whether it be in business or just everyday things.
For instance: This Summer,..I have been testing out cheap Seaflo 12V pumps,..they seem to work very well. I also use cheap solenoids in my remote units, the Dema 481P went out in 1 1/2" months,.and are about $70.00 to the door, and the wear part,.the plungers,.. are around $17.00 to the door. The cheap solenoids last a month,..but are only $10.00-$15.00 and it's a very easy swap.
Another example: I bought a Shimano fishing reel this past Spring,..I think it was around $80.00,..the $20.00 Mitchell's I normally use as my river reels was the better reel,..it was just as smooth and it will handle getting dunked,..the Shimano got dunked and was junk for the rest of the day,..and it was a B*&%h to work on,..in fact it isn't on a rod at the moment, Ha,Ha,..
So it is worth experimenting with cheaper sometimes as long as you're not doing it to simply "cheap out"
Jeff
I am wondering if anyone has been having problems with the new V-twin Honda's?
Was talking to the tech about replacing the current oil puking Vanguards (Briggs & Stratton) with Honda's and his response was that the newer V-twins were having all kinds of issues. Now he did say the motor itself is bullet proof but all the other components on the newer V-twin were causing trouble. Went on to say that Subaru small motors were the best on the market right now. Any thoughts?
Cody Bosman
Done Rite Cleaners
Was talking to the tech about replacing the current oil puking Vanguards (Briggs & Stratton) with Honda's and his response was that the newer V-twins were having all kinds of issues. Now he did say the motor itself is bullet proof but all the other components on the newer V-twin were causing trouble. Went on to say that Subaru small motors were the best on the market right now. Any thoughts?
Cody Bosman
Done Rite Cleaners
JBurd
New member
That's a great question. My next big engine is going to be efi, either subaru or kohler, but I've heard they too have issues.
Scott Stone
New member
I just replaced the vanguards on my machines with Hondas. Not all my machines had Vanguards. I replaced twelve of them, and have not had any problems. All have around three hundred hours on them.
Ralph Q
New member
yeah ask me. I bought a 28 hp efi subaru. The fuel pump overheated and shutoff every time it reached 90 degrees out. So me being in Florida, it shut down every single day from day one. It was horrifying. One day it shut off and I came back to see a small trash bag sucked onto the shroud. The engine was smoking and wouldn't start again. The happiest day of my life.
One of my machines has 1322hrs on the GX390 and it has performed flawlessly!!! Besides the normal air/fuel filter changes along with scheduled oil changes I haven't even needed to adjust the carburetor and even with the above hrs on the engine, It will still go the 45 hr oil change interval without needing to add oil...
Maybe I'm throwing money away however, I run Sta-Bil in all of the fuel, Purchase only high grade fuels and run full synthetic in every oil change. Doing primarily residential work, The machine has been stopped and started a lot and the electric start has never failed.
I like Kohler engines a lot too however, The Hondas have been absolutely fantastic...........
Mike
Maybe I'm throwing money away however, I run Sta-Bil in all of the fuel, Purchase only high grade fuels and run full synthetic in every oil change. Doing primarily residential work, The machine has been stopped and started a lot and the electric start has never failed.
I like Kohler engines a lot too however, The Hondas have been absolutely fantastic...........
Mike
Rodger
New member
Keep in mind the question is how many Honda's have problems in proportion to units in use. If 75% of units are Honda and every other unit he works on is a Honda????? Mechanics don't see the big picture all the time.
Guy Blackmon
Roundtable Host 2009
Like any engine....if you treat them right & maintain them correctly you'll get great service life out of them. Honda's are hands down the most reliable & easiest to maintain. We currently run 5 V-Twin GX690's and have had no major problems with them....when I say "Major" I mean costing down time. Honda's are the "Industry Standard" for most washers....There's a reason for that......Just Saying.
Christopher
Moderator
Guy, sent you a pm.