Nice demo on how the Therma Wax actually work. On cold start the choke plate is closed under spring tension from within the choke unit. When the engine warms the wax melt inside the Therma Wax device and the pin extends and pushes the choke plate open for normal operation.
Excellent video - I have these thermal wax units to be troublesome- in my case, then pin never retracted after the engine cooled down - thus the choke was not functional - very difficult to start - took several pulls on the starting cord - sometimes had to starting fluid
Very nice demo to check if your thermowax activator is working properly. I notice that most postings related to thermo wax choke activators arise from hard starting problems. This would be the result of the activator pin not retracting properly on engine shutdown - thus leaving choke in the open position. My problem was the opposite - pin not extending enough to fully open the choke, resulting in over-reving. That's my theory, anyway, as it is a fixed-throttle engine, and I noticed my choke plate to be in the 1/2 open position after starting and running for a minute or so (running at 3700 RPM - should be about 3100). I'm currently awaiting an Amazon delivery of what is supposed to be a GCV-160/190 compatible activator. By the way- had a bitch of a time trying to remove the activator - some small engine activators are secured in the housing with a "weak" glue. Tried various pliars and small vice grips - no luck. I noticed that the grasping grooves of the jaws did not extend to the very tip of the vice grip. I ground down the closed jaws until the first groove was now at the very end of the tips - worked perfectly, although I had to brace my knee against the front wheel to keep from pulling the mower across my driveway.
I also tried pliers and vice grips and couldn't get the actuator out. It turns out the factory puts black silicone sealant around it. I already had the new one ready to install, and spent way too long trying to pry the old one out. As a last resort, I drilled the center of the actuator so I could put a screw in it to grab onto. That works, and my mower is running properly. I had the same high RPM problem, and this fixed it too. Best of luck with your repair.
Hello from Nova Scotia, Canada. Interesting little experiment to show how it works. I've having an issue with a honda GVC160 engine on a mower and I think I've narrowed it down to this auto choke pin.
Nice demo on how the Therma Wax actually work. On cold start the choke plate is closed under spring tension from within the choke unit. When the engine warms the wax melt inside the Therma Wax device and the pin extends and pushes the choke plate open for normal operation.
Afircans invented this 🎉
Excellent video - I have these thermal wax units to be troublesome- in my case, then pin never retracted after the engine cooled down - thus the choke was not functional - very difficult to start - took several pulls on the starting cord - sometimes had to starting fluid
Thanks for the comment! Have a great weekend 👍👍👋
Very nice demo to check if your thermowax activator is working properly. I notice that most postings related to thermo wax choke activators arise from hard starting problems. This would be the result of the activator pin not retracting properly on engine shutdown - thus leaving choke in the open position. My problem was the opposite - pin not extending enough to fully open the choke, resulting in over-reving. That's my theory, anyway, as it is a fixed-throttle engine, and I noticed my choke plate to be in the 1/2 open position after starting and running for a minute or so (running at 3700 RPM - should be about 3100). I'm currently awaiting an Amazon delivery of what is supposed to be a GCV-160/190 compatible activator. By the way- had a bitch of a time trying to remove the activator - some small engine activators are secured in the housing with a "weak" glue. Tried various pliars and small vice grips - no luck. I noticed that the grasping grooves of the jaws did not extend to the very tip of the vice grip. I ground down the closed jaws until the first groove was now at the very end of the tips - worked perfectly, although I had to brace my knee against the front wheel to keep from pulling the mower across my driveway.
I also tried pliers and vice grips and couldn't get the actuator out. It turns out the factory puts black silicone sealant around it. I already had the new one ready to install, and spent way too long trying to pry the old one out. As a last resort, I drilled the center of the actuator so I could put a screw in it to grab onto. That works, and my mower is running properly. I had the same high RPM problem, and this fixed it too. Best of luck with your repair.
Thank you for all your feedback comments! Great info and the drill with screw to remove the thermalwax is an excellent idea 👍😎👏
Hello from Nova Scotia, Canada. Interesting little experiment to show how it works. I've having an issue with a honda GVC160 engine on a mower and I think I've narrowed it down to this auto choke pin.
Hello friend and thanks for the comment! It did fixed my mower so hopefully yours too 🤞👍😎🇨🇦