Honda Engine?

**Jason Whaley** · 05-13-2009, 05:47 PM

As you may know I am probably purchasing the new El Diablo in the next 4 months. I have seen some post recently that said they did not like the Honda engines so I decided to start a post to see if you do or do not like them and why?

Thanks for any input you may have. I don't want to regret a 15K purchase so I am trying to ask all the right questions before I buy this machine.

Thanks,
Jason

**fleming234** · 05-13-2009, 06:46 PM

I have a 24 hp Honda engine on my truck mount and it seems fine, no problems at all.

**locko-fabara** · 05-13-2009, 06:59 PM

Jason,

I think you can find in www.epinions.com something about those honda engines.
it is for example, some people say toyotas cars are the most reliable, but some people had bad luck with toyotas, peoples were saying that mitsubishi is a bad car, I still have a mitsubishi montero 12 years old and the only thing i ever did was replacing the brake pads and the alternator, no engine problems, no trans problems, no rust.
Depends about care, luck, etc. That is my .02 cents

**cleangene** · 05-13-2009, 07:23 PM

I think you would like it. I just purchased the El Diablo 6 months ago. Its a good strong machine. I have the honda motors on my pressure washers and they run forever!!! Thats why I liked the El Diablo.

SW* · 05-13-2009, 10:29 PM

I believe the new honda motors have a three year warranty now. (used to be 2).

**ACC** · 05-13-2009, 10:51 PM

I cant tell you how well a Honda motor performs on a truck mount. But, when it comes to generators and air compressors Honda is a top performer hands down. I have run dozens apon dozens of generators into the ground with the motors still kicking. It is truly amazing how they will just keep running. I am willing to bet that on the El Diablo the Honda motor will be the least of your worries in the years to come. Buy in confidnece.

**TWIMAO** · 05-14-2009, 01:53 AM

A friend I have known since high school owns a repair shop that focuses on construction and farm equipment. A few years ago he noticed people were asking for Honda engines as replacements for Briggs, Kohler, etc. So he started carrying the engines. There is such a demand for Honda's as replacements, he has become the 2nd highest volume seller of Honda's in NC. In his words..."the only problem with the Honda engine is you don't ever sell parts for them! Keep the oil and all filters changed, new plugs every once in a while and it will run forever".
He is the same guy that made the replacement hoses for the El Diablo. He had absolutely nothing bad to say about them. Knowing him and his family, if the engines were going to be trouble, he wouldn't carry them.

**Rug Spa** · 05-14-2009, 09:27 AM

Here is what I can tell you from personal expiernce on the honda engines.

I had one that no matter what we did it would suck a valve every 100 to 150 hours.

The other one I had lasted about 2 years , the problem I had was wiring problems with the switch and then I had camshaft problems.

Having said that here is what I think know. 12 years ago I did not change the oil every month like I do now on all my equipment. I may have shrtened the engine life by doing so. However I did make alot of money in those 2 years. I prefer Koler and briggs but think Honda and Robin dubaruu are good engines too.

I also clean a lot of apartments and am a lot harder on things than most guys. just take care of your matience and I think you will be fine.

**Duane Oxley** · 05-14-2009, 11:28 PM

They do not have hydraulic lifters. As a result, the valves are not self- adjusting and must be adjusted manually every 300 hours, by a Honda certified mechanic.

Otherwise, the warranty is invalidated.

**Larry Cobb** · 06-28-2009, 12:03 PM

Jason;

We have been using Honda engines for over ten years on our TM's.

They have been a very reliable engine, but part of that is due to the fact that they are not shrouded by sheet metal.

Being air-cooled, proper ventilation and a mounting close to an open van door is important.

Lately, we have been favoring the new Kohler 34-38 HP engines with their extended service intervals.

They have been very reliable also in our first 2 years of TM usage (about 60 engines).

Larry

**kelly m** · 12-03-2009, 10:26 PM

i know of two el diablos with hondas on em ...both of them with about 1000 hours on each machine...both are blowing oil out the exhaust...i think i know why it is...but....my small engine guy assures me the valveing in the honda...sucks...and they dont warranty nothing. my thought though personally is that the el diablo is actually put together in a fashion that brings this problem on...and may not be the engine itself....but my small engine guy...who sees a lot of honda v twins....assures me honda is hard to deal with warranty wise....and the manufacturer...(masterblend) does not warranty the engine...its up to honda. interesting how most machine manufactuerers...leave the componant warranty problems to the manufactuerer of the componant and dosent take responsibility for their choice of engines ...etc

**kelly m** · 12-03-2009, 10:29 PM

one more thing....as a mechanic with a few years of experience...engineers do NOT want to hear of design flaws from simple old mechanics.... trust me on this

**Duane Oxley** · 12-03-2009, 11:11 PM

One thing I found recently in addition to the above... The fuse on a Honda is buried in the key switch. As a result, if you ever blow that fuse, you'll have to remove the key switch and reach inside the cover to remove the fuse.

It's a serious PITA that takes about 15 minutes.

That's simply poor planning, IMO.

**joeynbgky** · 12-04-2009, 12:59 AM

Originally Posted by kelly m

i know of two el diablos with hondas on em ...both of them with about 1000 hours on each machine...both are blowing oil out the exhaust...i think i know why it is...but....my small engine guy assures me the valveing in the honda...sucks...and they dont warranty nothing. my thought though personally is that the el diablo is actually put together in a fashion that brings this problem on...and may not be the engine itself....but my small engine guy...who sees a lot of honda v twins....assures me honda is hard to deal with warranty wise....and the manufacturer...(masterblend) does not warranty the engine...its up to honda. interesting how most machine manufactuerers...leave the componant warranty problems to the manufactuerer of the componant and dosent take responsibility for their choice of engines ...etc

This may be caused by the Tm manufacturer routing the engine and blower exzaust together, and causing problems with the engine. i know someone here knows what im talking about. I have a 24 HP honda on my tcs and it is great. kohler and briggs suck.

**Ara Klujian** · 12-04-2009, 04:01 AM

Honda always made a nice motor on bikes and some other stuff. I dont think any engine with a shrowd is easy to get at when you got a panel infront of it. All my truckmounts are service friendly. I put some weight lifting pins on the bottome of my front panels