3000W Chinese Gensets Info.

Slick_Sammy wrote:
I just got the popular Champion 46540 (fired up on first pull) and noticed the manual says you're supposed to set or at least check valve lash at 10 hrs ! 10 hrs? really? who does this? surprised no one has said anything about this or at least I haven't had luck in finding any info about valve lash adjustment.

so does anyone have the specs on this or care to do a step by step walk thru for all of us? i have the basic concept just just never done it before. anyone know what a small engine repair shop might charge? thanks!!

I am sure you are aware that all of these Chinese built 6.5 HP 200 cc engines are basically a copy of the original Honda GX200?

Honda's engines used a stamped rocker assembly shown here installed on an engine.



I am told (I have no first hand experience on this topic) that this original design had problems with the rocker rotating either right or left and popping off of the valve collars IF valve adjustment was not regularly maintained. (You will also note that these rockers mount on studs and do not have a rocker arm support shaft for stability.) Thus, CPE issued a TSB and notation to their manuals to adjust valve lash after the first 10 hours of use.

Most owners did not do this......

Thus, CPE elected to redesign their rocker assembly and developed a forged unit as shown in the photos below under 2nd generation upgrade.

Possibly for reasons of manufacturing costs, the rockers were again recently redesigned from stamped steel (3rd generation in photos). Only this time they were much beefier and durable than the original stamped design. You will note on both designs the use of a grade 8 rocker arm shaft and studs that were absent on the original design.







As I understand it, Honda continues to use the original design as do other builders of Honda clones. I am told CPE is the only company that has decided to use a redesigned rocker.

Your engine most likely has the 2nd generation redesigned forged rocker assembly. Pop the cap off and compare it to the photo to be sure.

If it is the forged design, you will still need to maintain proper valve lash, but the time frame for doing so is not as critical as the original stamped rockers as the risk of breaking the collars is minimized.

If you should have the original stamped rockers, by all means become anal about maintaining proper valve lash. Or, you can call CPE Tech Support and order either one of the updated rocker assemblies and studs. I do not know the cost.

Other brands of Chinese GX200 clones should make note of the recommended valve adjustment interval to assure continued reliability.

Hope this helps....