I have one of these I use it several times a week and it’s never given up in 2 years haha. Only changed air filter once, spark plug once, and constant oil changes. They’re beasts!
I have the same Honda mower. It would not start after sitting for the winter. I tried draining and filling with fresh fuel, also a new spark plug. Dead. I watched your video and primed the carb through the choke and voila- started right up. It has been running perfectly for 2. days. Like you , I suspect that jets were a little plugged and opened up when it started. Thank you very much - great video!
I found this video very helpful. Mower would not start, first cut of the year. Purchased last year so it’s very new. Yes, I had way to much oil in the engine. Even after I drained and refilled with 12 oz it was not cranking. Took off air filter and added a little gas to the carburetor. Would crank and cut off pretty quickly. After 4-5 cranks and cut off it stayed running and now is working as usual. Guess I had some water in the carburetor. Either way, your video was very helpful! Thank you for sharing your experience!
I have this mower, has worked flawlessly for 2 years. It’s lighter and a lot more maneuverable compared to my HRR216. Of course the key to any mower or any piece of equipment, is regular maintenance. If you MUST leave it outside, cover it up for heavens sake, lol. Treat your mower casually and it will become a casualty, lol. Cheers!
Treat them well and they will return the favor. I've seen almost no regularly maintained mowers blow up quicker then a unmaintained one. I know a person that buys push mowers and never changes blades, oil, or air filters they gave me a mower that had the foam filter half eaten by the engine and so brittle in was falling apart in my hand they filled the Carb fuel bowl with fuel since the tank and bowl wouldn't hold without pouring it out. Those people blew a couple year old John Deere push mower with at most 5 hours of use from trimming here and there and they blew it up in only 7 Months it cranked every time when we had it and ran beautifully but lack of maintenance blew it up. All my riding mowers that run are 20 Years old from Sears and they run great.
I bought a Honda HRX just before the start of mowing season. Love it so far, especially the RotoStop feature. Changed the initial oil after the first mow. Really going to take care of it so it’ll hopefully last me forever.
We have two of these mowers(one at each property). They always start up and run great but we always run the gas out of them after each use. The self propelled system is great and the motor has lots of torque so it does not bog down much at all in tall grass compared to our older mowers we used to use.
Thank you for the detailed video. We have this exact same mower we bought maybe 5 or 6 mos ago. Mowed the yard 1 or 2 times. Let it sit like 4 mos in the garage. Tried to use it last week and It wouldn't start. Drained the fuel. Put new fuel in. It started and ran fine. One week later, now it wont start again. Wife is now starting to say bad things about Honda (we just bought a CR-V) haha. Thinking our area of Southern Washington state is either using too much ethanol in their fuel (we use Chevron and Shell) or the fuel we have in our 5 gallon sat too long and has water in it...
that is a possibility. I like to use a 2 gallon gas can, because it allows me to pour it easier, and more importantly it allows me to use the gasoline without worrying about having it too long. That time, can allow the gasoline to either get old or collect more moisture from the air.
I have 12yr old Husqvarna mower with Honda GVC160 engine I change oil yearly along with new air filter / new spark plug every 2yrs I use 93% Octane ethanol free gas and I only put enough in for what I need. I don’t let this fuel sit in the tank. I run engine out of gas when I’m not using it never had a problem with this engine running 12 years. Strong Honda is hard to beat.
Having a plastic deck on mine is SO nice, no risk of it rusting or getting bent out of shape! And the construction of it from Honda is excellent, so it’s the best of having plastic where normally that means “cheap.”
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE good thing to consider for sure. My 2c: I say this as an industrial construction worker with 3 summers working major landscaping before: I’d be VERY surprised if a homeowner or even entry-level lawn care person broke a plastic Honda deck. By test standards the plastic used is stronger than aluminum (see AVE channel on that subject).
Quick fix is always nice. Plastic parts don't hold up well. Would rather pay more for higher quality and longevity mowers. Thanks again for you time and effort putting forth a quality demo video...
Excellent video. I have one of these with the GCV 170. Idles like crap. As soon as the blade is engaged it runs and cuts perfect. Had it for less than a year. Use only non-eth fuel. In my opinion the newer Honda mowers are inferior to the older models. I've had five different ones. A HRC215 commercial mower with what I believe is a Gcv140 stands out above the rest. The smaller engine has never starved for power and cuts very well. The metal body is the weak point as is every Honda I've owned. All in all, despite the flaws, they make a great mower in the price range. As the competition dwindles, they have excelled. I read somewhere that Honda is getting out of the lawn mower production business as soon as this year. (2023). Knowing when to call it quits cuts losses in most cases. Who would have thought?
Just got one of these last year. I love everything about it except the self-propel. I think that Toro has nailed the self-propel system with their Personal Pace system. (I also have an 8-year-old Toro Personal Pace mower.)
I think if you had a very smooth lawn, the Honda self-propel could be alright, but if you have a bumpy lawn, like most of us, you come to appreciate the Toro system.
Nice mower! Got the same Hrn216 since 2 years ago when I bought it new. In the last 2 years it has not given me any major issues with this mower. Only changed the oil on it twice, haven’t changed the blades yet, will do it soon. Might change the air filter this year but other than that, I think it’s the best Honda mower I’ve ever had for my business.😉
I recently found an Aussie Victa Tornado mulch or catch 19" mower with a 190cc Briggs 625 series with good blades. All it needed was fuel and it started right up and runs smoothly. It's great for chopping up a small pile of leaves and depositing it on the lawn. With a quick rake you never know they were there. It has a disc with fins on it and four blades bolted to the edge. Unfortunately such a blade set up doesn't comply in the USA but we've been using such a swing blade set up for decades without a problem.
I’ve repeatedly seen people “upgrade” lawn equipment, appliances, tv’s etc. They almost always regret it because the “upgrade” is more cheaply made and does not last as long. I’m not adverse to progress, but be smart and do some research. Great video!
About that first oil change...my father did the first oil change in 2022 on a Honda GCV 160 from 2007 used every season. Still ran great on the first pull.
Excellent overview of mower prep and maintenance especially useful for those averse to reading the owners manual. Mostly agree with your no-start views but I'd liked to have seen you examine the plug to see whether fuel was being drawn into the CC. I take exception to your comment that too much oil is more dangerous than too little.
Id agree, Many brands... like ones who have fallen under the grasp of MTD have taken the reputation of a name and made the product cheap but the modern reputation from brand's like Honda and a brand like Toro from modern homeowner's and commercial owners means id still be more than happy buying them for just your normal residential lawn or heavy use.
In 2019 I replaced my 2019 Yard Machines by MTD mower with a Techumseh engine and caster wheels. Today's equivant comes from Cub Cadet, also an MTD product. It had the overseas engine like so many others do, but the build of the machine is as good as the old one, in some ways, better. It starts on the first pull. Granted, it was not a bottom tier mower. No complaints.
@@MazichMusic Good to hear you have good luck with them. Im sure they make some good mower's but its just a personal choice for me with seeing MTD and the reputation MTD has developed I just like to stay away from them. Id love to see MTD start making some fantastic mower's but from what I've seen at big box stores I'm just not a fan.
My Yard Force mower was a $200 special from a local hardware shop. It seems to be a good mower. It has a small fuel tank & is good on fuel. I use it once a month on average, for about 15 minutes to mow the back yard. The front yard is done by line trimmer. I'm not one to buy expensive mowers.
That’s why when I did an oil change on my lawnmower I put like a little bit of oil in it and it was already full. I only tipped it over once. Gotta remember to tip it over multiple times next time.
The best thing with the HRN is that they redesigned the self propelled system so that it pulls backwards without spinning the transmission. It’s a huge upgrade from other Honda designs in that regard.
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE Yes! I’m 100% sure. Had tons of issues with the system on my old HRR because the adjuster driveshaft bushing lacked a seal on the wheel side. My HRX217HYA has a dust seal on both sides of the bushing, but still has to spin the transmission. I recently picked up an HRN216VKA as a “spare” to ensure I can mow the rest of my days with Honda. The HRN uses a completely different dual ratcheting setup that makes it so the drive shaft is only in play when the self propelled is activated. It’s a brilliant design.
I have one of these, but it has the electric starter on it. This engine does have a very common problem on it however. Once the air filter starts getting dirty, they get hard to start.
I have this mower (different model) and it has the GCV 200 engine, the compression release is very weak, it almost takes nothing to pull over, kinda surprising But it works great and I like it alot
6:54 more oil comes out because when you flip the mower over oil stays in the valve cover and in the bottom side of the piston. If you lift the front of the mower it helps get oil back into the sump.
I bought this new in June 2022 and then used it twice last year due to breaking my leg in the summer (so had a service). Went to start it up now and doesn't work. Extremely frustrated. Going to try to prime as you suggest and see what that gets me. Thanks.
Great mower with tons of power, I went with the electric start vs blade start stop for simplicity and less wear items. Shear weight of this thing makes it hold hills great. Simple maintenance once a year and go. I just wish the tipping method did get all the oil out at once. Side note, keep the original factory fill bottle and just refill that. Makes oil change's quicker. I spoil mine with amsoil.
Love the video I have the Honda hrx and I have only used it for a season but have loved it so far my biggest downside is despite having a polycarbonate type deck it is heavier than most steel decked mowers and has an unusually low setting for the bars (even on the highest setting) I would assume this would give you more leverage when moving it around the yard to compensate for the weight it is a great mower to use other than that small issue
My dad and i will be getting ready to do a. Oil change on our riding mower, now the deck has seen better days, its a 2003 craftsman 48 inch deck with a 22 horsepower kohler v twin engine. Now ere just having a problem finding. Replace cement deck, but the ones that are comparable are like 500 plus bucks, but im sure we can get a few good more years out of it, our sol is pretty sandy so m guessing over the years, as we mowed, the metal started to wear down just because it becomes Ike a sandblaster as the blades suck everything up
Hey bro simple repair to this mower. I really thought that you would have to take the carburetor apart tho. I never used or owned a mower however I think that I would look for a mower that have more metal on it because of how aggressive I might have to be with the type of grass we have in our lawns here in the Caribbean.
I run a lawn Business and bought 2 of these last year and after 1 week and maybe 2hrs on it the valve cover is leaking oil on 1 and the other seems ok. I also have i think the 2017-18 model and loved it! But... I used the shit out of it and needs new rings plus valve cover leak has been fixed 3xs. Would still use it but time is an issue and I don't have it to be able to rebuild or I would have because it cuts way better than the new HRN. It was built way stronger and it was more solid but the pinion gears for the rear-drive would also get locked up from dirt build-up in the bushings and I believe the new hrns did away with that. So there's pluses and negatives as always and they're only used for lawns I can't get my Zero Turns in.
Great job as always! You are professional with what you do and checking over other things that could cause problems is the way to go! Also I do still feel like the quality is there in that machine, just it is a more basic model so it seems designed well, especially the fact that most Honda's have fuel shut off valves compared to other brands.
I have the hrx217 with the blade stop Just bought it 2 1/2 months ago I haven’t had any trouble with it and It cost me right around $1100 when it was new
From Honda I would buy a newer model of the one I have now yes. Briggs, Kohler not so much. I am sticking to Honda motors from here on out. I personally love the GCV160 motors. I have 2 at home now and 1 more on Sunday. I love how reliable and affordable to fix they are. Honda makes the best small engines in my opinion.
Another great video! Looks like a decent mower but I've never used a mower with a blade control/stop that has a flat piece of metal like that, always been round.. It seems like it would be a pinch problem? Something I've wanted to ask for awhile, where did you get the round scraper thing? I've never looked at the big box stores for one..
I actually got it in a freebie the I picked up from the curb. I think It was on top of a mower, or an edger, when I picked them up. IT's pretty neat, I think it's a putty scraper for doing joint compound or something. thank you Ed Rodrigues, for the question l.
As of the new Hondas I never experienced working on one it looks like it according to the mower in your video it looks like the motor is very well made but it looks like the frame is trash and I just don't like to frame on it but I love the Honda motors I got to push my order that I use to mow my front and front yard and I've had it for several years and never had a problem with it except timing belt
Thanks so much for such an informative video. Can you please share the primer oil that you used for it that got the mower started which was it..? I am having the same issue I checked the spark plug. Not to mention the gas in the tank is from last year which I will change now after seeing the video and hope it works.
I bought a new lawn mower a couple of years ago. I figured I would try another brand so I bought a Husqvarna lawn mower. I have one word to describe this mower. JUNK!
I generally don't buy new mowers, because I just take care of my old ones and they last. Even if I do need another mower, I typically manage to find a freebie often enough, so I'll just keep the better mower and sell off my old one. If I did have a 1 year old mower, I would almost definitely not buy the newer model, because chances are there won't be any problems with my old mower after only 1 year, and also it's very unusual for any significant updates/upgrades to be made to a product in only 1 year, and that goes for more than just lawn mowers. The only reason I would consider upgrading from my 1 year old mower is if there are significant upgrades that will actually help me do a better job, and possibly make more money if I have a grass cutting business. Otherwise it's not really worth spending $400 all over again.
Did you buy that scraper like that or did you grind down a regular scraper? I really need to buy or make one like this, it’s a great idea and looks like it will help prevent scratching up the underside of the deck. Plastic ones keep breaking on me.
I have one of these mowers, will start all good but when you shut it down leave it for a bit then come back to use it again it’s impossible to pull the cord….not sure if it’s the spark plug or it’s pulling to much fuel in and got to much compression.
not necessarily, I think your carb is flooding the engine, when you shut it off. Have you checked your Oil level recently? IT might be higher than normal, because some fuel is getting into the engine.
My dad has a briggs and stratton engine (190cc) lawnmower, and he run it with the original oil for over 11 years. I changed it and it was dark as death but the lawnmower still runs. It does have low compression, any way to fix that?
Foamy oil - the air bubbles mean metal on metal contact resulting in premature wear. Better for an engine to have 2 Oz too little than 2 Oz too much. And in this case it was significantly more than 2 Oz.
It certainly says a lot that manufacturers are more interested in selling you a new piece of equipment every few years than selling you a quality product that will last for a decade or more. Case in point, I have a 18" Bobcat mower... 3.5 hp B&S, purchased new in 1978...it is a trim mower that I use on edges and areas that my 48" Scag can't get to. This mower has been used at least 30 minutes a week, April-November since new. Regular maintenance and I run av-gas or mo-gas...no ethanol. I know that this is an anomaly, but still, today, bottom line rules over quality and salvage yards and landfills are full of equipment that should still be in service
Interesting. Oil changes on my K5 Honda GCV190 (one generation earlier than this one) take around 450ml, which would be roughly 15 ounces. 10% more, give or take. I've never seen one of these newer engines torn down, but it would be interesting to see the differences. I'm mildly curious why you use liquid fuel instead of spray ether to awaken a non-starting engine. Most starter fluid brands have an upper cylinder lubricant (at least the stuff I use) and it seems more precise and possibly tidier and safer to put the fuel right where you want it, and not all over the airbox. Cost, maybe?
most people don't agree with using starter fluid, no matter what lubrication Is in. If I use the can, I will get inundated with thumbs downs and rude comments, so liquid fuel it is.
Is that Simple Green Extreme Aviation that you're using? That's my go to cleaner since it's safe on aluminum and inexpensive when you buy it by the gallon and dilute per the instructions.
no but I wish it was, I've remember seeing the aviation version once before at work, I don't remember exactly why the were using it but I remember the smell
I really need help with ours. Ours makes a stop go sound humming sound while on and mowing the lawn...like it's slowing down speeding up..sounds weird..hard to explain. Is it the carburetor?
the explanation is difficult to completely understand but there's a good chance that it is. Have you tried leaving the fuel cap, "loose" while using it, and seeing if that might help?
I have a HRX217 and simmilar problem. tried a little fuel on choke but didnt work. Now the oil is as black as tar and also seems like it's very thick. I did put this mower to the side when it didnt start 8-9 months ago. Going to change oil and going to change and it a few times... sadly still does not start
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE Carb is very clean... i guess i could switch carb from my other mower to see if that will help. I think I am not getting any sparks and I have checked the coil and its clean as well.
My thoughts would be no, I didn’t like the newer model of Honda due to being bar bladed and the body style. The engine seams okay but plastic is thinner once cover. Quick repair worth trying a bit of fuel in carburettor first, great work once again. The oil was overfilled and dirty considering it was clear collored new, owner did change the air filter.
this 170 is same as mine.. runs about one or two minute.. gas is good, I tested cap is vented, I drained it through pitcock no flow problem, I cleaned the carb well. still dies after a minute or two.. bought a new carb same thing. spark is good! What else?? only less then two years old
very interesting. I know you said you tested the cap, but I would like you to try running, with low fuel in the tank , and with the gas cap, very loose. You didn't mention, if it would restart, right after or if you had to wait. I would consider replacing the spark plug too.
I have one of these mowers. The issue I’m having is that the cord that’s pulled to start the mower is stuck and not releasing or contracting like it should. Additionally, I mowed over a public drain cap which bent my blades so I replaced it. After replacing the blades, the cord to start the engine is stuck and doesn’t release or contract. I need help.
sure thing, did you lay the mower on it's sided to change the blade? if you turned it on the wrong side, then you might have hydro locked your engine with oil. Take out the spark plug, pull the rope 4 to 6 times and watch for oil to come out of the spark plug whole, reinstall the plug and hopefully it's easy to pull.
I don't think so, bad springs don't cause surging, the carb does. I would replace the carb, it'll be a lot easier than continuing to try and clean the carb.
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE i ended up fixing the problem. Turned out the idle jet circuit was clogged and i had to get torch tip cleaners to clear it. Thanks for the advice.
I do but it would take me a long time to find it. Simply take the 3 nuts off the recoil and put it on the table upside down. Then spray carb cleaner, or brake cleaner where the spring is located at, and then tug on the rope a bit. Keep doing it until it starts working.
I picked up one of these it hit a stump or something bent the shaft blade adapter and the blade got a new adapter and blade and bent that shaft back and the blade still hits the deck I'm guessing the deck is bent I'll have to tear the whole thing apart
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE for sure and lots of people i have heard prefer the metal ones as the plastic ones can break easier and then the covers are a paint to try and fix where the metal ones you can easily repair plus bang out any dents etc.
I have one of these I use it several times a week and it’s never given up in 2 years haha. Only changed air filter once, spark plug once, and constant oil changes. They’re beasts!
Thanks for sharing Hiro Nakirogawa.
I’ve added oil to mine once cleaned the air filter one and that’s about it on my $100 lawn mower from Walmart 10 years ago
nice, still working well I see.
@@mgomez5606 I’ve put almost no tlc into mine and it runs top
Why the constant oil change?
Life saver. Started right up by priming! Had this mower 1.5 years and have been surprised at the trouble I've had.
great work in getting it going again
I have the same mower. Such a great little machine, and the maintenance is simple. Going on my second season.
thank you for the comment GeometryWars
I have the same Honda mower. It would not start after sitting for the winter. I tried draining and filling with fresh fuel, also a new spark plug. Dead. I watched your video and primed the carb through the choke and voila- started right up. It has been running perfectly for 2. days. Like you , I suspect that jets were a little plugged and opened up when it started. Thank you very much - great video!
no problem and thank you Jack Pearson.
I found this video very helpful. Mower would not start, first cut of the year. Purchased last year so it’s very new. Yes, I had way to much oil in the engine. Even after I drained and refilled with 12 oz it was not cranking. Took off air filter and added a little gas to the carburetor. Would crank and cut off pretty quickly. After 4-5 cranks and cut off it stayed running and now is working as usual. Guess I had some water in the carburetor. Either way, your video was very helpful! Thank you for sharing your experience!
no problem and thank you for the comment
I have this mower, has worked flawlessly for 2 years. It’s lighter and a lot more maneuverable compared to my HRR216. Of course the key to any mower or any piece of equipment, is regular maintenance. If you MUST leave it outside, cover it up for heavens sake, lol. Treat your mower casually and it will become a casualty, lol. Cheers!
you got that right Tony M. thanks for the comment
Treat them well and they will return the favor. I've seen almost no regularly maintained mowers blow up quicker then a unmaintained one. I know a person that buys push mowers and never changes blades, oil, or air filters they gave me a mower that had the foam filter half eaten by the engine and so brittle in was falling apart in my hand they filled the Carb fuel bowl with fuel since the tank and bowl wouldn't hold without pouring it out. Those people blew a couple year old John Deere push mower with at most 5 hours of use from trimming here and there and they blew it up in only 7 Months it cranked every time when we had it and ran beautifully but lack of maintenance blew it up. All my riding mowers that run are 20 Years old from Sears and they run great.
I bought a Honda HRX just before the start of mowing season. Love it so far, especially the RotoStop feature. Changed the initial oil after the first mow. Really going to take care of it so it’ll hopefully last me forever.
congratulations on your purchase, and yes take care it, and it will surely last you years.
We have two of these mowers(one at each property). They always start up and run great but we always run the gas out of them after each use. The self propelled system is great and the motor has lots of torque so it does not bog down much at all in tall grass compared to our older mowers we used to use.
Thank you for vouching for them ATV Repairs and more.
Thank you for the detailed video. We have this exact same mower we bought maybe 5 or 6 mos ago. Mowed the yard 1 or 2 times. Let it sit like 4 mos in the garage. Tried to use it last week and It wouldn't start. Drained the fuel. Put new fuel in. It started and ran fine. One week later, now it wont start again. Wife is now starting to say bad things about Honda (we just bought a CR-V) haha. Thinking our area of Southern Washington state is either using too much ethanol in their fuel (we use Chevron and Shell) or the fuel we have in our 5 gallon sat too long and has water in it...
that is a possibility. I like to use a 2 gallon gas can, because it allows me to pour it easier, and more importantly it allows me to use the gasoline without worrying about having it too long. That time, can allow the gasoline to either get old or collect more moisture from the air.
Same mower, exact problem, hard to start. Followed your steps, started right up, really appreciate it.
Glad it helped
Same issue, changed oil and new gas primed and still doesn’t start. 🤦🏾♂️
I have 12yr old Husqvarna mower with Honda GVC160 engine
I change oil yearly along with new air filter / new spark plug every 2yrs
I use 93% Octane ethanol free gas and I only put enough in for what I need. I don’t let this fuel sit in the tank. I run engine out of gas when I’m not using it never had a problem with this engine running 12 years. Strong Honda is hard to beat.
man you're doing it right!
Having a plastic deck on mine is SO nice, no risk of it rusting or getting bent out of shape! And the construction of it from Honda is excellent, so it’s the best of having plastic where normally that means “cheap.”
true but the plastic is easier to break.
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE good thing to consider for sure. My 2c: I say this as an industrial construction worker with 3 summers working major landscaping before: I’d be VERY surprised if a homeowner or even entry-level lawn care person broke a plastic Honda deck. By test standards the plastic used is stronger than aluminum (see AVE channel on that subject).
Quick fix is always nice. Plastic parts don't hold up well. Would rather pay more for higher quality and longevity mowers.
Thanks again for you time and effort putting forth a quality demo video...
you make a great point, and yep I agree with you onto price, I guess it's going to have to be a honda commercial then. Thank you Mr G.
Excellent video. I have one of these with the GCV 170. Idles like crap. As soon as the blade is engaged it runs and cuts perfect. Had it for less than a year. Use only non-eth fuel. In my opinion the newer Honda mowers are inferior to the older models. I've had five different ones. A HRC215 commercial mower with what I believe is a Gcv140 stands out above the rest. The smaller engine has never starved for power and cuts very well. The metal body is the weak point as is every Honda I've owned. All in all, despite the flaws, they make a great mower in the price range. As the competition dwindles, they have excelled. I read somewhere that Honda is getting out of the lawn mower production business as soon as this year. (2023). Knowing when to call it quits cuts losses in most cases. Who would have thought?
I know right, it's quite surprising to know they won't be around in the mower section at least.
Just got one of these last year. I love everything about it except the self-propel. I think that Toro has nailed the self-propel system with their Personal Pace system. (I also have an 8-year-old Toro Personal Pace mower.)
you got that right, I like this mower a lot, but the self propel on the toro is fantastic
I think if you had a very smooth lawn, the Honda self-propel could be alright, but if you have a bumpy lawn, like most of us, you come to appreciate the Toro system.
Nice mower! Got the same Hrn216 since 2 years ago when I bought it new. In the last 2 years it has not given me any major issues with this mower. Only changed the oil on it twice, haven’t changed the blades yet, will do it soon. Might change the air filter this year but other than that, I think it’s the best Honda mower I’ve ever had for my business.😉
thank you Brothers' Lawn Equipment.
I recently found an Aussie Victa Tornado mulch or catch 19" mower with a 190cc Briggs 625 series with good blades. All it needed was fuel and it started right up and runs smoothly. It's great for chopping up a small pile of leaves and depositing it on the lawn. With a quick rake you never know they were there. It has a disc with fins on it and four blades bolted to the edge. Unfortunately such a blade set up doesn't comply in the USA but we've been using such a swing blade set up for decades without a problem.
I would love to see one of those up close, I meant to work on of course.
Better than buying an electric mower, Thanks for the video, Nice new equipment is always interesting.
You bet and thank you Waterman one
Why’s it better than electric ?
I’ve repeatedly seen people “upgrade” lawn equipment, appliances, tv’s etc. They almost always regret it because the “upgrade” is more cheaply made and does not last as long. I’m not adverse to progress, but be smart and do some research. Great video!
yes you are absolutely correct, I think we need to change the turn from upgrade to "gamble"
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE You’re 100% correct.
About that first oil change...my father did the first oil change in 2022 on a Honda GCV 160 from 2007 used every season. Still ran great on the first pull.
very nice!
I just saw the lawn mower lady do a review on this model and she pointed out the cost saving measures.
yes I saw it too, and it was a very good video too. She puts this video to shame.
Excellent overview of mower prep and maintenance especially useful for those averse to reading the owners manual. Mostly agree with your no-start views but I'd liked to have seen you examine the plug to see whether fuel was being drawn into the CC. I take exception to your comment that too much oil is more dangerous than too little.
thanks and noted
I have over 20 hours on mine - zero issues and starts every time 1 pull. However, I make sure to use good fuel and it's stored in a heated garage.
very nice!
Nice clear video shows basic maintenance. Good job
Glad it was helpful!
Id agree, Many brands... like ones who have fallen under the grasp of MTD have taken the reputation of a name and made the product cheap but the modern reputation from brand's like Honda and a brand like Toro from modern homeowner's and commercial owners means id still be more than happy buying them for just your normal residential lawn or heavy use.
totally agree with you Frame Lawn Care.
In 2019 I replaced my 2019 Yard Machines by MTD mower with a Techumseh engine and caster wheels. Today's equivant comes from Cub Cadet, also an MTD product. It had the overseas engine like so many others do, but the build of the machine is as good as the old one, in some ways, better. It starts on the first pull. Granted, it was not a bottom tier mower. No complaints.
@@MazichMusic Good to hear you have good luck with them. Im sure they make some good mower's but its just a personal choice for me with seeing MTD and the reputation MTD has developed I just like to stay away from them. Id love to see MTD start making some fantastic mower's but from what I've seen at big box stores I'm just not a fan.
thank yo George Mazich
Yo, Taylor, I'm really happy for you, I'mma let you finish, but Honda has the best mowers of all time!
LOL!@!
My Yard Force mower was a $200 special from a local hardware shop. It seems to be a good mower. It has a small fuel tank & is good on fuel. I use it once a month on average, for about 15 minutes to mow the back yard. The front yard is done by line trimmer. I'm not one to buy expensive mowers.
me neither Christopher Marshall.
That’s why when I did an oil change on my lawnmower I put like a little bit of oil in it and it was already full. I only tipped it over once. Gotta remember to tip it over multiple times next time.
thank you Matthew does stuff, for your time I appreciate it.
The best thing with the HRN is that they redesigned the self propelled system so that it pulls backwards without spinning the transmission. It’s a huge upgrade from other Honda designs in that regard.
Really? I'll have to confirm this because I don't think it's possible with the way it's designed.
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE Yes! I’m 100% sure. Had tons of issues with the system on my old HRR because the adjuster driveshaft bushing lacked a seal on the wheel side. My HRX217HYA has a dust seal on both sides of the bushing, but still has to spin the transmission. I recently picked up an HRN216VKA as a “spare” to ensure I can mow the rest of my days with Honda. The HRN uses a completely different dual ratcheting setup that makes it so the drive shaft is only in play when the self propelled is activated. It’s a brilliant design.
I see, When I get one, I'll have to see how it works then. Thanks
Great video, that was my first time seeing one of Honda's newest line of mowers, Honda mowers are great!
Yes they are!
I have one of these, but it has the electric starter on it. This engine does have a very common problem on it however. Once the air filter starts getting dirty, they get hard to start.
that would make sense, that you Smallengineworld BCSERK
I bought an HRX 217 after hearing that Honda was exiting the mower market, and this would be my last chance to finally get a legendary Honda mower.
agreed, I need to do that soon too.
I had same exact problem with my mower. I changed Oil and still had issue. Once i removed filter and primed like you showed it worked. Appreciated
Thanks for sharing
Thank you so much this worked like a charm got my more started after a month of not running
Great to hear!
I have this mower (different model) and it has the GCV 200 engine, the compression release is very weak, it almost takes nothing to pull over, kinda surprising
But it works great and I like it alot
now that makes sense, thank you Professional Doggo.
Thanks for responding I will be sure to check the oil level after each cutting .
Please do!
Perfect guidance to Honda mower maintenance! Thank you ❤
Happy to help!
6:54 more oil comes out because when you flip the mower over oil stays in the valve cover and in the bottom side of the piston. If you lift the front of the mower it helps get oil back into the sump.
sounds pretty reasonable
I bought this new in June 2022 and then used it twice last year due to breaking my leg in the summer (so had a service). Went to start it up now and doesn't work. Extremely frustrated. Going to try to prime as you suggest and see what that gets me. Thanks.
good luck with it, and sorry to hear about the leg.
Great mower with tons of power, I went with the electric start vs blade start stop for simplicity and less wear items. Shear weight of this thing makes it hold hills great. Simple maintenance once a year and go. I just wish the tipping method did get all the oil out at once. Side note, keep the original factory fill bottle and just refill that. Makes oil change's quicker. I spoil mine with amsoil.
Great point! thank you iamherenotheretobe
Best Mower for the money... even though they just jumped $100.... still the best.
I completely agree with you, if I was going to buy a new mower, this would be it .
Love the video I have the Honda hrx and I have only used it for a season but have loved it so far my biggest downside is despite having a polycarbonate type deck it is heavier than most steel decked mowers and has an unusually low setting for the bars (even on the highest setting) I would assume this would give you more leverage when moving it around the yard to compensate for the weight it is a great mower to use other than that small issue
that's a very interesting situation you have there, thank you for the comment, and I hope you can come up with a solution
My dad and i will be getting ready to do a. Oil change on our riding mower, now the deck has seen better days, its a 2003 craftsman 48 inch deck with a 22 horsepower kohler v twin engine. Now ere just having a problem finding. Replace cement deck, but the ones that are comparable are like 500 plus bucks, but im sure we can get a few good more years out of it, our sol is pretty sandy so m guessing over the years, as we mowed, the metal started to wear down just because it becomes Ike a sandblaster as the blades suck everything up
you are absolutely right, Seen plenty of riders still running perfectly fine but the Decks have given up due to wear.
Hey bro simple repair to this mower. I really thought that you would have to take the carburetor apart tho. I never used or owned a mower however I think that I would look for a mower that have more metal on it because of how aggressive I might have to be with the type of grass we have in our lawns here in the Caribbean.
I was also thinking I would have to take the Carb off, to fix it but luckily it was an easy one. Yes my preference is for more metal parts as well.
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE the mower probably wanted to visit you before going back home😅
lol.. good possibility
I run a lawn Business and bought 2 of these last year and after 1 week and maybe 2hrs on it the valve cover is leaking oil on 1 and the other seems ok. I also have i think the 2017-18 model and loved it! But... I used the shit out of it and needs new rings plus valve cover leak has been fixed 3xs. Would still use it but time is an issue and I don't have it to be able to rebuild or I would have because it cuts way better than the new HRN. It was built way stronger and it was more solid but the pinion gears for the rear-drive would also get locked up from dirt build-up in the bushings and I believe the new hrns did away with that. So there's pluses and negatives as always and they're only used for lawns I can't get my Zero Turns in.
thank you for sharing your experience with these mower, it means a lot. I would still use them as well, I just wish they didn't cut so many corners.
I would definitely be that brand of mower it's a Honda!! The power of dreams
for sure JJ Juarez.
Great job as always! You are professional with what you do and checking over other things that could cause problems is the way to go! Also I do still feel like the quality is there in that machine, just it is a more basic model so it seems designed well, especially the fact that most Honda's have fuel shut off valves compared to other brands.
I try my best, if I can , within time constraints. thank you C:\ DOS.
Do u have videos of u cleaning the carburetor and injector? Thanks this video helped. Hope my starts. I had the exact same problem.
this engine does not have an injector, so no
I have the hrx217 with the blade stop Just bought it 2 1/2 months ago I haven’t had any trouble with it and It cost me right around $1100 when it was new
wow nice
From Honda I would buy a newer model of the one I have now yes. Briggs, Kohler not so much. I am sticking to Honda motors from here on out. I personally love the GCV160 motors. I have 2 at home now and 1 more on Sunday. I love how reliable and affordable to fix they are. Honda makes the best small engines in my opinion.
you and me both, no matter how old my gcv is getting I love using it.
Another great video! Looks like a decent mower but I've never used a mower with a blade control/stop that has a flat piece of metal like that, always been round.. It seems like it would be a pinch problem? Something I've wanted to ask for awhile, where did you get the round scraper thing? I've never looked at the big box stores for one..
I actually got it in a freebie the I picked up from the curb. I think It was on top of a mower, or an edger, when I picked them up. IT's pretty neat, I think it's a putty scraper for doing joint compound or something. thank you Ed Rodrigues, for the question l.
As of the new Hondas I never experienced working on one it looks like it according to the mower in your video it looks like the motor is very well made but it looks like the frame is trash and I just don't like to frame on it but I love the Honda motors I got to push my order that I use to mow my front and front yard and I've had it for several years and never had a problem with it except timing belt
I know right, I didn't want to mention the frame but you're going to have to keep an eye on it for rust. Thank William Moore.
never used those funnels, I might have to try them
I've heard they're pretty good
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE I can't locate one, any suggestions?
Thanks so much for such an informative video. Can you please share the primer oil that you used for it that got the mower started which was it..?
I am having the same issue I checked the spark plug.
Not to mention the gas in the tank is from last year which I will change now after seeing the video and hope it works.
Thanks, what do you mean by "primer oil"?
I bought a new lawn mower a couple of years ago. I figured I would try another brand so I bought a Husqvarna lawn mower. I have one word to describe this mower. JUNK!
wow, thank you William Snow for the review, do you have a model number for it?
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE I will get it and get back to you.
That's a very nice lawnmower
It sure is!
mine starts but idols low. my dog's bit the fuel line, both the ones connected to the petcock. having to replace both hoses.
wow!
Bought a Honda HRX217HYA. Love it
thank you Honda Fanatic87
I generally don't buy new mowers, because I just take care of my old ones and they last. Even if I do need another mower, I typically manage to find a freebie often enough, so I'll just keep the better mower and sell off my old one. If I did have a 1 year old mower, I would almost definitely not buy the newer model, because chances are there won't be any problems with my old mower after only 1 year, and also it's very unusual for any significant updates/upgrades to be made to a product in only 1 year, and that goes for more than just lawn mowers. The only reason I would consider upgrading from my 1 year old mower is if there are significant upgrades that will actually help me do a better job, and possibly make more money if I have a grass cutting business. Otherwise it's not really worth spending $400 all over again.
you do what I do, just wait and something good will come along. thank you NerfCraft.
Did you buy that scraper like that or did you grind down a regular scraper? I really need to buy or make one like this, it’s a great idea and looks like it will help prevent scratching up the underside of the deck. Plastic ones keep breaking on me.
I got it in a freebie curb pick up, I don't remember when but I think it's a paint bucket scraper.
I have one of these mowers, will start all good but when you shut it down leave it for a bit then come back to use it again it’s impossible to pull the cord….not sure if it’s the spark plug or it’s pulling to much fuel in and got to much compression.
if this happens again, take the spark plug out, and then pull it and see if anything comes out of spark plug hole.
Assuming compression spark plug issue isn’t burning the fuel right and flooding the motor?
not necessarily, I think your carb is flooding the engine, when you shut it off.
Have you checked your Oil level recently? IT might be higher than normal, because some fuel is getting into the engine.
I will keep my machine as long as I can
Same here!
It’s solved my problem! Thank you for sharing
Glad it helped!
It's a Honda. That's what you like.
you know what I like.
My dad has a briggs and stratton engine (190cc) lawnmower, and he run it with the original oil for over 11 years. I changed it and it was dark as death but the lawnmower still runs. It does have low compression, any way to fix that?
unfortunately to fix the compression would require new rings honing the cylinder
Thanks for the answer.
no problem,
Hi, I was wondering what is the damage that will occur if you have to much oil in the engine?
that's a good question, with too much oil, the Oil can get foamy, which is not desirable in this type of oiling system.
Foamy oil - the air bubbles mean metal on metal contact resulting in premature wear. Better for an engine to have 2 Oz too little than 2 Oz too much. And in this case it was significantly more than 2 Oz.
yes sir
It certainly says a lot that manufacturers are more interested in selling you a new piece of equipment every few years than selling you a quality product that will last for a decade or more. Case in point, I have a 18" Bobcat mower... 3.5 hp B&S, purchased new in 1978...it is a trim mower that I use on edges and areas that my 48" Scag can't get to. This mower has been used at least 30 minutes a week, April-November since new. Regular maintenance and I run av-gas or mo-gas...no ethanol. I know that this is an anomaly, but still, today, bottom line rules over quality and salvage yards and landfills are full of equipment that should still be in service
wow that's an amazing piece of machinery, thank you for sharing that Gary T.
Interesting. Oil changes on my K5 Honda GCV190 (one generation earlier than this one) take around 450ml, which would be roughly 15 ounces. 10% more, give or take. I've never seen one of these newer engines torn down, but it would be interesting to see the differences.
I'm mildly curious why you use liquid fuel instead of spray ether to awaken a non-starting engine. Most starter fluid brands have an upper cylinder lubricant (at least the stuff I use) and it seems more precise and possibly tidier and safer to put the fuel right where you want it, and not all over the airbox. Cost, maybe?
most people don't agree with using starter fluid, no matter what lubrication Is in. If I use the can, I will get inundated with thumbs downs and rude comments, so liquid fuel it is.
I think if your neighbor cares for his new mower like he seems to, then it's likely you will be seeing it again in the not too distant future.
I completely agree with you.
Thanks for this. Very useful 👌
My pleasure 😊
Is that Simple Green Extreme Aviation that you're using? That's my go to cleaner since it's safe on aluminum and inexpensive when you buy it by the gallon and dilute per the instructions.
no but I wish it was, I've remember seeing the aviation version once before at work, I don't remember exactly why the were using it but I remember the smell
I think ive said this before. I got a abused 2001 mower off the curb, after a little work it runs first pull every time
nice work!
I know what brand of funnel you are talking about I think it's Mr. Funnel if I remember correctly
you got it
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE I thought I did
I meant to say that you're right, thats the one I was talking about
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE they seem like they work well
from what I've seen yes, But I would love to try it out for myself.
Great video!!!!!
Glad you enjoyed it
Good video and details thanks
Glad you liked it
How tight should blades be when put back on? Hand tight or torture wrench
I couldn't tell you.
I really need help with ours. Ours makes a stop go sound humming sound while on and mowing the lawn...like it's slowing down speeding up..sounds weird..hard to explain. Is it the carburetor?
the explanation is difficult to completely understand but there's a good chance that it is. Have you tried leaving the fuel cap, "loose" while using it, and seeing if that might help?
Fewer parts also means less points of failure.
you would be correct !
Thanks 🙏 fixed my issue
no problem and thank you for the comment
I purchased a Honda mower in 2016, still looks and runs like new.
very nice
I really like my Honda engine mower. I will never by a Briggs and Stratton mower again.
they have definitely changed over the years, and I understand your feelings towards them.
Where do i get that squirt bottle? I think my mower is having the same issue as this. I don’t know how else to prime it. Thanks
on amazn and it's listed as a vented chemical bottle
I have a HRX217 and simmilar problem. tried a little fuel on choke but didnt work. Now the oil is as black as tar and also seems like it's very thick. I did put this mower to the side when it didnt start 8-9 months ago. Going to change oil and going to change and it a few times... sadly still does not start
have you considered replacing the carb?
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE Carb is very clean... i guess i could switch carb from my other mower to see if that will help. I think I am not getting any sparks and I have checked the coil and its clean as well.
When you should change your oil on your Honda ?
I only change it at the end of the year, before I put it up.
My thoughts would be no, I didn’t like the newer model of Honda due to being bar bladed and the body style. The engine seams okay but plastic is thinner once cover.
Quick repair worth trying a bit of fuel in carburettor first, great work once again. The oil was overfilled and dirty considering it was clear collored new, owner did change the air filter.
ah yes, you're right, she did mention that they threw some new parts at it to try and get it to work. Thanks for remind me
this 170 is same as mine.. runs about one or two minute.. gas is good, I tested cap is vented, I drained it through pitcock no flow problem, I cleaned the carb well. still dies after a minute or two.. bought a new carb same thing. spark is good! What else?? only less then two years old
very interesting. I know you said you tested the cap, but I would like you to try running, with low fuel in the tank , and with the gas cap, very loose. You didn't mention, if it would restart, right after or if you had to wait. I would consider replacing the spark plug too.
I have this exact mower. I'm trying to start it up and it won't fire. I sprayed some ether in it. After it burns that off it dies
was the fuel in it, from last year?
What did you spray on the autochoke system to get it started?.............................
I sprayed some gasoline into the carb
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE Thanks will UB40 do?
don't know about that
Hi!! What happen when I see white fog coming out the lawnmower…im using Honda’s oil :/
did you check to see if the oil is over filled.
I’ll do it then. Thanks!! Great video
I believe new HRN216 is made much cheaper than the old ones like HRR HRT HRS HRX
agreed
I have one of these mowers. The issue I’m having is that the cord that’s pulled to start the mower is stuck and not releasing or contracting like it should. Additionally, I mowed over a public drain cap which bent my blades so I replaced it. After replacing the blades, the cord to start the engine is stuck and doesn’t release or contract. I need help.
sure thing, did you lay the mower on it's sided to change the blade? if you turned it on the wrong side, then you might have hydro locked your engine with oil. Take out the spark plug, pull the rope 4 to 6 times and watch for oil to come out of the spark plug whole, reinstall the plug and hopefully it's easy to pull.
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE thanks…I’ll give it a shot!
I have this mower and i got it for 100 non running. I cleaned the carb and now it runs but it surges. Could this be the governor spring?
I don't think so, bad springs don't cause surging, the carb does. I would replace the carb, it'll be a lot easier than continuing to try and clean the carb.
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE could it possibly be a gasket leak?
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE i ended up fixing the problem. Turned out the idle jet circuit was clogged and i had to get torch tip cleaners to clear it. Thanks for the advice.
Do you have a video that shows the pull start won't recoil so it will not start
I do but it would take me a long time to find it. Simply take the 3 nuts off the recoil and put it on the table upside down. Then spray carb cleaner, or brake cleaner where the spring is located at, and then tug on the rope a bit. Keep doing it until it starts working.
I picked up one of these it hit a stump or something bent the shaft blade adapter and the blade got a new adapter and blade and bent that shaft back and the blade still hits the deck I'm guessing the deck is bent I'll have to tear the whole thing apart
wow, they must have hit some concrete or something that didn't give at all.
What was the fluid you used to get it started?
you mean at the 4 and a half minute mark? if so that's just gasoline from my spray bottle.
Trying to figure out to how to manual prime it after taking off the air filter ?
I use a chemical bottle. Just try using a cap from an oil bottle.
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGEand push the opening?
for me probably not that upgraded type of Honda 4 stroke as the metal couling cover ones are better qaulity from my view too.
I know what you're talking about and I agree with you.
@@INSIDEHOUSEGARAGE for sure and lots of people i have heard prefer the metal ones as the plastic ones can break easier and then the covers are a paint to try and fix where the metal ones you can easily repair plus bang out any dents etc.
You did not check the auto choke which can fail. My 2021 Honda mower starts every time. Auto choke works great.
you're right!
What oil you used to choke it.
you mean what I used in the carb? that was gasoline.
What kind of oil you pot filter site
not sure what you're asking?