I have a 25+ year old Honda self propelled and it has started on no more than 3 pulls since new. I change the oil every other year and have only changed the spark lug twice. Best mower ever.
The Honda linkages look complex but are actually very reliable as long as you keep them lubed. The problem is the throttle cable tends to stretch over time and it is an easy fix to adjust the cable or if it can no longer be adjusted you can trim the end of the cable and make a new hook and that also works instead of replacing it.
For seven years, I've owned the same Honda in this video. It always starts on one pull. Small engines challenge me. However, I clean my mower after each use (cutting once a week during the season), I only buy 1/2 gal of fresh gas each month. I follow the owner's manual for seasonal oil/spark plug/air filter changes and lubing the cables. I sharpen my own blades. I use stabil to store the machine during winter. You picked up a great mower. Thanks for posting.
I am so impressed with your problem solving and communication. I worked as a automotive product engineer for over 38 years and had the honor of working with a few people with a similar level of excellence but not many. Much respect.
I trash picked one like that and fixed it up and ran it for almost ten years then bought a new one.........when i put the old one in the trash it was still running .........good machines 👍👍👍👍
You found a free Honda HRX mower- that is amazing luck. Maybe buy a lottery ticket to see if that luck is still with you. I just picked up one of these new before they're not available anymore, it is a great mower.
This is the best video I’ve seen about choke adjustment for Honda mowers…and I’ve watched a pile of them. Looks like I need to lube and adjust my cable/linkage. Thank you!
I have a 1987 HR214 that was given to me in 1998 by a guy who no longer needed it. Still starts on 1-2 pulls every time, even after sitting months over the winter (granted with ethanol free gas). Self propel still works fine, and it's been beat to death in a very rough yard full of cypress roots, in a very hot climate Spark plug and oil change at least once a decade, and a new blade when the old one gets dog-eared. Amazing piece of machinery!
I’ve had this mower since 2009. Just bought a second one used. A 2013 model. They are just great mowers. My 2009 is still on its original belt. I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.
I have the same mower, I got it new about 20 years ago. It is the best mower I have ever owned. I keep it clean and lubricated, I maintain it myself routinely, and it starts, runs, and mows like a charm. Hint: Never store a mower (or ANY yard machine) with ethanol fuel in the tank. Never. It is much better to use non-ethanol fuel, as you suggest in this video. I don't think this point can be emphasized enough. During the winter months, I store mine with TruFuel and always recommend that others use engineered fuel for the same purpose. Zero starting problems in the Spring. Good luck with changing the drive the belt. It is a major PITA, but if it solves the problem, it is well worth the effort. This is a great mower. I would always get a Honda if I needed another gas-fueled power mower. 👍👍
I just bought a $1000 HRX hydrostatic with the blade clutch. Same set. My dad bought one in the mid 1980 still works as always. I bought one 20 years ago works perfectly. I just bought mine because they’re gonna stop making them. Never a cable issue on any of the mowers.
My next door neighbor used to have a honda just lile this one. Only it had the blade clutch, electric start and an auto choke. And it worked perfectly fine for him for many years. He gave it to his son not to long ago. I remember him telling me how the carborator was rebuilt and the guy telling him to shut the valve and let the carborator burn the fuel inside. He would always do that with the blade engaged when he was finished cutting. They are definitely great mowers!
Thank you Sir, I appreciate you. I was given a 12 year old Honda mower. Wouldn’t start. After two weeks of spraying carb without taking it off and a new gasket finally got it running. She takes off her speed is unbelievable. I also have a 12 year old craftsman they both have years on them but still run.
I bought one of the very first mowers Honda made, many years ago. It cost $650 then, weighed a ton. That model had shaft drive, which worked well. Problems were, the deck would clog with grass, cables needed a lot of adjustment. BUT after 3 or 4 years the engine started smoking. Now i maintain every power equipment I own like my life depended on it, so i was a bit peeved. After removing the head and inspecting the valves, I noticed the valves were wobbling. Turns out the valves guides were toast. They looked like they were made of Brass. Went to the Honda dealer, to get repair and he looked at me like i was crazy, and said 'That impossible!' I've owned Lawn boys, a couple of Toros, MTDs, Scotts, and some I forgot. Never had a engine failure. As i like to say, 'Your mileage may vary". Good Luck!
Thank you for posting this. My Honda HRX217 mower is becoming hard to start. This shows me what linkages and cables to check and how to perform a startup "tune up." Great video and thanks again!
This early spring I dis-assembled my 1997 made Honda (I purchased in 1997). Cleaned all parts re-assembled, replaced shift cable, spark plug, air filter, changed oil, replaced all wheels and run some Lucas gas additive through it, sharpened the blade and it’s running like brand new. I will donate to Honda when I can’t mow anymore. To me, there is no other mower to own!
HG, thanks for this video. I have a 11 year old HRX 217 w/electric start, and it's recently been a pain to start. After recently replacing the air filter, and then watching you work with the choke mechanism on this mower, I think I know where the problem is. Thanks!
Modern mowers have too much crap on them. I'm perfectly happy with my 1967 Briggs Stratton 3hp that my dad bought new for $35. Its mowed the 1/4 acre of grass here every summer weekend for the past 56 years. No bag, no self propel mess, no fancy linkage, just a motor deck, four wheels and a handle. I converted it from points to an Atom module about 12 years ago and now all I do is sharpen the blade and change the oil every year. I have a similar Honda in the shed too, its about 12 years old now. The neighbor threw it away when it refused to start one spring. Turned out it needed a new spark plug. It has two problems, one is that the spark plug dies at will every year or so, and it eats the little kill switch that's part of the safety lever system. I got tired of buying new switches, and without the switch, it won't shut off, so I put a kill switch off an old dirt bike on it and removed the lever and brake altogether. The problem is the thing is a tank, even with the self propelled feature its more work to use than my old mower. It does start on the first pull every time and it is better on fuel than my 3hp BS engine but I like how light the old mower is so the Honda just sits.
That's a great find, congrats. I like a throttle control and speed control. I have 2 Snapper Hi-Vac's. The older one (1987) is not self-propelled. It was a curbside classic in the mid 90's, when my father picked it for me. Hard starting was probably 1 of the reasons it was given away. It has a B&S Max engine. On this engine design, the very last bit of travel of the throttle cable pushes the linkage plate forward and DIRECTLY closes the choke plate. It can get sticky over the years, and on mine, the choke action would still sometimes stick until I replaced the throttle cable, a few years ago. A new cable just was more positive in the pushing action. I prefer that simpler direct flip of the choke plate over this design, but overall, I agree with you that I would rather choke or prime the engine myself, instead of an automatic choke. Now I hope that the self propel problem is fixed OK in the next episode.
I agree. I think most users just want to start and go, but for those of us who are mechanically inclined, having the separate throttle, blade, and speed controls is actually pretty nice. You can get everything dialed in just the way you like it, making mowing a lot more enjoyable.
Recently bought an HRX - HYA with blade clutch. I use a Velcro attachment strip made for extension cords around the handle bar. When the blade is engaged I use use the Velcro to secure it so I don't have to stop the blade as often and just concentrate on the self-propelled lever. The Honda is heavy compared to my old John Deere JX-75. However once one gets use to the hydrostatic drive speed adjustment it is easy to control, more power and the four cutting areas of the blade makes for a very fine cut mulch that is better as well. My 24 year old JX-75 is still going but the wheels (third set) are almost completely slick plus a third blade clutch and no more parts. I bought the Honda before the stupid EPA outlaws them. I will say the fine mulch job the Honda does saves water consumption for the lawn. The super fine clippings act to keep the ground moist from watering over an extended time thus the beneath grass sod doesn't require as much watering periods. Less water is evaporated during the summer months for sure. This lawn mower will probably be my last as I am 75 now. Hope that it last as long as the JX-75. One thing I always did with my JX-75 was use nothing but premium fuel and Mobil One oil. The high cost premium fuel has more detergents in the gasoline. This prevents carburetor problems along with fuel stabilizer added as well.
I was lucky enough to get a free Honda. 1988 vintage and still perfect. It is still like a brand new mower, and I would say is the best mower I have ever owned. The thing about those linkages is that you do need to keep them clean and lubricated. If you remember to do that then they are dead reliable despite being complex. However if you don't look after the machine eventually you will be in for a fiddly and time consuming job, (which thankfully can be made far easier by watching your excellent tutorials).
As someone who used mowers with a Choke system in the past but haven't seen one with it since the mid 1990s. The last Mower that I have ever used with a Choke system was a mid 1990s Lawnboy. I wouldn't mind having a mower that had a throttle control and choke system again. also This particular Honda mower is awesome because you can set if you want to fully bag or mulch or have the best of both worlds. A very good concept by Honda.
Awesome top tips...HRX 426 owner that has almost always had to squirt cold start from cold. Knew it was a choke issue, have now successfully fixed by WD40 and a small cable adjustment as shown in clip.
I picked up a supermarket brand mower in Belgium 30 years ago. Has a Honda engine on it that still runs well. Currently in bits so I can weld up the rust holes in the deck.
A little lube to the throttle mech goes a long way! One of the first things I check on a mower find, can’t afford the engine running away in case I start it up because I need a way to shut it down. As always, great video! Honda’s are fun, my 1st Honda mower carb rebuild involved removing and cleaning not only the main jet, but also taking out the carby emulsion tube (new discovery!; didn’t know there was a perforated tube in the center of carby body that was blocked and was accessible with a tiny flathead screwdriver!) as I was on the hunt for the cause of the constant engine intermittently surging. After that the machine came back to life and that annoying engine surge was cured! That was my neighbor’s unit I worked on as my 1st experience 😅
Putting those carbs back on is a challenge, even if you have 2 hands. Because of a small engine mishap, I only have 1.5. Recently I carefully reassembled one of these with the slide spring choke. I finally got it all to work and was test cutting some grass. I looked down at the mower deck and saw the gasket that goes between the block and plastic plate laying on the deck. The words I uttered are not suitable for your family friendly channel.
I thought I liked mowers with all the controls, but after I restored a Troy built mower with auto choke and no throttle, it is actually pleasant to simply pull the rope to start mowing. The one downside I saw is having to restart after opening gates or removing debris I find as I'm mowing. The Honda is easy to just disengage the blade to do those things.
I've Heard the same thing, but I find the blade stop system to be a detriment later on when the bearings fail. I just tie my handle bar down so the mower doesn't stop running
yeah to do belt its take off handle bars, rear end, rear axle drop, blades and cover. 1 hour job. last 1 i did last month was $200 ticket after that and oil and air filter change and sharpen both blades. $15,000 walker brand ztr.... change all 4 belts in 20 min with no tools.
My Honda did the same thing…wheels would turn when not on the ground, but they did not push the mower along. I adjusted the drive cable and it worked fine for years. I think they put the adjustment there knowing the belt would wear in over time but not be completely unserviceable.
I have Troy-Built mower with a Honda Engine, Automatic choke, front wheel drive. The engine wouldn't start at the beginning of last year. Turns out it was water in the gas. Having similar problems at one point this year, very wet spring here. Put a couple of cap-fulls of Heet in the tank, and no more problems. I forget how long I've had this thing, but usually I take it out of the storage shed at the start of the season, a couple of pulls and it starts. It's supposed to be variable speed on the FWD, but I find it's mostly full speed ahead and stop. Main thing is it cuts and cuts and cuts. I also fire it up some times in the winter to get up leaves. Also, have learned that no ethanol gas in lawn equipment it the best way to fly. My car doesn't seem to care, but ethanol gas has ruined lawn mowers and string trimmers for me.
I have 10 years old Honda gcv160.If in future it refuses to start on first pull I'l change the spark plug. So far no need, original works fine. Oil change every year, of course. A great, reliable machine. Assembled in France.
Had my first Honda mower, a 160 for 14 years until the deck rusted (took care of motor but nothing else). Bought a 190 with a plastic deck, expect it to last as long as I cut grass. Never had any problems with them running.
I got one for free runs great. I love that that when the bag is full just let go of lever and it stops the blade but engine keeps running. My snapper is still running over 30 years now. Have so many miles on my snapper the plastic wheels are bald.
I got a very expensive Honda mower with swivel wheels for free a few years back, I put the engine on a simple deck with no traction control. I had to get a flange adapter for the blade. It is my mower for cleaning the woods.
Thanks for the video, a customer’s mower has exactly the same issue with the throttle linkages and it’s been doing my head in. I don’t like the GCV engine, or working on them, all my gear is fitted with GXVs, completely different beast!
Funny! My Neighbor gave up on her Honda mower because the front wheel broke off, but it looks like some butchered the mounting area, so what I did replaced both front wheels to match up.Took the old wheels off one of my old mowers. Had to drill holes to set the whole assembly on the Honda, it work out. When I got the Honda originally it sat there in the back yard for a year until I needed a mower, after fixing wheels, it started on the first start, it blew my mind. Commonsense goes a long way.
Here in UK Honda mowers are the professional's choice even though they are twice the price (or more) than the equivalent in other brands. My HR194 self propelled is now 38 years old and I have had it from new. It has been used and abused for all that time and is the go to mower for all the difficult jobs that the lawn tractor (yardman 30" w 14.5hp engine) can't cope with. The general abuse is such that I have had to add several steel patches to the aluminium deck due to holes being punched through it. The engine starts second pull after the winter lay-off and thereafter on the first pull. It uses no oil between annual services, which tends to remain reasonably clear as testament to its internal condition. Apart from a replacement ignition module, a carb gasket set and clutch lever spring that fatigued out, the only other expenses have been service items. Over the last couple of years I have looked at a replacement with another Honda but the machine running so well and the $1000 replacement cost persuaded me against it. I cannot consider using another brand.
Mine is well over 50 years old , gets used for brush mowing . Never missed a beat . I cannot say it's pure Honda , every five years or so the deck gives out and I go to the dump to get a new deck to transfer the engine onto .
@@outinthesticks1035 My aluminium deck is a decrepit mess that has been patched up on several occasions. I have tried to buy good used decks but most are not too dissimilar to mine. I thought about getting a donor steel deck from another brand but the real complication comes with re-engineering the package to accommodate the Honda self-propelled running gear and controls. One thing that puts me off new Hondas is the use of plastic decks that I can see being fragile when used in the way we use ours. I wish that someone sold a replacement steel deck, it would be so much more durable.
@@clivewilliams3661 I can see you having a problem, mine is just a matter of taking off the blade and 4 bolts that hold it to the deck , usually the mounting holes in the replacement deck line up . I even remove it to change oil
I have a Honda gx160 on a fumigator that has been used commercially for 20 years who knows how many hours it has, it’s never been rebuilt and probably only had 15 oil changes. Still starts and runs great!
Great video. One thing though; you need to use a detergent motor oil. I noticed the oil you added to the mower said "non detergent" (which is good for shop air compressors). Use 30 or 10w-30 weight. I have the same mower (2007 model) and it still has the original drive belt. One thing that prevents proper drive system operation is lack of lubrication of, and grass buildup in, the rear wheel drive gears and pawls and related parts. Its a very tedious operation to clean and grease them. Almost no one does this, even though its listed as required maintenance in the owner's manual. Once you get the axle apart, might as well go ahead and replace the drive belt. Why didn't Honda put grease nipples on the drive wheel housings like Toro? Who knows, but it would have saved a lot of headaches!
the bottle I use is an old bottle I've had for about oh,,. maybe 3 or 4 years. I don't normally buy "quart" bottles anymore, so I keep using the same bottle I just fill it with a different oil
You done fixed it? Well I'll be damned. Scooter told me it couldn't be fixed. 'Course Scooter is about as shiftless as one poor son of a bitch can be. You done fixed it. I'll just be damned.
I use studs to hold the carb on so I can work on them without the breather in the way. It keeps the gaskets in place for me. Then I can put the breater on and replace the studs with the bolts one at a time.
Great video Older Hondas & Briggs and Stratton mowers where made to last at least 10 to 20 years or 30 years plus I purchased a newer mower with a plastic Carburetor So far I’m on my 3rd mower in 7 years Not built to last
Lol I much prefer simple residential mowers, leave the complex stuff for the ride/commercial stuff. Heck I don't even prefer self propelled, they usually run too fast for me and I have to go back and redo because the grass was too long/thick for the speed it was going
I have a Honda push mower. Bought it in 1997 - still using it for those tight spots where the rider won’t fit. I think I’ve changed the oil 3 or 4 times. Starts on two pulls max every time.
217 are a beast..best bagging mower arround...rear transmissions a nightmare to change..Honda no longer makes lawnmowers...I used these commercial for 20 years
In 2016 I looked at the prices of a Honda push-mower and chose a Cub Cadet SC-100 push mower instead. I don't regret my decision. It's not that Honda's mowers are bad. They're good at what they do. But they're not for everyone's budget.
I've got a Husqvarna AWD mower with a Honda engine (looks like the same exact engine you have)... 10+ years old and starts on the first pull every time, even after winter storage. Clean it, drain the gas, change the oil, plug & filter, as well as sharpen the blade, before putting it away for the winter. A teaspoon of oil in the cylinder and pull the cord a couple times before you put the plug back in keeps the rings/cylinder walls happy. The guy across the street has to buy a new mower every 5 years because he does not of that. Take care of your gear and it should last years and years (mower, snowblower, generator, etc.).
When I put the Kawasaki on the Snapper the Snapper control wouldn't work on the Kawasaki motor so I used the ones off the Deere and the throw was too short. All you had to do was finish moving the throttle/choke hookup on the motor about 1/8th of an inch with a digit and it'd start just fine. Now I have the 4-horse with the all climate choke that always starts 2nd pull AND the other LT 1000 is on the way and my pal at his saw shop said it started right up. 16 horse OHV and sitting 2 years. I have bushes to remove from the deck and maybe a new cable for the blade system and tires/tubes on the front and a battery and eventually an oil change but it'll be here and I'll start working on it next week. BLESSINGS!
I'm typically a honda fan but I went with a Toro I like the rwd and the personal pace is great. Only issue has been the transmission locked up after 2 years of use and while it's only around $70 for a new complete transmission I just think they design things to die as soon as the warranty runs out nowadays.
Less accessories is better than MORE. Great analysis! I saw bend that tab also! I own am HRR. I need to replace MY belt. Lookn forward tp your video. Its a heavy mower to push.😉I have to get belt soon. 👍 I think an excellent find! Guess u fpumd more than a belt.🤔
I owned a Honda pressure washer. After about 1 yrs it started hunting so I decided to do a carb clean. When I took it apart it was beautifully built, like a swiss watch, but with as many parts. A several hour job would have taken me fifteen minutes on my tecumseh engines. After getting it running I sold it for a good price as everyone thinks they are God's gift to the homeowner. I have an electric one now. Does the job. BTW... Honda will cease producing lawn mowers this year.
Awesome video. I have a random question… my mower was left in a place where it got rained on and was outside for a couple weeks. Ants even burrowed into the fuel filter 😅. It won’t start. I’m going to prime the choke like you did and let you know if they works. But in case it doesn’t, what are your thoughts ? Thanks in advance if you do read this. 👍
Update I did the priming trick and it did start but only for a second. Put fuel again to prime choke and it started again but then stopped. Not sure what’s going on but I’m gonna keep tinkering
thanks and I did read both of your comments, so obviously it's only running on the fuel you're putting into the carb. I would drain the fuel, remove the carb, drain the fuel from the carb, and clear the jet. Put it back add new fuel and see what happens.
My honda mower that purchaced 4 years ago has no manual choke and a much simplified thumb controller for the self propelled. So far..it has started on the first pull, everytime. It is double bladed which i think is unnecesary and I am not as much of a fan of the rear chute as i thought but i ussually mulch anyway. I really like the plastic body as it will never rust and stays cleaner under.
I use a harbor freight engine in an old deck. The throttle is a wire tie on the bracket. Apparently it's a knock off of that engine. It has a primer bulb. The governor throttles up when it hits high grass which at my house where lawnmowers come to die is often. I chip limbs by running over them. Predator engine is pretty bad ass. First thing I do is remove the engine brake.
The choke systems on most of my Honda mowers aren't really that bad since I learned from an early age how to operate Honda mowers, specifically the model HR214SX. My current mowers are a commercial HRC2163HXC (incredibly similar to the HRC216HRA in the U.S.) that I bought brand new a couple of years ago and I picked up a roughly 10 year old Honda HRX217HYC (the unit with a hydrostatic transmission and blade brake clutch) for an incredible price a few weeks ago. The HRX happens to have an auto choke on it and it seems to be working just fine. Both mowers from their respective dates of purchase have been well cared for as with my commercial unit I get the dealer to come and pick it up, do a tune up service and drop it back to me and the other one it was well cared for by the previous owner.
I buy mowers from estate sales every now and then for $30~$40, take them home, clean the carbs and air filters, sharpen the blades, and sell them for $100 or more.
Hey Home Garage, my trimmer is 12 years old, and the engine is not broken and still has life left in it, the problem is that when i start it i have to keep the throttle wide open slightly all the time, otherwise the engine will stall, and i looked at the carburetor (original) and their doesn't seem to be any screws to adjust the idle speed, so it has more fuel during that time, it's a JCB BC26 from 12 years ago, i don't want to give it up as it's light, doesn't vibrate badly, and still has really good power for it's age, and probably going to take it to a shop next week. It isn't a huge trimmer, but it's good enough for a teenager to use it, with safety stuff on of course. just need your advice, because i never plan on buying electric cars or equipment like lawn mowers trimmers and so on as engines do i better job at everything. Let me know, thank you, and learning a lot!
sure thing, believe it or not, there is "1" fuel adjustment screw, it's right on the top, in the middle of the part that spins when you squeeze the throttle. It's in the middle of the Brass section, you'll need a smallish precision flathead to adjust it. I'd start by Turning it counterclockwise a quarter turn.
@@HomeGaragechannel okay, i appreciate the help, i don't normally have the time to do this stuff, so i will be taking it to a shop to get it fixed, but i'll be sure to take a look at it before hand. I have a challenge for you for your next video, try and find one of these trimmers and and make a video on it, it'll be call to see, up to you. Thank you!!!
My newer Honda-powered Toro self-propelled motor claims to have an automatic choke. It also has no throttle. Once it starts it runs and cuts grass at constant engine speed. That's why the motor shuts off when you let go of the bar. The only issue I had with it this Spring was neglecting to shut off the fuel line last fall and not running the carb dry. The result was a lot of effort to get it to run and to run smoothly. Hopefully, after I use it it will clean up the carb, Sea Foam should help too.
There great mowers, easy to work on. Would buy one or pick up a side of the road model any day, snow blowers too. They don't come to very often for a reason.
I have not purchased a mover in over 10 years, my Honda has started first or second pull every year dot over 10 years. I have replaced the belt for sell propel but the problem was cable adjustment and that is the only thing I have done to it in over 10 years.
I had a Craftsman self propelled mower with fixed throttle and primer bulb for choke and was hard to start. There weren’t any speed controls either. It moved when the lever was locked in place and stopped when released. I hated that mower. My next mower was a Honda harmony that someone gave me. It needed the carb cleaned and ran great. Every season the carb had to be blown out with compressed air and the rest of the season was a one pull wonder. I also throttled down before shutting it down if I was restarting again. For some reason it made a difference. I also shut off the gas valve before putting it away after each mow. No problems. The death of it was the plastic deck cracked and disintegrated from there.
I find plenty of honda mowers each year. I fix and sell them. Some minor repairs, some major. Funny thing is the buyers frequently ask me "This honda never breaks, right?" or make a comment "they are like tanks and never break" as I laugh to myself.
I had exactly the same thing on the same engine 2 days ago. assessed the problem. I agree that the lube did the trick. BUT, when you lube external mower parts, 2 things happen. best case scenario is the lube doesn't last long. most likely though, the lube will attract dust particles, causing repeated fixing to be needed. soooo, after watching how the linkage interacted with itself, I decided that the lowest part of the linkage would be better served to avoid the little paddle shaped piece all together, so a 1/4" nudge of the screwdriver, I used a Phillips, but you could use a flat, torx, hex, or maybe even just a piece of metal, stray bolt, or if all else fails your finger (index preferably) will suffice. on a serious note (yes I did exactly what I said above) I have had more problems with the Honda choke systems over the years. I've started hoarding the slide style from pressure washers and converting when possible.
i feel like power more engines used on mtd machines have the best choke setup. they just use air from the flywheel to open the choke. it is nice to just be able to pull the cord and go. no messing around. definitely better than the setups found on briggs or honda.
Hondas are great little mowers imo, you just need to take good care of them. As long as you keep fresh oil in them, fresh oil filter (if they have it) fresh air filter and the mower clean and you will get a good 10-20 years out of it. If you DONT take care of it regularly and keep its oil in good shape, then yeah its gonna grenade pretty fast. They are precision engines with high tolerances, most people fuck them up because they come from owning a 20 year old briggs and straton with tolerances so low you could run dirt through the intake and it would spit it out without much fuss. The reason for the high tolerances is high power lower fuel consumption, better emissions (and sound pollution) and reliability (yes ironically enough the engine that is more prone to breaking down if you dont take care of it will probably start on the first pull its entire life with just simple regular oil changes). Dont get me wrong i love my little Briggs mower but i also have a tiny lawn that takes all of 5 minutes to push mow with the smallest little briggs mower available. The only advantage Briggs have over Hondas are price and weight. Hondas will be heavier (but will always be self propelled these days) and hondas will be more expensive to buy due to the tolerances.
I would have the same problem with my 2009 Honda HRX 217 with the GCV190 engine. My had the manual choke too. Especially when it would get colder outside close to the end of mowing season in IL. It would even get harder to start or just wouldn’t start because of the choke. So it every year I would need to fix it just to get the mower to start especially when I would fire it up for the first time of the year.
I bought a new cheap Briggs several years ago , main jet plugged many times fuel tank had fine dirt in it and screen in tank did nothing cleaned tank and put small inline filter , flawless now but super dirty tank when brand new
I have the hrx and first was not happy not having control on throttle and choke but it starts with one one pull every time my issue is with the self propel I have the one with thumb controls pressing down makes it go the more you press the faster it goes but releasing the control it likes to stick and keep going
Mine had a bad wax cylinder... replacing that fixed the choke. Mine has the cone transmission... I filled it with 90w gear oil and it leaps like a scalded dog! Replacing the belt was not fun IIRC... but mine's on its second decade now. I'll only buy Honda when I can.
If I saw that Honda I would pick it up immediately! They usually are easy fixes and run forever.
very true!
Not to mention they are worth an easy $300 +
Absolutely
Got one off the side of the road, fixed it, and sold it within two weeks.
Nice repair.
I have a 25+ year old Honda self propelled and it has started on no more than 3 pulls since new. I change the oil every other year and have only changed the spark lug twice. Best mower ever.
nice!
The Honda linkages look complex but are actually very reliable as long as you keep them lubed. The problem is the throttle cable tends to stretch over time and it is an easy fix to adjust the cable or if it can no longer be adjusted you can trim the end of the cable and make a new hook and that also works instead of replacing it.
agreed
For seven years, I've owned the same Honda in this video. It always starts on one pull. Small engines challenge me. However, I clean my mower after each use (cutting once a week during the season), I only buy 1/2 gal of fresh gas each month. I follow the owner's manual for seasonal oil/spark plug/air filter changes and lubing the cables. I sharpen my own blades. I use stabil to store the machine during winter. You picked up a great mower. Thanks for posting.
wow you're doing a great job maintaining it.
You struck gold, that is a thousand dollar mower! I’ve been using the HRX for 20 years, best mower on the market.
I know right!
Just bought a new one a few months ago. Best mower I've ever owned. Last year they're making them too!
Love my newer model as well. My parents had the first generation and I used it until I graduate high school.
😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅
I am so impressed with your problem solving and communication.
I worked as a automotive product engineer for over 38 years and had the honor of working with a few people with a similar level of excellence but not many.
Much respect.
Wow thank you very much I appreciate your comment!
I trash picked one like that and fixed it up and ran it for almost ten years then bought a new one.........when i put the old one in the trash it was still running .........good machines 👍👍👍👍
amazing !
You found a free Honda HRX mower- that is amazing luck. Maybe buy a lottery ticket to see if that luck is still with you.
I just picked up one of these new before they're not available anymore, it is a great mower.
sounds incredible for sure, and the lottery is a worst choice you can make for anyone and everyone
This is the best video I’ve seen about choke adjustment for Honda mowers…and I’ve watched a pile of them. Looks like I need to lube and adjust my cable/linkage. Thank you!
Glad you liked it and thank you!
I have a 1987 HR214 that was given to me in 1998 by a guy who no longer needed it. Still starts on 1-2 pulls every time, even after sitting months over the winter (granted with ethanol free gas). Self propel still works fine, and it's been beat to death in a very rough yard full of cypress roots, in a very hot climate Spark plug and oil change at least once a decade, and a new blade when the old one gets dog-eared. Amazing piece of machinery!
wow very nice!
I’ve had this mower since 2009. Just bought a second one used. A 2013 model. They are just great mowers. My 2009 is still on its original belt. I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.
yes they are, I'd pick these up all day long if I could
My Honda is over 15 years old. Amazing. Never broke. Every Honda engine is bullet proof.
I agree!
That Honda mower is not cheap glad you got it running again and for free also
me too, thank you Robert Mailhos
@@HomeGaragechannel your welcome young man 👍😎😜
I have the same mower, I got it new about 20 years ago. It is the best mower I have ever owned. I keep it clean and lubricated, I maintain it myself routinely, and it starts, runs, and mows like a charm.
Hint: Never store a mower (or ANY yard machine) with ethanol fuel in the tank. Never. It is much better to use non-ethanol fuel, as you suggest in this video. I don't think this point can be emphasized enough. During the winter months, I store mine with TruFuel and always recommend that others use engineered fuel for the same purpose. Zero starting problems in the Spring.
Good luck with changing the drive the belt. It is a major PITA, but if it solves the problem, it is well worth the effort.
This is a great mower. I would always get a Honda if I needed another gas-fueled power mower. 👍👍
very well said, thank you !
I just bought a $1000 HRX hydrostatic with the blade clutch. Same set. My dad bought one in the mid 1980 still works as always. I bought one 20 years ago works perfectly. I just bought mine because they’re gonna stop making them. Never a cable issue on any of the mowers.
nice, I need to do the same, and just keep it in the box
@@HomeGaragechannel I’ve seriously thought about that.
My next door neighbor used to have a honda just lile this one. Only it had the blade clutch, electric start and an auto choke. And it worked perfectly fine for him for many years. He gave it to his son not to long ago. I remember him telling me how the carborator was rebuilt and the guy telling him to shut the valve and let the carborator burn the fuel inside. He would always do that with the blade engaged when he was finished cutting. They are definitely great mowers!
Agreed, and thank you zachzebra56
Thank you Sir, I appreciate you.
I was given a 12 year old Honda mower. Wouldn’t start. After two weeks of spraying carb without taking it off and a new gasket finally got it running. She takes off her speed is unbelievable.
I also have a 12 year old craftsman they both have years on them but still run.
no problem and thank you for your time,
The prior owners really did a number on the Honda. I own a HRX and is the best mower I have ever owned!!
yes I'd agree with that statement
I bought one of the very first mowers Honda made, many years ago. It cost $650 then, weighed a ton. That
model had shaft drive, which worked well. Problems were, the deck would clog with grass, cables needed
a lot of adjustment. BUT after 3 or 4 years the engine started smoking. Now i maintain every power equipment
I own like my life depended on it, so i was a bit peeved. After removing the head and inspecting the valves,
I noticed the valves were wobbling. Turns out the valves guides were toast. They looked like they were made of
Brass. Went to the Honda dealer, to get repair and he looked at me like i was crazy, and said 'That impossible!'
I've owned Lawn boys, a couple of Toros, MTDs, Scotts, and some I forgot. Never had a engine failure.
As i like to say, 'Your mileage may vary". Good Luck!
you and me both, going to maintain them the best I can.
Got four Hondas now…zero problems in years! Got a 16 year old Honda generator that I use for rv…rarely use…always kicks off!
wow, nice collection!
I used to work at a outdoor power equipment dealer. Honda in one of the brands we sold. Honda builds a excellent push mower.
yes they do
My mower was hard to start. I started with blowing out the throttle/choke area and sprayed it with WD40. Works perfect!!
nice work
Thank you for posting this. My Honda HRX217 mower is becoming hard to start. This shows me what linkages and cables to check and how to perform a startup "tune up." Great video and thanks again!
no problem and thank you
This early spring I dis-assembled my 1997 made Honda (I purchased in 1997). Cleaned all parts re-assembled, replaced shift cable, spark plug, air filter, changed oil, replaced all wheels and run some Lucas gas additive through it, sharpened the blade and it’s running like brand new. I will donate to Honda when I can’t mow anymore. To me, there is no other mower to own!
I like them a lot too!
HG, thanks for this video. I have a 11 year old HRX 217 w/electric start, and it's recently been a pain to start. After recently replacing the air filter, and then watching you work with the choke mechanism on this mower, I think I know where the problem is. Thanks!
Glad it helped
I’ve had my Honda mower for 15 years ! Best purchase I’ve made for my home
Right on!
The Honda brand is the gold standard for reliability. I've owned 15 Honda's, including a mower just like this one. Easy fix. 😉
wow very nice!
Modern mowers have too much crap on them.
I'm perfectly happy with my 1967 Briggs Stratton 3hp that my dad bought new for $35. Its mowed the 1/4 acre of grass here every summer weekend for the past 56 years. No bag, no self propel mess, no fancy linkage, just a motor deck, four wheels and a handle. I converted it from points to an Atom module about 12 years ago and now all I do is sharpen the blade and change the oil every year.
I have a similar Honda in the shed too, its about 12 years old now. The neighbor threw it away when it refused to start one spring. Turned out it needed a new spark plug. It has two problems, one is that the spark plug dies at will every year or so, and it eats the little kill switch that's part of the safety lever system. I got tired of buying new switches, and without the switch, it won't shut off, so I put a kill switch off an old dirt bike on it and removed the lever and brake altogether. The problem is the thing is a tank, even with the self propelled feature its more work to use than my old mower. It does start on the first pull every time and it is better on fuel than my 3hp BS engine but I like how light the old mower is so the Honda just sits.
nice mower
That's a great find, congrats. I like a throttle control and speed control. I have 2 Snapper Hi-Vac's. The older one (1987) is not self-propelled. It was a curbside classic in the mid 90's, when my father picked it for me. Hard starting was probably 1 of the reasons it was given away. It has a B&S Max engine. On this engine design, the very last bit of travel of the throttle cable pushes the linkage plate forward and DIRECTLY closes the choke plate. It can get sticky over the years, and on mine, the choke action would still sometimes stick until I replaced the throttle cable, a few years ago. A new cable just was more positive in the pushing action. I prefer that simpler direct flip of the choke plate over this design, but overall, I agree with you that I would rather choke or prime the engine myself, instead of an automatic choke. Now I hope that the self propel problem is fixed OK in the next episode.
I agree. I think most users just want to start and go, but for those of us who are mechanically inclined, having the separate throttle, blade, and speed controls is actually pretty nice. You can get everything dialed in just the way you like it, making mowing a lot more enjoyable.
thank you Tom Lewis and I appreciate the information
Recently bought an HRX - HYA with blade clutch. I use a Velcro attachment strip made for extension cords around the handle bar. When the blade is engaged I use use the Velcro to secure it so I don't have to stop the blade as often and just concentrate on the self-propelled lever. The Honda is heavy compared to my old John Deere JX-75. However once one gets use to the hydrostatic drive speed adjustment it is easy to control, more power and the four cutting areas of the blade makes for a very fine cut mulch that is better as well. My 24 year old JX-75 is still going but the wheels (third set) are almost completely slick plus a third blade clutch and no more parts. I bought the Honda before the stupid EPA outlaws them. I will say the fine mulch job the Honda does saves water consumption for the lawn. The super fine clippings act to keep the ground moist from watering over an extended time thus the beneath grass sod doesn't require as much watering periods. Less water is evaporated during the summer months for sure. This lawn mower will probably be my last as I am 75 now. Hope that it last as long as the JX-75. One thing I always did with my JX-75 was use nothing but premium fuel and Mobil One oil. The high cost premium fuel has more detergents in the gasoline. This prevents carburetor problems along with fuel stabilizer added as well.
very nice mower!
I was lucky enough to get a free Honda. 1988 vintage and still perfect. It is still like a brand new mower, and I would say is the best mower I have ever owned. The thing about those linkages is that you do need to keep them clean and lubricated. If you remember to do that then they are dead reliable despite being complex. However if you don't look after the machine eventually you will be in for a fiddly and time consuming job, (which thankfully can be made far easier by watching your excellent tutorials).
thank you Jenny D, I appreciate it!
As someone who used mowers with a Choke system in the past but haven't seen one with it since the mid 1990s. The last Mower that I have ever used with a Choke system was a mid 1990s Lawnboy. I wouldn't mind having a mower that had a throttle control and choke system again. also This particular Honda mower is awesome because you can set if you want to fully bag or mulch or have the best of both worlds. A very good concept by Honda.
yes you are correct and understand your feelings about having the lever.
I've never been a big fan of Honda's mowers.....but they DO have their fans. If you can fix and sell it, good for business, good for you.
I agree, it's not for everyone
Agree on the throttling. Keep it simple. Nice job diagnosing the carb linkage. Amazing how simple some of these fixes are. 👊🏽
Couldn't agree more!
Same here, 40 years of lawn cutting…3 Honda’s. You can’t do better that that
Awesome top tips...HRX 426 owner that has almost always had to squirt cold start from cold. Knew it was a choke issue, have now successfully fixed by WD40 and a small cable adjustment as shown in clip.
Nice work and thank you for the Super Thanks, I appreciate it!
I picked up a supermarket brand mower in Belgium 30 years ago. Has a Honda engine on it that still runs well. Currently in bits so I can weld up the rust holes in the deck.
nice!
We have a Honda mower in our family and it’s now 35 years old and still going strong.
wow nice!
A little lube to the throttle mech goes a long way! One of the first things I check on a mower find, can’t afford the engine running away in case I start it up because I need a way to shut it down. As always, great video! Honda’s are fun, my 1st Honda mower carb rebuild involved removing and cleaning not only the main jet, but also taking out the carby emulsion tube (new discovery!; didn’t know there was a perforated tube in the center of carby body that was blocked and was accessible with a tiny flathead screwdriver!) as I was on the hunt for the cause of the constant engine intermittently surging. After that the machine came back to life and that annoying engine surge was cured! That was my neighbor’s unit I worked on as my 1st experience 😅
very nice work! And thank you biking2cruze
Putting those carbs back on is a challenge, even if you have 2 hands. Because of a small engine mishap, I only have 1.5. Recently I carefully reassembled one of these with the slide spring choke. I finally got it all to work and was test cutting some grass. I looked down at the mower deck and saw the gasket that goes between the block and plastic plate laying on the deck. The words I uttered are not suitable for your family friendly channel.
Use studs 😊
yes but you get used to it, or use studs
@@HomeGaragechannel I use dowels
Been there
Use studs 😊
I thought I liked mowers with all the controls, but after I restored a Troy built mower with auto choke and no throttle, it is actually pleasant to simply pull the rope to start mowing. The one downside I saw is having to restart after opening gates or removing debris I find as I'm mowing. The Honda is easy to just disengage the blade to do those things.
I've Heard the same thing, but I find the blade stop system to be a detriment later on when the bearings fail. I just tie my handle bar down so the mower doesn't stop running
yeah to do belt its take off handle bars, rear end, rear axle drop, blades and cover. 1 hour job. last 1 i did last month was $200 ticket after that and oil and air filter change and sharpen both blades. $15,000 walker brand ztr.... change all 4 belts in 20 min with no tools.
My Honda did the same thing…wheels would turn when not on the ground, but they did not push the mower along. I adjusted the drive cable and it worked fine for years. I think they put the adjustment there knowing the belt would wear in over time but not be completely unserviceable.
yep you already know the issue.
Mowers in the 70's and 80's had a simple cable slide throttle/choke system and no complicated levers. That system worked great and was durable.
agreed
I have Troy-Built mower with a Honda Engine, Automatic choke, front wheel drive. The engine wouldn't start at the beginning of last year. Turns out it was water in the gas. Having similar problems at one point this year, very wet spring here. Put a couple of cap-fulls of Heet in the tank, and no more problems. I forget how long I've had this thing, but usually I take it out of the storage shed at the start of the season, a couple of pulls and it starts. It's supposed to be variable speed on the FWD, but I find it's mostly full speed ahead and stop. Main thing is it cuts and cuts and cuts. I also fire it up some times in the winter to get up leaves. Also, have learned that no ethanol gas in lawn equipment it the best way to fly. My car doesn't seem to care, but ethanol gas has ruined lawn mowers and string trimmers for me.
great advice and thank you Merlin Griffin
I have 10 years old Honda gcv160.If in future it refuses to start on first pull I'l change the spark plug. So far no need, original works fine. Oil change every year, of course. A great, reliable machine. Assembled in France.
nice!
Had my first Honda mower, a 160 for 14 years until the deck rusted (took care of motor but nothing else). Bought a 190 with a plastic deck, expect it to last as long as I cut grass. Never had any problems with them running.
very nice!
I got one for free runs great. I love that that when the bag is full just let go of lever and it stops the blade but engine keeps running. My snapper is still running over 30 years now. Have so many miles on my snapper the plastic wheels are bald.
yes that feature can be very helpful! Thank you Gina Boos.
I got a very expensive Honda mower with swivel wheels for free a few years back, I put the engine on a simple deck with no traction control. I had to get a flange adapter for the blade. It is my mower for cleaning the woods.
wow very nice
Thanks for the video, a customer’s mower has exactly the same issue with the throttle linkages and it’s been doing my head in. I don’t like the GCV engine, or working on them, all my gear is fitted with GXVs, completely different beast!
yes they can be difficult sometimes
Funny! My Neighbor gave up on her Honda mower because the front wheel broke off, but it looks like some butchered the mounting area, so what I did replaced both front wheels to match up.Took the old wheels off one of my old mowers. Had to drill holes to set the whole assembly on the Honda, it work out. When I got the Honda originally it sat there in the back yard for a year until I needed a mower, after fixing wheels, it started on the first start, it blew my mind. Commonsense goes a long way.
yes it does
Here in UK Honda mowers are the professional's choice even though they are twice the price (or more) than the equivalent in other brands. My HR194 self propelled is now 38 years old and I have had it from new. It has been used and abused for all that time and is the go to mower for all the difficult jobs that the lawn tractor (yardman 30" w 14.5hp engine) can't cope with. The general abuse is such that I have had to add several steel patches to the aluminium deck due to holes being punched through it. The engine starts second pull after the winter lay-off and thereafter on the first pull. It uses no oil between annual services, which tends to remain reasonably clear as testament to its internal condition. Apart from a replacement ignition module, a carb gasket set and clutch lever spring that fatigued out, the only other expenses have been service items. Over the last couple of years I have looked at a replacement with another Honda but the machine running so well and the $1000 replacement cost persuaded me against it. I cannot consider using another brand.
well put, these are definitely worth the price!
Mine is well over 50 years old , gets used for brush mowing . Never missed a beat . I cannot say it's pure Honda , every five years or so the deck gives out and I go to the dump to get a new deck to transfer the engine onto .
@@outinthesticks1035 My aluminium deck is a decrepit mess that has been patched up on several occasions. I have tried to buy good used decks but most are not too dissimilar to mine. I thought about getting a donor steel deck from another brand but the real complication comes with re-engineering the package to accommodate the Honda self-propelled running gear and controls. One thing that puts me off new Hondas is the use of plastic decks that I can see being fragile when used in the way we use ours. I wish that someone sold a replacement steel deck, it would be so much more durable.
@@clivewilliams3661 I can see you having a problem, mine is just a matter of taking off the blade and 4 bolts that hold it to the deck , usually the mounting holes in the replacement deck line up . I even remove it to change oil
I would love to see the belt replacement ideo when you have it done to deal with a low power self propelled problem. Thank you for your content.
it's coming and it's a real pain to do.
I have a Honda gx160 on a fumigator that has been used commercially for 20 years who knows how many hours it has, it’s never been rebuilt and probably only had 15 oil changes. Still starts and runs great!
wow very nice
Great video. One thing though; you need to use a detergent motor oil. I noticed the oil you added to the mower said "non detergent" (which is good for shop air compressors). Use 30 or 10w-30 weight.
I have the same mower (2007 model) and it still has the original drive belt. One thing that prevents proper drive system operation is lack of lubrication of, and grass buildup in, the rear wheel drive gears and pawls and related parts. Its a very tedious operation to clean and grease them. Almost no one does this, even though its listed as required maintenance in the owner's manual. Once you get the axle apart, might as well go ahead and replace the drive belt. Why didn't Honda put grease nipples on the drive wheel housings like Toro? Who knows, but it would have saved a lot of headaches!
the bottle I use is an old bottle I've had for about oh,,. maybe 3 or 4 years. I don't normally buy "quart" bottles anymore, so I keep using the same bottle I just fill it with a different oil
As a certified Honda/Stihl/Husqvarna small engine mechanic, if it doesn't start then just talk to it nicely...these things are bloody reliable.
thanks
You done fixed it? Well I'll be damned. Scooter told me it couldn't be fixed. 'Course Scooter is about as shiftless as one poor son of a bitch can be. You done fixed it. I'll just be damned.
I just parted out my 30 year old honda power washer still started on third pull just down on power best small engine i ever owned
nice
I have that exact mower & no issues just maintenance. Good to go
nice
I use studs to hold the carb on so I can work on them without the breather in the way. It keeps the gaskets in place for me. Then I can put the breater on and replace the studs with the bolts one at a time.
nice tip
Great video
Older Hondas & Briggs and Stratton mowers where made to last at least 10 to 20 years or 30 years plus
I purchased a newer mower with a plastic Carburetor
So far I’m on my 3rd mower in 7 years
Not built to last
Thanks for sharing
Lol I much prefer simple residential mowers, leave the complex stuff for the ride/commercial stuff. Heck I don't even prefer self propelled, they usually run too fast for me and I have to go back and redo because the grass was too long/thick for the speed it was going
you and me both, I'll typically mow slower to get a better cut.
I have a Honda push mower. Bought it in 1997 - still using it for those tight spots where the rider won’t fit. I think I’ve changed the oil 3 or 4 times. Starts on two pulls max every time.
nice, nothing wrong with a good cut in mower.
You don’t have to worry about it now Honda and Husqvarna quit making mowers they’re just selling out the inventory they have and then they’re done
true
217 are a beast..best bagging mower arround...rear transmissions a nightmare to change..Honda no longer makes lawnmowers...I used these commercial for 20 years
wow very nice to hear that you're using them commercially!
In 2016 I looked at the prices of a Honda push-mower and chose a Cub Cadet SC-100 push mower instead.
I don't regret my decision.
It's not that Honda's mowers are bad. They're good at what they do. But they're not for everyone's budget.
you make a very good point
I've got a Husqvarna AWD mower with a Honda engine (looks like the same exact engine you have)... 10+ years old and starts on the first pull every time, even after winter storage. Clean it, drain the gas, change the oil, plug & filter, as well as sharpen the blade, before putting it away for the winter. A teaspoon of oil in the cylinder and pull the cord a couple times before you put the plug back in keeps the rings/cylinder walls happy.
The guy across the street has to buy a new mower every 5 years because he does not of that. Take care of your gear and it should last years and years (mower, snowblower, generator, etc.).
you are correct
These are the best mowers hands down
I believe they are!
When I put the Kawasaki on the Snapper the Snapper control wouldn't work on the Kawasaki motor so I used the ones off the Deere and the throw was too short. All you had to do was finish moving the throttle/choke hookup on the motor about 1/8th of an inch with a digit and it'd start just fine. Now I have the 4-horse with the all climate choke that always starts 2nd pull AND the other LT 1000 is on the way and my pal at his saw shop said it started right up. 16 horse OHV and sitting 2 years. I have bushes to remove from the deck and maybe a new cable for the blade system and tires/tubes on the front and a battery and eventually an oil change but it'll be here and I'll start working on it next week. BLESSINGS!
very nice, sound likes like a very capable rider
@@HomeGaragechannel Made in 05. It needs work but nothing I haven't done before. Just on a different color and time.
I'm typically a honda fan but I went with a Toro I like the rwd and the personal pace is great. Only issue has been the transmission locked up after 2 years of use and while it's only around $70 for a new complete transmission I just think they design things to die as soon as the warranty runs out nowadays.
wow 2 years was not very long at all.
Less accessories is better than MORE. Great analysis! I saw bend that tab also! I own am HRR. I need to replace MY belt. Lookn forward tp your video. Its a heavy mower to push.😉I have to get belt soon. 👍 I think an excellent find! Guess u fpumd more than a belt.🤔
agreed
It’s better for the throttle to be self-adjusting. The engine is less likely to stall if you hit a thicker patch of grass.
true
I owned a Honda pressure washer. After about 1 yrs it started hunting so I decided to do a carb clean. When I took it apart it was beautifully built, like a swiss watch, but with as many parts. A several hour job would have taken me fifteen minutes on my tecumseh engines. After getting it running I sold it for a good price as everyone thinks they are God's gift to the homeowner. I have an electric one now. Does the job. BTW... Honda will cease producing lawn mowers this year.
yes you are correct
I like the adjustment that I can do myself like your mower. Thanks for the video.
You bet
Awesome video. I have a random question… my mower was left in a place where it got rained on and was outside for a couple weeks. Ants even burrowed into the fuel filter 😅. It won’t start. I’m going to prime the choke like you did and let you know if they works. But in case it doesn’t, what are your thoughts ? Thanks in advance if you do read this. 👍
Update I did the priming trick and it did start but only for a second. Put fuel again to prime choke and it started again but then stopped. Not sure what’s going on but I’m gonna keep tinkering
thanks and I did read both of your comments, so obviously it's only running on the fuel you're putting into the carb. I would drain the fuel, remove the carb, drain the fuel from the carb, and clear the jet. Put it back add new fuel and see what happens.
@@HomeGaragechannel Thank you for the comment. I’ll give it a shot today. Thank you 👍
Top notch mowers when taken care of
agreed
My honda mower that purchaced 4 years ago has no manual choke and a much simplified thumb controller for the self propelled.
So far..it has started on the first pull, everytime.
It is double bladed which i think is unnecesary and I am not as much of a fan of the rear chute as i thought but i ussually mulch anyway. I really like the plastic body as it will never rust and stays cleaner under.
sounds like it doing what you need to do, nice!
I use a harbor freight engine in an old deck. The throttle is a wire tie on the bracket. Apparently it's a knock off of that engine. It has a primer bulb. The governor throttles up when it hits high grass which at my house where lawnmowers come to die is often. I chip limbs by running over them. Predator engine is pretty bad ass. First thing I do is remove the engine brake.
thank for sharing that
The choke systems on most of my Honda mowers aren't really that bad since I learned from an early age how to operate Honda mowers, specifically the model HR214SX. My current mowers are a commercial HRC2163HXC (incredibly similar to the HRC216HRA in the U.S.) that I bought brand new a couple of years ago and I picked up a roughly 10 year old Honda HRX217HYC (the unit with a hydrostatic transmission and blade brake clutch) for an incredible price a few weeks ago. The HRX happens to have an auto choke on it and it seems to be working just fine. Both mowers from their respective dates of purchase have been well cared for as with my commercial unit I get the dealer to come and pick it up, do a tune up service and drop it back to me and the other one it was well cared for by the previous owner.
wow I really like your collection!
I've had my Honda HRX for over 12 years (and still starts on the first pull) and I've never had to mess with the choke system.
nice, you must take good care of it.
@@HomeGaragechannel Always! Maintenance is KEY to any brand.
I buy mowers from estate sales every now and then for $30~$40, take them home, clean the carbs and air filters, sharpen the blades, and sell them for $100 or more.
yep it's that's simple
Hey Home Garage, my trimmer is 12 years old, and the engine is not broken and still has life left in it, the problem is that when i start it i have to keep the throttle wide open slightly all the time, otherwise the engine will stall, and i looked at the carburetor (original) and their doesn't seem to be any screws to adjust the idle speed, so it has more fuel during that time, it's a JCB BC26 from 12 years ago, i don't want to give it up as it's light, doesn't vibrate badly, and still has really good power for it's age, and probably going to take it to a shop next week.
It isn't a huge trimmer, but it's good enough for a teenager to use it, with safety stuff on of course.
just need your advice, because i never plan on buying electric cars or equipment like lawn mowers trimmers and so on as engines do i better job at everything.
Let me know, thank you, and learning a lot!
sure thing, believe it or not, there is "1" fuel adjustment screw, it's right on the top, in the middle of the part that spins when you squeeze the throttle. It's in the middle of the Brass section, you'll need a smallish precision flathead to adjust it. I'd start by Turning it counterclockwise a quarter turn.
@@HomeGaragechannel okay, i appreciate the help, i don't normally have the time to do this stuff, so i will be taking it to a shop to get it fixed, but i'll be sure to take a look at it before hand.
I have a challenge for you for your next video, try and find one of these trimmers and and make a video on it, it'll be call to see, up to you.
Thank you!!!
3 years ago I also gave away my Honda. I was tired of it’s starting problems 😢
yes it's hard to live with an engine that's hard to start.
My newer Honda-powered Toro self-propelled motor claims to have an automatic choke. It also has no throttle. Once it starts it runs and cuts grass at constant engine speed. That's why the motor shuts off when you let go of the bar. The only issue I had with it this Spring was neglecting to shut off the fuel line last fall and not running the carb dry. The result was a lot of effort to get it to run and to run smoothly. Hopefully, after I use it it will clean up the carb, Sea Foam should help too.
yes I agree!
There great mowers, easy to work on. Would buy one or pick up a side of the road model any day, snow blowers too. They don't come to very often for a reason.
you are absolutely right!
I have not purchased a mover in over 10 years, my Honda has started first or second pull every year dot over 10 years. I have replaced the belt for sell propel but the problem was cable adjustment and that is the only thing I have done to it in over 10 years.
nice!
HRD 536 - Best mower I have ever owned.
thank you Bruce Boschek
I had a Craftsman self propelled mower with fixed throttle and primer bulb for choke and was hard to start. There weren’t any speed controls either. It moved when the lever was locked in place and stopped when released. I hated that mower. My next mower was a Honda harmony that someone gave me. It needed the carb cleaned and ran great. Every season the carb had to be blown out with compressed air and the rest of the season was a one pull wonder. I also throttled down before shutting it down if I was restarting again. For some reason it made a difference. I also shut off the gas valve before putting it away after each mow. No problems. The death of it was the plastic deck cracked and disintegrated from there.
wow, typically the decks only crack if the blade is damaged or the crankshaft is bent when make the engine vibrate more than usual
@@HomeGaragechannel It was an early one and they did have a problem with decks cracking.
Keep the mower !!!, my wife's uncle had one, which is around $500.00 !!!, great mower for professional landscaping business!!!
thank you B. Powell!
@@HomeGaragechannel your welcome 🙏 ☺
I find plenty of honda mowers each year. I fix and sell them. Some minor repairs, some major. Funny thing is the buyers frequently ask me "This honda never breaks, right?" or make a comment "they are like tanks and never break" as I laugh to myself.
LOL!!
Adjust the cable job done . Blame the American and the emissions laws, blame the retailer he should have adjusted the cable at PDI
I had exactly the same thing on the same engine 2 days ago. assessed the problem. I agree that the lube did the trick. BUT, when you lube external mower parts, 2 things happen. best case scenario is the lube doesn't last long. most likely though, the lube will attract dust particles, causing repeated fixing to be needed. soooo, after watching how the linkage interacted with itself, I decided that the lowest part of the linkage would be better served to avoid the little paddle shaped piece all together, so a 1/4" nudge of the screwdriver, I used a Phillips, but you could use a flat, torx, hex, or maybe even just a piece of metal, stray bolt, or if all else fails your finger (index preferably) will suffice.
on a serious note (yes I did exactly what I said above) I have had more problems with the Honda choke systems over the years. I've started hoarding the slide style from pressure washers and converting when possible.
yes you are correct. To get around that, I would lube it to fix it, then use compressed and carb cleaner to remove the lube. NO lube no dirt.
i feel like power more engines used on mtd machines have the best choke setup. they just use air from the flywheel to open the choke. it is nice to just be able to pull the cord and go. no messing around. definitely better than the setups found on briggs or honda.
thank you for sharing that
Hondas are great little mowers imo, you just need to take good care of them. As long as you keep fresh oil in them, fresh oil filter (if they have it) fresh air filter and the mower clean and you will get a good 10-20 years out of it. If you DONT take care of it regularly and keep its oil in good shape, then yeah its gonna grenade pretty fast. They are precision engines with high tolerances, most people fuck them up because they come from owning a 20 year old briggs and straton with tolerances so low you could run dirt through the intake and it would spit it out without much fuss.
The reason for the high tolerances is high power lower fuel consumption, better emissions (and sound pollution) and reliability (yes ironically enough the engine that is more prone to breaking down if you dont take care of it will probably start on the first pull its entire life with just simple regular oil changes). Dont get me wrong i love my little Briggs mower but i also have a tiny lawn that takes all of 5 minutes to push mow with the smallest little briggs mower available. The only advantage Briggs have over Hondas are price and weight. Hondas will be heavier (but will always be self propelled these days) and hondas will be more expensive to buy due to the tolerances.
agreed!
Never had issues with Honda. I'd recommend them
agreed!
I would have the same problem with my 2009 Honda HRX 217 with the GCV190 engine. My had the manual choke too. Especially when it would get colder outside close to the end of mowing season in IL. It would even get harder to start or just wouldn’t start because of the choke. So it every year I would need to fix it just to get the mower to start especially when I would fire it up for the first time of the year.
thank you for sharing that.
I bought a new cheap Briggs several years ago , main jet plugged many times fuel tank had fine dirt in it and screen in tank did nothing cleaned tank and put small inline filter , flawless now but super dirty tank when brand new
thanks for the tip
I would go with ome that had the adjustable throttle throttle. They allow you to give the motor a chance to warm up before before being wide open.
good choice and yes they do
I have the hrx and first was not happy not having control on throttle and choke but it starts with one one pull every time my issue is with the self propel I have the one with thumb controls pressing down makes it go the more you press the faster it goes but releasing the control it likes to stick and keep going
I see, have you considered lubricating the lever and cable?
@@HomeGaragechannel think maybe the belt may have stretched maybe there is adjustment in the pulley
Mine had a bad wax cylinder... replacing that fixed the choke. Mine has the cone transmission... I filled it with 90w gear oil and it leaps like a scalded dog! Replacing the belt was not fun IIRC... but mine's on its second decade now. I'll only buy Honda when I can.
yes these are well worth all the effort to fix them, and even though I groan about it, I'd still do it because it's worth it.
You did show putting the breather tube on the air filter assembly but I’m gathering you did, it’s nice for assistance mowing butsimple is better.😊
I didn't focus on install the tube, but you can see me use my long pliers to help install it