Honda HRR216

17 years ago

One of my son's buddies gave him a 'lightly-used' Honda mower for his new house. We were trying to diagnose it over the phone because he couldn't get it started - you know why - stored for two years without draining the gas. After draining it through the carb bowl and putting in fresh gas, still no start, but he got a strong gas smell out of the muffler. Obviously, gas is getting in, but no fire. He had to go to Sears to get tools to take the plug out. He also stated the oil was black. I'm thinking 'Lightly used?'. I got him to change the oil before trying to start it again, which he did, thinking he would change it again after one use. He got the old plug out, which was terribly fouled. This was a surprise to me, as my OPE spark plugs are generally 'for life'. My 2-cycle plugs don't even get dirty. Anyway, he put the new plug in and the thing fired on the first pull. I have him using my 'witches brew' in the gas (Sta-Bil + MMO), so it will be clean before long. The good news is that it blew no oil smoke, doesn't vibrate, doesn't leak and runs like new. Pretty good for free! I expect he will be cutting his yard this evening. I congratulated him for hanging in there and solving it himself rather than taking it to the shop. What is still undetermined is why the plug fouled in the first place. It could be running rich, but I highly suspect the previous owner ran it with the choke on, a common occurrence with the type of throttle lever where 'choke' is all the way down just past 'fast', with no clear detent between the two. I constantly am checking this myself on the LB 10550 - very easy to get the choke a little closed when trying to get full throttle. Most of the complaints of poor running on 10323s and 10550s are because of this operator error.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

like_my_yard
17 years ago
My neighbor had a HRR216 that his son had put weedeater fuel mix in (Dad didn't know this). He tried to get/keep it running for at least 2 hours. Finally brought it over to me and asked for help. I took off the gas cap, you could smell the fuel mix in thr tank. We tipped it over and drained the tank. The spark plug was really fouled out.
Cleaned the plug,changed the oil and put fresh gas/oil in it. When we started it, all the insects within a half mile were killed. Still running to this day
0
bill_kapaun
17 years ago
I'd also check the air cleaner. If they didn't change oil, it's unlikely anything else was maintained.
0
Related Discussions
Honda hrr216 wheels lock when making a turn
Q
Comments (13)
Basically any good grease, but I like to stay on the lighter side. Those axle-end gears/ratchets have to be cleaned and lubed yearly. You can use the spray can of white lithium grease sold most places, even Wal Mart. Use the straw that comes with it and really dope it up. The HRR216 is a nice mower. I just finished re-habbing my stepson's. I put new wheels on, including the new-style front wheels with ball bearings, a new blade set, spark plug, changed oil and air filter, cleaned/lubed the rear end and got him a mulch plug and side discharge chute. They got it from his wife's mom who gave up housekeeping and all it had was a bag, no plug or chute. Plus, a general cleaning/fixing-up. It has some hours on it but runs fine. I still don't think it's going to be around but a few more years. Grass had been allowed to build up and the discharge port housing is very close to being rusted out. The job I did on it would have cost way more than its worth at a shop, but when I take it over there I'll just say 'Happy Father's Day'! BTW, I found a really good mower cleaner - car wheel cleaner! Safe for aluminum, painted surfaces and polymers. Wet down mower, spray the cleaner on, use a soft-bristle brush all over, hose off - you're done.
...See More
Honda HRR216VXA bent crankshaft/repair ideas
Q
Comments (14)
If you want to try straightening the crank I would strongly recommend that you find a shop with the equipment and skills to handle the job. Not all shops will straighten the crank by bending out of concerns about liability but some do. I don't know if there is a strong financial argument for swapping out the motor. The engine will cost $364 plus shipping. A new Toro Super Recycler 20092 can be purchased for under just $500.00 From your message I'm not clear on whether you owned the mower since new or just acquired it. If you just got it, it is worth considering that the thumb speed control setup receives mixed comments.
...See More
honda hrr216 sp dosen't work
Q
Comments (1)
It is so hard to see what is going on regarding these cables from the underside. In short, if the belt is on the pulleys and the lever is being pulled over far enough- I would think it be in the box.
...See More
RE: Honda HRR216VXA blade slowing
Q
Comments (8)
Go back to the place that fixed it, jump up and down, and complain. If no response, wait for other customers to come in, then make a real fuss, and maybe they will fix it correctly! They have evidently done something wrong. Maybe they gave a favorite nephew a Christmas time job, and his brain is messed up by too much mary j. Do not attempt to fix it yourself! they can and will accuse you of doing something wrong to make them look bad, or some other excuse. Most good dealers and repair shops do stand by their work, and will readily fix a goof-up, if it is their fault! But some places like to sell lots of parts, and do so with no qualms, even if the part wasn't bad. There should be an "idler pulley" somewhere in the blade belt workings, that can be pushed back against the belt tension, to remove the blade belt. If you aren't mechanically inclined, best take it back to the guy who fixed it the first time.
...See More
1saxman
Original Author
17 years ago
'I'd also check the air cleaner. If they didn't change oil, it's unlikely anything else was maintained.'

All obvious trouble spots were checked. I now believe that thinning of the oil (reducing to 10W base stock) from never changing oil (it was like black ink) is what fouled the plug and probably combustion chamber and valves too. This is one of the potential drawbacks of using multi-vis oil, but all drawbacks are nullified by regular changes. It'll get clean over time with my gas mix. This engine also has the typical early GCV oil leak around the governor shaft at the left rear of the engine - mainly an appearance issue.
0
mike9476
17 years ago
Properly mixed weedwacker mix shouldn't foul a plug that badly. I have often run leftover weedeater or snowblower 2-stroke gas in a 4-stroker. It barely even smokes most times. They must have put standard motor oil in it or something.
0
nevada_walrus
17 years ago
Saxman, I would be inclined to agree with Bill on the air filter. GC filters do a better job of filtering then most brands. It will intercahnge with the Brigg Quantum Power filter size wise and the brigs will last much longer, but will allow dirt to pass.

The GC filter is a sorta lime green. The very outer rim will remain the original color most times and when the rest of entry side has any discoloration it is time to replace. They will richen up the fuel mix very quickly once going off color and foul the plug. They won't be all packed in with crud, just off color because they stop all dirt from passing.

You can trade engine life while gaining filter and plug time by using the Briggs filter but the Honda filter is no more if not actually less to purchase so I would advise to just replace them more often.
0
1saxman
Original Author
17 years ago
Good thoughts on the filter. It's been replaced now but certainly could have caused a problem in the past. I didn't know they were that sensitive on a GCV.
0

Honda HRR216

Comments (6)

like_my_yard

bill_kapaun

Related Discussions

1saxman
Original Author

mike9476

nevada_walrus

1saxman
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Honda HRR216

Comments (6)

like_my_yard

bill_kapaun

Related Discussions

1saxmanOriginal Author

mike9476

nevada_walrus

1saxmanOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

1saxman
Original Author

1saxman
Original Author