Honda 4514 only 14hp - maybe but....

[landcruiser]

I just bought a Honda 4514/14hp/42" deck and Cub Cadet 2164/16hp Vanguard/42" deck. Intended on repairing minor issues with both mowers then keep one for myself. I used the Cub first and it mows and operates great. The next week I mowed my yard with the Honda. Lord have mercy!!! That is the strongest 14hp motor I have ever used!!! It will cut circles around the 16hp Vanguard. Don't get me wrong the Vanguard is sweet, powerful and smooth - until you use the Honda. It is incredible. If the Vanguard is a true 16hp, then the Honda is somewhere around 30hp?, 40hp? who knows.........?

[Smalltimer1]

The Honda is a inline 2 cylinder design. My 3813 is down with a bum starter (which costs $350). I've heard good things about it but I haven't had the chance to get it going. I had a 3810 6 years ago which also had the starter crap out on it, so I think its natural for these Honda riders to eat starters.

[landcruiser]

smalltimer1, have you tried removing the starter and see exactly what is wrong with it? I haven't repaired one on these Honda riders specifically, nor have I looked to closely at their starters but it is VERY common for japanese starters to have a plate toward the rear kind of shaped like a house with 2-3 screw in it. If you remove this plate there is some easily repairable brushes or contacts inside. I was told of this on a 86 Toyota pickup when I went to buy a new starter. The fellow at the parts counter told me, "those Toyota starters almost never go out, they just need the brushes replaced". Then he told me how to get to them and he was right, for about $10-$15 at the Toyota place for brushes it worked like new again. I'll look at my Honda 4514 today and see if it has this "house-shaped" plate on it.

[Smalltimer1]

smalltimer1, have you tried removing the starter and see exactly what is wrong with it? I haven't repaired one on these Honda riders specifically, nor have I looked to closely at their starters but it is VERY common for japanese starters to have a plate toward the rear kind of shaped like a house with 2-3 screw in it. If you remove this plate there is some easily repairable brushes or contacts inside. I was told of this on a 86 Toyota pickup when I went to buy a new starter. The fellow at the parts counter told me, "those Toyota starters almost never go out, they just need the brushes replaced". Then he told me how to get to them and he was right, for about $10-$15 at the Toyota place for brushes it worked like new again. I'll look at my Honda 4514 today and see if it has this "house-shaped" plate on it.

This starter has to be removed by taking the whole starter off which means pulling the engine. Brushes were attempted by previous owner to no avail, that's why I got it for $40.

[landcruiser]

Hey smalltimer1, just wanted to give you a "heads up" on a starter to fit a Honda 4514H on eBay. I assume it will fit your 3813? Anyway, the eBay auction # is 4385053683 and it has a starting bid of $50. Thought this may help you get yours going and save some money. For the record, you DO NOT have to remove the engine to replace the starter. The Honda service manual says you have to remove the engine to replace the timing belt also and you don't. I am replacing the timing belt on my 4514 and I didn't have to remove the engine. I was able to get the rear engine cover off and take it out the bottom once I took the deck off. With this off you can replace the timing belt, starter and water pump easily. Just an FYI.

[Smalltimer1]

There's a person coming to look at mine tomorrow. Just don't have time to work on it. He wants the deck but says he'd take the whole tractor for parts for his, or fix this one up and use his for parts if mine is in better shape.

[Smalltimer1]

I ended up buying a 4514 Sunday and I'm going to go pick it up on Friday. It runs great and the starter works fine....so no problems there. It only needs a tune up, tensioner knob, and deck belt replaced. Other than that it runs so smooth a glass of water would not vibrate on the hood.