You can buy a new carb for 15 bux here; http://planopower.com/store/honda/hrs216_hrr216_hrt216_carburetor.php

I don't even bother cleaning these carbs any longer......

 

You can buy a new carb for 15 bux here; http://planopower.com/store/honda/hrs216_hrr216_hrt216_carburetor.php

I don't even bother cleaning these carbs any longer......

Yeap, I saw that, and will pro get one, from a dealer around here...I was just seeing if there is anything else I can do, because I also have to get a new blade clutch control lever/cable. Thanks though!

 

The low speed passage is likely corroded inside which all the soaking in the world won't clear it out.....

 

Spray seafoam directly into the carb threw airfilter housing while its running. Keep spraying (use a old windex bottle to spray it with) and dont stop until it coughs and sounds terrible. Then sprsy until it is to much to keep running and stalls. Spray more with motor off.Let it sit overnight and fire it up.it will idle and run like new.

 

The low speed passage is likely corroded inside which all the soaking in the world won't clear it out.....

I figured something like that is the problem. Just wanted to know if their was anything I could do before buying a new carb. Thanks.

Spray seafoam directly into the carb threw airfilter housing while its running. Keep spraying (use a old windex bottle to spray it with) and dont stop until it coughs and sounds terrible. Then sprsy until it is to much to keep running and stalls. Spray more with motor off.Let it sit overnight and fire it up.it will idle and run like new.

I've got a can of Seafoam and didnt even think of using it...Ill try this ina bit! Thanks guys.

So far Ive spent roughly $10 for a mower that retails for a few hundred, I think I win

 

Whoa, hold on a sec. You say it is surging when idle with the blades disengaged? But it gets smooth when you engage the blades?
Don't fix anything. That's just what all these machines do to some extent or another. Your surge does sound a little extreme, and a replacement carb is in your future, but if it doesn't surge when running at speed, and it doesn't stall at idle, don't mess with it.
When you replace the carb, it will still surge a little at idle. It will probably improve a bit, but not much. That's just normal for these machines.

 

Whoa, hold on a sec. You say it is surging when idle with the blades disengaged? But it gets smooth when you engage the blades?
Don't fix anything. That's just what all these machines do to some extent or another. Your surge does sound a little extreme, and a replacement carb is in your future, but if it doesn't surge when running at speed, and it doesn't stall at idle, don't mess with it.
When you replace the carb, it will still surge a little at idle. It will probably improve a bit, but not much. That's just normal for these machines.

Okay, Im not used to Honda motors, nor any small engine repair shops around here. Yea, once I engage the blades it runs fine. It's just weird...I'm so used to a smooth running motor lmao. Thanks

 

Seafoam Baby

 

That's just what all these machines do to some extent or another. That's just normal for these machines.

Huh ????

You must not know what a correct running Honda engine sounds like ?

I've got a whole rental fleet of all model Honda engines and NONE surge at any RPM, NO engine is supposed to surge...... If it does it's due to a lean running carb in most cases. Continuous surging is only wearing the governor shaft-throttle shaft and linkage out quicker......

Seafoam Baby

Baaahahaha !!!

 

Not all Honda engines, just these HRX machines with the BBC. Every one I've seen new out of the box surges at idle from its first tank of gas. No way it is a carb issue shipped like that.
I do agree that the surging in the video was pretty extreme, and it would get a bit better with new carb.

I don't think it is strictly related to the low RPM, just that there is almost no flywheel weight on these setups with the clutch disengaged.
If there were a real lean condition, it would surge with the blade engaged too.

And you're right. Cleaning these carbs really isn't worth the effort at the replacement cost.

 

Well...... I guess I've got the only one on the planet that doesn't surge at idle in my work bay this very minute, And it's the same exact model C & T is work'n on. I've worked on many of these and never had one leave surging, The mentioned one came in with a bent crank but still idles/runs like it should....

 

So far Ive spent roughly $10 for a mower that retails for a few hundred, I think I win

Just because they retail for what dollar amount doesn't mean yours is worth that.
If you were to try and sell it, you would get nowhere retail for it.
Not even close, and that's if it's in good, running condition.
And you need to calculate your labor, too.
Plus transport costs, I am sure by now you're up to between $50 and $70.
Buy that carburetor, add another $15 PLUS shipping AND about another hour labor.
You're fast closing in on $100.

Nothing in this world is free.

But it is a Honda, and that HRR is a nice mower that sold new for $400.
If only because of that, I'll side with you and say you probably did win.

 

Just because they retail for what dollar amount doesn't mean yours is worth that.
If you were to try and sell it, you would get nowhere retail for it.
Not even close, and that's if it's in good, running condition.
And you need to calculate your labor, too.
Plus transport costs, I am sure by now you're up to between $50 and $70.
Buy that carburetor, add another $15 PLUS shipping AND about another hour labor.
You're fast closing in on $100.

Nothing in this world is free.

But it is a Honda, and that HRR is a nice mower that sold new for $400.
If only because of that, I'll side with you and say you probably did win.

Oh, I know. I know it isn't worth that much. I don't plan on selling any of the 3 atm either. Labor cost isn't anything either as I'm just doing it when I'm bored...plus I'm learning. Been quite awhile since I've worked on any small engine, so it's more fun for me than work. Thanks.

 

May I ask you on your honda fleet do you ever see the motors smoke and then seem to just stop smoking and seem normal? Also and this may seem strange but my HRR216 seems to run smoother on 87 octane as opposed to 93.Actualy ran rough on 93!

 

May I ask you on your honda fleet do you ever see the motors smoke and then seem to just stop smoking and seem normal? Also and this may seem strange but my HRR216 seems to run smoother on 87 octane as opposed to 93.Actualy ran rough on 93!

If thats towards me, I can't answer at the moment as only one is running. The one that is kinda running doesn't smoke at all though. I'll be working on the other one in a bit to see if she'll start. I think I read somewhere that Honda like 87 octane more....but don't quote me on that.

 

Had the same problem on my HRC 216. Cleaned the air vent on the gas cap and problem went away. Worth a try.

 

Have a 1 year old Honda HRX, was surging from day one when idling with blades not engaged. Installed new ($15) carburetor and it is running perfect now.

 

Surging usually indicates the fuel/air ratio is wrong, often a too-lean condition.

Keep in mind, too-lean can mean TWO issues: not enough fuel OR too much air.

Replacing or absolute cleaning of the carburetor usually resolves the "not enough fuel" problem. If the engine continues to surge, it's likely getting too much air, a.k.a., vacuum leak. To avoid this, never re-use gaskets, always replace with new ones, and be sure to snug down on the carburetor mounting bolts.

It's easy enough to confirm a vacuum leak. When the engine is running, spraying a little bit of carb cleaner around the outside of the carburetor/intake areas will cause the engine to smooth out briefly when the fuel/air ratio is momentarily at the perfect mix.

-Robert@Honda
Caveat: I work for Honda, but the preceding is my opinion alone.

 

I am so pissed I bought this specific mower. I swear my thumb hurts for two days every week after I mow the yard. I absolutely HATE with a passion the way the self propel works on this mower. Worst design ever!!!!!

 

100% true. I immediately took mine to a dealer and asked if they could or would replace that stupid clutch arrangement with a non-spring loaded side mount lever like on my old Snapper. You would have thought I'd asked them to poke their eye out. And surging! Just like so many others, surges at idle and settles down under load. And has from the start. With clean Stabil gas and clean air filter. Let me add my voice to M50V - worst design ever!!!!!!