Honda HRN 216 Mower

[billroy1]

Hi,
I have a Honda HRN216VKAD, with the GCV170 engine bought new in the box from Home Depot on line this year. The engine model is GJAUA 2361122MY03 with a punch mark on the data plate and blue dot so the recalled camshaft on these engines was done I assume at the factory, Runs great, it leaks oil out of the valve cover (its not like they skimped on sealant either) easy fix, I can live with it for now and I plan to deal with the warantee at the end of the cutting season. My concern is that when it sits for a few days there is a puff of smoke when it starts. Maybe 12 hours on the engine, not above full mark on the stick, 10w-30 etc. Would think this indicates valve stem seal issues leaking oil into the cylander when it sits rather than rings Any thoughts,
If so thank you

 

[slomo]

Take it back immediately.

 

[billroy1]

Thank you,
Anybody else out the that is familiar with the GCV170 engine?

 

[sgkent]

no but I have a 20 year old Toro with a Briggs that has done that since new. Is your Honda one that stores on end? If it is enough that it concerns you, I would follow Slomo's advise. You know it leaks oil. That should not be happening. Might have been someone's first day on the job, or they had a hot date to get to and cut corners.

 

[Tiger Small Engine]

Thank you,
Anybody else out the that is familiar with the GCV170 engine?

That Honda engine is a really good engine. A puff of smoke on start up on older engines is normal. Not so much on a new engine. Realize that Honda got out of the gas self-propelled and push mower business about three years ago, so they probably won’t have another comparable mower to give you.

 

[billroy1]

Take it back immediately.

That Honda engine is a really good engine. A puff of smoke on start up on older engines is normal. Not so much on a new engine. Realize that Honda got out of the gas self-propelled and push mower business about three years ago, so they probably won’t have another comparable mower to give you.

I like the mower, I want to fix it, or at least figure out the cause, there seems to be a little oil getting into the cylinder when it sits, (puff of white smoke on startup after it sits a few days) I am think it be would be oil leaking thru the valve stem seals or the rings when it sits. Or could it be something else? It is a new engine. Would a compression test verify anything?

 

[Pitt]

That Honda engine is a really good engine. A puff of smoke on start up on older engines is normal. Not so much on a new engine. Realize that Honda got out of the gas self-propelled and push mower business about three years ago, so they probably won’t have another comparable mower to give you.

"Realize that Honda got out of the gas self-propelled and push mower business about three years ago, so they probably won’t have another comparable mower to give you."
Odd statement as I recently bought a HRX217HZA and just checked their website and they still have a bunch of different models:

 

[RevB]

Hi,
I have a Honda HRN216VKAD, with the GCV170 engine bought new in the box from Home Depot on line this year. The engine model is GJAUA 2361122MY03 with a punch mark on the data plate and blue dot so the recalled camshaft on these engines was done I assume at the factory, Runs great, it leaks oil out of the valve cover (its not like they skimped on sealant either) easy fix, I can live with it for now and I plan to deal with the warantee at the end of the cutting season. My concern is that when it sits for a few days there is a puff of smoke when it starts. Maybe 12 hours on the engine, not above full mark on the stick, 10w-30 etc. Would think this indicates valve stem seal issues leaking oil into the cylander when it sits rather than rings Any thoughts,
If so thank you

Is the oil level above the valve stems when not operating?

 

[billroy1]

"Realize that Honda got out of the gas self-propelled and push mower business about three years ago, so they probably won’t have another comparable mower to give you."
Odd statement as I recently bought a HRX217HZA and just checked their website and they still have a bunch of different models:

They stopped making them for sale in the US, Honda had 400k mowers built in the US with the recalled cam shaft in stock, I assume they rebuilt them at the factory, We got one of the last. mine has a punch mark on the engine data plate with a blue dot to indicate the defect was repaired. It leaks alots of oil out of the valve cover and seams to have a valve stem seal leak, otherwise a great mower

 

[billroy1]

Is the oil level above the valve stems when not operating?

They stopped making them for sale in the US, Honda had 400k mowers built in the US with the recalled cam shaft in stock, I assume they rebuilt them at the factory, We got one of the last. mine has a punch mark on the engine data plate with a blue dot to indicate the defect was repaired. It leaks alots of oil out of the valve cover and seams to have a valve stem seal leak, otherwise a great mower

Maybe mine is trying to send smoke signals to yours