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Brand New HRX217K6HZA

#1

T

tzk3jk

I took delivery of a brand new Honda HRX217K6HZA on May 12. 2023. After unpacking, I added the Honda oil (12 oz). I started it using the electric start. It started very easily. I cut my lawn (using mulch mode) and it worked fine with one exception. The speed, even at "max" was at a somewhat slow walk. I have a 17 year old Honda HRX217HMA that goes much faster. Maybe needs a cable adjustment, but I mention it only as an aside. After shutting off the mower to speak with a friend, I attempted to restart using the electric start. The starter engaged, but would not turn over the engine. Seemed like the battery was dead. But that couldn't be as I had just charged the battery for 30 minutes (this model has a self charging feature). Then I tried pull staring, but that did not work as I couldn't pull the cord. It just wouldn't allow a pull even with a really hard pull. At this point I took it to an authorized Honda dealer. First thing they said was "probably no oil". They checked the oil, it was full (but not over filled). Then they checked the air filter (no problem there). Then they attempted an electric start (no turnover). They said "battery isn't charged". Then they tried to pull start and realized what I was saying was correct. They wrote up a warranty repair and said it would be over 2 weeks before they would get to it. Then they said Honda will be suspicious of what I did to break it. The problem is like my Stihl chain saw which has a compression release. If you don't press the release it's hard to pull. Or like my Honda pressure washer that, if it doesn't start on the first pull you have to pull the trigger on the wand to release pressure so you can pull start. But my new mower doesn't just have a hard to pull start cord, you can't pull it period (other than maybe a foot out before it hard stops). So it's at the dealers. Any ideas? I wondered if the spark plug was removed would that release a trapped vapor lock? Thanks


#2

StarTech

StarTech

Might be hydro locked and removing the spark would clear that but if hydro locked it probably will do it again.

But since it is new I would let the dealer deal with the problem under warranty.


#3

B

bertsmobile1

Take it back after sending the dealr an EMAIL so you have a record to prove it was bad from new


#4

R

Right-tab

The problems you describe sound eerily similar to the HRX217 "decompression camshaft" fiasco over here on this thread:
www.lawnmowerforum.com

Mower won't pull start

Hello. I have a new Honda Model HRX217HYA with hydro drive and pull start. When trying to start with the throttle at FAST and blades disengaged, drive speed at zero, all as instructed, the engine kicks back. It is as if the engine pre ignites or back fires and pulls back on the pull rope so...
www.lawnmowerforum.com www.lawnmowerforum.com
Sounds like maybe Honda may issue a service recall of the faulty camshaft units?

As for the hydrostatic slow speed issue - that sounds like a separate issue of the transmission not being adjusted correctly. My HRC216 with the same transmission, also slowed after a couple of mows. After some investigating, the bolts that secure the speed cable lever worked loose and the transmission was not fully engaging. Readjusting and retightening the bolts, the transmission returned to its original speed.


#5

T

tzk3jk

Right-tab said:
The problems you describe sound eerily similar to the HRX217 "decompression camshaft" fiasco over here on this thread:
www.lawnmowerforum.com

Mower won't pull start

Hello. I have a new Honda Model HRX217HYA with hydro drive and pull start. When trying to start with the throttle at FAST and blades disengaged, drive speed at zero, all as instructed, the engine kicks back. It is as if the engine pre ignites or back fires and pulls back on the pull rope so...
www.lawnmowerforum.com www.lawnmowerforum.com
Sounds like maybe Honda may issue a service recall of the faulty camshaft units?

As for the hydrostatic slow speed issue - that sounds like a separate issue of the transmission not being adjusted correctly. My HRC216 with the same transmission, also slowed after a couple of mows. After some investigating, the bolts that secure the speed cable lever worked loose and the transmission was not fully engaging. Readjusting and retightening the bolts, the transmission returned to its original speed.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info. That sure sound like my problem also. I'll share with the dealer. Best regards, John


#6

W

Wolfepack88

tzk3jk said:
I took delivery of a brand new Honda HRX217K6HZA on May 12. 2023. After unpacking, I added the Honda oil (12 oz). I started it using the electric start. It started very easily. I cut my lawn (using mulch mode) and it worked fine with one exception. The speed, even at "max" was at a somewhat slow walk. I have a 17 year old Honda HRX217HMA that goes much faster. Maybe needs a cable adjustment, but I mention it only as an aside. After shutting off the mower to speak with a friend, I attempted to restart using the electric start. The starter engaged, but would not turn over the engine. Seemed like the battery was dead. But that couldn't be as I had just charged the battery for 30 minutes (this model has a self charging feature). Then I tried pull staring, but that did not work as I couldn't pull the cord. It just wouldn't allow a pull even with a really hard pull. At this point I took it to an authorized Honda dealer. First thing they said was "probably no oil". They checked the oil, it was full (but not over filled). Then they checked the air filter (no problem there). Then they attempted an electric start (no turnover). They said "battery isn't charged". Then they tried to pull start and realized what I was saying was correct. They wrote up a warranty repair and said it would be over 2 weeks before they would get to it. Then they said Honda will be suspicious of what I did to break it. The problem is like my Stihl chain saw which has a compression release. If you don't press the release it's hard to pull. Or like my Honda pressure washer that, if it doesn't start on the first pull you have to pull the trigger on the wand to release pressure so you can pull start. But my new mower doesn't just have a hard to pull start cord, you can't pull it period (other than maybe a foot out before it hard stops). So it's at the dealers. Any ideas? I wondered if the spark plug was removed would that release a trapped vapor lock? Thanks
Click to expand...
It's now a known issue with the camshaft. A service bulletin is coming but they have not manufactured enough replacement camshafts yet to fix this so they haven't released the service bulletin. I went through 3 mowers until I got a repair. No matter what you do if that is the problem it wont start. Here is a post from a Honda engineer on another forum.

"I am a model engineer for Honda Power Equipment. We are experiencing a high volume of HRX "K6" camshaft decompressor failures. I offer this information as a gesture of apology, but I am not here as an official representative of American Honda. I am a fellow lawn mower owner.

We are currently working through a supplier issue, but we are on top of getting replacement parts supply to rectify the situation along with a service bulletin. If anyone has any questions, you are more than welcome to contact me directly, but I am not here officially."


#7

T

tzk3jk

Wolfepack88 said:
It's now a known issue with the camshaft. A service bulletin is coming but they have not manufactured enough replacement camshafts yet to fix this so they haven't released the service bulletin. I went through 3 mowers until I got a repair. No matter what you do if that is the problem it wont start. Here is a post from a Honda engineer on another forum.

"I am a model engineer for Honda Power Equipment. We are experiencing a high volume of HRX "K6" camshaft decompressor failures. I offer this information as a gesture of apology, but I am not here as an official representative of American Honda. I am a fellow lawn mower owner.

We are currently working through a supplier issue, but we are on top of getting replacement parts supply to rectify the situation along with a service bulletin. If anyone has any questions, you are more than welcome to contact me directly, but I am not here officially."
Click to expand...
I created a case file with Honda this morning to see what they have to say officially. Thanks for your comment. Best regards, John

Attachments


  • https:crrs.secure.force.com:service:pew2c.pdf
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#8

W

Wolfepack88

tzk3jk said:
I created a case file with Honda this morning to see what they have to say officially. Thanks for your comment. Best regards, John
Click to expand...
Bro, that engineer that was trying to help people is now in trouble it seems because you put the post I showed you to help you in the actual case file you opened with Honda when the engineer was writing in an unofficial capacity. That wasn't really cool to out him like that when he is trying to help.


#9

S

slomo

Wolfepack88 said:
Bro, that engineer that was trying to help people is now in trouble it seems because you put the post I showed you to help you in the actual case file you opened with Honda when the engineer was writing in an unofficial capacity. That wasn't really cool to out him like that when he is trying to help.
Click to expand...
I don't see the issue. Let the truth come out. Either make a good mower or move aside.

Not to brand bash but is it just me or..... is Honda slipping in mower quality the last 3-5 years? I have no mower stake in the game. Only have one Snapper pusher with a Honda GXV160 engine is all I own Honda. Lots of autochoke, can't pull backwards (really??? 2023??) and now this engine problem posts on here.


#10

T

tzk3jk

This is a public forum. You should know better than to make an issue of this. Nobody was "outed". If that engineer was making proprietary information public by posting it on this forum then that is a risk he was assuming. I doubt the truth of your comment.


#11

W

Wolfepack88

Yes he took that risk but copying his whole comments and putting it in your case file wasn't a great thing to do. He PM'd and asked me if I contacted Honda and shared that post with them and I said I did not. To me you could have made the case to Honda with the knowledge you obtained without having to post the his full commentary. Free country so you can do what you want but he tried to help outside of the normal process and now will suffer some internal heat. I just think you could have accomplished your service need without having to post his entire commentary. I'm sure he will never make the mistake again.


#12

T

tzk3jk

You were the one who posted his comments. You made his comments public. You made them available to me without caution that no one else should see them even though YOU posted them on a PUBLIC forum. YOU POSTED HIS COMMENTARY. ON A PUBLIC FORUM.


#13

W

Wolfepack88

Did you not read "...If anyone has any questions, you are more than welcome to contact me directly, but I am not here officially." I tried to help you understand the issue by letting you know they know. No good deed goes unpunished as they say. I would have thought it was obvious not to copy it and put in your case file. I posted his comments from this public forum to help you. I guess I should have said have said hey don't copy it in your case file. I just feel bad for a guy that was trying to help out and cut through the red tape.


#14

A

activelife92

tzk3jk said:
You were the one who posted his comments. You made his comments public. You made them available to me without caution that no one else should see them even though YOU posted them on a PUBLIC forum. YOU POSTED HIS COMMENTARY. ON A PUBLIC FORUM.
Click to expand...
Quit trying to justify your actions on this one man. He was a huge help to a number of us, myself included. Now he’s in trouble with his company, and it seems like you were the catalyst for that. Just take the L, have some humility and admit your wrong.

We had someone willing to help us on a much more personal level, but that’s gone now.


#15

T

tzk3jk

I thought some of you might be interested in my experience after the cam recall repair was completed. The lawn mower (HRX217K6HZA) ran ok, but just over a year after the cam recall repair was completed the engine seized. Yes, the oil was filled to the proper level.

The Honda dealer (not the one who did the cam recall repair) told me it would take 3 months because they had to order parts to rebuild the engine since Honda wasn't selling complete engines anymore. After 3 months the repair was completed, and Honda covered the cost under warranty.

The dealer also said there were 2 recalls. One was for the cam. The other was for the seized engine. I can't find any recall other than for the cam, but if anyone has an engine seize up it may be covered under the 5-year residential warranty. That's assuming of course that the oil level was properly maintained and there were no other abuses.

It's ironic the trouble I've experienced with this mower. I have an 18-year-old Honda mower (HRX217HMA), self maintained, that is still running perfectly with no oil usage.


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