Honda HRB216 clicks when walking forward

[LawnBoy97]

Hi, I just picked up this quite beat up Honda HRB216 off of craigslist. The guy said that it didn't run very well, but when it did run everything works. Anyways, I got it home and pulled a few times on the rope and it did start after a few coughs, and just seemed pretty sluggish and backfired a few times. The blade clutch works, as well as the transmission, but when I had the mower off and was walking it to the backyard I noticed a click coming from the transmission, but only while walking forward. I know that these transmissions tend to have some issues, so I was just wondering if this is going to be a problem or if it could be fixed. Thanks

 

[charley95]

This is normal, nothing to worry about.

 

[robert@honda]

When you engage the self-propel, the transmission axle (blue) turns clockwise in this view (left side of the mower):

The ratchet spring (green) pushes the ratchet key (yellow) slightly away from the axle. The ratchet key spins inside the middle part (purple) of the pinion gear (pink) and the sharp edge of the ratchet key is pushed into in any one of the three notches (red dots), causing the the pinion gear to also turn clockwise.

The outer teeth of the turning pinion gear then mesh with a larger gear (not visible) on the inside of each rear wheel making it turn counter-clockwise, propelling the mower forward.

When the engine is off or the drive clutch released, the transmission axle does not turn, nor do the ratchet keys. So when you manually push the mower, the large gear (not visible) inside the wheel now forces the pinion gear to turn, but the curve/slope (purple) inside the pinion gear allows it to "click" over the not-moving ratchet key. This is what causes the normal clicking sound from the rear wheels.

With the engine and and drive engaged, you may also hear the clicking if manually push the mower faster than the drive speed.

 

[LawnBoy97]

Wow, Thanks! That helps a lot. This is my first honda with a working transmission, so I just wasn't sure On another note, I just cleaned out the carburetor and now the engine seems to RACE. I don't think i messed with any of the governor components, but it seems to be running way too fast. I'll try and upload a video.

UPDATE: well I guess I had just put the metal guard in the wrong way, causing the governor to be jammed. So I got it flipped around and unfortunately it is still running sluggishly and hunting and surging. I think I have a good gcv160 that I could swap out though.