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I have a Honda HRR2167VXA mower that has recently developed a bad vibration. The blades have been replaced, so I do not suspect that to be the issue. The vibration is worse when the mower is started up, and it smooths out some when the blade is engaged. The self propelled drive seems to be working fine. I have not begun to tear the mower apart, thought I would seek some advice first.

Check engine bolts for proper torque.

Possible carb needle sticking open causing a rich condition adding vibes??

Pull the oil stick and smell for fuel. Report back here.

Engine bolts are good and tight, do not have specs for proper torque.

Will look into carb issues, but it starts, runs strong (other than vibration).

Oil looks fine and does not have any odor other than oil, and is not off color.

No, have never pulled the engine shroud, will do this in the next couple of days. Do not have a service manual for this mower, does anyone have one they could forward to me?

I'd measure the distance on the blade tip to a known spot then do the other side. Make sure that the blade or crankshaft is not bent.

Dioldguy said:

Will look into carb issues, but it starts, runs strong (other than vibration).

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Sounds okay. Possible grass clippings/mud on the blade throwing the blade out of balance. Flip the deck up and see if you have a wire or lawn trash on the blade. Put a cinder block on the handle to hold the mower up for you.

Make a youtube video of this and post it here.

Crankshaft is bent, a couple of my kids cut the grass with this, nobody will admit to hitting something, but it obviously happened. Watched a youtube video on how to change the crankshaft out, Can anyone share their experience of doing so?

Dioldguy said:

Crankshaft is bent, a couple of my kids cut the grass with this, nobody will admit to hitting something, but it obviously happened. Watched a youtube video on how to change the crankshaft out, Can anyone share their experience of doing so?

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That 'll do it. Bend the crank. Vibe city.

Look at Steve's small engine repair on YT. He recently showed alleviating a bent crank. Not a full fix, but made it workable and avoided a teardown.

I'd look on facebook market place to see if anyone has a similar honda with a good motor. Might cost less in time to grab an engine from something like that than rebuild yours. If you aren't comfortable rebuilding a mower engine, might be an interesting project learning even if you fail. I'd watch a bunch of James Condon videos on you tube. He does about one a week and rebuilds maybe four or five engines a year. There are springs and things on the exterior that need to go back into the same spot. Take lots of photos before you begin if you go that route.

Dioldguy said:

Crankshaft is bent, a couple of my kids cut the grass with this, nobody will admit to hitting something, but it obviously happened. Watched a youtube video on how to change the crankshaft out, Can anyone share their experience of doing so?

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Not worth the time and money normally to replace bent crankshaft on a Honda Gcv160 or 190. Do your best to straighten it if possible.

Thanks to all that replied. Watched the videos and will give straightening a try. Gonna be a couple of weeks going on vacation. Will post when I have tried to straighten it. Thanks again!

Honda engines command a good price when they are offered for resale. If you don't get the crankshaft straightened, you could use a HF vertical mower engine to replace the Honda. Good places to look for a used engine seem to be Facebook and Craigs list web sites. Likely you can find a new replacement crankshaft if you want, but the marginal cost for parts is pretty high compared to that of used parts, such as from ebay or amazon. A local dealer can probably get a new replacement and a tube of Hondabond to seal things back up.
The actual work is not difficult, but you will have to remove the flywheel and the output shaft pulley, and take the pan/sump off for access to the cam and connecting rod. You can likely find a 'service or shop manual' with specifications for clearance and torque values online.
tom

Dioldguy said:

I have a Honda HRR2167VXA mower that has recently developed a bad vibration. The blades have been replaced, so I do not suspect that to be the issue. The vibration is worse when the mower is started up, and it smooths out some when the blade is engaged. The self propelled drive seems to be working fine. I have not begun to tear the mower apart, thought I would seek some advice first.

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Did you balance the blades ? Blades are not balanced in production. In my 10 years of commercial mowing, I only have about one out of 25 blades that are reasonably close to being balanced. A friend of mine bought a new mower, and was complaining about a vibration so bad he was going to take the mower back to the dealer. I had him bring to me, I removed and balanced the blades, and the vibration was gone.

Honda cranks are cheap compared to Briggs or Kohler but it looks like they are trying to catch up. A few years ago they were about $39.00 now they are about $89.00.
To replace the crank I found easiest to remove the blower housing and flywheel, remove blade and adapter and trans drive pulley, now unbolt engine and drain the oil out of the dipstick hole. Turn engine upside down remove the valve cover, the pin that the cam turns on. and the governor arm from the shaft, now remove the six bolts the hold the oil pan to cylinder asembly. Note pry notches on each side.
To reassemle reverse procedure. Be careful when reassembling crankcase halves I like to reinstall the cam before putting the halves together. Timing = Piston at TDC note arrows and cam has two flats the align with the edge of the block. also be sure bottom washer is turned with correctly. Not really a bad job but imtimidating for a first timer. Question just ask.