Thanks everyone. I settled with the dealer for a new HRX217HYA for $500 plus tax. That was the quickest way to get back mowing without taking a total loss. I have already rented a mower once, and I went way longer than I should have before doing that. So, my options were limited by the need to have a mower asap. I still have the option to try to get back money from Honda. The main thing I have going for me would be that the dealer put in the warranty claim, and Honda's own dealer's documentation asserted the problem was caused by a defective seal of the pcv hose. Of course, they could be framing the problem, just as a cya for their own mistake. I don't think that happened. I do think they made some mistakes in what they did or didn't do in the first repair, which may have contributed to or largely caused the problem. I don't know enough about engines, but, at the least, they didn't catch what they later claimed to be the issue, returned a mower that was smoking, and didn't document any issue with the smoking. Once the mower was returned, higher-ups in the company became involved in assessing what took place. I don't think those people would risk their job over this issue. From what I understand, they submitted over 50 photos to Honda to prove the problem was a manufacturing defect. I do not have access to those photos or what was submitted. I was told they show the pcv hose was not sealed. It was not completely off and couldn't be seen to be off by naked eye. The dealer believes the unsealed pcv hose is what caused the problem, and that it happened long term. Evidently, from what they say, Honda claimed it looked like it was forced off (can't imagine that to be true, certainly not be me), and the problem was due to improper maintenance, implying mower was used without a filter (definitely not true). I have lost much respect for Honda. So, I will likely not let this go. My guess is that whatever case manager who first reviewed the claim made a quick decision it was not a manufacturing defect, and was unwilling to back down from his decision after more evidence was presented. Otherwise, Honda might just has a policy of always trying to get out of warranty claims and blaming the owner. As sgkent wrote, "if all any manufacturer had to do was say you screwed it up then nothing would ever be covered under a warranty would it?" That seems like what is a happening. Honda is refusing to accept its own dealer's assessment of what took place, and either blaming me or the dealer. Since I only now what the dealer tells me, I don't know what Honda might be claiming about the repair. However, since it is an authorized service center for Honda, I assume they aren't blaming the dealer because that might be held against Honda. I might just try a BBB claim against Honda. That would involve no cost and not much time. Even if I lose, the complaint will be on Honda's record. The dealer I am using is also for Stihl, John Deere, and others.. From what they said, Honda is awful on warranty claims compared to anyone else. And yes, I don't exactly understand how sand got into engine from unsealed pcv hose, but that is what they are claiming. I do see some references on internet to that possibly happening. I do mulch leaves which can be dusty. Thanks again everyone.