Honda Motor HRr2165vxa wont start

[Waterdoc]

Bought a Honda HRR2165VXA about four years ago. Last week it started to sputter under low idle and would only run under full throttle. Went to start it today and nothing. Checked the plug and its wet. Tried to see if I could get a spark to the plug by grounding it to the engine body, nothing. Looks like fuel is getting through the carb. Pulled of the carb, needle looks clean, throat body was clean, etc....

I downloaded the spring and throttle bar diagrams that someone else posted to make sure nothing slipped out of place. Everything is correct.

I have not replaced the plug, which will most likely be the fist thing I want to do. Any suggestions on how to trouble shoot this mower or the service manual would be great. Could not find a link to any manuals.

On a side question. How do the install the limited rotation needle valve on these carbs. Is the limiter something that is snapped onto the needle valve after its installed?

Thanks for all your help ahead of time.

 

[robert@honda]

Bought a Honda HRR2165VXA about four years ago. Last week it started to sputter under low idle and would only run under full throttle. Went to start it today and nothing. Checked the plug and its wet. Tried to see if I could get a spark to the plug by grounding it to the engine body, nothing.

How do the install the limited rotation needle valve on these carbs. Is the limiter something that is snapped onto the needle valve after its installed?

Thanks for all your help ahead of time.

Was the mower parked last season with any fuel in the tank? Modern ethanol fuels don't last much more than 30 days before they can plug up the jets or other small openings in the carburetor. Sometimes, drain out the old fuel, add fresh fuel and a fuel system cleaner. If you can get it running, the cleaner may resolve the issue, but often, the carburetor must be fully disassembled and cleaned.

Before you do that, you did say "no spark" so I'd try and new plug first and confirm you are getting spark (cheap and easy). If you can get spark, but still no start, it's likely a fuel problem. A whole new carburetor can sometimes be had for <$30, and save a lot of time and frustration. Be sure to replace all three gaskets to help avoid a vacuum leak.

The pilot (mixture) screw rarely needs adjustment or cleaning (you do not need to remove it to fully clean the carburetor). The pilot screw is tapered just below the head so the top part must be snapped off and the screw extracted if adjustment is required. A new screw must be installed (lightly seat, then 1 full turn out) and limiter tab glued onto the tip.

Here's a link (.PDF file) on how to really clean a Honda carburetor: How To Clean a Honda Carburetor

If you'll share the serial number off the back of the mower deck, I can lookup a carburetor P/N and list price:

 

[Waterdoc]

Here is my follow up.

Replaced the plug and checked for spark. Good

Put fuel in the plug hole, motor fires for a second or two.

Did this with the kill switch connected and disconnected, to eliminate a grounding issue at the switch.

Replaced the carburetor. Have fuel going to the Carb.

Motor will still not fire.

Springs and levers are all in place according to the schematics.

The only thing I can think of the gaskets are not in place correctly or that something is not properly moving into place when I put the choke into place to start it.

Is there a gasket schematic available?