Mower doesn't start right away-if I wait about 5 minutes, then it will start. I am mowing weeds and dirt so I am guessing it is dirty inside. My friend has offered to spray the carburetor. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated. Model No. HRS216K3PDA
Assuming the engine internals (piston, rings, valves, etc.) are okay, then poor running or hard starting is usually no spark or a fuel delivery issue.
Spark check is easy. Remove spark plug, snap it back into the cap/wire, hold it by the rubber area and ground the l-shaped tip against the metal part of the engine block. Have a helper pull the cord a few times and look for any spark. Note the blades spin when the recoil starter is being pulled, so keep hands and feet, etc. away from the mower deck / blades.
If you have good spark, then there's likely an issue with the fuel/air delivery. This could be a dirty carburetor, missing or not working choke/control arm linkage, etc. A new carb is very cheap (<$20) and I'd suggest flushing the fuel tank, use fresh fuel, and install a new carb, gaskets, air filter, spark plug, etc. to establish a good working baseline of critical parts. Here's a link to find a Honda dealer who can get you parts:
Find A Honda Dealer
A shop manual can be invaluable too; free shipping direct from Honda:
Honda Shop Manual - Amazon.com
