Honda mower engine occasionally slows, shakes, & smokes on start-up

[MowerMark]

RECENT THREAD: http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/small...allation-honda-mower-few-other-questions.html

This abnormality hasn't happened in there weeks, but used to happen half the time on start-up, but never when the engine is hot: The engine starts with one pull, but runs at 10-25% speed, shakes, is louder, and the exhaust spits out smoke. I then turn off the engine, restart it, and if the problem recurs, repeat the sequence. After one to five of the these sequences, the problem goes away? the engine speeds up, and there's no visible exhaust. I called a local mower shop and the man said "your automatic choke must be sticking".

This problem has not recurred in the past few weeks, but thought I'd still post about it here to see:

1. What is causing this ?
2. Why doesn't it occur every time ?
3. Why does it seem the problem has gone away ?
4. Is damage being done when the engine malfunctions like this ?
5. The mower is still under warranty. Should it be submitted for repair at a time when the problem is not occurring ?
6. Is this issue something a simple homeowner could diagnose or treat ?

 

[PhilsSmallEngine]

1. What is causing this ?

The autochoke is most likely stuck. Jets could also be clogged a bit. The pro was correct as your mower exhibits the telltale problem with self priming autochoke and semi-autochoke engines and ethanol fuel.

2. Why doesn't it occur every time ?

The fuel you have in the system will slowly eat at the varnish and the vibration of the motor may unstick the float and needle until it glues back up

3. Why does it seem the problem has gone away ?

See number 2

4. Is damage being done when the engine malfunctions like this ?

You will consume more fuel, you will have poor power, you can flood the carb and destroy your air filter. The last isn't common, but I've seen it.

5. The mower is still under warranty. Should it be submitted for repair at a time when the problem is not occurring ?

You can, but you'll be out of a mower for 2+ weeks and get ready for Honda to fight you over covering the cost as this is usually your fault, not theirs. This is something you can fix yourself in about 15 minutes at the cost of some carb cleaner you should already have. Youtube has tons of great vids on Honda 160/190 carb cleaning.

6. Is this issue something a simple homeowner could diagnose or treat ?

See number 5. Also be sure to use high quality, minimal ethanol fuel and make sure you treat it with a marine grade fuel stabilizer ideally. Use Honda's shutoff valve if you don't plan to use it for a couple of weeks, there is a reason they put it on there. Fogging the carb/intake/engine at the end of the season will also minimize this problem with autochoke style carbs. The way you store the engine has a big impact on reliability later.

 

[exotion]

Mine also does this in the front of the plastic air housing you'll see a little notch while its running and smoking and lacking power I use my pinky reach in there and just move the choke thing that controls the butterfly and un sticks it solves the problem in the field spray some wd40 will last rest of day.

Solution clean the machine more thoroughly and more often

 

[MowerMark]

Few more questions

The autochoke is most likely stuck. Jets could also be clogged a bit. The pro was correct as your mower exhibits the telltale problem with self priming autochoke and semi-autochoke engines and ethanol fuel.

The fuel you have in the system will slowly eat at the varnish and the vibration of the motor may unstick the float and needle until it glues back up

See number 2

You will consume more fuel, you will have poor power, you can flood the carb and destroy your air filter. The last isn't common, but I've seen it.

You can, but you'll be out of a mower for 2+ weeks and get ready for Honda to fight you over covering the cost as this is usually your fault, not theirs. This is something you can fix yourself in about 15 minutes at the cost of some carb cleaner you should already have. Youtube has tons of great vids on Honda 160/190 carb cleaning.

See number 5. Also be sure to use high quality, minimal ethanol fuel and make sure you treat it with a marine grade fuel stabilizer ideally. Use Honda's shutoff valve if you don't plan to use it for a couple of weeks, there is a reason they put it on there. Fogging the carb/intake/engine at the end of the season will also minimize this problem with autochoke style carbs. The way you store the engine has a big impact on reliability later.

Thank you for such an excellent comprehensive reply.

Okay,

1. How do I remedy this myself using a carb cleaner ?
2. Which brand ?
3. How to use it ? Is there a youtube.com link for my model ?
4. Why is the shut off valve important ? When should it be turned off ?
5. What does it mean to "fog the carb/intake/engine and how is it done ?
6. Why would Honda assert this is my fault ? How did I cause this malfunction ?
7. "Store" the engine ? How is that done ?

 

[MowerMark]

Mine also does this in the front of the plastic air housing you'll see a little notch while its running and smoking and lacking power I use my pinky reach in there and just move the choke thing that controls the butterfly and un sticks it solves the problem in the field spray some wd40 will last rest of day.

Solution clean the machine more thoroughly and more often

Wonder if my model mower has this notch so that I can try your trick. My locksmith friends tell me that WD-40 is the third best lubricant (at least for locks). They strongly prefer #1, TriFlow, and second choice, LPS.

Why doesn't lubrication of this area solved the problem indefinitely ?

Perhaps Mr. Honda can chime in here and tell us more about the choke and sticky linkage.

 

[exotion]

It just gets dirty wd40 is the best because if it gets in your carb it'll burn triflow has stuff that won't burn... I just clean the area out frequently lube doesn't actually help just sprays the dirt off

 

[MowerMark]

It just gets dirty wd40 is the best because if it gets in your carb it'll burn triflow has stuff that won't burn... I just clean the area out frequently lube doesn't actually help just sprays the dirt off

Having trouble with your punctuation or absence of punctuation. You mean the BLOWING of a spray helps this sticking and not the lubrication ?

 

[exotion]

Having trouble with your punctuation or absence of punctuation. You mean the BLOWING of a spray helps this sticking and not the lubrication ?

New phone...

 

[robert@honda]

*If* the problems is indeed a sticking choke, and *if* the reason is because the choke or parts of it are defective, Honda would normally cover the cost of repairs on a unit that is under warranty.

Now *if* the sticking choke is due to grass clippings, debris, or some other external reason, that's not really a factory defect, so warranty would probably not apply.

Best solution is simply to get the mower to a dealer for a full inspection and evaluation. Be sure to communicate your desire with the dealer up front how you want to handle any repairs, e.g., only if covered under warranty or go ahead and repair even if not covered under warranty. Do this BEFORE you authorize them to do any billable work so there's no misunderstanding. Most shops will provide a free or low-cost estimate, as they want your business, warranty or not.

 

[MowerMark]

*If* the problems is indeed a sticking choke, and *if* the reason is because the choke or parts of it are defective, Honda would normally cover the cost of repairs on a unit that is under warranty.

Now *if* the sticking choke is due to grass clippings, debris, or some other external reason, that's not really a factory defect, so warranty would probably not apply.

Best solution is simply to get the mower to a dealer for a full inspection and evaluation. Be sure to communicate your desire with the dealer up front how you want to handle any repairs, e.g., only if covered under warranty or go ahead and repair even if not covered under warranty. Do this BEFORE you authorize them to do any billable work so there's no misunderstanding. Most shops will provide a free or low-cost estimate, as they want your business, warranty or not.

How does one make certain the area is clean ? Where is this "area" ? How does on know it's a sticky quote before bring it to a dealer ?