Honda Ride-On runs rough and won't start when warm

[JoeSmith]

Hi All

I've got a Honda HF2417-HME ride-on which is essential for keeping down the acre+ of grass at our home. It's been brilliant up until this season but has started driving me mad.

It starts fine first time when it hasn't been used for a while and cuts pretty well. At the beginning of the season, the engine was surging but a dose of carb cleaner to the fuel tank sorted this. Recently, it started spluttering a bit, running rich, seemed louder than usual and wouldn't start when the engine had warmed up. It seemed to run better when the blades were engaged. I replaced the air filter, spark plugs, checked fuel filter (which was clean and seemed fine) but to no avail. So I had a professional come and take it away to clean the carb down. He checked it and returned it and said all was good. Today, I started it up. There was a puff of dark smoke but it started OK although seemed quite loud. A few times while cutting, I think going over some small bumps, it spluttered and blew black smoke out of the exhaust. Unfortunately I stopped it due to needing to pick up some fallen apples and hey presto, it refused to start again. It's now stranded in the middle of the lawn.

Does anyone know what might be causing this? I'd really appreciate any help.

Kind regards

Joe

 

[SeniorCitizen]

Hi All

I've got a Honda HF2417-HME ride-on which is essential for keeping down the acre+ of grass at our home. It's been brilliant up until this season but has started driving me mad.

It starts fine first time when it hasn't been used for a while and cuts pretty well. At the beginning of the season, the engine was surging but a dose of carb cleaner to the fuel tank sorted this. Recently, it started spluttering a bit, running rich, seemed louder than usual and wouldn't start when the engine had warmed up. It seemed to run better when the blades were engaged. I replaced the air filter, spark plugs, checked fuel filter (which was clean and seemed fine) but to no avail. So I had a professional come and take it away to clean the carb down. He checked it and returned it and said all was good. Today, I started it up. There was a puff of dark smoke but it started OK although seemed quite loud. A few times while cutting, I think going over some small bumps, it spluttered and blew black smoke out of the exhaust. Unfortunately I stopped it due to needing to pick up some fallen apples and hey presto, it refused to start again. It's now stranded in the middle of the lawn.

Does anyone know what might be causing this? I'd really appreciate any help.

Kind regards

Joe

I believe the carburetor float should be checked to make certain it will float and control the liquid level.

I'm not familiar with honda engines enough to further advise but in general the crankcase oil level should be monitored closely if there is any possibility gasoline can enter if / when the carb float doesn't preform correctly.

 

[pugaltitude]

The 2417 has the GCV520 engine fitted.
There can be various problems with it.
Blowing black smoke can be the carb.
SandburRanch is right about the float. It can be put in upside down.
Also not many know but the is 2 adjustment screws on the carb.
They need to be removed and the carb cleaned and the idle circuit to get a good clean.
Also there is 2 jets in the carb which are different sizes and need to be put back in the right place.
Blowing black smoke can also be coil related as when they get hot the coil breaksdown and only fires on one cylinder.
a resistance check needs to be done on the coils when cold and hot and if out of spec coil would need to be replaced.
Also plug cap can give the same problem.
Hope this helps.