My HR214 has been a little smoky for the past couple seasons but this summer it's getting progressively worse and now smokes all the time and not just on start up. I checked the plug, it has a lot of carbon build up on it and would probably benefit from replacement. Next I checked the compression and it topped out at 90. This mower starts on first pull just as it's done for 35 years. I replaced the oil with a 30 weight hoping to buy me a couple of months before rebuilding this engine right in the middle of summer, but unfortunately, it made no difference. It's truly time to change out the rings.
What parts would I need outside of the set of rings, a head gasket and valve cover gasket?
Any tutorials available? I do have the shop manual for the mower.
Thank you!
Gail
Strait 30 will be fine you can go up to 20W 50 if you like.
Just remember that the heavier oils will make it harder to pull the starter rope.
OTOH replacing the rings early will prevent damage to the bore which is expensive to fix as it requires a full strip, rebore, new piston, new rings and a valve grind.
