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Hi Guys,

I have a Honda HRX 217 that won't start unless I give it a squirt of starting fluid. I did take off the carb and gave it a full cleaning. One thing I noticed is that when the engine is not running, the throttle plate is at wide open throttle. Any suggestions on how to proceed?

Thanks,

Pat

As rivets has said in your other post clean the carb thoroughly.
What did you exactly do to the carb? What did you clean?
You have a fuel flow problem.
When its in the off position the throttle will be wide open position.

It would seem to me you still have a carburetor problim. Could your float level be off. It sounds like a bad fuel pump but I am going to guess there isn't one on your mower. If your RPMs are OK after it starts your governor is working good and that throttle plate is normally being open unless you hooked your linkage up wrong.

Just remenbered I had a repair job in my shop about a mounth age that would only start that way. It ended up being a bad head gasket. I had a hard time finding the reason it would only start that way. Check for low compression?

pugaltitude said:

As rivets has said in your other post clean the carb thoroughly.
What did you exactly do to the carb? What did you clean?
You have a fuel flow problem.
When its in the off position the throttle will be wide open position.

Click to expand...

When I took off the carb, I took it apart and cleaned the entire thing. Bowl off, float off. Everything was spotless.

Like I said, It'll start with half a pull with a shot of starting fluid. After I have it running and I shut it off and then I try to start it right away, it'll start without any fluid, When I let it sit for 5 minutes or longer, then it will only start with a shot of starting fluid.

Thanks again,

Pat

reynoldston said:

Just remenbered I had a repair job in my shop about a mounth age that would only start that way. It ended up being a bad head gasket. I had a hard time finding the reason it would only start that way. Check for low compression?

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Dont think it can be headgasket if its the Honda gcv engine as it dosent have a cylinder head but joined at the crankcase.
Wierd setup. absolute pig of an engine to stripdown.

patrickpresti said:

When I took off the carb, I took it apart and cleaned the entire thing. Bowl off, float off. Everything was spotless.

Like I said, It'll start with half a pull with a shot of starting fluid. After I have it running and I shut it off and then I try to start it right away, it'll start without any fluid, When I let it sit for 5 minutes or longer, then it will only start with a shot of starting fluid.

Thanks again,

Pat

Click to expand...

Is the choke set up right?
Has yours got the automatic choke system.

Mine has the automatic choke system.

patrickpresti said:

Mine has the automatic choke system.

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When you say throttle plate, do you mean choke plate?
The throttle plate is closest to engine.
Choke plate is closest to air filter.
If the choke plate is wide open then that can cause bad start as it should automatically close when getting cold.

When starting, the throttle plate is wide open and the choke plate is closed. The choke plate seems to be closed all of the time. It never seems to change when it's running or if it's not running.

patrickpresti said:

When I took off the carb, I took it apart and cleaned the entire thing. Bowl off, float off. Everything was spotless.

Like I said, It'll start with half a pull with a shot of starting fluid. After I have it running and I shut it off and then I try to start it right away, it'll start without any fluid, When I let it sit for 5 minutes or longer, then it will only start with a shot of starting fluid.

Thanks again,

Pat

Click to expand...

I have the exact the problem as said here. I wish I can some direct answer with direct experience like Pat's. thanks

patrickpresti said:

When I took off the carb, I took it apart and cleaned the entire thing. Bowl off, float off. Everything was spotless.

Like I said, It'll start with half a pull with a shot of starting fluid. After I have it running and I shut it off and then I try to start it right away, it'll start without any fluid, When I let it sit for 5 minutes or longer, then it will only start with a shot of starting fluid.

Thanks again,

Pat

Click to expand...

I have the exact the problem as said here. I wish I can receive some direct answers with direct experience like Pat's. Pat, did you finally figure it out how to fix the starting problem?? thanks

Have you check the carb door opening and closing properly. Should be closed when cold starting and open when warm

Sure sounds like a fuel delivery or fuel/air mixture problem.

I'd simply replace the entire carburetor (<$20) and fit new gaskets at the same time. Be sure to get the two long bolts tight to avoid a vacuum leak. Completely drain the fuel tank and fill with fresh fuel. Just because it is cheap and easy, go ahead an pop in a new spark plug.

Triple-check every pin, rod, clip, tube, and spring, paying close attention to the correct holes for each part. Confirm the choke and throttle are freel moving as intended. Very easy to get a spring or other part installed wrong, especially gaskets, which don't always go on in the orientation that "looks right."

Share the serial number off the back of the mower deck with me and I'll get you the exact part numbers and list prices for the parts. The serial number is four letters (dash) seven digits, like "MXXX-1234567"

pugaltitude said:

When you say throttle plate, do you mean choke plate?
The throttle plate is closest to engine.
Choke plate is closest to air filter.
If the choke plate is wide open then that can cause bad start as it should automatically close when getting cold.

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Pat, did you fix your mower or find out what is wrong? Thanks
Hal

Halz said:

Pat, did you fix your mower or find out what is wrong? Thanks
Hal

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I don't think he's going to log back on and see your message. :frown:

You come and ask for help but then don't want to hear what anyone has to say.
Like I said in your other post I know what's wrong but not going to tell because I just can not stand you.

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))

I have a similar problem except my choke is full open when the engine is cold. It runs great once started. I noticed the auto-choke solenoid (thermostat) pin is frozen in the extended position. This solenoid is in the cylinder. When I detach the carb (2 bolts) the choke closes easily. But when assembled, that pin holds the choke open even when the engine is cold. Am I right to think that pin should retract when the engine is cold? I'm quite sure some starter fluid in the choke area would help start it but I didn't pay almost $800 less than a year ago to deal with it that way. Problem is, I don't know how to replace the solenoid and the authorized repair shop wants to keep the mower for weeks to fix it. I'll probably have to fight it all summer unless I can get a new part and replace it myself.

dfechter said:

I have a similar problem except my choke is full open when the engine is cold.

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You've got mail.

....Hmm...stumbled across this...as...I am having the same issue also with my gxv140....Same issue...only starts with a quick squirt of fuel....has manual choke..I can see the choke plate close when the cable is moved to choke position. no issue whatsoever once its runnning....but shut it down and let it site for about 10 min...she needs a squirt again to get going
..Wondering.......I did rebuild the carb about a year ago...but never got around to fixing the issue till now.......any info?

powerking said:

....Hmm...stumbled across this...as...I am having the same issue also with my gxv140....Same issue...only starts with a quick squirt of fuel....has manual choke..I can see the choke plate close when the cable is moved to choke position. no issue whatsoever once its runnning....but shut it down and let it site for about 10 min...she needs a squirt again to get going
..Wondering.......I did rebuild the carb about a year ago...but never got around to fixing the issue till now.......any info?

Click to expand...

When it won't start check for spark a weak spark won't start an engine. Starting fluid ignites easier than gas takes less gas

how old is your mower. Honda issued a recall service bulletin # 100. My auto choke was found to have defective parts. this would be a newer mower say built in late 2013 or early 2014. take it to dealer and tell them what it is doing.