HRX2174HYA GCV190 choke issues

[PhilC]

Purchased this mower a week ago to use at our lake place. It is the 2103 model and was returned for a problem, reconditioned, and put on the floor. I got it for a song. Took it home, drained the oil (surprisingly awkward process IMO), refilled with Chevron Supreme 10w - 30, filled the tank and fired up on first pull. Ran it for about 5 minutes to become accustomed to controls and features (came with no manual) shut it down and put away. Next day I decided to use it to cut a small section of lawn, started right up, ran for 10 minutes, then needed to cross a section with the mower off, went to restart and choke was on full. Ran that way for about a minute, puffing black smoke before the choke finally opened and I finished my mowing.

Hauled it to our lake place 80 miles away and when I went to start it, the choke would not open, just stayed fully closed. I finally pulled the air cleaner cover, removed the filter to confirm, sure enough, the choke plate was fully closed. I carefully pushed the choke plate open and when it opened it did so after releasing from the throttle bore. I ran the mower for 20 minutes, shut it down, and re-started about 10 minutes later on a different section. Did the same thing again and I had to carefully push the choke plate open to get it to run. Repeated the same process 2 days later on the final section of lawn. The choke plate is binding in the throttle bore and will not release on its own, but once I carefully push on it, everything is fine, and it runs well despite a slight surge at WOT mowing setting. Hard to tell if the and choke issues are related.

My questions are:

Is a sticking choke covered under my warranty (transferred upon registration with Honda)?
Is there any way to "disable" the automatic feature of the choke and make it manual where I can control it?
If not, is the solution to this problem simply replacing the carburetor?

Overall, I'm happy with the mower, but believe the reason it was returned and reconditioned was most likely choke related. If the recommendation is to take it in for warranty service, I'll wait and do that at the end of the season. I can live with the small inconvenience of manually freeing the choke plate from the throttle bore until then.

Appreciate any feedback. :wink:

 

[robert@honda]

My questions are:

Is a sticking choke covered under my warranty (transferred upon registration with Honda)?
Is there any way to "disable" the automatic feature of the choke and make it manual where I can control it?
If not, is the solution to this problem simply replacing the carburetor?

The factory warranty stays with the mower, and the HRX comes with 4-year warranty. You just need to ask your Honda dealer to update the registration information online with Honda to enter your name and address as the owner of the mower. The warranty covers factory defects, and provided the dealer determines this is the case, it will likely be covered under warranty.

There are known problems with some versions of the AutoChoke; HRR-models can require an updated choke control assembly to cure the binding problems, as well as a revised thermowax cylinder. Both are separate devices from the carburetor itself, and can be replaced while retaining the carburetor. The Honda dealer can make the decision on this upon inspection of the mower. Use this link to find one in your area:

Find A Honda Dealer

While it is technically possible to retrofit a manual choke, it would be costly (different cable, different control lever, different carburetor, etc.) and would also likely be considered "tampering" by the EPA, which has pretty strict rules about any modifications to emissions control parts of an engine, and yes, the choke is considered such a part. Better to get the AutoChoke repaired, because when it is working correctly, it is a nice feature.

 

[PhilC]

The factory warranty stays with the mower, and the HRX comes with 4-year warranty. You just need to ask your Honda dealer to update the registration information online with Honda to enter your name and address as the owner of the mower. The warranty covers factory defects, and provided the dealer determines this is the case, it will likely be covered under warranty.

There are known problems with some versions of the AutoChoke; HRR-models can require an updated choke control assembly to cure the binding problems, as well as a revised thermowax cylinder. Both are separate devices from the carburetor itself, and can be replaced while retaining the carburetor. The Honda dealer can make the decision on this upon inspection of the mower. Use this link to find one in your area:

Find A Honda Dealer

While it is technically possible to retrofit a manual choke, it would be costly (different cable, different control lever, different carburetor, etc.) and would also likely be considered "tampering" by the EPA, which has pretty strict rules about any modifications to emissions control parts of an engine, and yes, the choke is considered such a part. Better to get the AutoChoke repaired, because when it is working correctly, it is a nice feature.

Thanks for the reply Robert. I'll take it to the closest Honda Power Choice Dealer when the mowing season is over and have them repair it properly. I've already registered the mower with Honda so there should be no problem when I take it in. Have a nice Labor Day weekend!

 

[PhilC]

Thought I would update this thread with what my Honda Power Choice dealer found. Dropped the mower off on 11/18 and picked it up last week. The mechanic found the governor spring had been shortened and engine was running approx 4500rpm at high "idle" (as stated on invoice) setting and low setting was approx 3600rpm. They replaced the governor spring and reset Hi and Low rpm ranges to limits. I asked about the choke sticking and the mechanic claimed it was because of the governor spring. Guess I'll find out next mowing season.

I'm going to visit the Home Depot store where I bought the mower and hand them the $168.50 repair bill since they sold the mower as "reconditioned" and it clearly was not.

 

[briggs]

Thought I would update this thread with what my Honda Power Choice dealer found. Dropped the mower off on 11/18 and picked it up last week. The mechanic found the governor spring had been shortened and engine was running approx 4500rpm at high "idle" (as stated on invoice) setting and low setting was approx 3600rpm. They replaced the governor spring and reset Hi and Low rpm ranges to limits. I asked about the choke sticking and the mechanic claimed it was because of the governor spring. Guess I'll find out next mowing season.

I'm going to visit the Home Depot store where I bought the mower and hand them the $168.50 repair bill since they sold the mower as "reconditioned" and it clearly was not.

People winding the GOV up for mower power ..Its to bad u got one in that condition ..As for the choke I have never seen one stick because of that tho but there's a first for everything

 

[PhilC]

People winding the GOV up for mower power ..Its to bad u got one in that condition ..As for the choke I have never seen one stick because of that tho but there's a first for everything

I still have doubts about the choke issue being resolved, I had to "unstick" the choke butterfly in the throat almost every time I used the mower. I know what a stuck choke is, have worked on and rebuilt many, many carbs over 45+yrs so had a hard time accepting the modified governor spring as the culprit. I'll let the expert tell me so for now, but if I have problems with it next spring, I think any further repair will be on them as that was my specific complaint when I dropped the mower off. Had no way to know the governor spring had been shortened until they told me, but glad they found it.

 

[exotion]

My hrr choke sticks once in a while usually if I haven't cleaned it I think dirt and hunk get the the little foam thing on top of the carb under the linkage and makes.it stick I just get a pen and push it and it usually frees it up for a few weeks takes a few.seconds