Looking at Honda Harmony 2013 Rider

[FredL]

I am looking at a Honda Harmony 2013 mower. The owner says this is a well maintained machine and has all the maintenance records.
The only issue he says is upon startup on throttle change it smokes. He indicates it clears up. But it comes and goes.
I have had one of these for the past 20 plus years and know its a good machine. Although my engine did blow on mine a couple weeks ago.

He said otherwise this machine is perfect. Should I be concerned about this smoking issue? Any suggestions as to what could cause this that may be an easy fix. I don't want to purchase and have two mowers with blown engines.

Look forward to hearing from someone with similar experience or solutions.

 

[robert@honda]

He said otherwise this machine is perfect. Should I be concerned about this smoking issue? Any suggestions as to what could cause this that may be an easy fix. I don't want to purchase and have two mowers with blown engines.

Look forward to hearing from someone with similar experience or solutions.

White/gray smoke generally means oil burning, e.g., bad rings, worn piston/valves, etc. Engine may not have much life left.

Black/blue smoke means excessive fuel, running rich. Carb or choke adjustment may cure it. Not a difficult fix.

As the H2013 is a 20+ year old tractor, I'd guess the original engine is perhaps significantly tired and worn. I'm guessing no hour meter was fitted...any service history or records to document?

More critical than the engine, which can be rebuild or repowered, are unique parts like the mower deck, transmission, etc. As this tractor has been out of production for a long time now, some parts will become obsolete and NLA (no longer available) from Honda. Further, some parts are really, REALLY costly. Guess what new replacement front axle goes for? $360. New muffler is $293. Full wire harness is $565. Granted, these are on the extreme, but still...

 

[FredL]

Thank you Robert. Very helpful.
I did ask and was told its white/blue smoke.
I have my own here with a blown motor so I'm not looking to have two with blown motors.
Sounds like it would be best to pass.

 

[FredL]

So, I mentioned my concern. Its white/blue smoke.
He has all the records as far as service records go. Its been well taken care of.
He wants $350.00 for it. Other than the smoke its all good.
Please see his response to my concern. What do you think?

I took the machine in trade I don't know a ton about it. as a small engine technician for a lot of Years, a head gasket is the most common problem with smoking engines so I ordered a head gasket and replaced it although the head gasket that came out was not that bad so therefore the smoking continues I'm guessing it's probably Rings the engine has compression but Burns oil sure it's possible that it was over filled but I changed the oil and it's not over filled now my advice is that you are interested in this tractor come look at it hear it drive it run it mow with it if you like it buy, it if not , dont buy it...simple as that if I find the time to take the engine down and do rings and fix this problem then the tractor will end up selling for 600-650

Thanks, Fred