Loss of power

[Gary Vance]

I have an older Honda Harmony HRM 215 push mower.It start good (on the second pull usually) but it revs up and down and wants to stall in even slighly grown grass.It also sounds like it wants to stall when the handle is pulled down to engage the blade.Every once in awhile it sounds like it is running the way it's supposed to but thats few and far between.I don't know much about small engines but I assume it is carburator related.I found a new carb on e-bay for $50.00 but was wanting an opinion on the matter before purchasing it.I would like any info I could get.Thank you.

 

[KennyV]

WELCOME to LMF...

I would try a good cleaning Before I ever considered replacing it...

Easy to do... :smile:KennyV

 

[Gary Vance]

Thank you KennyV.Is there any small parts such as pins or floats that I should worry about?

 

[SONOFADOCKER]

Take pictures before you take it apart and you can see one being cleaned on you tube - it is an easy job .

 

[KennyV]

.... any small parts such as pins or floats that I should worry about?

Like SONOFADOCKER said... Take pictures, especially the linkage Before you remove it...This may help in the removal of the carb... Removal of Carb from Honda GX390 QA2X Engine

This should be your carb, (or very simular)
Disassembly, Cleaning and Repair of Carb 16100-ZF6-W10 on Honda GX390 QA2X Engine
Just pay attention to the removal of each piece, fine wire plus compressed air is handy for cleaning small passages... Spray carb cleaner & a little time will get you running like new... :smile:KennyV

 

[robert@honda]

Some of the old HRM215 models had a hot-start issue that was resolved with a few updated parts for the carburetor. If you'll send me your serial number off the back of the mower deck I can see if the update applies to your mower.

Otherwise, it does sure sound like there's some debris or gunk in the carburetor; does it run smooth with the choke one? If so, that is pretty much confirmation the main jet or main nozzle is plugged up even partially. As others have said, the first thing is to try cleaning the carb completely. Even then, it can be hard to get every speck out, and some people just replace the carb itself. If you do, put on new gaskets, as the old ones are probably close to being gone anyway, and could be the source of a vacuum leak. Here's an exploded drawing of the carb to help:

-Robert@Honda

Caveat: I work for Honda, but the preceding was my opinion alone.