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#1

R

RoccoS

Hello all,

Stumbled upon the forum while looking for info about my mower. Looks great and am looking forward to spending time learning from everyone.
I do have a question about my HRR216VKA. Does anyone else have carburetor troubles? I've shut off the petcock and let it run until it dies before putting it away, but I've still had carbs go bad.


#2

I

ILENGINE

Part of the issue when running them dry is they are not totally dry and the small amount of fuel left in the fuel bowl gums up the works.


#3

R

RoccoS

That's a very good point. First carburetor went bad simply because I didn't run it for two weeks with the gas on. Got replacement and started running it dry, as per Manual, got bored with that and simply drained the bowl a couple of times, but that carb went bad. So I now just keep a throw down on the shelf. Thanks for the advice, Rocco


#4

B

Briantii

Odd. 9 seasons on mine and all I’ve ever done is add stabil to my fuel when I buy it, and turn off the fuel valve to run the carb dry. Never had a carb issue.


#5

B

bertsmobile1

Briantii said:
Odd. 9 seasons on mine and all I’ve ever done is add stabil to my fuel when I buy it, and turn off the fuel valve to run the carb dry. Never had a carb issue.
Click to expand...
Weather you have these sorts of carb problems is very dependent upon a stack of variables.
My workshop is 400 yards from the landlord
My fuel will be fine in a tank for several months
His goes off in a couple of weeks.
Same fuel from the same pump, different microclimate .


#6

gotomow

gotomow

Briantii said:
Odd. 9 seasons on mine and all I’ve ever done is add stabil to my fuel when I buy it, and turn off the fuel valve to run the carb dry. Never had a carb issue.
Click to expand...
In my 6 seasons on my honda I rarely used the fuel valve to run the carb dry. Never had a carb problem. Sometimes very late in the season when I was picking up leaves in late november I would shut it off just in case I didn't get back too it because of snow. My new Super Recycler's manual says run it dry at end of season. This makes me wonder how old the OP's machine is and if there could be other issues besides the carb. I was watching a Youtube video last nite about a hydro tranny change on a Honda HRX217. The guy was 3rd owner I think he got it for free and had put a crankshaft,(he hit something), other parts and now a hydro. The plastic deck looked like it had been shoved off of a mountain and he was unhappy Honda would not replace it. After spending money for the parts and his time I figure he was upside down on this free mower. He admitted he was close to the cost of a new mower,lol.


#7

B

bertsmobile1

gotomow said:
In my 6 seasons on my honda I rarely used the fuel valve to run the carb dry. Never had a carb problem. Sometimes very late in the season when I was picking up leaves in late november I would shut it off just in case I didn't get back too it because of snow. My new Super Recycler's manual says run it dry at end of season. This makes me wonder how old the OP's machine is and if there could be other issues besides the carb. I was watching a Youtube video last nite about a hydro tranny change on a Honda HRX217. The guy was 3rd owner I think he got it for free and had put a crankshaft,(he hit something), other parts and now a hydro. The plastic deck looked like it had been shoved off of a mountain and he was unhappy Honda would not replace it. After spending money for the parts and his time I figure he was upside down on this free mower. He admitted he was close to the cost of a new mower,lol.
Click to expand...

And Again I say
Weather you have these sorts of carb problems is very dependent upon a stack of variables.
My workshop is 400 yards from the landlord
My fuel will be fine in a tank for several months
His goes off in a couple of weeks.
Same fuel from the same pump, different microclimate .
For every one who has no problems there will be another that is plagued by them .


#8

gotomow

gotomow

bertsmobile1 said:
And Again I say
Weather you have these sorts of carb problems is very dependent upon a stack of variables.
My workshop is 400 yards from the landlord
My fuel will be fine in a tank for several months
His goes off in a couple of weeks.
Same fuel from the same pump, different microclimate .
For every one who has no problems there will be another that is plagued by them .
Click to expand...
Have you been able to pinpoint the differences in the microclimates that would cause his gas to go off so quick?


#9

B

Briantii

I’m guessing where it’s stored? I keep my fuel and mower in my basement - 65 to 75 F year round.


#10

R

RoccoS

Hello everyone,
Been gone a while, sorry. Lots of good feedback. Briantii, in 7 years I never drained anything and never had any problems with my last Honda. This one was a gift (Service Award selection.) I sold the old one. The new one has the auto-choke. Two seasons and the second carb is going down. Also, I'm in Houston Texas. Very humid year round, long mowing season. I often mow up to the third week of December. All that weather is probably is very tough on gas. I suspect it is a combination of weather shortened gas life and a sensitive carburetor. The manual says to use premium gas, avoid ethanol, and don't use fuel system cleaners. I wonder about internal part materials. I'm going to put it on a year 'round diet of "Stabil". Hope it works, Thanks for the help everyone. Rocco


#11

B

bertsmobile1

gotomow said:
Have you been able to pinpoint the differences in the microclimates that would cause his gas to go off so quick?
Click to expand...
No as there is no need to if you are aware of it co you can work around it .

He is 50' higher than me , on the side of a hill that is heavily treed .
We both raise seedlings ans swap them between us.
His always fruit earlier than than mine but mine grow bigger fruit & fruit for longer.
Then there is the stoeage.
His is inside a large steel shed mine in on the dirt under an awning .
My roof will condense up to 100 gallons of water overnight, his is always bone dry unless it is raining .
The main point of mentioning this is to highlight every ones circumstances will be different so 500 people chiming in with estimonials about which "wonder product " saves their bacon is meaningless.


#12

gotomow

gotomow

RoccoS said:
Hello everyone,
Been gone a while, sorry. Lots of good feedback. Briantii, in 7 years I never drained anything and never had any problems with my last Honda. This one was a gift (Service Award selection.) I sold the old one. The new one has the auto-choke. Two seasons and the second carb is going down. Also, I'm in Houston Texas. Very humid year round, long mowing season. I often mow up to the third week of December. All that weather is probably is very tough on gas. I suspect it is a combination of weather shortened gas life and a sensitive carburetor. The manual says to use premium gas, avoid ethanol, and don't use fuel system cleaners. I wonder about internal part materials. I'm going to put it on a year 'round diet of "Stabil". Hope it works, Thanks for the help everyone. Rocco
Click to expand...
Late into the season of either snow or mow I like to use ethanol free gas with stabilizer maybe that will work for you


#13

R

RoccoS

gotomow said:
Late into the season of either snow or mow I like to use ethanol free gas with stabilizer maybe that will work for you
Click to expand...
Can't get ethanol-free here. I use premium because it has less. Starting it on stabilizer.


#14

gotomow

gotomow

Also try using one of those funnels with the filter built into it to make sure you are getting completely clean fuel. My neighbor swears by those filter funnels and won't put any gas into a small engine without running it through the filter.


#15

R

RoccoS

gotomow said:
Also try using one of those funnels with the filter built into it to make sure you are getting completely clean fuel. My neighbor swears by those filter funnels and won't put any gas into a small engine without running it through the filter.
Click to expand...
Good idea, thanks


#16

B

bertsmobile1

While they keep the sticks & stones out , the vent in the cap will let dust in because it is not filtered.
Then there is the problem of making sure there is no debri near the filler cap when refuling or on yout hands or cloths


#17

R

RoccoS

bertsmobile1 said:
While they keep the sticks & stones out , the vent in the cap will let dust in because it is not filtered.
Then there is the problem of making sure there is no debri near the filler cap when refuling or on yout hands or cloths
Click to expand...
True. I've just never seen a carb this sensitive. I'm headed out right now. Its a sunny 83 with 85% relative humidity in my yard this morning. Lucky me.


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