Replace engine or entire mower - Honda HR215?

[43rdworld]

The engine on my Honda GCV 160 just broke/seized after a loud noise. Now the pull starter won't turn it over any more. Checking the factory manuals, it says that the serial number is on the cylinder barrel, but I couldn't find it. There are numbers on a sticker on the the back of the engine though: GCV160LA0-MY1R250 and GJARA 5339913 - I assume these are the model and serial numbers. The top of the cover also Easy Start auto-choke as well. The entire mower is a HR215.

The question is - do I replace the whole mover or just the engine. Replacing the mower or having it repaired at a shop seems about a wash and a reputable shop probably would recommend against fixing it. Even though the thing is over 10 years old, I'm leaning to replacing the motor to save a few bucks and to learn something new. I do almost all of out light to medium car maintenance, have a lot of tools, the factory Honda manuals, checked out a few videos and will have quite a bit of time to spend on the project in the next 6 weeks or so.

If replacement is an option, what engine is a good candidate?. I've been looking online and am bewildered by all of the options available - what will fit, which ones would have the auto-choke, etc. I'm hoping someone here could give me some recommendations in that regard.

Many thanks for any feedback or ideas in advance.

43rdworld

 

[bertsmobile1]

Good place to start is to pull the engine apart first & see what is wrong .
Then you can make an informed decison on your options.
Most mower shops will not take it on because the labour cost is 3 to 6 hours and no one wants to pay that sort of money.
Honda engines are substantially better made than any other on the market and quality is not cheap .
First thing is to drain the oil then start to dissasemble the mower.
I find it easier to work on them in the mower but that is just me .

 

[Scrubcadet10]

Do what bert said.
appears honda is still producing the GC series, https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/category_engines+honda-vertical-engines

 

[logert gogert]

stick a 5.7 350 on it. definitely the best decision financially. and its much easier to install than the honda.
comes with the ability to wake the neighbors up when you cut in the morning, oh...and dont worry about the dew on the grass it will just turn your wet grass into a smoothie.

 

[Chris Parman]

The engine on my Honda GCV 160 just broke/seized after a loud noise. Now the pull starter won't turn it over any more. Checking the factory manuals, it says that the serial number is on the cylinder barrel, but I couldn't find it. There are numbers on a sticker on the the back of the engine though: GCV160LA0-MY1R250 and GJARA 5339913 - I assume these are the model and serial numbers. The top of the cover also Easy Start auto-choke as well. The entire mower is a HR215.

The question is - do I replace the whole mover or just the engine. Replacing the mower or having it repaired at a shop seems about a wash and a reputable shop probably would recommend against fixing it. Even though the thing is over 10 years old, I'm leaning to replacing the motor to save a few bucks and to learn something new. I do almost all of out light to medium car maintenance, have a lot of tools, the factory Honda manuals, checked out a few videos and will have quite a bit of time to spend on the project in the next 6 weeks or so.

If replacement is an option, what engine is a good candidate?. I've been looking online and am bewildered by all of the options available - what will fit, which ones would have the auto-choke, etc. I'm hoping someone here could give me some recommendations in that regard.

Many thanks for any feedback or ideas in advance.

43rdworld

A HR215 with a GCV160? If this is true, then that is not the original engine. The original engine for that series of Honda lawn mower is a GXV140. Is the HR215 a HX, SX or PX version? This quote "Honda GCV 160 just broke/seized after a loud noise" most likely the piston rod end cap broke and became wedged preventing the crankshaft from rotating. As "bertsmobile1" said above, tear it down find out the real damage. Once the engine is torn-down, inspect everything (in the lower end) in the sump and cylinder wall. Take good pictures and show us. If the cylinder wall isn't f-ed up and thrust washer isn't damaged, at the least you will probably need a crankshaft, rod. If you don't F-up the piston clips too much and the piston skirt isn't worn to bad (a worn piston skirt means new piston and rings and clips, the piston pin should be fine) the piston can be re-used. You have a lot F-ing work ahead of you. If you choose to take on this project heed my my advice. You are dealing with a F-ing aluminum engine, either find the torque specs for the GCV160 or buy the GCV160 shop manual. Don't be like these a$$-holes on u-tube and hunker down on a bolt and then have a O-Fu&k moment and strip the threads. At the point you are FU&KED! You don't want to Heli-Coil a Honda engine. Good luck.