I just got a Honda HRX217HYA and I have used it twice. After the first time I noticed these dark marks on the side of the deck. (Picture attached.) What is this?
Also, after the second time, I noticed these dark marks on the top of the engine. (Picture attached.) What is this?
I just got a Honda HRX217HYA and I have used it twice. After the first time I noticed these dark marks on the side of the deck. (Picture attached.) What is this? View attachment 7599
Also, after the second time, I noticed these dark marks on the top of the engine. (Picture attached.) What is this? View attachment 7600
What can you tell us about the marks? Are they just scuffs or is that some kind of substance (maybe oil)? Does it wipe off or can you remove it somehow? Anything unusual about your mowing environment?
#5
reynoldston
Maybe Pennsylvania coal air pollution. ( please don't take this serious) It sure looks odd and looks like defected paint job or something under the paint to me. I would be afraid of the paint coming off in them spots after some time in the future. I am sure of one thing if you were to try to get any warranty you will get a Bull #### answer to what it is.
#6
lawn mower fanatic
What can you tell us about the marks? Are they just scuffs or is that some kind of substance (maybe oil)? Does it wipe off or can you remove it somehow? Anything unusual about your mowing environment?
I assume it was not on the mower when new, and has just appeared now?
I would guess it was from a fuel spill. There nothing inherent about the mower itself that would produce a topical film / marking like that in the photos. The mower deck is made of a polymer called NeXite (also known as Xenoy) and the engine cover/fuel tank/shroud are made of traditional plastic. Whatever it is in the photos surely did not emerge or originate from the mower's materials.
For the record, the mower deck and engine cover/fuel tank/shroud are not painted.They are produced from materials of red and grey all the way through.
#10
lawn mower fanatic
I assume it was not on the mower when new, and has just appeared now?
Is something burning off the exhaust? Or is it from the fuel you are using (exhaust polutiuon) or running extremely rich?
#12
lawn mower fanatic
I don't know....:ashamed:
#13
robert@honda
Suggest you clean it off, and keep an eye on the mower before the next mowing. Are you the only one who uses it? If not, something about the way another person is using the mower may have some clues about the black marks.
If you are the only user, then watch and see what happens after you clean off the marks and put the mower away. Do the marks just appear on their own? Do they appear after you've fueled the mower? Do they appear after you've started the engine? Do they appear after you've mowed the lawn (or during)?
I'm pretty confident there's nothing about the mower itself that would cause black marks like that to simply appear, *unless* there's oil, fuel, or some other fluid leaking, but even then, I can't imagine what could leak that would cover so much area on the mower.
If still no solution, I'd take it to a dealer for a full inspection. They are experts, and can probably tell you exactly what is going on. If it's shown to be a genuine factory defect, and the mower is still under warranty, repairs are typically covered by Honda.
Hope this helps.
#14
RobertBrown
Down here, we call that stuff dust.
It is an accumulation of fine, airborne particules facilitated by static electricty and airflow around the machine
#15
Carscw
I will go with dust
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#16
lawn mower fanatic
Yes I am the only one who uses it, and I cleaned it off, so I am going to see if it comes back. Originally, it appeared after I mowed.
I agree with Robert Brown. The blade expels the clippings and a lot of air with them. Where does the air come from? There has to be a lot of air flow around the mower and I bet the exhaust smoke and dust gets caught up in it, leaving those marks on the mower. Wait till it's older and youu're not cleaning and polishing it after each cutting and you won't even notice the marks. :laughing:
#19
lawn mower fanatic
It happened again! (Pictures attached). It hadn't gotten black ever since I started this thread. I think it is the heat. Static electricity makes the dust stick to the plastic (I think someone mentioned that before). After mowing my first lawn this morning it was fine and then I mowed another one this afternoon (it was hot out) and it got REALLY black, worse than before. I think it was worse because it was WAY more dusty than usual.
All the dust here is the light colored stuff. But the last two mows I got the same thing you have after mowing. Last year I had the same thing in October. I think it is coming from the grass itself. Some kind of mold.
