2018 Honda HRX 217 21 Inch Lawn Mower Will Crank but NOT START

In this video, I go over the steps I will take to find out why the 2018 Honda HRX 217 21 Inch Lawn Mower Will Crank but NOT START.
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#hondahrx217
#hondalawnmower
#mowerwontstart
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[@DragonRunner3-n8f]

I can't believe my expensive Honda appears to have the issue presented in this video after only 8 years of owning it. I did an oil change, new spark plug and new air filter 2 months ago and never had a single indication that the mower was having any problems. Then this week it wouldn't start at all. It seemed like it would ignite and then immediately stop. I thought first to check for something hung in the blade. Good there! Then I checked the air filter... it was nice and clean on the inlet side, but the back side had what looked like black spray paint on it. I thought that was a bit weird but kept going. Spark plug next (just to be sure since it's easy)... It was completely black even though only two months old. It seemed dirtier than the one I had replaced. So I checked for spark and that was working fine. Next was fuel... I'd never done a carburetor cleaning and I really didn't think it was a fuel problem because I've always bought small quantities of fuel and immediately add fuel stabilizer. Being careful with my fuels, I hadn't had that problem in 30 years of small engine ownership, but I thought there's a first time for everything. I started googling how to diagnose starting issues (hoping to confirm the need for carburetor work) and came across this video. I'm pretty convinced that my issue matches the one in this video, but just to be sure I tried some starting fluid. When I removed the air filter, the clean side was now completely covered with soot from many failed starts. In addition, the cranking with the starting fluid resulted in an immediate sputter that shoots the exhaust out the inlet. Nothing coming out of the exhaust side as it should. I'll update this post if I determine it isn't the same issue, but this video was very useful. I'm just surprised my cheap Yardman lasted 20 years and this one didn't last 8. I couldn't make that old mower fail. I wanted to get a new one, but couldn't justify the money if it kept working. I even stopped doing oil changes to try and break it (I don't recommend this). But that Briggs and Stratton engine was bulletproof. Oil looked clean even after years of not changing it. Ultimately the muffler eventually fell off and I decided someone else could put the $80 into it to fix it so I put it on the curb with a sign and someone took it. Then I bought this Honda. Maybe, I should have kept my old one, but this Honda cuts and mulches like no other... so I will figure out how to fix it. This video is putting me on the right path and I appreciate you taking the time to make it.

[@DragonRunner3-n8f]

I've confirmed the exhaust valve was stuck shut, and it was because the valve guide had backed out of the cylinder head. I replaced the rocker arm and also used a modified intake valve seal to try and hold it in place as I saw in a couple different videos. Anybody end up with issues using this approach? I worry about less oil getting to the hot exhaust valve and causing more issues due to less cooling and/or lubrication. Thoughts? PS: The exhaust backing up into the intake (due to the stuck exhaust valve) caused soot to get into the carburetor. The debris caused some reduction in fuel flow which was evident because the engine was surging. I figured I may need to do a carb cleaning. Instead, I bought Seafoam and poured some in the tank. After 20 minutes of running it was purring like normal.

[@gbpatient3455]

Helped tremendously! Almost gave up on this thing. Thanks for your help

[@alamaagres6030]

Mahalo, Awesome video and it helped alot, same exact thing happened to the Mower I bought for my daughter 👍🏽 And boy that weather is beautiful like here in Hilo Hawaii 🤙🏽 again Mahalo, Mahalo, Mahaaaalo 🙏🏽

[@jackhuddleston6830]

Good job. Never seen something like that. Briggs & Stratton are totally different. I have had a Honda mower since 2012. Still use it. I had to order the spring bracket for the drive spring. I also hit a steel water pipe last summer. Bent the blade pretty good. I took it to my buddies shop and he noticed it was shaking pretty bad. He took the blade off and gave the shaft a few whacks. Good as new. I bought a used HRX with the blade brake this spring for a back up. One owner, 1 year old. Previous owner wanted to go eclectic. Thanks for the video.

[@philliphall5198]

It’s very pretty there You’re very helpful and I watch your videos often Good mechanic skills and fixing things cheap

[@FarideLadak]

Great vid. Thx I had a starting problem on my HRX 217, I verified all the basics as well and I recall seeing a small piece fly out last year while moving over a bumpy terrain. I finally figured out that it was the governor rod that snapped and flew out. Now it’s all good.

[@neverstopneverstopcruising]

So about 4 years old....just prepping for my hrn216vka...I run that thing like a commercial mower, lol

[@victorrippe5845]

Wow man good thing this hasn’t happened to mine and it’s on 7 years with me and I’ve used the heck out of that mower transmission needed to be replaced at 5 years Honda covered it thank God cause it would have been a $300 repair that hydro tranny ain’t cheap but other then that it’s been a great mower in my company.

[@mitchrenee]

Excellent video

[@josecl7]

Where did you get the part from?

[@BigAlWillis]

Interesting video. My neighbor owns two of these & they always have problems of some sort. One not starting ' again ' . Will be taking a look at it in the next few days. Thumbs up your vid

[@dylansawyer1419]

Great video!!

[@swiss9495]

How did you know to go to the valves (ohc) & not the carburetor? By they way the compression felt?

[@GwinnettLawns]

No, you can spray starting fluid in the carburetor, and if it doesn’t even attempt to start, and you still have spark, then you know the timing is off.

[@swiss9495]

@@GwinnettLawns I think my HRX 217 is out of time then. I've tried everything. I will be taking the valve cover and inspecting components like you did. Mystery how it happened though! Great Video!

[@geepeezee5030]

What would cause it to jump timing like that? Is there a tensioner on the timing belt? Timing belt wear (although the one in the pic looked quite new)?

[@GwinnettLawns]

In this case, it was because the exhaust valve froze cost to jump time. I did no damage and yes, the timing belt look brand new. Mower still running perfectly like it always has.

[@eduardolopez2639]

Best video no doubt thank you so much

[@jonfbcvr]

I have one of these that I love and I've done some repairs on it in the past but would rather have someone that knows what they're doing. Mine won't start right now. I live in Peachtree Corners (Gwinnet Co). Do you do repairs for others or have someone nearby that you recommend?

[@Cuisinart619]

What do you think caused the enging to jump it's timing?

[@GwinnettLawns]

Probably because the valve train had a bit of a bind in it from the rocker arms, and I didn’t realize it until everything was back together, and I tried to start it.

[@Cuisinart619]

@@GwinnettLawns thanks for the update.

[@philliphall5198]

What about adding a little 2cly oil to tank to lubricant the valve stem as PVM Common for them to jump time when this happens I just don’t like these engines but have to work on them

[@gls3894]

Excellent Sir !

[@phxamigo]

What is the valve clearance ?

[@PhiTruong-wf3ye]

.006" for intake valve and .008" for exhaust valve (cold engine).

[@shanew7361]

Good video 💥💪🇺🇸

[@billbaber6653]

Hello from N lawrenceville

[@garrettplush4508]

Has anybody been able to find the adjuster screw for the exhaust rocker arm? Mine is pretty mangled and stuck in the old cracked arm.

[@garrettplush4508]

Or does anybody know the part number

[@GwinnettLawns]

Might want to go to Partstree.com and check.

[@ChristopherTreadway]

Looks like death by dirt and oil to me. Good grief all that gunk would drive my OCD into overdrive. You have to tear those baffles and covers off at least once a year to clean all that crap out of there.

[@ChristopherTreadway]

So glad Honda stopped making mowers.