Engine Teardown - Another One Bites The Dust!

[@donyboy73]

Watch my video on how to remove a seized lawnmower blade adapter here; kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKWspYyhhbN5Z9E

[@billstiles487]

A note to inform you that someone is using your logo and requesting that we text a number to them when we reply in the comments. It's a scam. You may want to warn others.

[@donyboy73]

@@billstiles487 yes thanks, I saw that and blocked it

[@gilpicard6024]

@@donyboy73 i got one this morning

[@donyboy73]

@@gilpicard6024 it's a scam

[@tomycodd]

Looks like the mower was ran with low oil at one time for a while then oil was added but it was too late.Thank you for a great video!

[@gs1100ed]

I think that a mower with no drain plug is more likely to not be serviced regularly. There are probably a few people who don’t want to deal with the dumb process for draining the oil. I also think the owner got their moneys worth out of this mower. I got ridden hard and put away wet.

[@sgnt9337]

That's one of those "throwaway" Honda engines. The diagonal parting line, non removable head is the main clue.

[@high5innovationsllc658]

If you haven't been to school you sound just like my instructor, you're an amazing teacher. Thank you for your videos.

[@paulbillings1791]

Great teardown video. For diagnostic test to confirm a suspected rod failure,I save time by removing the plug and place a pencil in the hole and cycle the machine to see if the pencil moves.

[@jeffshark4]

Thank you for the video , No battery lawn mowers in my future, everyone I see if you have a hour job mowing with battery takes you 3 hours because of charging and lack of power, I would just let my lawn go and not mow, I had to go battery !

[@jim21804]

Washington DC has banned gas powered leaf blowers because of the noise. Many cities are starting to ban gas powered lawn equipment. Sooner or later I am going to need to retire my 1964 Cooper lawn mower!!!! That old Briggs still starts on the first pull.

[@TheLawnmowerLady]

Great to see this salvage/teardown video. Despite the high mileage, it seems the owner took care to keep it out of the weather, hence the lack of corrosion on the crank, but it does seem like a lack of oil changes.

[@lukem7203]

The oil changes came to mind too when we saw how galled the rod journal is.

[@martinflanagan2506]

Another great video Don. Change oil every fall before the mower is put away, and you will never have a thrown rod like that mower.

[@stans5270]

I think that oil was added after the engine blew. The translucent property that it has means that it doesn't have excessive use. The darkness is most likely from old oil mixing with new.

[@donyboy73]

could well be!

[@HipaStore]

Really learn about lawn mower repair. Thanks for sharing.

[@knifecollector54]

I just recently re-found this channel . Used to watch you years and years ago . Helped me fix a lot of stuff when I was a young boy . Thanks for the effort and all the hard work you do for the videos .

[@DC5nuT]

Looks like the bottom end has been apart. Look at the sealant. Over torqued Rod Bolt?

[@brianbanks3044]

Love it when you. Dissect machines and show the damage...we are such a throw away society and never get to see WHY stuff fails...plus we get to see all the parts and how yhe look in the engine...thanks Don for all your time and effort producing your videos!!

[@gordbaker896]

The rod journal is badly scored so I suggest it was starved for oil. For a motor with lots of 'lawnage' it was incredibly clean inside. Scrap prices are very low at the moment in Southern ON.

[@richardwernst]

Great, thanks! I'd suspect the oil got low and engine failed and they put more oil in to see if it'd still run. I'm a bit surprised you're not keeping the case, unless it's damaged. Not worth someone paying you to fix but either to rebuild another one, or that engine with some other, good, used parts.

[@HobbyMotorDK]

Good message. With the new GCV engines with less oil capacity - it will be even more important to change the oil at the recommended interval - or even sooner.

[@scottmclagan4276]

Yup, even with good build quality like Honda, if you run the engine on spent oil with no lubricity, it's toast. Great vid, thanks.

[@xmanb8193]

Oil is cheaper than a engine 👍👍👍 never had any problem with Honda engines

[@charger19691]

Wow, with some regular oil changes, i think this engine would be alive and well.

[@patriciapiper6294]

Donyboy, the way you diagnose these problems is so important for me. You teach me to slow down and start from the outside and read the signs. It makes the mystery a more worthy effort. I mean to respect the process and my time instead of going hole hog in upset mode and not remember what went where like usual for me.!! 🙏👍🇺🇸Thanks

[@Zombeegun]

Great video. I like these tear-down vids, you can learn a lot about how the machines are put together and problems they have. Thanks Dony!

[@Doormaster77]

Great Video Don. More broken engine carnage! Reminds me of all the Kohler Courage engines that I've seen coming through my shop over the past few years! Change your oil early and often to avoid premature failures like these!

[@bobmcl2406]

That was an interesting exercise. Thanks for the tour. I thought Hondas were indestructible, but your speculations regarding the failure make sense. It was sad to hear your assessment of the future, but you almost certainly are right. I am not looking forward to having to take 2-hour breaks to recharge battery packs when I am trying to mow my property or clear my long laneway!

[@donyboy73]

unfortunately some of these honda engines are made in china and the quality is not what it used to be

[@bobmcl2406]

@@donyboy73 I didn't know that! I wonder if those Hondas and the "Chonda" clones are made in the same factory?

[@timewa851]

there will be ICE engines, for those who prefer them. Just collect a few spares, or wait till a neighbor tosses one with a loose cutting blade, plugged air filter & fouled sparkplug. Then bolt it on & operate it for another fifteen years. Free B&S Quantum engine!! I do that.

[@ChuckD59]

Fun to watch, thanks dony. As you were talking about the various parts you'd keep, or scrap I got to wondering how you organize your scrap parts. I'm just a DIYer, but over the years small engines, and other mechanical objects have passed through my shop and I'm as terrible at throwing junk away as I am organizing my junk. Would love to hear your thoughts on shop organization.

[@donyboy73]

I put them in boxes in my sheds neatly organized and labelled, very handy and those used parts often save my bacon!

[@kenbrown2808]

best thing to do is organize it by type of metal. then when you take it to the recycler, you can get the best value with the least fussing.

[@high5innovationsllc658]

I use a magnet to help identify metals, and keep them in labeled bucket to take to the scrap yard. Totes get to heavy and boxes break. The buckets for me are manageable in weight and keep my build-up down. I'm taking small engine repairs, so I take any broken cheap machine I can find. It builds fast!

[@ApexHotShot]

An entertaining and informative video. Thanks Dony. I had to smile when you picked up the engine and shook it! Rattle, rattle.

[@tihspidtherekciltilc5469]

Two other comments and I forgot to thank you again so thanks for helping me get where I am.

[@SA-iw4ci]

Looks to me like the engine has been opened up and worked on before and sealed up with Anaerobic gasket maker. I am personally quite fond of the Permatex Anaerobic Gasket Maker.

[@donyboy73]

yes I think you are correct

[@ralphwatten2426]

I think the kid ran it out of oil, the rod locked up on the crank, snapped the rod and new oil was added.

[@williammiller6043]

Thanks for a very informative teardown

[@donyboy73]

Thanks for supporting my channel!

[@PeterWoolworth]

Good one Don. I have that same mower in the shop. The customer put the blades on wrong so I had to replace all the bolts, blades (bent) and the woodruff key. He is lucky he isn't buying a new mower.

[@michaelovitch]

Will you have enough work in your field if the small engines become electric engines ? Do you have plans or needs to adapt or change your approach yet ?

[@tihspidtherekciltilc5469]

It's 3:07 am and I'm eagerly awaiting 7:30 am so I can run the two junked snowblowers for the first time. Both discarded from mice damage which brings me to a video suggestion. How to discourage mice from making a home in the various types of small engine equipment. I've tried a few things but don't know if any work as I get stuff, fix it and sell it too quickly.

[@ChuckD59]

I have that problem. Moth ball bags have mostly worked. Both in the machinery and under the hoods of the cars. For out-of-season storage I'll drop one or two on whatever it is and try bag it as much as possible, or at least bag the engine. A ZTR mower gets two bags and I have a cover for the mower. But still, when I pull the snowblower out soon I'll drop the belly pan to be sure the hotel's been unoccupied.

[@tihspidtherekciltilc5469]

@@ChuckD59 I heard spearmint oil like the over the counter pharmacy has works on cotton balls which would require putting where water can't get it like where a mouse would live. Have you ever heard anything like that as it was in a Farmer's Almanac and I tend to believe that source. Great job at preventative maintenance BTW, I won't be seeing any of your stuff probably ever. People where I'm at throw away $800 year old Weber grills if a mouse makes a nest in it. I currently have a collection of Weber grills from the early 90s till two years ago I restored over the winter and just got a Weber Genesis Gold which I've never seen before. Anyways I'm rambling so peace and not pieces for your connecting rods.

[@donyboy73]

moth balls work great

[@tihspidtherekciltilc5469]

@@donyboy73 Much appreciated. I'm on my way to get some now.

[@kenhilson786]

@@ChuckD59 I've heard stinky dryer sheets

[@barrypettit3668]

Excellent video Don, i have this exact mower but i change the oil almost every year . May be overkill but it only takes a few minutes to do. Last mower i am going to buy.

[@philliphall5198]

I change oil every 5 time I cut grass

[@TheNine6]

My Honda made the same sound. That was after I couldn't pull the cord at all. After 2 hours of kicking it, it started. Now it runs great. That was 4 years ago after sitting for 3. Mower was bought in 1995 and runs great for some reason. Will ever only buy Honda

[@arendeepropertymaintenance]

Your best video to date, Don. Very good. I thought stuck valve, but if I had heard the banging and clanging as it turned over.......yep. con rod. A Honda breaking is as rare as rocking horse poo.

[@jonahlawrence4617]

Dude, You are the BEST!!! Thank you for the video. This will definitely help be in the future!

[@billstiles487]

love your fast, to the point videos. Thanks for sharing.

[@georgepruitt637]

They ran it low on oil, then added oil after the rod broke. A worker at a construction co [that I was their mechanic] ran a 555 Ford backhoe almost completely out of oil. He panicked added oil up to the full mark, and thought himself quite clever. Unfortunately ,he could not crank the motor. So, at the bottom of the dipstick, was black oil. All the rest of the way up the dipstick was clear oil that he added. No, the boss didn't fire him. I noticed black oil/clear oil on the dipstick that you removed.

[@AlwaysBeSmart674]

I just found one of these being thrown away on someone’s tree lawn in this rich neighborhood right by where I live. It’s the Hrx model though with plastic deck it’s like brand new runs great. Was at a house for sale I think the realtor or someone just didn’t know what it was

[@walterbordett2023]

Good video,Dony. My dumb guess was compression release failure. All the aluminum talked onto the crank journal was interesting. I love my Honda mower. Worth every penny I spent. I'm not going electric until someone builds one that isn't a plastic toy.

[@gordmcdonald2807]

I learned again from you. I never knew some of the small engines had timing belts. I have a 22 year old toro. I've put OME wheels on it twice. Sadly the drive rod is warn and they are close to $300 when I priced it. Time for a new toro. Love your vids.

[@donyboy73]

have a good weekend Gord!

[@swingbelly]

I always love reading the comments to your videos as they usually contain other important information. And, sometimes the subtle humour is excellent ie. autopsy "cause of death undetermined", eh. Thanks, Doney.

[@donyboy73]

😂

[@gregwmanning]

Great video. I enjoy seeing what's inside an engine

[@hosocat1410]

I have several machines with these engines. Very informative. Thanks!

[@josephrich6014]

Excellent video. I really like how you explain what everything is as you're removing it. I did not grow up around engines or mechanics, so your videos have really helped to educate me on how to fix my machines or when to not attempt it. Thanks again and have a great weekend.

[@donyboy73]

thanks Joseph

[@lawrencecarroll2031]

Good video! ALWAYS enjoy a good autopsy!!

[@donyboy73]

cause of death is "undetermined"

[@lawrencecarroll2031]

@@donyboy73 :) the perfect crime then!!

[@alans.4658]

Great video to watch. I guess the owner will be buying another mower for his lawn moving business, lol

[@KevinGarcia-ht3yt]

I was given that same type of mower that just needed a new carb but my pull start is free like that too. Mine runs it just takes a second to fire up. It doesn't fire up like my other mower that 5 years older. I thought that was a charact of it. Do those have some kind of overlap in the valves or does mine have low compression?It knows and drives along perfectly fine

[@ronwatson4902]

Yessir. That's a great video and I'm always interested to see what happened when an engine fails. My last one was a broken rod as well. Thanks Dony and have a great weekend yourself.

[@adrianhinds106]

Legend Mate st turned 2 mowers into one and works like new now thankyou

[@skyemac8]

Maybe the governor was stuck open giving it high revs. Otherwise it was a well kept machine.

[@11bayrat]

Thanks for sharing this information!

[@BrucesShop]

I love a tear-down. Thanks

[@rckolc]

The reason why the front tire treads are worn is because those wheels can also be used as drive wheels. They have geared hubs. You can use them as drive wheels also. They were rotated once the original drive wheels wore smooth.

[@tyroneclarke1666]

Great tear down video Don. Cheers 👍🦘🇦🇺

[@markproulx1472]

Great video! I own an HRX217, so this was really informative. I’m glad that I take really good care of it.

[@nelsonthekkath4830]

I used to keep it as a whole. Otherwise I won't find the items whenever I need. Whatever I need that time I remove it and take. 🙂🙂🙂 All the best buddy.

[@mjg263]

Really neat tear down and autopsy Dony! I guess the crank pin can show signs of galling whether the engine died from over-revving or from oil failure. That’s a weird one, looks like the guy took pretty good care of it except for not changing the oil every spring. Oh well…can’t save ‘em all, eh?

[@hosocat1410]

This is a little off topic. I've been hearing a lot of people on KZbin and chainsaw forums saying that stihl 2 cycle oil is damaging engines. Have you heard about this? It might be a good topic for a video if you felt like it. I've been using stihl orange and silver bottles for years. I hate to think I might be wearing out my equipment too soon.

[@Hydrogenblonde]

Tremendous video. Very informative.

[@evanchapmanfanman]

My guess is that the con rod had some galling which caused it to seize to the crank and snap the rod. these are tough little engines, very odd to see one blown up. I put one on my snapper mower after the old tecumseh blew up.

[@gregbetts8057]

personaly i save everything that can be reused , than smelt down the ally for future projects . good vid , thanks

[@baddad5781]

I'm just a dyi flunky but always enjoy your videos. I learn something every video so thank you. Since that piston was seized in the cylinder wall, why wasn't the cylinder wall scored you think?

[@edwintaber6465]

Saw this once when mower was used too long along a steep contour probably with oil level down to the low mark.

[@tihspidtherekciltilc5469]

Oh yeah, my first experience with a Honda push mower was putting the timing belt back on. I didn't even know some had T-belts but Honda loves over complicating things like choke for example or fuel shut off valve which is cool but I had to figure that out the hard way too.

[@zonie1953]

I think that engine has been apart before. Not the usual gray Hondabond sealer on the sump cover . I wonder what the engines story is !

[@jameshedrick605]

Love the tear down videos. You can learn a lot and sometimes you can get quite a few useable parts. I have a Kohler courage engine with the hours on it it comes to approximately 126,000 miles before it finally lost compression and it was serviced regularly. With an engine that blew up like that and if it didn't cause anymore damage can you replace the connecting rod ?

[@99andrianmonk]

Great video. Your tear down and comments are very informative.

[@Kyle-bb9zp]

It's done it surprisingly that people or home owners don't want to take care of there gasoline equipment every year. They would rather go out and buy a new mower every year. I know those Honda engines are very good last a long time.

[@pryme2013]

Lol does that thing even mow grass? That deck is spotless. Even cleaning the deck multiple times a year my 11 year old ariens has a dyed green deck with lots of grass

[@jjparody8257]

Honda's can be pretty forgiving on rebuild in my experience. Last summer rescued a similar engine, GCV190, on an HRX217 where the broken rod knocked a hole in the top end. I used the bottom end of that engine along with the crankshaft & flywheel, all in good shape, and utilized the cylinder top end, with rod, piston, & valves, from a GCV190 pressure washer on which the pump was kaput. Have successfully mowed with that HRX217 for two seasons now. But I am a DIYer; such an effort likely wouldn't be productive nor cost effective for a shop owner.

[@alexcorvi2254]

Doesn’t appear to be a lube failure as piston looks decent. looks like over reved

[@philliphall5198]

Funny that most people will add oil, even used oil to try and get warranty

[@jonlambshead6593]

Another Great Video, Well Explained, I Work On Small Engines For Many Years. Lots Of Valuable Parts There To Save. Most People Would Just Dump The Whole Thing. Even Though I Work On These Little Engines I Like Watching Other Peoples Videos and Offer Some Help If I Can. Thanks For The Great Vid. Watching From Australia. Love The Channel

[@donyboy73]

greetings from Canada!

[@Mudcat597]

Thanks for sharing.😊👍

[@jesusdrummer21]

I recently unstuck a exhaust valve and noticed 2 cracks in the valve area.I looked at one I had in my shed....same thing lots of small cracks in the valve area. The Honda gcv190s seem to crack...never seen a GCV160. Do that

[@RaleysSmallEngines]

Good video my friend.

[@donvoll2580]

Good day Don. Very interesting video. Thanks Yea over revving, bad.

[@gregvan5057]

Thanks for the teardown

[@1oldteck]

Thanks 👍

[@thyubernoob]

Not getting my gas powered...😉👍

[@deanmoore420]

You’re definitely right it blew its cookies

[@ratdude747]

I have this mower, only with an electric start. Seems to be decent although for my application (supplement to a lawn tractor) it's overweight and overkill. But for $50 a a thrift store and a $30 battery, I don't think I did too bad.

[@donyboy73]

good deal!

[@prosport5435]

My Honda didn’t have that orange gasket, it was grey. I suspect it was taken apart before and piston rod wasn’t torqued and or no assembly lube.

[@donyboy73]

I think you're correct

[@CompetentSalesUSA]

Thank you

[@askrob6846]

I own a similar Honda mower with the same thumb drive mechanism. I was surprised there wasn't a throttle lever on the carburetor side of the mower handle. Mine has one there for High or Low speed and shut-off. You mentioned sheds as in more than one that you keep your spare parts within. I've been wrenching on mowers, snow blowers, weed trimmers, and chainsaws since I was about 12, in 1982. Here we are 40 years later and i really enjoy watching your tutorials Dony. Do you have other videos of what your shop layout is, and sheds and how you organize or don't organize your spare parts and tools? I'm thinking of fixing up and re-selling small engine equipment as a hobby during my retirement in another 12 years or thereabouts. I do some now in my spare time and I've always enjoyed it. Thanks for all you do here... it's much appreciated!

[@PatrickKanatzer]

Would like a video on your thoughts and or concerns of going electric.

[@dfields9511]

@17:17 😢😢😢😢 How many ppl Careers in life started out by tinkering with small engines. Including electrical engineering ones.

[@turbineking7154]

Can I ask about my husky 65021as with the briggs? I put a 12 volt sealed battery in it like the honda uses. Been working well, always remove the battery and charge it during the winter. When I turn the starter sometimes it will just click. Does it have a relay on the ignition wire? The starter motor hasn't been used much.

[@gillgetter3004]

Electric mowers? Modules micro switches and motors. Electronic diagnosis will be the thing to learn!!😂

[@brucetaylor1753]

If you were going to go out tomorrow and buy a new walk behind mower which would purchase?

[@rayburnett3066]

More tear engines, please 🎉

[@gilpicard6024]

Just tore same engine clutch assembly apart. Seal was half way out and caked in oil. Cant rotate at all . Any suggestions.

[@kartboarder22g17]

Oil not changed enough or even sloppy oil change where he got sand or dirt in there by not being careful. I got my father in laws pressure washer I was borrowing and dang oil looked horrible. I changed it and the oil smelled horrible like lacquer whole garage stunk. It was hard to pull over the first time after I changed the oil ran it 10 hours now running good. Start on first pull.

[@rickthelian2215]

Take the muffler.... Get to see one torn down it was my first Honda. Buying a new engine is expensive but a sonar may be good with some new wheels.

[@donald4416]

According to what I saw with this video all that was needed is new piston and rod check crank for wear and if bent, and rebuild it, it shame to pull it that far apart all I would done was piston out.

[@donniemunroe7512]

good video dony, thanks

[@ronniebarker79]

Thumbs up donyboy shame about the con rods some you win some you lose

[@appleztooranges]

It’s the damn autochoke!