How To Check and Adjust Valve Clearance Honda GCV 190 HRX217 Lawn Mower

[@tonym6920]

I wish Honda would use a gasket for the valve cover instead of Hondabond.

[@carl3233]

great maintance video i wonder why honda dont sell a regular gasket for this mower probly to cut costs, some body must make a gasket for the valve cover. or make one

[@shoneyell]

That’s what I’m saying. Why bend up a perfectly good value cover with Superman bonding sealant when there’s good gasket material out there? Come on, make the serviceability of this easier. These damn Hondas will run forever if you take care of them. Plus, removing the carburetor/air filter sounds like unneeded work - if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? Glad I’m not the only one that feels this way.

[@SA-iw4ci]

There are alignment marks for TDC on the bottom of the cam pulley.

[@DansVlog]

I love you guys! Thank you!!!

[@geepeezee5030]

Is this visible in the video? I looked around 19m04s, but didn't see any markings on the cam?

[@gpecci2253]

Well done video. What gasket tube do you recommend ?

[@georgemyers6518]

Great video. It was done in what I call dan format.very thorough and very well explained in a manner that everyone can understand it completely.you could be an awesome teacher. What I would do when applying the sealant on the valve cover is make sure my starting and stopping point with tube is on the upper side of the cover just in case there is a hint of a seam in the sealant it would be less likely to leak at the top.this is only because I do overthink everything.drives my dad crazy to be around when I do stuff because of that,lol ! Keep the videos coming

[@BigAlWillis]

wonder if the valve cover would come off easier while motor is hot/warm? lil tip set the tube of gasket maker in the sun for lil while makes it much more easy to use.

[@jr0079]

Honda run time is 1h 15m and capable to cut 12-18" grass. Honda are known to run super clean emission. Now run time 1h 45m with carb mod, magnet and Tribo-MAX motor treatment. Capable to cut 18-24" grass. It definitely has more torque/power and its super super clean emission. I have notice tiny bit more power with Tribo-MAX Fuel+. Great video and save $100 very simple valve adjustment.

[@DansVlog]

Thank you

[@philliphall5198]

Your doing a great job of explaining and teaching others how to keep their equipment running and saving money, Americans are going to be forced into doing there own repairs again like there grand parents had to do, get started watching utube while it’s available 😊😊😊😊

[@DansVlog]

Thank you Phillip! I appreciate you

[@mrnuthatch7004]

Good video. I already know how to adjust valves, but I needed the gap size. Watched the whole video anyway.

[@DansVlog]

Thank you

[@NorthlanderMN]

My Honda is 20 years old. I’ve never done this. My Honda runs perfectly still.

[@DansVlog]

Awesome!

[@lifeisgood070]

I assume you did this again? I’ve had the same mower for five years and never changed the valve clearance. It probably has about 150 hours on it. Curious if you ever saw it get loose. My engine still makes what I would consider the same power so i wasn’t considering doing this.

[@DansVlog]

It is just a simple maintenance check. If it is found to be out of tolerance, then make the adjustment.

[@bluelude2001]

Good video, very thorough. In my research I think Honda says the valve cover is one time use. I'm just going to bang mine up and have a replacement. Well over 100hrs on my mower. I'm sure they are loose.

[@tedaut]

You have to make sure you are on the right stroke since on a 4 cycle there are two different times that the Piston is at TDC. You need to be in the start of the intake stroke and not the start of the power stroke .

[@DansVlog]

That is correct. To know this, both rockers will wiggle when on the right stroke. If not, then like you suggest, it is not right and there will be one valve with 0 clearance

[@tedaut]

@@DansVlog You da man Dan .

[@geepeezee5030]

@8m0s RE: interval, 100hrs or every year. Such maintenance schedule might be suitable for a commercial user, but seems excessive for the home user. Case and point, our lawn gets mowed once a week, usually taking 30-45 minutes each time. Say from May through November. That's roughly 26 weeks. By my calculations that's ~20 hours/yr, or 5 years to reach that hundred hour mark. So... I'll probably check mine in a year (for initial wear), and then every 4-5 yrs there after. Fortunately they use a locknut/screw arrangement rather than shims. That matter (used on many motorcycle engines) is a royal pita to adjust as it requires cam removal. Is there a spec on the timing belt replacement? Here's a video on changing the belt on a similar engine... It's quite involved, requiring engine removal and case splitting.

[@DansVlog]

Follow your maintenance manual

[@geepeezee5030]

@@DansVlog Lol... There's no mention of this in the maintenance manual. Just like there's no mention of changing the trans fluid.

[@brianl6964]

You are actually planning on doing this headache yearly??

[@DansVlog]

It won’t be as hard next time. The gasket maker I used will be far more forgiving than the rubber cement Honda used. This task should take no more than 20 minutes.

[@jeremiahlf]

Brian L What is the alternative? What do you do? But a new mower or what? Everything requires maintanence.

[@robnation2475]

@@jeremiahlf Wait til your mower won't start then check the valves.

[@Infected_Miller]

Thanks for the informational video.

[@2dush2]

I believe >90% of people won’t do this until the engine stops running.

[@DansVlog]

Yup!

[@mrnuthatch7004]

Yup!

[@beaud3035]

Thanks bro! Very informative and I've got the same Honda hrx217 and I'm pretty sure the valves need to be adjusted so this will help out tons. I took the carb apart and cleaned it reinstalled and the mower starts and runs great but after a couple minutes starts to lose RPM a little bit and then climb back to normal so I'm hoping adjusting the valves is going to help.

[@DansVlog]

Not the Valves. Definitely internal with the carb. Surging is a dirt issue or a bad gas issue or the float / Needle and seat is dirty.

[@beaud3035]

@@DansVlog ive cleaned the living shit outta the carb, and, the float and needle are in good shape.. Cleaned out the tank and fuel lines plus filled with fresh gas...Im just gonna order a new carb and see what that does. Thanks for the info and Reply!

[@etorec]

You said in the video that engine had pushrods? these are actual brackets that moves with the bottom gear lobe...

[@robnation2475]

If your pull rope gets hard to pull through and wants to rip your fingers off our pull your shoulder out adjust your valves... otherwise I'd wait to do a valve adjustment.

[@panchovilla3493]

My valves are top and bottom and are more hidden inside!😑

[@vdittycc]

Hi I have a Remington rm120 looks to be a Honda clone, back fires real loud when pulled! One valve does not move and is loose.. broken camshaft maybe ? never seen before?

[@DansVlog]

Tighten the valve and see if it starts to move. It just may be too loose. If it starts to move, start following my instructions and set the lash

[@philliphall5198]

I’m not buying a new cover, will beat it out and right stuff sealer works great 😊

[@DansVlog]

Good call!

[@BixbyConsequence]

I can't believe they say you need to do this once a year but expect you to pay for a shop manual to get the procedure. WTF Honda?

[@DansVlog]

Most people would bring their mower to the shop and pay 60 or $75 for a full tuneup which would include your valve adjustment. If that’s something that is not affordable or you disagree with, then stick to MTD and Troy built lawnmowers from Lowe’s and Home Depot and just run them till they break.

[@rtiros]

TDC is always recommend 👍🏻 Nicely done ✅

[@easy10]

thinking that exhaust valve clearance making the starter rope hard to pull

[@DansVlog]

Could be

[@07swbxrunner]

The exhaust valve lifter is know to crack on these, causing it to feel locked up. $8 on amazon

[@easy10]

exhaust was outside specs. feels easy to pull now. Note to self, this would be a good time to drain the oil before removing the valve cover. May try that instant cure gasket maker next time.

[@07swbxrunner]

Dan Zachry I just bought the same mower for $50 from someone because it didn’t pull. $8 lifter and it’s golden lol.

[@byroncate7558]

Nice video! Thanks!

[@nsoper19]

My valve cover has a silicon gasket on it. Any tips to get it removed?

[@DansVlog]

Rip it off, clean it up with a razor, replace gasket with new or get Red Gasket Maker from Auto store

[@BillyTpower]

19:41 that's not the camshaft lobe that is just there to open the values a little bit for the easy start mowers. It takes off compression for just a split second

[@lexboegen]

I like to use "go-no go" feeler gauges for adjusting valves. It eliminates any guesswork. I have the same mower as you with about two years on it (Florida lawns, so it's used year-round), so I think I'll check the valves this weekend.

[@DansVlog]

Great idea! Make sure you have a good gasket maker since the Honda motor does not use regular gaskets.

[@robnation2475]

9:11 Black cam lobe should be pointing at you. You can almost see it here (pause)

[@DansVlog]

Ya man, I noticed that! Honda made this such an easy task.

[@lifeisgood070]

how do you know you're on the top dead center of the compression stroke? and not the exhaust stroke?

[@DansVlog]

The valves will both be loose and the piston will be able to move a little bit without the valves moving.

[@isshinryu11]

Thanks Dan, no-nonsense instructions here!

[@DansVlog]

My pleasure

[@bobby.lawncare1393]

Is this a commercial mower

[@DansVlog]

Not sure what defines “commercial”. It’s powerful, efficient and well built. Has a great warranty and parts are readily available. That’s all I know

[@appleztooranges]

No it’s not. The hrc models are. These are mid grade ones. There is hrn (replaced the hrr216vka models) these one (hrx models) and than there is hrc models. C stands for commercial. It’s close

[@lifeisgood070]

oh wow he did it! hahaha nice.

[@DansVlog]

Thank you

[@rs2143]

Don't waste your time on this video go to Steve's small engine repair this gentleman doesn't know the exact way to do it Steve will show you the exact way to set the cam

[@jackjohnson9349]

I always buy a new valve cover from amazon for about $7. I can never get the old one off without bending something and putting up with small oil leaks.

[@DansVlog]

Smart thinking

[@James-lu9jf]

Very informative and interesting so I'm guessing you have a mechanical background from the forces. Just a quick question Dan why do you suddenly stop cutting lawns this month as surely your daytime temps are nothing like the UK

[@DansVlog]

Thank you! But who said I suddenly stoppped cutting? Pretty sure in all my latest vids I said I get one more cut in November to get us thru the winter. Regardless of temps, the grass goes dormant in Nov-March and turns dead-brown when we get our first frost

[@James-lu9jf]

Sorry I meant that you stopped cutting at the end of November and didn't realise the grass goes dormant even with your relatively warm temperatures compared to the UK

[@Todd_Monson]

I have a factory service manual. Hit me up if you need any information from it.

[@DansVlog]

Thanks bud

[@MrLutzyboy]

Dan, aside from the manufacturer recommendations on valve adjustments time; How will my mower start acting up that will require this type of an adjustment?

[@DansVlog]

Loss of power, hard to start, popping back thru the carb are a few symptoms most noticeable.

[@RM-zy2pp]

@@DansVlog Dan could this make the mower surge as well if clearance is off

[@robnation2475]

@@RM-zy2pp Surge is usually due to 10% ethanol in gas. Try to find pure 100% gas nearby. Carb gets funky from ethanol.