Very useful video! I was having the exact same problem. I all most gave my 3 year old lawnmower away until I saw this video. Wow! I replaced my spark plug and now my lawnmower is working like new. Thank you very much.
Thank you for sharing this. It saved me. Same problem, needed only a simple spark plug to fix. My plug looked ok when I pulled it so I went digging into everything else - carburettor etc. Your video made me revisit the spark plug. So thanks again
Same thing happened on my lawn mower... thought it was a carb problem, then I said let me try a different plug... and she stopped sputtering and fired up nice.
I wish I had seen this video, before stripping down the Carb. As the video said "Think of the simplest things first" I only thought the spark plug was needed to start the engine, every day is a school day, thank you very much for taking the time to put this video up and saving me a trip to the service department. :)
you absolute legend!! My Honda HRX 476 was running as rough as hell, after seeing your vid....cost me £2 for new spark plug....running sweet now! cheers mate
TOP SHELF video. I already dropped 160 bucks fixing this mower at a local repair shop last fall. ( To be fair. I inherited the mower (self propelled, bagger, the works) from passed away Father in law ( God rest his soul) and it sat for 6 years full of fuel in mid Michigan that he only used twice. We assumed he gave it away. But we found it in an abandoned shed under a bunch of junk on his vacation property. Mower was full of (GAS) varnish and needed to be repaired.) I fired it up for fall leaf picked up. ( I used my now blown up 17 year old Briggs and Striation during the heat of summer simply to use up that mower.) The Honda mower bucked and backfired. Only would start using starting fluid and then stall. I pulled the plug and it had a ton of carbon. 4 dollars later and a replacement plug and it works !!! Thank you for posting this video. I assumed for 160 bucks the shop would of put a new plug in? TBH I no longer have the receipt, maybe they did? I would of hated to donate more cash to the repair shop. Really odd it runs so better with a filter? Do spark plugs go bad often? I remember in the 70 ies my Father (God rest his soul) use to soak old spark plugs points (gap) in gas and scrub them with an old toothbrush and re use them? Not that 4 bucks is going to kill me but if this an every fall occurrence , why not?
Honda's are extremely sensitive to bad fuel and a bad spark plug. They can withstand other abuse but those two things specifically seem to hemorrhage them.
Thanks for this video. Is honda mowers difficult to start when temperature is under 50 degrees f? I took it out of the shed and took 8-10 pulls to start. Just curious if temperature plays a roll
Thank you- I replaced the carb after cleaning the original carb, still same problem. I thought it was lean pop. Changed the plug and she runs great- would have never thought it.
I've got a question for you that is not related to this video. Is there a trick to removing the Phillips head screw on the idle circuit when it wont budge? I am using a #2 screwdriver and I don't want to strip the screw. Great videos!
Got the surging problem on a brand new carb. I've taken it apart twice and cleaned it. Still surges. It doesn't have a removable low idle jet from the outside, and on the inside it looks like they're press fit in, with no screw slots to remove like I've seen on some other carbs. Spark plug change didn't work. Ideas?
mine is backfiring not sure why,,,i didnt put a new spark plug in but maybe ill try one see if it makes a difference..the mower itself works but just has the annoying backfires not real good for the resale..
My neighbor brought me his Troybilt 12AVB25U711 21" self propelled lawnmower. He starts it, runs and then dies. I said I'd take care of it for him. I changed the spark plug and it worked like a charm. He asked me what was wrong I explained about the spark plug and he says that's weird. I totally agree to "think simple". On Hondas the self-propelled goes out after about 12 years on my mower. I changed the drive belt & the drive pulley. Done! Guys on UA-cam are tearing into the transmission taking the wheel apart what for? Drivebelt & pulley was an easy fix. Just had to wait for the parts.
NGK's revenge! The first time I saw that thought it was the carburetor then the coil coil failing. See it mostly in Hondas but ran into a couple of Briggs and a Tecumseh popping and surging they too had an NGK. Even though the NGK's I've used in the past seemed OK, I don't use them anymore. Good video.
I have a Honda HRX217 that surges. I cleaned the carb, including idle circuit, with no change. I replaced the spark plug with no change. I replaced the carb with no change. It starts good and runs good on choke (or just a tick off choke) but it surges if I move the throttle more than 1/2 inch. Runs a little better with blade clutch engaged but still, not right. If I pull throttle more than 1/2 inch it sputters or backfires. Ideas? Thanks.
I’m on my 2nd HRX217HXA and neither one came with that wrench. Hmm. The current one is on year 7 of pretty heavy Kansas use and still runs great on the original plug.
Hello and thank you for the video, though I have honda gcv160 lawn mower model number HRR2169VLA auto choke with electric starter that doesn't start until I cover the choke then it will start, after it starts it wouldn't stay running unless I put a a piece of sponge in the opening in front of choke opening and still it runs rough, how can I send you a video of the starting and running?
I’ve checked and cleaned the carburetor and parts near by, I’ve replaced the air filter, used liquid mechanic, put in a new spark plug. I’m lost on what’s left to try. Guess I’m just going to have to bring to a mechanic. It surges like crazy to the point of almost dying then throttle then dying then throttle. I’ve also done an oil change twice.
same here...new spark plug NGK BPR5ES and working like new one...(for high pressure washer they say it should be NGK BPR6ES, maybe it will help somone..)
My Honda sounds just like that "poo-poo". I didn't change the oil for two years lol. I got a Honda b/c I know I'm going to be lazy when it comes to maintenance! THX!
My honda hrx cranks up but spits and sputters and runs like crap. I have changed the spark plug and still have the same problem. Do you think it needs a new carburetor? Thanks
Same Honda as mine. I put a new carb in and it now run at high speed, even when low speed is selected. Also - How do I adjust the fuel neddle screw. I screws it in until it started runnibg poor and then back it out 1 full turn. Thanks --
I know this isn’t a lawn mower but it’s the same procedure CHINESE GENERATOR CARBURETOR / FLUSHING THE IDLE CIRCUIT ua-cam.com/video/OVziDMAspVg/v-deo.html
Im workn on a neighbors Mower just like that 1 but with auto choke and it was running the same way with backfiring and runs better with filter out but ive put a new carb on it plus new filter and thermo wax cartridge and then it was starting and running good and then all the sudden i went to start it and it was hesitating real bad and then started running again so i killed it and went to start it again and Pull the Rope and backfired and I've cleaned the spark plug but I guess I should put a brand new one in it after watching this video unless you have any other ideas for me?? It would be much appreciated because I've put about 3 hours in on that damn thing today..
Just bought an HRX217 used. It nust be a cheapened down version as there is no Blade Brake, just stops the Blade when you release the lever. It starts and runs perfect and then after 3 or 4 minutes. it backfies and surges. It even blew off the air filter and cover. Mower is very good cosmetic shape and previous owner sold it to me for $100. His yard was so tiny, he repalced it with synthetic turf. Can't wait to change the Spark Plug and see what happens. Already cleaned the carb and dumped out the old fuel. Didn't help. Also, this Mower has 2 blades. The upper blade has the cutting edge facing backwards. Can that be correct? I would not think so. The lower main blade is correct.
@@THEMOWERMEDIC1 I dumped out old fuel and replaced the spark plug added clear fuel. Sharpened and balanced both blades. I stalled them correctly and it runs like new. Thsnks!
My question is, why does the plastic cover wobble and the rope modulate after putting in the new plug? Starting at 4:48 on the video. Bent Crank maybe?
I bought a used Honda, started 1st pull after 5 minutes or so started sputtering, popping etc. Replaced the spark plug and ran great. I checked the old plug which didn't look to bad but realized the previous owner never gapped the plug correctly.
Started up my almost new Honda mower one day and it was running way low RPM's. Had no idea why so I took it to a shop B/C it's still under warranty. They said I lost the governor spring. They replaced the spring but when I got it home it was surging and smoking. It even revved so high I thought it was going to blow up! Took it to a second shop. They worked on it for a week and said it's fixed. I went a ran it and it was STILL surging and smoking. Now they're saying it needs a new carb and want to charge me $270 for it b/c they say Honda doesn't cover Carb work!!! WTF? Shoulda fixed it myself. Going to bring it home. What's your advice.
Tamara Widrick 270$ for a 19 dollar carb is ridiculous. Sounds like you need to call Honda and let them set you up an appoint at a Honda dealer and have it good will warranted. Email me a copy of the estimate themowermedic1@gmail.com
@@THEMOWERMEDIC1 The 2 places I took it to were both Honda dealers here in upstate NY! I'm concerned that they damaged the engine. Before I took it down the first time I watched a video that told how to set RPM's with a feeler gauge and how if the RPM's are too high it will damage the engine.
@@THEMOWERMEDIC1 Well I cant get it to start at all. it will back fire that is all smoke comes from the air intake. I have changed the plug, cleaned the gas tank and totally taken the carb out and cleaned it. Tried a little starting fluid but didn't make it turn over. would think it was part of the start stop switch but it does spark so figured that is good.
PLEASE HELP ANYBODY PLEASE! My lawnmower won't run. Honda also. It's a $400 mower and my neighbors are spiteful. They are going to report me. I've replaced the carburetor, the coil, the sparkplug, the filter, and it won't start. It only backfires. A guy I know supposedly fixed it. He said "water in the gas tank". Gave it back, and it's worse. Backfires when trying to crank. I'm full of anxiety. Please help.
@@THEMOWERMEDIC1 I didn't mean to imply that it's brand new. I need to fix it. Watching all these repair videos is like finding a needle in a haystack. Thanks for responding. Honestly I've already ACTUALLY CRIED this morning.
@@THEMOWERMEDIC1 The mower used to run fine. Last year I cleaned the carburetor and it was ok. Loaned it to a friend and it was never right after that. It was running but once it warmed up it began blowing black smoke and running erratically. My brother said "coil." So I replaced it. No difference. My friend said "fuel" and cleaning the carb didn't help so I replaced it. The only change is that it would't shut off. Checked the spark plug covered in dry soot. Replaced. Air filter replaced for good measure. My friend said "I'll fix it." "Oh, it's water in the gas tank." When I got it back it wouldn't crank at all. Starting fluid didn't help but it doesn't run right when it does start. Black smoke.
![Full Detailed Honda GCV160 GCV190 Carb Clean [4k]](/img/n.gif)
Very useful video! I was having the exact same problem. I all most gave my 3 year old lawnmower away until I saw this video. Wow! I replaced my spark plug and now my lawnmower is working like new. Thank you very much.
Thank you for sharing this. It saved me. Same problem, needed only a simple spark plug to fix. My plug looked ok when I pulled it so I went digging into everything else - carburettor etc. Your video made me revisit the spark plug. So thanks again
as a hobby, i flip mowers. if i have a problem with one, i at your videos to help me. this solve my newest problemed mower. keep posting. thanks
Had the same issue with a HR215, new plug ran fine, these Honda's are picky when it comes to plugs
Yep my hrr216 ran like shit with a champion plug and ran perfectly with a ngk plug
Same thing happened on my lawn mower... thought it was a carb problem, then I said let me try a different plug... and she stopped sputtering and fired up nice.
I wish I had seen this video, before stripping down the Carb. As the video said "Think of the simplest things first" I only thought the spark plug was needed to start the engine, every day is a school day, thank you very much for taking the time to put this video up and saving me a trip to the service department. :)
Thanks, super helpful. I wish i'd seen this before I went to the trouble of cleaning out the carburetor.
you absolute legend!!
My Honda HRX 476 was running as rough as hell, after seeing your vid....cost me £2 for new spark plug....running sweet now!
cheers mate
Thanks Mowermedic! I have the same mower with the same problem - off to get a new plug- thanks again !
TOP SHELF video. I already dropped 160 bucks fixing this mower at a local repair shop last fall. ( To be fair. I inherited the mower (self propelled, bagger, the works) from passed away Father in law ( God rest his soul) and it sat for 6 years full of fuel in mid Michigan that he only used twice. We assumed he gave it away. But we found it in an abandoned shed under a bunch of junk on his vacation property. Mower was full of (GAS) varnish and needed to be repaired.) I fired it up for fall leaf picked up. ( I used my now blown up 17 year old Briggs and Striation during the heat of summer simply to use up that mower.) The Honda mower bucked and backfired. Only would start using starting fluid and then stall. I pulled the plug and it had a ton of carbon. 4 dollars later and a replacement plug and it works !!! Thank you for posting this video. I assumed for 160 bucks the shop would of put a new plug in? TBH I no longer have the receipt, maybe they did? I would of hated to donate more cash to the repair shop. Really odd it runs so better with a filter? Do spark plugs go bad often? I remember in the 70 ies my Father (God rest his soul) use to soak old spark plugs points (gap) in gas and scrub them with an old toothbrush and re use them? Not that 4 bucks is going to kill me but if this an every fall occurrence , why not?
Honda's are extremely sensitive to bad fuel and a bad spark plug. They can withstand other abuse but those two things specifically seem to hemorrhage them.
Thanks for this video. Is honda mowers difficult to start when temperature is under 50 degrees f? I took it out of the shed and took 8-10 pulls to start. Just curious if temperature plays a roll
The simple thing has saved me many a time, I always remember that line in the movie.
Thank you- I replaced the carb after cleaning the original carb, still same problem. I thought it was lean pop. Changed the plug and she runs great- would have never thought it.
I've got a question for you that is not related to this video. Is there a trick to removing the Phillips head screw on the idle circuit when it wont budge? I am using a #2 screwdriver and I don't want to strip the screw. Great videos!
Those can be pesky little buggars. I use an impact gun with a x bit (Phillips)
I used needle nose vise grip pliers.
Got the surging problem on a brand new carb. I've taken it apart twice and cleaned it. Still surges. It doesn't have a removable low idle jet from the outside, and on the inside it looks like they're press fit in, with no screw slots to remove like I've seen on some other carbs. Spark plug change didn't work. Ideas?
Thanks, this was very helpful.
Interesting. I usually clean them but the Honda's may be a bit more fussy.
Nice video great advice.Hondas seem to eat up plugs . Had a HR194 Ran like a champ then once hot cut out .
Bad plug .
Thanks for the knowledge. Greatly appreciate your time for sharing this content.
You need to dig around the concrete slab and make drainage for the water, fill it with crush and run, and put grates over it..... Great video.
Drop a telephone pole there ..now the village can't say your diverting a water way ...hey ..it's a parking bumper ..
mine is backfiring not sure why,,,i didnt put a new spark plug in but maybe ill try one see if it makes a difference..the mower itself works but just has the annoying backfires not real good for the resale..
My neighbor brought me his Troybilt 12AVB25U711 21" self propelled lawnmower. He starts it, runs and then dies. I said I'd take care of it for him. I changed the spark plug and it worked like a charm. He asked me what was wrong I explained about the spark plug and he says that's weird.
I totally agree to "think simple". On Hondas the self-propelled goes out after about 12 years on my mower. I changed the drive belt & the drive pulley. Done! Guys on UA-cam are tearing into the transmission taking the wheel apart what for? Drivebelt & pulley was an easy fix. Just had to wait for the parts.
NGK's revenge! The first time I saw that thought it was the carburetor then the coil coil failing. See it mostly in Hondas but ran into a couple of Briggs and a Tecumseh popping and surging they too had an NGK. Even though the NGK's I've used in the past seemed OK, I don't use them anymore. Good video.
BRIGGS AND TECUMSEH ONLY RUN GOOD WITH CHAMPION PLUGS
Hondas run good with them too!
Had that problem with a Husqvarna 77 chainsaw. New plug fixed it.
I have a Honda HRX217 that surges. I cleaned the carb, including idle circuit, with no change. I replaced the spark plug with no change. I replaced the carb with no change. It starts good and runs good on choke (or just a tick off choke) but it surges if I move the throttle more than 1/2 inch. Runs a little better with blade clutch engaged but still, not right. If I pull throttle more than 1/2 inch it sputters or backfires. Ideas? Thanks.
Did you check the filter and fuel line?
I’m on my 2nd HRX217HXA and neither one came with that wrench. Hmm.
The current one is on year 7 of pretty heavy Kansas use and still runs great on the original plug.
Hello and thank you for the video, though I have honda gcv160 lawn mower model number HRR2169VLA auto choke with electric starter that doesn't start until I cover the choke then it will start, after it starts it wouldn't stay running unless I put a a piece of sponge in the opening in front of choke opening and still it runs rough, how can I send you a video of the starting and running?
It a thermal wax pin block that closes and opens the choke at the right temps , very common problem on the honda auto chokes...cheap and easy fix.
I’ve checked and cleaned the carburetor and parts near by, I’ve replaced the air filter, used liquid mechanic, put in a new spark plug.
I’m lost on what’s left to try. Guess I’m just going to have to bring to a mechanic. It surges like crazy to the point of almost dying then throttle then dying then throttle.
I’ve also done an oil change twice.
Never again buying a Honda better off with a cheap throwaway mower
Really?
same here...new spark plug NGK BPR5ES and working like new one...(for high pressure washer they say it should be NGK BPR6ES, maybe it will help somone..)
My Honda sounds just like that "poo-poo". I didn't change the oil for two years lol. I got a Honda b/c I know I'm going to be lazy when it comes to maintenance! THX!
My honda hrx cranks up but spits and sputters and runs like crap. I have changed the spark plug and still have the same problem. Do you think it needs a new carburetor? Thanks
Did you hear that turbo wine as he touched the governor ? I didn't.
I got a Honda gxv270 I put a new spark plug in it it’s still backfires
Same Honda as mine. I put a new carb in and it now run at high speed, even when low speed is selected.
Also - How do I adjust the fuel neddle screw. I screws it in until it started runnibg poor and then back it out 1 full turn.
Thanks --
Full turn and a half
Ty for the upload. I'm going to try this on my Huskee Bronco riding mower this morning
Same situation 😂 mine started back firing today
GREAT VIDEO.
I have an HRX 217 runs great and smooth under load but when idling it surges really bad. No backfiring at all, just surging.
Idle circuit is clogged. Watch my video on idle circuit cleaning
I know this isn’t a lawn mower but it’s the same procedure CHINESE GENERATOR CARBURETOR / FLUSHING THE IDLE CIRCUIT ua-cam.com/video/OVziDMAspVg/v-deo.html
Im workn on a neighbors Mower just like that 1 but with auto choke and it was running the same way with backfiring and runs better with filter out but ive put a new carb on it plus new filter and thermo wax cartridge and then it was starting and running good and then all the sudden i went to start it and it was hesitating real bad and then started running again so i killed it and went to start it again and Pull the Rope and backfired and I've cleaned the spark plug but I guess I should put a brand new one in it after watching this video unless you have any other ideas for me?? It would be much appreciated because I've put about 3 hours in on that damn thing today..
Are these honda motors just really this loud. I just bought one to fix and it's quite frankly twice as loud as any Briggs.
If it's adjusted right it will be as quiet or even more quiet than a Briggs
Just bought an HRX217 used. It nust be a cheapened down version as there is no Blade Brake, just stops the Blade when you release the lever. It starts and runs perfect and then after 3 or 4 minutes. it backfies and surges. It even blew off the air filter and cover. Mower is very good cosmetic shape and previous owner sold it to me for $100. His yard was so tiny, he repalced it with synthetic turf. Can't wait to change the Spark Plug and see what happens. Already cleaned the carb and dumped out the old fuel. Didn't help.
Also, this Mower has 2 blades. The upper blade has the cutting edge facing backwards. Can that be correct? I would not think so. The lower main blade is correct.
Fuel delivery issue and blades should face the same way
@@THEMOWERMEDIC1 I dumped out old fuel and replaced the spark plug added clear fuel. Sharpened and balanced both blades. I stalled them correctly and it runs like new. Thsnks!
My question is, why does the plastic cover wobble and the rope modulate after putting in the new plug? Starting at 4:48 on the video. Bent Crank maybe?
No starter bolts
@@THEMOWERMEDIC1 Okay. Thanks.
What would cause a Honda push mower to start and run fine for a little while and then start acting up and running rough?
Bad gas cap 💯
I bought a used Honda, started 1st pull after 5 minutes or so started sputtering, popping etc. Replaced the spark plug and ran great. I checked the old plug which didn't look to bad but realized the previous owner never gapped the plug correctly.
We need you to fix that water issue with your shop and give us video proof.
Started up my almost new Honda mower one day and it was running way low RPM's. Had no idea why so I took it to a shop B/C it's still under warranty. They said I lost the governor spring. They replaced the spring but when I got it home it was surging and smoking. It even revved so high I thought it was going to blow up! Took it to a second shop. They worked on it for a week and said it's fixed. I went a ran it and it was STILL surging and smoking. Now they're saying it needs a new carb and want to charge me $270 for it b/c they say Honda doesn't cover Carb work!!! WTF? Shoulda fixed it myself. Going to bring it home. What's your advice.
Tamara Widrick 270$ for a 19 dollar carb is ridiculous. Sounds like you need to call Honda and let them set you up an appoint at a Honda dealer and have it good will warranted. Email me a copy of the estimate themowermedic1@gmail.com
@@THEMOWERMEDIC1 The 2 places I took it to were both Honda dealers here in upstate NY! I'm concerned that they damaged the engine. Before I took it down the first time I watched a video that told how to set RPM's with a feeler gauge and how if the RPM's are too high it will damage the engine.
And, BTW, THANK YOU for helping me out!!!
Tamara Widrick 👍
any chance you could help me figure out what is wrong with one that was given to me
Sure what symptoms are you having
@@THEMOWERMEDIC1 Well I cant get it to start at all. it will back fire that is all smoke comes from the air intake. I have changed the plug, cleaned the gas tank and totally taken the carb out and cleaned it. Tried a little starting fluid but didn't make it turn over. would think it was part of the start stop switch but it does spark so figured that is good.
My Honda gcv 190 runs but in 10 minutes still running the escape is burning
Thanks.
i cleaned the carb and the surging went away, now i have no throttle any ideas I have the auto choke
Did you hook the linkage back up correctly?
@@urmommaahugehoe There is only one and a spring, I put the linkage in the big hole and the spring in the smaller hole
Honda seem to be hard on spark plugs for some reason,
Worked for me!
But your hoods loose, Like nowadays The Hoods are running Wild.
PLEASE HELP ANYBODY PLEASE!
My lawnmower won't run. Honda also. It's a $400 mower and my neighbors are spiteful. They are going to report me. I've replaced the carburetor, the coil, the sparkplug, the filter, and it won't start. It only backfires. A guy I know supposedly fixed it. He said "water in the gas tank". Gave it back, and it's worse. Backfires when trying to crank. I'm full of anxiety. Please help.
Bring it back if it’s not right !!!!
@@THEMOWERMEDIC1 I didn't mean to imply that it's brand new. I need to fix it. Watching all these repair videos is like finding a needle in a haystack. Thanks for responding. Honestly I've already ACTUALLY CRIED this morning.
Does it start and run when you use quick start?
@@THEMOWERMEDIC1 Nope. I'll tell you everything if you will call. Eight five O Seven O four 69 O nine
@@THEMOWERMEDIC1 The mower used to run fine. Last year I cleaned the carburetor and it was ok. Loaned it to a friend and it was never right after that. It was running but once it warmed up it began blowing black smoke and running erratically. My brother said "coil." So I replaced it. No difference. My friend said "fuel" and cleaning the carb didn't help so I replaced it. The only change is that it would't shut off. Checked the spark plug covered in dry soot. Replaced. Air filter replaced for good measure. My friend said "I'll fix it." "Oh, it's water in the gas tank." When I got it back it wouldn't crank at all. Starting fluid didn't help but it doesn't run right when it does start. Black smoke.
Never the spark plug
i call it a kaiser blade mmmmmm
Needs a plug uhmmhmm...
AAA+++
Too simple to fix
Probably not safe to start and let it run on your tailgate.
You're so helpful.
Perhaps you should make your own channel.
Has a blade clutch so no worry