Taking Care Of Unexpected Problems - Honda HRX217VKA Owner's Manual

PLACING IN STORAGE
Since your mower will be stored with gasoline in the fuel tank, it is
important to reduce the hazard of gasoline vapor ignition. Select a
well-ventilated storage area away from any appliance that operates
with a flame, such as a furnace, water heater, or clothes dryer. Also
avoid any area with a spark-producing electric motor or where power
tools are operated.
If possible, avoid storage areas with high humidity because humidity
promotes rust and corrosion.
Make sure the fuel valve is in the OFF position to reduce the
possibility of fuel leakage.
Place the mower with its wheels on a level surface. Tilting can cause
fuel or oil leakage.
The handlebar can be folded for compact storage.
With the engine and exhaust system cool, cover the mower to keep
out dust. A hot engine and exhaust system can ignite or melt some
materials. Do not use sheet plastic as a dust cover. A nonporous
cover will trap moisture around the mower, promoting rust and
corrosion. Honda recommends using the optional stretch fabric
storage cover (page 18).
REMOVING FROM STORAGE
Check your mower as described in BEFORE OPERATION (page 4).
If the cylinder was coated with oil during storage preparation, the
engine will smoke briefly at startup. This is normal.
TAKING CARE OF
UNEXPECTED PROBLEMS
Engine Will Not Start
Possible Cause
Fuel valve OFF
Out of fuel
Bad fuel, mower was stored
without treating the gasoline,
or refueled with bad gasoline
Spark plug faulty, fouled, or
improperly gapped
Spark plug wet with fuel
(flooded engine)
Fuel filter clogged, carburetor
malfunction, ignition
malfunction, valves stuck, etc.
Correction
Turn the fuel valve ON (page 7).
Refuel (page 13).
Refuel with fresh gasoline
(page 13).
Gap or replace the spark plug
(page 12).
Dry and reinstall the spark plug.
Take the mower to an authorized
Honda servicing dealer for repair.
Loss of Power
Possible Cause
Grass too tall or wet
Mower deck clogged
Air filter clogged
Bad fuel, mower was stored
without treating the gasoline,
or refueled with bad gasoline
Fuel filter clogged, carburetor
malfunction, ignition
malfunction, valves stuck,
etc.
Vibration
Possible Cause
Grass and debris lodged
under the mower deck
Blades loose, bent,
damaged, or unbalanced by
improper sharpening
Mechanical damage, such as
a bent crankshaft
Mowing and Bagging Problems
Possible Cause
Mower is moving too fast for
lawn conditions
Cutting height adjustment
levers set at different
positions
Grass bag overfilled or
clogged
Mower deck clogged
Blades dull, worn, or
damaged
Wrong blades installed
Correction
Raise the cutting height (page 8),
cut a narrower swath, use a slower
ground speed, cut more frequently
when the grass is dry, or move the
Clip Director knob toward the BAG
position (page 5).
Clean out the mower deck.
Clean or replace the air filter
(page 11).
Refuel with fresh gasoline
(page 13).
Take the mower to an authorized
Honda servicing dealer for repair.
Correction
Clean out the mower deck.
Tighten loose blade bolts (page 10).
If blades are found to be bent or
damaged, take the lawn mower to
an authorized Honda servicing
dealer for inspection (page 9).
Take the mower to an authorized
Honda servicing dealer for repair.
Correction
Reduce the pressure on the Smart
Drive control to slow the mower
(page 5).
Set all levers at the same cutting
height position (page 6).
Empty the grass bag. Wash the
grass bag if it is clogged with dirt
(page 10).
Clean out the mower deck.
Sharpen or replace the blades if
necessary (page 9).
Install correct blades (page 9).
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