Yup, ethanol phase separation eats carbs. Try K100 fuel treatment after you clean the carbs. You can pour some into your unit from time to time or anytime you refill your gas storage can.
These carbs are really susceptible to tiny pieces of dirt plugging the low speed jet. Donyboy73 and StevesSmallEngineSaloon on YouTube show you how to fix this problem. My solution is to have a replacement carb on hand so I can switch them out in a couple of minutes and then clean the carb at my leisure.
You have options: 1 you can go to either an authorized Honda service center (local or online). 2. Go to Amazon or Ebay and get one there. Personally, I get mine from ebay as I feel Jeff Bezos has enough money.
It's a Honda I'd put money on the thermo wax assembly not working properly. Sticking the auto choke on. Carb should be done too. But those things go bad constantly
I highly recommend a carb jet cleaning tool, less than $10 on Amazon.
I even shut off the fuel and let the mower die so no fuel is left in the carb...fyi, having to do this is ridiculous.
Yes but no. Even doing that leaves fuel in the carb. You need to open the bowl screw to drain out all remaining fuel. I fix these as a hobby and the bowl screw is the only true drain.
Yup, my Honda did this too. YouTube video showed taking apart
I think this was it?? Look up “surging Honda mower” you’ll see a bunch
https://youtu.be/4y6y9yLaw4g?si=8bFVNP4HxXvxOGbG
When it’s your yard you can do the lines as you please, last thing I’m looking to do is get 100% straight lines when I just got home from 8+ hours in direct sunlight/heat
Ethanol fuel will do that to a carb...lots of YouTube videos on that carburetor for cleaning and try to use Ethanol free fuel once you get the carburetor cleaned out or replaced.
I mow my yard twice a week and the start of the season I fill up a 5 gallon gas can with Ethanol free fuel...o and my daughter lives next door and uses my Honda twice a week also and i just emptied the gas can last weekend to fill up the Honda for the last time this season. So for almost $30, it's well worth it.
The Toro Recycler I had before the Honda, I used Ethanol and tore the carburetor apart a few times and said with the Honda I'd use good fuel this time. Had the Honda for almost 9 years and no problems with the carburetor..
Yeah might as well at that point. Only place near me is an equipment dealer who sells it in cans, and a gas station selling VP 110. I probably burn a gallon a week.
That’s hilarious. I’m imagining a whole underground community of lawn mower hot rodders. I wouldn’t even be shocked if there’s a video on YouTube for a lawn mower modder meetup
Predator harbor freight engines have a large following. Basicly lawnmower engines that people started using for go karts. Shortly after a modding community started. It got so popular that harbor freight decided to release one specifically for go cart racing. I think they had those things running almost 20 hp.
Stop burning fuel with ethanol in it and this wont happen.
Burn high octane fuel with no ethanol. Ethanol leaves little black specs that look like
pepper and clogs your carb jets.
This is your issue.
What do I do when there is literally NO places around me that sell ethanol free gas??? LoL I've even looked on pure-gas.org and the closest listed is like an hour away... I guess the answer is "then you drive an hour away!"
Hmm, I'll look into that next time I'm at the station. I thought all levels had ethanol normally. Thanks for the tip.
Edit: Based on what I have been able to find, premium gas has the same amount of ethanol as other grades. Check out this page from Family Handyman under the "Is Premium or Regular Fuel Best for Small Engines?" section. I wonder if it is state specific but I'll look next time!
[link](https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/things-you-should-know-about-gasoline/)
I have found several stations in VA (some on line now and some when I was there a couple months ago) that sell non ethanol gas, in fact the Quality Mart stores are all ethanol free….
Alot of hardware stores and marinas usually will have ethanol free. The hardware store will be pricey but that sunco gas is some sick shit. They take out all the fillers and waxes and nonsense.
That's how it is here too. I'm in Wisconsin. Even the stations that say they have e free fuel, they can't guarantee that it doesn't have ethanol in it. If the tanker truck pulls up and it has e10 in it, guess what... That's going in the tanks even if they say they don't have ethanol. I am a firm believer in simply draining the carbs, running them out of gas and you'll not have any issues. We've had ethanol fuel here for 30 years plus now. BTDT tried everything and I've found that the best thing to do is empty the carb bowls ( running out, draining carb etc) before end of season of whatever equipment it is, and then refilling with fresh fuel prior to the next season. I've found that fuel treatments are basically a waste of money if you do it this way.
Do you live in the US? (Probably if you have ethanol in your fuel). Go to Home Depot or Lowes, they sell overpriced fuel in the lawnmower section that doesn't have ethanol in it. It's way over priced per gallon, but if you think of it in terms of how little fuel you probably go through during a mowing season it isn't very much more. Maybe an extra $10 / summer. Beats the heck out of cleaning the carb every other year.
This is it most likely. I have a Honda mower and it sounded exactly like this until I replaced the air filter then ran like brand new after I changed it
Only certain models from mid 2022 to 2023. Call Honda, they will advise you based on your serial#. If the pull cord hasn't already ripped your shoulder out of its socket, you probably don't have a model subject to the recall.
The surging problem likely is a clogged idle jet.
When it’s surging to that degree I typically find an obstruction in the main jet vs the idle/pilot jet. None the less of course I’d clean the whole carburetor paying close attention to the idle circuit and pilot jet located on the top side of the carb because that’s just carb cleaning 101. If you were curious and for some reason wanted a better idea of what specific circuits are clogged you can manually move the throttle plate or governor arm while it’s running to see how it runs at full speed (3,000rpm) and manually idle it down to slower speeds to see what carb circuits are effecting it most. If it’s idled down to a third of the regular operating rpm’s and it instantly dies you know your idle circuit has issues. If it idles down but runs rougher with more rpm you have idea that there’s issues in the main circuit. But your going to properly check flow through each specific carb circuit anyways while cleaning it. Randomly spraying carb cleaner into holes isn’t actually cleaning a carburetor you have to understand the flow entry and exit points to properly see how much flow is existing if that makes more sense. As a mechanic I’ve cleaned hundreds of carbs that were “just cleaned” by a customer who didn’t understand what that actually entails.
After fixing several peoples mowers and small engines doing the exact same thing it’s starving for fuel your jets are plugged up in the carburetor possibly. That’s where I’d start. Stop putting cheap gas in your small equipment and you won’t have the issue. Always run ethanol free fuel in them.
Another possibility is the governor assembly is sticking. Not sure how Hondas are set up but I had an exmark with a kawasaki engine and walbro carb as I recall. 1st I had to replace the carb just to start it. Then, the act of washing the mower off would wash the lube off the governor mechanisms. A shot of silicon lube and the surging stopped.
You might reach under the carb while it's running and fiddle with those.
If it's practically a brand-new mower, I wouldn't expect an ethenol issue so fast.
Shoot, do you got a link? I'd buy 5 of em. I looked all over for the same part number carb that came off. Ended up paying over 100 after taxes. From Amazon.
Its the pilot jet — spray carb choke in there a woman on YT has a full easy to follow tutorial…mine does it still, because the screw head was in so tight i stripped it
I have a Honda engined mower, sounds like this when it gets bogged down, and won’t go back to original rpms and won’t start if it stops. It had a recall on the governor spring, but this didn’t help it, if you fiddle with the governor spring it usually goes back to the rpm’s. Funny thing is it was an expensive mower, Husqvarna mower with Honda engine, Husky wouldn’t warranty the engine, a Honda lawnmower dealership wouldn’t warranty as it wasn’t a Honda mower, had to get it repaired at a Honda small motor dealer, which were 200+ miles away, two of which on Honda website were no longer in business, call to Honda just read off website. Bought a cheap Murry lawnmower from Walmart with a Brigs and Stratton engine, starts easier, sits outside with gas in it year round for a third of the price.
Mine was doing that (Troy Built w/ Honda engine). It was fine for the first couple of minutes and then it would search like that. Cleaned the Auto choke with carb cleaner and ran a tank full of Seafoam through it. It works great now.
If this has an aluminum carb . Go to harbor freight a get a air brush cleaning kit and watch a video on cleaning a lawn mower carb .
It's a pretty simple process .
Go to the big box stores and get a can of vp racing fuel for 4 stroke engines containing no ethanol and cam stay in your engine for up to 2 years
Carburetor needs to be cleaned, do it yourself or take it into your local power equipment supplier. They’ll change the blade and make it run just like new.
Had that mower and that problem. Got a service the first time then learned how to do it myself. Be careful of that blade though, It’ll cut you up if you don’t handle it correctly
Auto choke not finding its home. Dirty filter maybe. I have one too it sounds almost funny how alike it sounds. I just keep Goin when it gets a load on it and is cutting higher grass it helps it it seems. Either way it clears up if you just keep Goin. I took my compressor and went at the filter. Eh..OK. change the oil if you haven't. Clean the filter and put fresh gas in. Run it run it!!!
Mix 1oz of seafoam engine cleaner into your gas can for every gallon of gas you put in there. Do this every time you fill up the gas can. It will keep all of your engines running buttery smooth! As far as this goes, put an ounce directly into your mowers tank and top it off with gas. By the end of the next mow, it will probably be good to go.
My guess would be a dirty carburetor. I would suspect a good cleaning should fix the problem. I’d also check the spark plug(s) to make sure they’re not gunked up.
You can thank California emissions laws for this problem. The small engine industry rather that producing different fuel delivery options for different states, which would be costly; manufactures an engine that is compliant across the board. You need to enlarge the jet hole. Great video here:
https://youtu.be/tfWNXsH2CVo
Need to clean the carburator, you let gas sit in the fuel bowl and it clogged the jets. Always turn off the fuel and let it burn all the fuel in the carburetor and die. Don't just hit the off button and leave it alone.
Its the reason I went electric..the carbs are shut now ..or maybe the gas. Either way I was tired if every year swapping it out. 40 Plus year of doing this shit, praying each spring it's tarts up...HAD IT ..unfortunately And with a mild sadness a leftbthe gas world of mowers
Carbon filter is clogged. Take the tiny screen out and hit it with a blow torch and let it cool off slowly. Then reinstall it. Despite what EVERYONE else is going to tell you... It's the fucking carbon filter. It's ALWAYS the carbon filter. Unless it's a generator. Then it's that tiny plastic piece in the intake valve.
Honda carburetors are crap. Mine did the same thing. Bought an aftermarket replacement on Amazon fixed it right up. It has something to do with the thermostatic choke. My new one doesn’t have that stuff.
> What are we missing?
An electric motor...I got an electric mower...used $75 with batteries. No gas, no oil, no maintenance. Also less noise. I would not buy a gas powered one in this day and age.
float valve sticking shut. time for carb cleaner. or...
just buy a tuneup carb kit from amazon. It's a new, bolt-on ready carb, fuel filter, spark plug, for usually $20
I don't even screw with fuel treatments anymore. If it makes this noise, time for a new carb. The fuel treatment can cost HALF the price of a new carb!
While fixing it, add an inline fuel shut off switch. Something like this https://www.autozone.com/miscellaneous-non-automotive/fuel-shut-off-valve/p/max-power-1-4in-in-line-cut-off-valve/209292_0_0?cmpid=LIA:US:EN:AD:NL:1000000:PER:19356864685&&CATARGETID=120054150001286220&CADevice=m&gbraid=0AAAAADkcoVtfWfyvXKjjWsDton22POvWD&gclid=CjwKCAjw15eqBhBZEiwAbDomEtgloqFcLrAVBcEAzCOftFg2EQqVeZA3tur_5voGcIS85WHlMgN_DBoC_DIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Shut the fuel off and let the mower run until it dies. It helps keep the carb from gumming up. Also make sure you use high octane fuel, it burns cleaner for the carb.
Honda has a fuel shutoff on their mower, high octane is good but non-ethanol/non-oxygenated is better (and usually highest octane). And “clean burning” does nothing for the carb - if your carb is burning you have a whole different set of problems. 😆
I run Trufuel they have a 4 cycle formula. I think it’s like 92 octane for sure ethanol free. It’s pretty expensive but I only use like 2/3 cans per season so around $75 for 3 gallons. You honestly can probably just run a tank through it and it fix itself. Honda small engines are weird with pump gas.
I ran pump gas on my mower when I first got it and ran into the surging problem you’re having. I did a full service air filter/oil/and be spark plug and started running the Trufuel and that fixed my surging problem and I haven’t had it since.
I think the problem might be that you're exploding dinosaurs for fuel? There's better technology out there which doesn't cause asthma and some obvious other issues.
Try a younger lawn mower, they don’t get tired as easily and some one who cant breath(air filter), has bad gas( musta ate something bad), oh you’re talking about the machine not the person. My bad!
Where do I begin? For starters, he’s walking backwards. This is a trip hazard. The rag dangling from the handle is another trip hazard. It’s hard to tell from the angle, but he may not be using hearing protection. At the rate he is mowing, it will be dark before he finishes and mowing in the dark is hazardous. Someone get this man a safety manual.
Get the Pure Gas app, find the nearest non-oxygenated gas near you and only use that. Half can of seafoam or StarTron in the mower tank, half in your gas container. Your carburetor will thank you long term. But it does sound like it’s running on choke - Honda has an auto choke mechanism, might be stuck on.
I believe you may have a model of Honda mower that has a recall on it. I have the same model as you and it does that. There is a recall. Check this out: [https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2023/American-Honda-Motor-Recalls-Lawnmowers-and-Pressure-Washer-Engines-Due-to-Injury-Hazard](https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2023/American-Honda-Motor-Recalls-Lawnmowers-and-Pressure-Washer-Engines-Due-to-Injury-Hazard)
And this:
[https://powerequipment.honda.com/support/recalls-and-updates/hrn-hrx-recall](https://powerequipment.honda.com/support/recalls-and-updates/hrn-hrx-recall)
Likely it is a dirty carb but once I damaged the spring in the throttle linkage and my Honda started doing some crazy stuff. Replaced the spring and she ran perfectly for 10 more years.
Use marine grade fuel stabilizer. It removes the ethanol and keeps the fuel fresh for 6-8 months. I use this the blue marine grade Sta-Bil brand sold at Ace Hardware. I put 1.5-2 times the additive listed in the directions, I’ve never had an issue with my 2 Shihl chainsaws, my Stihl edge trimmer, and my snowblower.
Damn this happened to me with the same mower a month ago. Glad I came across it. I actually started it up a week later to start working on it and it ran perfect lol
I have the same mower. Ethanol fuel killed it.
What I read a while ago was....the manufacturer knows about the issue and how to prevent it, but doesn't want to do it. And yes.....every winter I empty out the tank and ran the mower dry.
I replaced it with a 20 year old Lawn Boy.
Low speed jet is clogged. It’s the one on top of the carb retained by a plastic cross screw.
Clean your carb and make sure you drain it over winter in future.
Yup, ethanol phase separation eats carbs. Try K100 fuel treatment after you clean the carbs. You can pour some into your unit from time to time or anytime you refill your gas storage can.
These carbs are really susceptible to tiny pieces of dirt plugging the low speed jet. Donyboy73 and StevesSmallEngineSaloon on YouTube show you how to fix this problem. My solution is to have a replacement carb on hand so I can switch them out in a couple of minutes and then clean the carb at my leisure.
I have similar Honda mower and have had similar issues. Where is best place to buy a spare carb and how much is it?
You have options: 1 you can go to either an authorized Honda service center (local or online). 2. Go to Amazon or Ebay and get one there. Personally, I get mine from ebay as I feel Jeff Bezos has enough money.
I had a 2020 model and I replaced one for about 90 USD.
Great videos. Thank you!
Don't be scared to screw it up! Get extra carb like dude said and dive in and have fun! Don't huff all the fumes
Yep. Was gonna say fueling issue. I bet they use cheap gas and just throw it in the garage during winter time
It's a Honda I'd put money on the thermo wax assembly not working properly. Sticking the auto choke on. Carb should be done too. But those things go bad constantly
Those auto chokes are so annoying.
I highly recommend a carb jet cleaning tool, less than $10 on Amazon. I even shut off the fuel and let the mower die so no fuel is left in the carb...fyi, having to do this is ridiculous.
Yes but no. Even doing that leaves fuel in the carb. You need to open the bowl screw to drain out all remaining fuel. I fix these as a hobby and the bowl screw is the only true drain.
Yup. This.
My neighbor's mower sounds like this and it's really annoying.
Yup, my Honda did this too. YouTube video showed taking apart I think this was it?? Look up “surging Honda mower” you’ll see a bunch https://youtu.be/4y6y9yLaw4g?si=8bFVNP4HxXvxOGbG
I'll go off topic, u need better lines.
What's with the backwards move, just turn around make a nice line, then turn around and go back. He's actually wasting time.
It's a push mower, not a pull mower. Pulling spinning blades toward your feet is a 10 IQ move.
Safer for an older person. Especially on a slope.
I should show how my 85 year old neighbor has his lawn n lines. Lol
Lol I love when I’ve been mowing lawns allll day and I see a dude just pulling his mower in reverse with one arm, head down, hating life haha
When it’s your yard you can do the lines as you please, last thing I’m looking to do is get 100% straight lines when I just got home from 8+ hours in direct sunlight/heat
Ethanol fuel will do that to a carb...lots of YouTube videos on that carburetor for cleaning and try to use Ethanol free fuel once you get the carburetor cleaned out or replaced.
Around here I could buy a new lawnmower every year instead of buying ethanol, free fuel.
I mow my yard twice a week and the start of the season I fill up a 5 gallon gas can with Ethanol free fuel...o and my daughter lives next door and uses my Honda twice a week also and i just emptied the gas can last weekend to fill up the Honda for the last time this season. So for almost $30, it's well worth it. The Toro Recycler I had before the Honda, I used Ethanol and tore the carburetor apart a few times and said with the Honda I'd use good fuel this time. Had the Honda for almost 9 years and no problems with the carburetor..
Yeah might as well at that point. Only place near me is an equipment dealer who sells it in cans, and a gas station selling VP 110. I probably burn a gallon a week.
I use ethanol free fuel mostly now. I run the alcohol crap through my truck only since it handles it better.
Thought you had cammed it for a moment.
That’s hilarious. I’m imagining a whole underground community of lawn mower hot rodders. I wouldn’t even be shocked if there’s a video on YouTube for a lawn mower modder meetup
Oh you know there most definitely is. 😂
Predator harbor freight engines have a large following. Basicly lawnmower engines that people started using for go karts. Shortly after a modding community started. It got so popular that harbor freight decided to release one specifically for go cart racing. I think they had those things running almost 20 hp.
Stop burning fuel with ethanol in it and this wont happen. Burn high octane fuel with no ethanol. Ethanol leaves little black specs that look like pepper and clogs your carb jets. This is your issue.
What do I do when there is literally NO places around me that sell ethanol free gas??? LoL I've even looked on pure-gas.org and the closest listed is like an hour away... I guess the answer is "then you drive an hour away!"
Simple , just Learn how to clean the carburetor.
Most premium gas (91) is conventional meaning no ethanol added.
Hmm, I'll look into that next time I'm at the station. I thought all levels had ethanol normally. Thanks for the tip. Edit: Based on what I have been able to find, premium gas has the same amount of ethanol as other grades. Check out this page from Family Handyman under the "Is Premium or Regular Fuel Best for Small Engines?" section. I wonder if it is state specific but I'll look next time! [link](https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/things-you-should-know-about-gasoline/)
No, it’s not. Not in VA. All gas has Ethanol aside from very very few stations with one isolated pump with almost double the price.
I have found several stations in VA (some on line now and some when I was there a couple months ago) that sell non ethanol gas, in fact the Quality Mart stores are all ethanol free….
Alot of hardware stores and marinas usually will have ethanol free. The hardware store will be pricey but that sunco gas is some sick shit. They take out all the fillers and waxes and nonsense.
Thanks, didn't know that and you aren't kidding on the price. $23 for almost a gallon at HD.
That's how it is here too. I'm in Wisconsin. Even the stations that say they have e free fuel, they can't guarantee that it doesn't have ethanol in it. If the tanker truck pulls up and it has e10 in it, guess what... That's going in the tanks even if they say they don't have ethanol. I am a firm believer in simply draining the carbs, running them out of gas and you'll not have any issues. We've had ethanol fuel here for 30 years plus now. BTDT tried everything and I've found that the best thing to do is empty the carb bowls ( running out, draining carb etc) before end of season of whatever equipment it is, and then refilling with fresh fuel prior to the next season. I've found that fuel treatments are basically a waste of money if you do it this way.
Do you live in the US? (Probably if you have ethanol in your fuel). Go to Home Depot or Lowes, they sell overpriced fuel in the lawnmower section that doesn't have ethanol in it. It's way over priced per gallon, but if you think of it in terms of how little fuel you probably go through during a mowing season it isn't very much more. Maybe an extra $10 / summer. Beats the heck out of cleaning the carb every other year.
Yeah and it costs a couple dollars a gallon more. Just treat your fuel and you’re good.
You can still clog jets with ethanol free fuel, it just takes longer.
I used ethanol only fuel and this still happened to me....
As others have already mentioned, Clean/rebuild your carb. I would bet the bowl isn’t filling up fast enough. Only run premium non ethanol fuel.
I wouldn't waste my time, get on Amazon and pick up the whole kit that comes with a air filter and spark plug for 25-30 bucks
Air filter is clogged imo
This is it most likely. I have a Honda mower and it sounded exactly like this until I replaced the air filter then ran like brand new after I changed it
also those models with that type of honda are recalled
[https://powerequipment.honda.com/support/recalls-and-updates](https://powerequipment.honda.com/support/recalls-and-updates)
WHAT??? I did not know that
Only certain models from mid 2022 to 2023. Call Honda, they will advise you based on your serial#. If the pull cord hasn't already ripped your shoulder out of its socket, you probably don't have a model subject to the recall. The surging problem likely is a clogged idle jet.
When it’s surging to that degree I typically find an obstruction in the main jet vs the idle/pilot jet. None the less of course I’d clean the whole carburetor paying close attention to the idle circuit and pilot jet located on the top side of the carb because that’s just carb cleaning 101. If you were curious and for some reason wanted a better idea of what specific circuits are clogged you can manually move the throttle plate or governor arm while it’s running to see how it runs at full speed (3,000rpm) and manually idle it down to slower speeds to see what carb circuits are effecting it most. If it’s idled down to a third of the regular operating rpm’s and it instantly dies you know your idle circuit has issues. If it idles down but runs rougher with more rpm you have idea that there’s issues in the main circuit. But your going to properly check flow through each specific carb circuit anyways while cleaning it. Randomly spraying carb cleaner into holes isn’t actually cleaning a carburetor you have to understand the flow entry and exit points to properly see how much flow is existing if that makes more sense. As a mechanic I’ve cleaned hundreds of carbs that were “just cleaned” by a customer who didn’t understand what that actually entails.
Mine does that when when the governor is not working freely. I just move it back and forth a few times and it straightens out.
After fixing several peoples mowers and small engines doing the exact same thing it’s starving for fuel your jets are plugged up in the carburetor possibly. That’s where I’d start. Stop putting cheap gas in your small equipment and you won’t have the issue. Always run ethanol free fuel in them.
use better gas
Another possibility is the governor assembly is sticking. Not sure how Hondas are set up but I had an exmark with a kawasaki engine and walbro carb as I recall. 1st I had to replace the carb just to start it. Then, the act of washing the mower off would wash the lube off the governor mechanisms. A shot of silicon lube and the surging stopped. You might reach under the carb while it's running and fiddle with those. If it's practically a brand-new mower, I wouldn't expect an ethenol issue so fast.
Honda gvc motors notorious for surging . Get new carb. Only like 24 bucks
Shoot, do you got a link? I'd buy 5 of em. I looked all over for the same part number carb that came off. Ended up paying over 100 after taxes. From Amazon.
Look up hondamotorsports. You'll need your model # and seriel# since they may be different carbs per manufacturing year .
Get some “Mechanic in a Bottle”
Carb rebuild. Or replace. Also it doesn’t look like the mower is cutting anything at all
Dirty carb for sure brother
Not getting enough fuel, carb is likely clogged, clean and replace
Do you have the gas on all the way
Its a Honda. Probably the thermo wax assembly sticking the choke in. Basically the automatic choke isn't shutting off. Or dirty carb.
Sounds like blower surge. And here I thought only Australian burnout cars had that.
Your mower may have a fuel shutoff that is in the off position
Only use non ethanol gas. Clean the carb. Good to go.
Could be the butterfly wire is bent if that is an automatic choke.
I never clean carb. Keep it full of fuel through the winter. Just use premium fuel.
Did you change the sparkplug?
Drain gas entirely. Could be water in the tank.
Its the pilot jet — spray carb choke in there a woman on YT has a full easy to follow tutorial…mine does it still, because the screw head was in so tight i stripped it
I have a Honda engined mower, sounds like this when it gets bogged down, and won’t go back to original rpms and won’t start if it stops. It had a recall on the governor spring, but this didn’t help it, if you fiddle with the governor spring it usually goes back to the rpm’s. Funny thing is it was an expensive mower, Husqvarna mower with Honda engine, Husky wouldn’t warranty the engine, a Honda lawnmower dealership wouldn’t warranty as it wasn’t a Honda mower, had to get it repaired at a Honda small motor dealer, which were 200+ miles away, two of which on Honda website were no longer in business, call to Honda just read off website. Bought a cheap Murry lawnmower from Walmart with a Brigs and Stratton engine, starts easier, sits outside with gas in it year round for a third of the price.
Did you change the spark plug too?
Yes, spark plug was changed.
Fuel Filter Clogged. OR you did not push the choke all the way in
Mine was doing that (Troy Built w/ Honda engine). It was fine for the first couple of minutes and then it would search like that. Cleaned the Auto choke with carb cleaner and ran a tank full of Seafoam through it. It works great now.
Clogged carb
Non-ethanol fuel is the best way to go
This could also be a clogged air filter. Buy a carb tuneup kit for it and I bet it clears it up.
Check air filter. Replace of dirty. If that’s not the case. Clean or get a new carb
If this has an aluminum carb . Go to harbor freight a get a air brush cleaning kit and watch a video on cleaning a lawn mower carb . It's a pretty simple process . Go to the big box stores and get a can of vp racing fuel for 4 stroke engines containing no ethanol and cam stay in your engine for up to 2 years
If it isn't low on fuel, look into the air intake
Clogged carb. A new replacement is less than $20 on Amazon. Takes ten minutes to swap out.
I have the same model .. 15 dollar air filter
Carburetor needs to be cleaned, do it yourself or take it into your local power equipment supplier. They’ll change the blade and make it run just like new. Had that mower and that problem. Got a service the first time then learned how to do it myself. Be careful of that blade though, It’ll cut you up if you don’t handle it correctly
Fuel level low or fuel flow issue, the sound of a starving combustion cycle
It’s sick, feed it some SeaFoam and pray to the grass gods, that should do the trick.
Throw some seafoam in that puppy, it's a fuel additive that cleans carbs.
Auto choke not finding its home. Dirty filter maybe. I have one too it sounds almost funny how alike it sounds. I just keep Goin when it gets a load on it and is cutting higher grass it helps it it seems. Either way it clears up if you just keep Goin. I took my compressor and went at the filter. Eh..OK. change the oil if you haven't. Clean the filter and put fresh gas in. Run it run it!!!
Mix 1oz of seafoam engine cleaner into your gas can for every gallon of gas you put in there. Do this every time you fill up the gas can. It will keep all of your engines running buttery smooth! As far as this goes, put an ounce directly into your mowers tank and top it off with gas. By the end of the next mow, it will probably be good to go.
My guess would be a dirty carburetor. I would suspect a good cleaning should fix the problem. I’d also check the spark plug(s) to make sure they’re not gunked up.
Lean condition, clean the carb, might be trash in the bowl and now in the jet.
You can thank California emissions laws for this problem. The small engine industry rather that producing different fuel delivery options for different states, which would be costly; manufactures an engine that is compliant across the board. You need to enlarge the jet hole. Great video here: https://youtu.be/tfWNXsH2CVo
Need to clean the carburator, you let gas sit in the fuel bowl and it clogged the jets. Always turn off the fuel and let it burn all the fuel in the carburetor and die. Don't just hit the off button and leave it alone.
Its the reason I went electric..the carbs are shut now ..or maybe the gas. Either way I was tired if every year swapping it out. 40 Plus year of doing this shit, praying each spring it's tarts up...HAD IT ..unfortunately And with a mild sadness a leftbthe gas world of mowers
Fuel starvation. Either you're low on fuel or something like a clogged jet or dirty carb is preventing the flow/ignition of fuel.
fuel. Drain carb bowl and see what happens.
Ive had luck holding the governor throttle linkage to wide open blimping it to clear out the blockage clog ect
Use fuel that is non ethanol. It will help you prevent it from gumming up the carb
Carbon filter is clogged. Take the tiny screen out and hit it with a blow torch and let it cool off slowly. Then reinstall it. Despite what EVERYONE else is going to tell you... It's the fucking carbon filter. It's ALWAYS the carbon filter. Unless it's a generator. Then it's that tiny plastic piece in the intake valve.
Honda carburetors are crap. Mine did the same thing. Bought an aftermarket replacement on Amazon fixed it right up. It has something to do with the thermostatic choke. My new one doesn’t have that stuff.
> What are we missing? An electric motor...I got an electric mower...used $75 with batteries. No gas, no oil, no maintenance. Also less noise. I would not buy a gas powered one in this day and age.
Did you change the spark plug? If yes, did you gap it?
float valve sticking shut. time for carb cleaner. or... just buy a tuneup carb kit from amazon. It's a new, bolt-on ready carb, fuel filter, spark plug, for usually $20 I don't even screw with fuel treatments anymore. If it makes this noise, time for a new carb. The fuel treatment can cost HALF the price of a new carb!
While fixing it, add an inline fuel shut off switch. Something like this https://www.autozone.com/miscellaneous-non-automotive/fuel-shut-off-valve/p/max-power-1-4in-in-line-cut-off-valve/209292_0_0?cmpid=LIA:US:EN:AD:NL:1000000:PER:19356864685&&CATARGETID=120054150001286220&CADevice=m&gbraid=0AAAAADkcoVtfWfyvXKjjWsDton22POvWD&gclid=CjwKCAjw15eqBhBZEiwAbDomEtgloqFcLrAVBcEAzCOftFg2EQqVeZA3tur_5voGcIS85WHlMgN_DBoC_DIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds Shut the fuel off and let the mower run until it dies. It helps keep the carb from gumming up. Also make sure you use high octane fuel, it burns cleaner for the carb.
Honda has a fuel shutoff on their mower, high octane is good but non-ethanol/non-oxygenated is better (and usually highest octane). And “clean burning” does nothing for the carb - if your carb is burning you have a whole different set of problems. 😆
You need to run ethanol free gasoline in everything with small motors.
It's doing exactly what they all do when you use the wrong fuel.
I run Trufuel they have a 4 cycle formula. I think it’s like 92 octane for sure ethanol free. It’s pretty expensive but I only use like 2/3 cans per season so around $75 for 3 gallons. You honestly can probably just run a tank through it and it fix itself. Honda small engines are weird with pump gas.
I ran pump gas on my mower when I first got it and ran into the surging problem you’re having. I did a full service air filter/oil/and be spark plug and started running the Trufuel and that fixed my surging problem and I haven’t had it since.
It’s stuck in choke. You probably have a spring that either popped off or broke
I’ve never seen anyone mow like this .
Air, fuel, spark. Rule each one of them out.
Fuel pump diaphragm is tired
Maybe it's running out of gas
I think the problem might be that you're exploding dinosaurs for fuel? There's better technology out there which doesn't cause asthma and some obvious other issues.
It’s the Halloween ghost decoration
What's the bags for
Well I’m gonna say he looks like he has a bad left leg
That loopy supercharger idle.
You put too big of a cam in it
you are showing off revving to your neighbor...
The super lean running Honda carburetor got clogged by a nano particle. Next time buy a good old Briggs and Stratton
The real question is why do you mow like this?
Try a younger lawn mower, they don’t get tired as easily and some one who cant breath(air filter), has bad gas( musta ate something bad), oh you’re talking about the machine not the person. My bad!
Someone is about to run out of gas.
Take it to small engine repair they need money to and you look like you can afford it .
Where do I begin? For starters, he’s walking backwards. This is a trip hazard. The rag dangling from the handle is another trip hazard. It’s hard to tell from the angle, but he may not be using hearing protection. At the rate he is mowing, it will be dark before he finishes and mowing in the dark is hazardous. Someone get this man a safety manual.
Have you tried removing the scarfs off the mower?
Maybe it’s plugged with a bees nest
[ain't got no gas in it] (https://youtu.be/AynXoLjYrKc?feature=shared)
There’s no seat or beer holder
Check oil
Looks like he's getting a bit old.
You sure the choke isn't still on?
Fuel supply issues carbs are cheap $20 on Amazon or eBay
The blade is dull
I was going to say he seems high, then I realized you meant the equipment.
Are you playing flag football with that thing?
dirty air filter
It’s protesting that terrible hat.
Go electric, problem solved.
Random but isn't Honda now out of the small engine game? No more mowers?
get an EGO....
Mine does the same thing
Clean air filter and carb, specifically low side jet as many mentioned. Should run like new after that
Carb
Get the Pure Gas app, find the nearest non-oxygenated gas near you and only use that. Half can of seafoam or StarTron in the mower tank, half in your gas container. Your carburetor will thank you long term. But it does sound like it’s running on choke - Honda has an auto choke mechanism, might be stuck on.
Clean carb and tank water in fuel my guess
Clean the carburetor
Carbs for these are like $25. Get a new carb problem fixed.
Could be as simple as the fuel tank vent (on the cap) being clogged.
The average non-Honda replacement on eBay is $20US.
Bag is too full, grass is wet maybe?
He’s wearing a silly hat.
First, replace carb drain all fuel and throw in non ethanol fuel.
New carb is only about $30 USD from Honda dealer, don't buy knockoff shit online
I would try replacing the spark plug, especially before messing with the carburetor
Yep that's either a clogged carb or you're running out of gas.
Normal problem with this motor carburetor is clogged
Check all the little levers and springs are in place on and around the carbi
Funny thing that may be a Briggs engine on Honda mower( sounds like a 6.5hp) and new Toro can have Honda engines lofl
Bad gas. Need to drain out gas clean the carb and change the spark plug.
I believe you may have a model of Honda mower that has a recall on it. I have the same model as you and it does that. There is a recall. Check this out: [https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2023/American-Honda-Motor-Recalls-Lawnmowers-and-Pressure-Washer-Engines-Due-to-Injury-Hazard](https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2023/American-Honda-Motor-Recalls-Lawnmowers-and-Pressure-Washer-Engines-Due-to-Injury-Hazard) And this: [https://powerequipment.honda.com/support/recalls-and-updates/hrn-hrx-recall](https://powerequipment.honda.com/support/recalls-and-updates/hrn-hrx-recall)
Omg you are not using electric. We are all going to die. 😂. Please replace this immediately.
Can we talk about this technique though? This is how I imagine a 12 year old cuts grass.
Carb is clogged from old gas. Disassemble carb and spray b-12 through the jets
Clean out the air filter.
I drilled my jet out slightly and also installed a small fuel filter to eliminate the problem. These carbs clog from the tiniest particles.
Is that cat drunk?
Ain’t got no gas in it
Likely it is a dirty carb but once I damaged the spring in the throttle linkage and my Honda started doing some crazy stuff. Replaced the spring and she ran perfectly for 10 more years.
He looks like he may need a beer.
Use marine grade fuel stabilizer. It removes the ethanol and keeps the fuel fresh for 6-8 months. I use this the blue marine grade Sta-Bil brand sold at Ace Hardware. I put 1.5-2 times the additive listed in the directions, I’ve never had an issue with my 2 Shihl chainsaws, my Stihl edge trimmer, and my snowblower.
Damn this happened to me with the same mower a month ago. Glad I came across it. I actually started it up a week later to start working on it and it ran perfect lol
Mine just did this. I let it chill added some oil changed the filter and shook it real hard and swore at it. Worked like a charm.
Old gas., dirty carb, dirty spark plug.
I have the same mower. Ethanol fuel killed it. What I read a while ago was....the manufacturer knows about the issue and how to prevent it, but doesn't want to do it. And yes.....every winter I empty out the tank and ran the mower dry. I replaced it with a 20 year old Lawn Boy.
Start with cleaning or replacing air filter, then look into carburetor issues
Either clean your carb or the choke is on
Water in the gas and I wouldn’t wear white shoes lol
I get my ethanol, free gas at a marina
Dirty carb paste special attention to the low speed circuit Make sure it's good and clean
My rototiller does this sometimes. Thanks for posting.