New 2020 HONDA HRN216 GCV170 Surging/Rough Idle AND Auto Choke Test/Check

New Honda HRN216 surging/rough idle. Pilot jet Clogged and or cleaning carburetor model# HRN216VKA engine GCV170

Link for "How to remove and install Carburetor" GCV160 and GCV170

[weeeves]

One important step you failed to mention is to remove the idle mixture screw. Many times that's where the restriction is at, the only way to clean out any stuck debris is by removing it. It's the brass screw with a spring around it and is underneath the aluminum cover with a slot for a flathead screw driver which you must remove it in order to remove the idle mixture screw. It's held on with Loctite so don't try prying it off or you'll snap off the brass idle mixture screw. You need to heat it up with a small torch for a few seconds (Bic flame torches work great) but it'll quickly melt the aluminum if you're not careful. Before removing idle mixture screw, make sure to tighten it until it bottoms out while counting the number of turns because it needs to be set back in the exact same position. If you forgot to do this, it's 1-1/2 turns.

[johnkcrna]

Wish I saw this $50 ago (minimum charge at ripoff repair shop). They tried to tell me I needed new carburetor. Now I'm up and running, no surging, Thanks!

[Burgermonster]

Thanks for the video! This looks like my exact problem. Bought this mower last August and used it just a few times. I was disappointed because the thing is so new and my previous HONDA mower never had this problem. I wish they would leave good enough alone already.

[pitchblackscatpack]

Used the mower once in 3 months and the god damn thing is doing this. I’m bringing this thing back. Thanks for the video!

[hcramer]

Thank you so much! 8 month old pressure washer was doing this exact thing at idle. Under load it was fine. Took carburetor off and did as you suggested and she now idles smoothly! Had a heck of a time getting the screw off but finally got it. Went to a Big Box store and got a set of welding nozzle tip cleaning brushes for $7 and used them to clean the pin hole and did the main nozzle too. Super easy and would not have known how to correct this issue without you!

[nevermind]

You've got an incredible screen presence and you know what you're talking about. I hope you make many more videos.

[mikesweeney]

You recommend checking the autochoke mechanism in step one. Mine did NOT work properly. I had to replace (Honda 16620-Z8D-305 Thermo Wax Assembly) and the autochoke mechanism returned to normal.

Your tips on disassembly/re-assembly and jet cleaning were very helpful and initially fixed my problem, but the problem came back in my case. Premium gas made no difference. Thanks for all the conversation helping all us DOY people save $$.

[jerrystark]

The same general fix works on older HRX 217 mowers, as well. Surging is a common problem with them, too.
I could not help but notice how much simpler it is to access and service the carburetor on this newer model Honda mower. Sweet!
Thanks for the video.

[CookiePepper]

This is the best video on YouTube for how to clean carburetor, especially surging engine.
My pressure washer with the Honda GCV160 engine surging problem fixed.
Thanks so much.

[clv]

Now, if we can just get that mulch door to work lol. I was sleuthing around to see if anyone had that problem and stumbled upon this, and I'm glad I did. Mine surges until it gets warmed up, usually settles down after a few minutes. I figured it was normal and attributed it to the auto choke system. But yeah... I haven't bagged clippings the past few mows and while I give her a nice dusting off cleaning after every mow, the next time I bagged I was surprised to see how much got trapped in the void between where the bag mounts and the mulch door. It was compacted like a brick filling the entire void lol. Thanks for the video Kipp

[gregc]

Thanks for the video. Fixed my brand new lawnmower in 20min and now I know what's been wrong with my Honda pressure washer for the past 10yrs. Will be fixing that next.

[urbanhomestead]

This did the trick, under 10 minute job. I removed the carb (take note of what hole the linkage rod and tiny spring go for reassembly - take pics prior to disassembly) I used carb cleaner, then compressed air at 30 psi. My new mower started doing this 3 weeks/mowings into it. Thank you for this video!

[gillhalford]

Thank you so much. My Honda’s carb is so old it doesn’t have a pilot screw- or one that I could finely. So I simply sprayed the carb cleaner in the hole you suggested. After that I started the mower and it still ran terrible. I let it warm up and now the problem is gone! Thanks again!!

[Roysmomma]

Thanks so much for your video. Three week old mower conked out! Honda motor savvy hubby could not figure it out! Smart wife(me) found your video. Hubby watched it and 20 minutes later mower worked great! You are awesome😊!

[aaroncook]

Fixed my honda HRN216VKA... Thanks for sharing this... you saved me 100 dollars by avoiding the repair shop.

[gian-lucbrasseur]

So I bought a Dewalt pressure washer this weekend with a Honda GCV200 motor. After setting it up and point the provided oil inside of the motor I filled her up with premium gas and wanted to test out the brand new unit. It took me 4 or 5 pulls to get the engine running but once it started up it immediately did this exact same surging while idling. When I pulled the trigger and sprayed water it ran decent. As soon as I let off it began to surge again. I'm going to go ahead and follow this video and clean up the Carb tonight. Very happy about this video!

[htxphoenix]

Just wanted to let you know your video was helpful and I was able to fix the issue of my mower surging with some carb cleaner and your instructions. Would not have known a single thing about any of this without being able to research this and see a great instructional video. Thank you.

[jeffsteil]

Thank you "Daddy" this was a good fix, although I took a short cut and had to execute the repair a second time to fix it. The first time I did not remove the pilot jet screw; Cleaned everything with all 3 tools; (Carb cleaner, pipe-cleaner and mild compressed air) and when reassembled and started the mower, it continued to surge. A second tear-down and removing the pilot jet screw was the key. A trick others might find useful when attempting to remove "stuck fasteners" such as this little pilot jet screw which I encountered, is to impact the screw head first with some force. In this situation I used the end of a 1/4" x 6" long socket extension and a hammer to apply a few "love-taps" to the head of the screw from multiple angles and the screw came right out. Your instruction to verify the "auto choke" feature is working properly was pretty cool too (closed when cold and open when the motor is warm) Thank you Daddy!👊

[kycatsyt]

Instructions were just spot on. I have an HRR216 older model but I did just what you described and the surging is gone. Appreciate your post.

[excellularmobile]

Thanks Kipp!!! OK, so I had a problem with my Honda mower. Hard to start, would eventually stay running but not much power. It would take a few tries but eventually I could engage the blades and it would keep running. Engaging the blades actually helped to keep it running but limited power through heavy leaves. Followed the steps here, I cleaning the carb with cleaner and now my mower is back to running like new, thank you so much Kipp!!! My engine is the GCV200