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Started By
Message
New Honda Mower Vapor Lock
Posted on 6/9/23 at 10:49 am
Posted on 6/9/23 at 10:49 am
I have a month old Honda walk behind that is awesome...but after running for a bit, if I kill it the engine then it vapor locks. You can't physically pull the starter cord.
I have in the past been able to pull the spark plug and reinstall - then it will start back up.
Today my son was mowing and it died and now the normal remove spark plug, give it a few pulls to clear, then reinstall spark plug does not resolve it - it will be locked again when I try to start.
Any of you guys have a tip - what am I missing?
TIA
I have in the past been able to pull the spark plug and reinstall - then it will start back up.
Today my son was mowing and it died and now the normal remove spark plug, give it a few pulls to clear, then reinstall spark plug does not resolve it - it will be locked again when I try to start.
Any of you guys have a tip - what am I missing?
TIA
This post was edited on 6/9/23 at 11:08 am
11
Posted on 6/9/23 at 11:42 am to FuzzyBearE
Get a can of starting spray, give it two shots. See if that helps. Maybe more to it than vapor lock.
Posted on 6/9/23 at 12:36 pm to FuzzyBearE
Posted on 6/9/23 at 1:21 pm to LSUDad
quote:
Get a can of starting spray, give it two shots.
Thanks for the tip - I tried that. I was doing that in the spark plug hole. This lat time as soon as I put the spark plug back in, it was tight again.
I think the dealer MAY have put too much oil in it...I drained and re-filled. Removed air filter and sprayed shot in and got it to start.
After it cools down, it seems to free up...
I let it run about 20 minutes and then turned off the fuel to let it run out.
It seems to be OK at the moment...
Posted on 6/9/23 at 1:39 pm to FuzzyBearE
quote:
the dealer
This is where it should go. There is no reason a 1 month old mower should not start up at anytime about halfway into the first pull.
Posted on 6/9/23 at 1:54 pm to FuzzyBearE
quote:
I have a month old Honda walk behind that is awesome.
quote:
after running for a bit, if I kill it the engine then it vapor locks. You can't physically pull the starter cord.
That doesn’t sound very awesome to me. I’d demand my money back if this issue wasn’t resolved ASAP.
Posted on 6/9/23 at 2:10 pm to FuzzyBearE
Could be something to do with the carburetor. As for a starting fluid, just shoot it in the air intake, it will go through the filter.
Does it have a gas priming bulb?
If it’s as new as you say, bring it back, make them fix it.
Does it have a gas priming bulb?
If it’s as new as you say, bring it back, make them fix it.
Posted on 6/9/23 at 3:25 pm to FuzzyBearE
A likely culprit could also be a clogged gas cap vent. You'll run fine for a bit but then you'll get a hydrolock/vacuum scenario that goes away as the engine cools.
Pull off your gas cap and you'll see holes on the bottom edge. These can get clogged if you overfill the fuel and then have it slosh up.
Blow them and pick them out - quick and easy to try. Good luck!
Pull off your gas cap and you'll see holes on the bottom edge. These can get clogged if you overfill the fuel and then have it slosh up.
Blow them and pick them out - quick and easy to try. Good luck!
Posted on 6/9/23 at 5:48 pm to FuzzyBearE
Vapor lock means the gas in the carburetor or fuel line is getting hot enough to boil and vaporize. It shouldn't cause you to not be able to turn over the engine by pulling the starter cord.
When my air cooled VW vapor locked. It quit running going down the road and you could see the gas boiling/bubbling in the clear fuel filter.
When my air cooled VW vapor locked. It quit running going down the road and you could see the gas boiling/bubbling in the clear fuel filter.
Posted on 6/9/23 at 5:52 pm to FuzzyBearE
I bought one a few months back because I wanted to buy one before they were discontinued. I have the exact same issue with the pull cord basically every time I mow. I learned when that happens to engage the lever and move the mower forwards then backwards a few feet. It always works. Not sure the mechanism behind it.
A friend had the same issue. He brought the original mower back and still has the same issue with the new one.
A friend had the same issue. He brought the original mower back and still has the same issue with the new one.
This post was edited on 6/9/23 at 6:38 pm
Posted on 6/9/23 at 6:10 pm to FuzzyBearE
quote:
but after running for a bit, if I kill it the engine then it vapor locks. You can't physically pull the starter cord.
There's something else going on as there is physically no way this happens with these engines, they have a mechanical decompression system built into the valvetrain. The combustion chamber also doesn't seal well enough to hold such pressure longer than a short duration even if that system was malfunctioning.
Posted on 6/9/23 at 7:55 pm to Cracker
Get battery powered mower 
Posted on 6/9/23 at 9:43 pm to FuzzyBearE
quote:
Honda
If I payed that much for a mower that I have to walk behind that’s only a month old, I’m bringing it back and I don’t want someone trying to fix it, I want a brand new replacement and we’ll go from there.
Posted on 6/10/23 at 12:19 am to FuzzyBearE
Assuming the mower has one, is the bail lever being held down everytime while attempting to start?
Also, this may be of interest to you: LINK
Also, this may be of interest to you: LINK
Posted on 6/10/23 at 6:04 am to FuzzyBearE
If you bought it from a local dealer take it into them Op. lowes or HD likely won’t know, maybe HD if they have a tool rental and repair shop in house.
But definitely take it to the dealer or call them. What model?
Also, why are you constantly having to turn it off and on?
But definitely take it to the dealer or call them. What model?
Also, why are you constantly having to turn it off and on?
Posted on 6/10/23 at 8:49 am to gizmothepug
quote:
I’m bringing it back and I don’t want someone trying to fix it, I want a brand new replacement and we’ll go from there.
Probably have issues no matter what, the Honda HRN and HRX mowers of the last few years are not as reliable as the previous generation. The HRN GCV170 engines have issues with the choke system and all models have problems with the self-propel system due to inadequate shielding of the belt path from PTO to the drive. They get clogged with wet grass clippings, even worse if if its an HRX model with a blade clutch system. I got my HRN about 7 years ago, just bought a stash of OEM spare parts to keep it going as long as I can.
Posted on 6/10/23 at 4:30 pm to Craw Dawg
I like her channel and watched the video.
However, the comments seem to contradict her view. Of course an owner exibiting neglect would affect the situation.
However, the comments seem to contradict her view. Of course an owner exibiting neglect would affect the situation.
Posted on 6/11/23 at 10:52 am to ItzMe1972
Owner neglect is always #1 but sometimes basic design flaws create problems no matter the care and maintenance taken. Residential walk behinds are overpriced garbage these days. I picked up a no-frills Craftsman mower a few months ago for $85 at a local pawn shop to keep at my house to do the yard here until the house is sold. The gutless Tecumseh engine starts on the first pull but when it dies I might stick a Harbor Freight 5.5hp job on the deck just to have as a back up.
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