QuestionModel HRT216KTDA; Frame SN: MZCG-6623086; Engine SN: GJAEA-1235387. ("Home Depot Special")
Found this very clean lawnmower on trash day last fall. Figured the problem was with the carb, and after a pretty thorough soaking was able to clean out the parts and surfaces I could see, but the engine still would not start. With a couple of squirts of starting fluid the mower would start, but would not continue for more than 5 sec. Figured the internal passageways were still gunked, so bought a new Honda carb.
Installed the new carb today, still wouldn't start. With a squirt of starter fluid, however, the mower not only started but kept running! Went outside for a 10 min test mow, and worked perfectly: no smoke, no stalling, no motorboating. Great. Stopped engine. Waited about 10 sec. Restarted on one pull. Waiting for a longer time, however, and needed starter fluid to start again.
Not sure what to do next. Thanks for any help you can give.
AnswerYou probably have a little problem with your choke. Probably when you swapped the carb, you didn't get the control on just right which is pretty easy to do on this engine. Pull the air filter and see if the choke isn't closing all the way when you try to start it. Let me know if this isn't the case. Thanks, PK.
