Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Honda HRM215 rings, head gasket, honda engines

Question
My Honda HRM215 blows smoke during startup and I was told I  needed new rings.  When I took the head off, the top of the piston looks like a well burnt steak, one of the valves is white (looking from the piston upward), and the other valve is covered with the burnt steak crud.  Is everything still salvagable, or too far gone?

Also, I can only see the top of the piston, how do I get the rings off?

Answer
 Hello Scott:

 What was the Compression? The White Looking Valve is the Exhaust Valve. The Burnt Steak Crud Looking Valve is the Intake Valve. Is the Only Time the Engine Smoked was During Start Up and then the Smoking Quit? This Could be a Blown/Leaking Head Gasket or a Worn Out or Stuck/Frozen Oil Ring. You have to Completely Disassemble the Engine to Replace the Rings. If this is the American Honda Mower, then you can View a Breakdown/IPL at this Addy http://hayward.arinet.com/scripts/EmpartISAPI.dll?MF&app=ASP&lang=EN&TF=Mainfram... and Follow the Instructions. If the Mower is Not American Honda then try this Addy http://www.honda-engines-eu.com/en/service/spareparts/heepartscatalogue/index.js... to Locate a Breakdown/IPL. Hope this Helps. I am here if you Require more Assistance. Let me know what Happens, Please. Thanks.

 Good Luck

 Respectfully

 John