Nice machine. Hope it holds up for you as long as my 40-year-old HR214 has for me. Follow the entire recommended maintenance schedule and keep the undersides clean and it'll be an excellent tool for the long term!Aside from non-ethonal gas and an oil change after the first 5 hours of use, is there anything else that is recommended for longevity?
Congradulations,I’m new to this forum and just purchsed my first Honda mower. Growing up we always had Craftsman mowers, and I had always wanted a honda with the hydrostatic drive. Well I finally pulled the trigger and could not be happier! I’m excited to meet some folks on here and contribute from time to time.
Aside from non-ethonal gas and an oil change after the first 5 hours of use, is there anything else that is recommended for longevity? View attachment 62796
Nice machine- sexy in a lawn mower wayis there anything else that is recommended for longevity
sorry for the sadness - a emotional roll coasterI read something about a compression release on these engines to prevent this sort of kickback at low RPMs. Could this be the issue?
Agreed that these problems on a premium product shouldn’t happen, but manufacturers defects are unfortunately inevitable.Thanks for the follow up. Sorry you’ve had this experience. So far, the rear wheels on my HRR haven’t locked up but I’m pretty much expecting them to do so next season. I think that when you pay top dollar for a lawnmower, it shouldn’t come with these problems. When it comes time to replace the HRR, I won’t be buying a Honda product.
That could be at least 20 years from now if you keep up with maintenance.Thanks for the follow up. Sorry you’ve had this experience. So far, the rear wheels on my HRR haven’t locked up but I’m pretty much expecting them to do so next season. I think that when you pay top dollar for a lawnmower, it shouldn’t come with these problems. When it comes time to replace the HRR, I won’t be buying a Honda product.
This is a design defect which Honda should have done a recall on. It’s not about keeping up with maintenance. I got 30 years out of my last mower. My cars are 15 years old and my motorcycle is 45 years old. I can handle maintenance just fine. It’s this sort of thing that pisses me off:That could be at least 20 years from now if you keep up with maintenance.
After watching the video I agree with you. I'd be pissed too!This is a design defect which Honda should have done a recall on. It’s not about keeping up with maintenance. I got 30 years out of my last mower. My cars are 15 years old and my motorcycle is 45 years old. I can handle maintenance just fine. It’s this sort of thing that pisses me off:
I commend you on having really good attitude about this.Update:
After a 20 minute mow of the front yard, I shut the mower down. When I restarted, it snapped back again and the decompression mechanism had failed. I ended up just keeping it running for the rest of the time. Interestingly enough, this morning the cord pulled fine.
I am working with the dealer and Honda to discuss repair or replacement options. The dealer has been very understanding and easy to work with. The experience with this mower has been disappointing, but I am really glad I purchased from a local dealer and not a big box.
I have wanted one of these mowers since I was a kid cutting grass for $10 a yard. I was finally in a place where I could afford one, and very excited. Oh well, guess that is life sometimes…
The older design Honda engines (GX) are overhead valve (OHV) with pushrods. The newer design engines (GC & GS) are overhead cam (OHC) with a timing belt. I have both, but my GX engines have a LOT of hours on them with no issues, other than a ring job on the 1983 GXV120.Honda went from an overhead cam engine to a pushrod design since I bought one in 2003. Seems like they went backwards.
It basically short-strokes the exhaust valve.I'm still trying to wrap my head around a compression release in a 4 stroke engine.
Thank you sir, I actually looked that up last night. A spring return device to slightly open the exhaust valve when starting.The older design Honda engines (GX) are overhead valve (OHV) with pushrods. The newer design engines (GC & GS) are overhead cam (OHC) with a timing belt. I have both, but my GX engines have a LOT of hours on them with no issues, other than a ring job on the 1983 GXV120.
It basically short-strokes the exhaust valve.
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You are correct, the new GCV200 and the GCV170 have gone back to a pushrod design. All the other GCV engines use a timing belt with an overhead cam. I do believe that the pushrod design is better, avoiding the timing belt, but only time will tell!Looks like the new GCV200 in my K6 VKAA is OHV pushrod. Maybe older is better?
I'm glad Honda stepped up to the plate for you!Update: A brand new mower is sitting in my garage. Fingers crossed, I’ll probably mow later this week.
