Engine Won’t Start

– Make sure the fuel valve, just to the right of the air filter, is on.
– Make sure the throttle is set to Choke if the engine is cold, or Fast if the engine is warm.
– Check the fuel tank. If it’s empty, add more fuel. If the fuel hasn’t been treated with a stabilizer and is more than 30 days old or has been treated and is over 90 days old, drain the fuel tank and carburetor, then fill with fresh gas.
– Check the spark plug. The gap should be set to 0.028-0.031in (0.7-0.8 mm.) If it’s wet with gas, wipe it dry and reinstall. If the electrode or insulator is damaged, replace it with a new plug.
– If the engine still won’t start, have the mower looked at by a dealer.

Loss of Power

– Make sure the throttle is set to Fast once the engine is warm.
– The grass may be too tall for the mower to handle. Raise the cutting deck, and try cutting a narrower swath with each pass. If this is a persistent problem, mow more often.
– Stop the engine, turn the fuel valve off, and disconnect the spark plug cap. Tilt the mower up on its right side and check the underside of the deck. Remove any clogs using a tool or stick. Clogging is more common with wet grass: try mowing when it’s dry.
– Check the air filter, located behind a cover on the left side of the engine. If it is clogged, tap the filter on a hard surface to loosen dirt. If it has been damaged, replace it with a new filter.
– Check the fuel. If it is more than 30 days old, or has been treated with a fuel stabilizer and is more than 90 days old, drain it from the tank and carburetor, and replace with fresh gas.
– If it still doesn’t run right, have the mower looked at by a dealer.

Excessive Vibration

– Stop the engine, turn the fuel valve off, and disconnect the spark plug cap. Tilt the mower up on its right side and check the underside of the deck. Using a stick, remove any grass and debris stuck in the deck. Make sure the blade bolt is tight, torqued to 36-43 ft-lbs. (49-59 N m.) If the blade is heavily worn or damaged, it needs to be replaced.
– Have the mower looked at by a dealer.

Poor Cutting Quality or Poor Bagging Performance

– Make sure the throttle is set to Fast.
– Decrease mowing speed by shifting into a lower gear.
– Check that the cutting height levers are all in the same position.
– Make sure the grass bag is clean and not overfilled.
– Stop the engine, turn the fuel valve off, and disconnect the spark plug cap. Tilt the mower up on its right side and check the underside of the deck. Using a stick, remove any grass and debris stuck in the deck. If the blade is heavily worn or damaged, it needs to be replaced. Using anything other than the correct OEM blade on this mower will also reduce cut quality.

Where to buy Honda Pump parts

Honda Lawn Parts is an OEM dealer for all of Honda’s power equipment and lawn care products including the HRT216. They have a huge stock of parts for fast shipping of whatever you need from blades and spark plugs to major components.

Getting your mower ready for the season? Check out our guide for getting equipment out of storage. Looking to get a new mower? Learn why Honda’s innovations make them a great choice.