16
PLACING IN STORAGE
If your mower will be stored with gasoline in the fuel tank and
carburetor, it is important to reduce the hazard of gasoline vapor
ignition. Select a well-ventilated storage area away from any
appliance that operates with a flame, such as a furnace, water heater,
or clothes dryer. Also avoid any area with a spark-producing electric
motor or where power tools are operated.
If possible, avoid storage areas with high humidity because humidity
promotes rust and corrosion.
Unless all the fuel has been drained from the fuel tank, move the fuel
valve to the OFF position to reduce the possibility of fuel leakage.
Place the mower with its wheels on a level surface. Tilting can cause
fuel or oil leakage.
With the engine and exhaust system cool, cover the mower to keep
out dust. A hot engine and exhaust system can ignite or melt some
materials. Do not use sheet plastic as a dust cover. A nonporous
cover will trap moisture around the mower, promoting rust and
corrosion. Honda recommends using the optional stretch fabric
storage cover (page 19).
REMOVING FROM STORAGE
Check your mower as described in
BEFORE OPERATION
If the fuel was drained during storage preparation, fill the tank with
fresh gasoline. If you keep a container of gasoline for refueling, be
sure that it contains only fresh gasoline. Gasoline oxidizes and
deteriorates over time, causing hard starting.
If the cylinder was coated with oil during storage preparation, the
engine will smoke briefly at startup. This is normal.
TAKING CARE OF
UNEXPECTED PROBLEMS
Engine Will Not Start
Loss of Power
Vibration
Mowing and Bagging Problems
Possible Cause
Correction
Fuel valve OFF
Turn the fuel valve ON (page 7).
Throttle lever in the wrong
position
Move the throttle lever to the
CHOKE position, unless the engine
is warm (page 7).
Out of fuel
Bad fuel, mower stored
without treating gasoline, or
refueled with bad gasoline
Refuel with fresh gasoline
(page 14).
Spark plug faulty, fouled, or
improperly gapped
Gap or replace the spark plug
(page 13).
Spark plug wet with fuel
(flooded engine)
Dry and reinstall the spark plug.
Fuel filter restricted,
carburetor malfunction,
ignition malfunction, valves
stuck, etc.
Take the mower to an authorized
Honda servicing dealer for repair.
Possible Cause
Correction
Throttle not set to FAST
Move the throttle lever to FAST
(page 7).
Grass too tall or wet
Raise the cutting height (page 7),
cut a narrower swath, cut more
frequently when the grass is dry.
Mower deck clogged
Clean out the mower deck.
Air filter restricted
Clean or replace the air filter
(page 12).
Bad fuel, mower stored
without treating gasoline, or
refueled with bad gasoline
Refuel with fresh gasoline
(page 14).
Fuel filter restricted,
carburetor malfunction,
ignition malfunction, valves
stuck, etc.
Take the mower to an authorized
Honda servicing dealer for repair.
Possible Cause
Correction
Grass and debris lodged
under the mower deck
Clean out the mower deck.
Blades improperly installed,
loose, bent, damaged, or
unbalanced by improper
sharpening
Install blades properly and tighten
blade bolts (page 10).
If blades are found to be bent or
damaged, take the lawn mower to
an authorized Honda servicing
dealer for inspection (page 10).
Mechanical damage, such as
a bent crankshaft
Take the mower to an authorized
Honda servicing dealer for repair.
Possible Cause
Correction
Engine speed is too slow to
cut well
Move the throttle lever to FAST
(page 7).
Cutting height adjustment
levers set at different
positions
Set all levers at the same cutting
height position (page 7).
Grass bag overfilled or
restricted
Empty the grass bag. Wash the
grass bag if it is clogged with dirt
(page 11).
Mower deck restricted
Clean out the mower deck.
Blades dull, worn, or
damaged
Sharpen or replace the blades if
necessary (page 10).
