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9

SERVICING YOUR LAWN 
MOWER

Good maintenance is essential for safe, economical, trouble-free 
operation. It will also help reduce air pollution.

To help you properly care for your mower, the following pages include 
a maintenance schedule, routine inspection procedures, and simple 
maintenance procedures using basic hand tools. Other service tasks 
that are more difficult, or require special tools, are best handled by 
professionals and are normally performed by a Honda technician or 
other qualified mechanic.

The maintenance schedule applies to normal operating conditions. If 
you operate your mower under severe conditions, such as sustained 
high-load or high-temperature operation, or use in unusually wet or 
dusty conditions, consult your servicing dealer for recommendations 
applicable to your individual needs and use.

Remember that an authorized Honda servicing dealer knows your 
mower best and is fully equipped to maintain and repair it.

To ensure the best quality and reliability, use only new, Honda 
Genuine parts or their equivalents for repair and replacement.

Maintenance, replacement, or repair of the emission control 
devices and systems may be performed by any engine repair 
establishment or individual, using parts that are “certified” to 
EPA standards.

MAINTENANCE SAFETY

Some of the most important safety precautions follow. However, we 
cannot warn you of every conceivable hazard that can arise in 
performing maintenance. Only you can decide whether or not you 
should perform a given task.

Safety Precautions

• Make sure the engine is off before you begin any maintenance or 

repairs. This will eliminate several potential hazards:

Carbon monoxide poisoning from engine exhaust

Be sure there is adequate ventilation whenever you operate
the engine.

Burns from hot parts

Let the engine and exhaust system cool before touching.

Injury from moving parts

Do not run the engine unless instructed to do so.

• Read the instructions before you begin and make sure you have 

the tools and skills required.

• To reduce the possibility of fire or explosion, be careful when 

working around gasoline. Use only a nonflammable solvent, not 
gasoline, to clean parts. Keep cigarettes, sparks, and flames away 
from all fuel-related parts.

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

1. For commercial use, log hours of operation to determine the proper 

maintenance intervals.

2. Service more frequently when used in dusty areas.

3. These items should be serviced by an authorized Honda servicing 

dealer unless you have the proper tools and are mechanically 
proficient. Refer to the Honda shop manual for service procedures.

Failure to follow this maintenance schedule could result in 
non-warrantable failures.

B

 WARNING

Improper maintenance or failure to correct a problem 
before operation can cause a malfunction in which you 
can be seriously hurt or killed.

Always follow the inspection and maintenance 
recommendations and schedules in this owner’s manual.

B

 WARNING

Failure to properly follow maintenance instructions and 
precautions can cause you to be seriously hurt or killed.

Always follow the procedures and precautions in this 
owner’s manual.

Interval

1

Item

Before each 
use

Inspect the blades (page 10)
Check the blade torque (page 10)
Check the rear shield (page 6)
Check the grass bag (page 11)
Check the engine oil level (page 12)
Check the air cleaner (page 12)

First month or 
5 hours

Change the engine oil (page 12) 

2

First 25 hours

Clean the air filter element (page 12)
Adjust the blade control cable (page 13)

Every 
50 hours

Change the engine oil (page 12) 

2

Clean the air filter element (page 12) 

2

Every 
100 hours

Perform the 50-hour service items plus:
Check-adjust the spark plug (page 13)
Clean the spark arrester (page 13)
Check operation of the blade control (page 13)
Adjust the blade control cable (page 13)
Adjust the throttle cable 

3

After every 
250 hours

Clean the combustion chamber 

3

Every 
300 hours

Perform the 100-hour service items plus:
Replace the air cleaner filter (page 12)
Replace the spark plug (page 13)
Adjust the valve clearance 

3

Adjust the idle speed 

3

Clean the fuel tank 

3

Every 2 years

Check the fuel line and replace if necessary 

3

Summary of Contents for HRC216PDA

Page 1: ...ctly and safely Safety Messages preceded by a safety alert A symbol and one of three signal words DANGER WARNING or CAUTION These signal words mean Each message tells you what the hazard is what can happen and what you can do to avoid or reduce injury Damage Prevention Messages You will also see other important messages that are preceded by the word NOTICE This word means CONTENTS For lawn mowing ...

Page 2: ...ate time for hands on training by a qualified instructor and personally supervise practice sessions until you feel sure the employee is ready to operate the machine Also be sure employees wear proper clothing and have eye protection and any other gear that may be required by local ordinances or your insurance company Remember too that you are responsible for keeping the mower properly maintained a...

Page 3: ...ds together Make sure the ribs are facing out as shown 2 Slip the left handle support hanger over the end of the handlebar and slide past both bolt holes Make sure the ribs are facing out 3 Position the handlebar onto the handle stay and loosely install the two 8 x 16 mm flange bolts through the handlebar lower bolt holes DO NOT OPERATE UNLESS GUARD IS CLOSED OR BAG IS IN PLACE HOT MUFFLER CAN BUR...

Page 4: ... 10 Install an 8 mm self locking nut on both studs on the inside of the mower deck Do not fully tighten the nuts at this point 11 Tip the mower back onto its wheels 12 From the grass bag side of the handle insert the stud on the end of each handle support plate through the handle support hanger Make sure the stud goes through both holes in the handle support hanger 13 Install an 8 mm self locking ...

Page 5: ...TIONS page 5 BEFORE OPERATION page 6 OPERATION page 7 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE page 9 You can also find additional information on the Honda Power Equipment web site Visit www hondapowerequipment com faq htm Please Register Your Lawn Mower If your dealer did not collect registration information from you please take a few minutes and register your purchase with Honda This allows us to contact you with a...

Page 6: ...em from the work area People and Pets People and animals near the work area can move into your lawn mower s path or into a position where they could be struck by thrown objects Clear the area of pets and people especially children Their safety is your responsibility Work Area Check the condition of the grass Adjust your lawn mower ground speed and mowing swath accordingly GET THE MOWER READY Grass...

Page 7: ...ks and practice in a safe area until you build up your skills For your safety avoid starting or operating the engine in an enclosed area such as a garage Your mower s exhaust contains poisonous carbon monoxide gas which can collect rapidly in an enclosed area and cause illness or death STARTING THE ENGINE The blade turns when you operate the starter It is easiest to start the engine in a clear or ...

Page 8: ...n changing direction Mowing on a slope when the grass is damp or wet could cause you to slip fall and lose control of the mower Obstacles Use the side of the mower to cut close to large obstacles such as fences or walls Be careful when mowing over obstacles embedded in the lawn such as sprinkler heads paving edging raised tree roots etc Avoid anything that sticks up above the surface of the lawn I...

Page 9: ...ke sure you have the tools and skills required To reduce the possibility of fire or explosion be careful when working around gasoline Use only a nonflammable solvent not gasoline to clean parts Keep cigarettes sparks and flames away from all fuel related parts MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE 1 For commercial use log hours of operation to determine the proper maintenance intervals 2 Service more frequently wh...

Page 10: ...Use a wooden block to prevent the blades from turning when removing the bolts Remove the blades Blade Installation 1 Clean dirt and grass from around the blade mounting area 2 Install both blades using the two blade bolts and special washers as shown Be sure to install the special washers with the concave side toward the blades and the convex side toward the bolts The blade bolts and washers are s...

Page 11: ... upper limit mark on the dipstick Do not overfill If the engine is overfilled the excess oil may get transferred to the air cleaner housing and air cleaner filter NOTICE Running the engine with a low oil level can cause engine damage This type of damage is not covered by the DISTRIBUTOR S LIMITED WARRANTY page 20 4 Screw in the oil filler cap dipstick securely Engine Oil Recommendations Always cha...

Page 12: ...he latch tabs on the top of the air cleaner cover and then remove the cover 2 Remove the foam element from the air cleaner cover 3 Remove the screen grid and paper element 4 Check both elements to be sure they are in good condition and replace them if they are damaged 5 Clean the paper element by tapping it several times on a hard surface to remove dirt or blow compressed air not exceeding 30 psi ...

Page 13: ... quickly take the mower to an authorized Honda servicing dealer for repair Spark Arrester Service optional equipment Your lawn mower engine is not factory equipped with a spark arrester In some areas it is illegal to operate an engine without a spark arrester Check local laws and regulations An optional USDA approved spark arrester is available from an authorized Honda servicing dealer The spark a...

Page 14: ...ntaining no more than 10 ethanol E10 or 5 methanol by volume In addition methanol must contain cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors Use of fuels with content of ethanol or methanol greater than shown above may cause starting and or performance problems It may also damage metal rubber and plastic parts of the fuel system Engine damage or performance problems that result from using a fuel with percen...

Page 15: ...perature to evaporate any water remaining on the engine 3 Stop the engine and allow it to cool 4 After the lawn mower is clean and dry touch up any damaged paint touch up paint part numbers are on page 19 and coat other areas that may rust with a light film of oil Fuel NOTICE Depending on the region where you operate your equipment fuel formulations may deteriorate and oxidize rapidly Fuel deterio...

Page 16: ...engine is warm page 7 Out of fuel Refuel page 14 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 e...

Page 17: ...and other emission systems to reduce the emission of carbon monoxide oxides of nitrogen and hydrocarbons Additionally Honda fuel systems utilize components and control technologies to reduce evaporative emissions The U S California Clean Air Act and Environment Canada EPA California and Canadian regulations require all manufacturers to furnish written instructions describing the operation and main...

Page 18: ...AE 10W 30 API SJ or later page 11 Spark Plug Type NGK BPR5ES page 13 Maximum Governed Speed 3 100 rpm 50 150 rpm Shop manual Blade Control Cable Adjust for 1 3 16 1 3 8 in 30 35 mm free play at the blade control lever page 13 Throttle Cable Adjust for proper choke operation page 14 Blade Bolt Torque 36 43 ft lb 49 59 N m page 10 Do not try to increase the engine speed above the maximum governed sp...

Page 19: ... Your name address and telephone number A detailed description of the problem Honda Publications These publications give you additional information for maintaining and repairing your lawn mower Shop Manual This manual covers complete maintenance and overhaul procedures It is intended to be used by a skilled technician Available through your Honda dealer or through Helm Inc at 888 292 5395 or visit...

Page 20: ... or distributor s dealer authorized by American Honda to sell those products in the United States Puerto Rico and the U S Virgin Islands Parts and Accessories must be purchased for installation on original Honda equipment or engines to be eligible for warranty coverage Installing parts and accessories on non Honda products or engines voids this warranty 2 You must be the first retail purchaser Thi...

Page 21: ... are warranted up to their required replacement interval only Honda will also replace other engine components damaged by a failure of any warranted part during the warranty period Only Honda approved replacement parts may be used in the performance of any warranty repairs and must be provided without charge to the owner The use of replacement parts not equivalent to the original parts may impair t...

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