15
Cleaning
Mower Deck
Before washing the underside of the mower deck, stop the engine and
turn the fuel valve to the OFF position. Rest the mower on its right
side, so the fuel cap side is up. This will help to prevent fuel leakage
and hard starting due to carburetor flooding. Wear heavy gloves to
protect your hands from the blades.
Be careful to avoid getting water into controls and cables, or
anywhere near the engine air cleaner or muffler opening.
Engine
Wash the engine by hand, and be careful to prevent water from
entering the air cleaner and exhaust opening.
NOTICE
Using a garden hose or pressure washing equipment can force water
into the air cleaner. Water in the air cleaner will soak the paper filter
and can enter the carburetor or engine cylinder, causing damage.
Water contacting a hot engine can cause damage. If the engine has
been running, allow it to cool before washing.
Grass Bag
Remove the bag from the mower, and wash it with a garden hose or
pressure washer. Allow the bag to dry completely before storage.
Drying
After washing the lawn mower, wipe dry all accessible surfaces.
Place the mower with its wheels on a level surface. Start the engine
outdoors and let it run until it reaches normal operating temperature to
evaporate any water remaining on the engine.
Stop the engine and allow it to cool.
After the lawn mower is clean and dry, touch up any damaged paint,
and coat other areas that may rust with a light film of oil.
Storage Location
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 dry 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.
Make sure the fuel valve is in 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.
Handlebar
Remove the grass bag if installed. You can place it on top of the
engine with the bag opening to the front.
.
1. Turn the handlebar adjust knobs 90 degrees to release the
locating pins
.
2. Fold the handlebar forward
; do not pinch or kink the cable.
Removing From Storage
When unfolding the handlebar, be sure to lock the handlebar adjust
knobs to secure the handlebar in the mowing position.
Check your mower as described in
BEFORE OPERATION
If the cylinder was coated with oil during storage preparation, the
engine may smoke briefly at startup.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Engine Will Not Start
Possible Cause
Correction
Throttle lever in wrong
position
Move the throttle lever to the FAST
position (
).
Fuel valve OFF
Turn the fuel valve ON (
).
Out of fuel
Refuel (
Bad fuel; mower stored
without treating gasoline, or
refueled with bad gasoline
Refuel with fresh gasoline (
).
Spark plug faulty, fouled, or
improperly gapped
Gap or replace the spark plug
(
Spark plug wet with fuel
(flooded engine)
Dry and reinstall the spark plug.
Fuel filter clogged,
carburetor malfunction,
ignition malfunction, valves
stuck, etc.
Take the mower to an authorized
Honda servicing dealer for repair.